Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

  Jesusfreakhideout.com 5-Star Review

  JFH 5-Star Review




Michael W. Smith
Michael W. Smith Project



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 11 tracks: 41 Minutes, 21 Seconds
Street Date: 1983


In 1983, a young singer/songwriter named Michael Whitaker Smith emerged from the background of Christian music to release his solo debut Project. Having made a name for himself in the early 1980s as a songwriter for artists such as Sandi Patti, Kathy Troccoli and, most prominently, Amy Grant, Smith signed to the then-fledgling Reunion Records for his artist debut. With his wife Deborah acting as primary lyricist, Smith wrote the music for the entirety of Project, filling it with eight pop/rock originals, three synth-based instrumentals and, as time would prove, more than its share of enduring classics.

You cannot mention Michael W. Smith's name without immediately being reminded of the one song that has made him most famous: "Friends." This iconic song made its first appearance on Project and while it remains the undeniable centerpiece of Smith's debut, the rest of the album holds up just as well as a landmark release in early CCM history.

The album is divided fairly equally between upbeat rockers, melodic pop numbers, and powerful anthems. "You Need A Savior," "The Race Is On," and "Be Strong And Courageous" are among the most propulsive rockers Smith has ever penned, while "Could He Be The Messiah" and "Love In The Light" are pop classics built around MWS's established strengths: unabashed melodicism and straightforward, yet unmistakably Christian messages. The album also closes off with two of his most famous anthems: "Friends" and the now-worship standard "Great Is The Lord."

Lyrically, Project's songs are split between Biblically inspired narratives ("Could He Be The Messiah" and "Be Strong And Courageous"), encouraging exhortations ("You Need A Savior," "Love In The Light" and "The Race Is On") and personal confessions on faith and friendship ("Too Many Times" and the timeless "Friends"). There's a disarming simplicity to Smith's lyrics that is missed in much of today's Christian music and that's partly why Project has stood up so well. Two and a half decades after it was first released, Smith's debut still stands as a boldly Christian album in an age when most projects are glaringly self-conscious about their Christianity.

Although Michael W. Smith would continue to have a long-lasting and wildly successful career in Christian music, it all started in 1983 with Project. More than just a historical artifact, Project is a musically and lyrically remarkable album that still speaks to listeners today. A truly defining release in Christian music!

- Review date: 2/10/07, written by Sherwin Frias



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 

CD

Buy This CD Online


. Artist Info: Discography
. Record Label: Reunion Records
. Album length: 11 tracks, 41 Minutes and 21 Seconds
. Street Date: 1983
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Sonata In D Major
  2. You Need A Saviour
  3. Could He Be The Messiah
  4. Too Many Times
  5. Be Strong And Courageous
  6. Looking Up
  7. The Race Is On
  8. First Light/Love In The Light
  9. Friends
  10. Great Is The Lord
  11. Alpha Overture
spacer Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH




This Wednesday, December 4, 2024
VINYL
Russ Taff A Christmas Song Vinyl [Girder]

This Friday, December 6, 2024
ALBUMS
Blessing Offor Covers - EP [Capitol CMG]
Colony House Every Christmas - EP [Roon]
Jonava Heaven Empyreal EP [The Charon Collective]
Brandon Lake Hard Fought Hallelujah: Heavyweight Edition - EP [Provident]
Ronnie Martin Holiday Fable - Instrumentals [Velvet Blue]
Poor Bishop Hooper As Foretold: Part 1 EP (independent)
Various Artists DREAM Christmas Vol. 8 [DREAM]
Within Silence The Eclipse of Worlds [Ulterium]

SINGLES
Cory Asbury Iris - Single [BEC]
Adriel Cruz Falling For You - Single [Syntax]
Bethel Music He Has Done Great Things (feat. Brian Johnson) [Live] - Single [Bethel]
Calvary MSC Hail the King (ft. Stefan Green) - Single (independent)
Chainstay Re;gret, Re;gress, Re;cover - Single [Small Step Records]
Jon Foreman Stay Wild Wildflower (feat. Kyndal Inskeep) - Single (independent)
Forfeit Thee Untrue It’s Colder Now - Single [Rottweiler]
Mat Kearney Christmas Chevrolet (Jingle Bells) - Single (independent)
Steven Malcolm Stick And Move (feat. Mike Teezy) - Single [Curb]
Michael Monroe Hiding - Single [Provident]
Sheets Nelson I Need You - Single [Church Boy]
No Vain Glory Praise (ft. Mapalo the Girl) - Single [Syntax]
Pulpit Vomit Jingle, Jingle, Jingle (Redux) - Single [Rottweiler / Broken Curfew]
Sidewalk Prophets I Apologize - Single [Curb]
TobyMac a lil church - Single [Capitol CMG]
Bay Turner Praise the Lord (Sunday Prelud) - Single [Centricity]
Weeping Hour Misael - Single (independent)
Wind and Sail I’ll Be Home For Christmas - a live postcard - Single (independent)

VINYL
Flyleaf Flyleaf Vinyl [Smartpunk]

Next Monday, December 9, 2024
ALBUMS
Relentless Pursuit Ascension (independent)

Next Wednesday, December 11, 2024
ALBUMS
Alex Henry Foster A Whispering Moment - EP [Hopeless Tragedy]

Next Friday, December 13, 2024
ALBUMS
Shaun P Live at the Jesus Dome [DREAM]

SINGLES
Leslie Jordan Golden Thread (for Jess) - Single (independent)
Leigh Nash Cry (feat. Villiers) [Fear of Tigers Remix] - Single [Visionary]
Stars Go Dim Mama Don't Lie (Alright) - Single [Curb]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new album from Within Silence!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images