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JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Inspection Review

Eric John Smith

Eric John Smith
Prodigal Son

Street Date: June 23, 2017
Style: Indie Rock
Official Site: Official Facebook
Buy It: iTunes
Buy It: Bandcamp
Buy It: AmazonMP3



Eric John Smith is a singer/songwriter/musician from the land of Mickey -- Orlando, Florida. Smith has been in multiple bands over the years, but in all his endeavors, he strives to give God the glory first and foremost. Prodigal Son is Smith's second release following 2016's Mountain Be Moved. Smith lists his main influence as Jason Martin and Starflyer 59. While the music is much more acoustic than Martin's SF59, the vocal approach definitely displays the influence. Musically speaking, Prodigal Son is an excellent listen. The musicianship is solid, the compositions are nice, and the tunes themselves are moving. "Who Would Love Me?" starts things off with one of the better songs on the album. The music and vocal effects sound akin to softer Alice in Chains -- something like "Heaven Beside You" or "Down in a Hole" (especially the unplugged version). The piano led "Be Still" offers a nice change of sound and another album highlight. "Always Be There" changes the pace up a bit for the first (and really only) faster paced song on the album and is also an enjoyable listen. Despite some good tunes prior, "You Are, I Am" is arguably the best overall song on the entire fifteen-track album, while the album closer, and title track, rivals if not surpasses, "Be Still" for the top piano led tune on Prodigal Son. Though the music is entertaining throughout, the album's weakness is in the vocal performances. The vocals are drenched in reverb and similar effects and while sometimes that works, as in "Who Would Love Me?," at other times it's just too much. Smith is all-around a much more talented musician than a vocalist generally speaking. Lyrically, you get a very Christ-centered and gospel-centric message that is always lifting up our Lord and Savior. Eric John Smith's Prodigal Son is an interesting venture. At times, it flashes some pretty high moments, but at others it fails to impress. Fans of indie rock and acoustic rock will be best suited for this release. For those interested in checking out Smith's work, he has both Prodigal Son and Mountain Be Moved available on Bandcamp with a "name your own price" option. Give this talented multi-instrumentalist a listen today.

- Review date: 8/3/17, written by Michael Weaver of Jesusfreakhideout.com



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This Friday, July 11, 2025
ALBUMS
Hammock Nevertheless (independent)
Jeremy Rosado The Waiting Room [Capitol CMG]
Seph Schlueter Counting My Blessings [Provident]
Stars Go Dim Roses [Curb]

SINGLES
Drenae Poof Be Gone - Single [Syntax]
goodwill. Tell Me More - Single [Syntax]
Amy Jay Can't Go Back - Single (independent)
JusJames Praise You (Celebration) - Single [Polished Arrow]
Kelo Critique (ft. DreBeeze Da Godson & Justice Jackson) - Single [Syntax]
Jamie MacDonald Desperate (feat. Lauren Daigle) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Myles Maestro 280ZX - Single [Syntax]
NXTMIKE JESUS IS NOT YOUR GIRLFRIEND! - Single [Syntax]
Q-Flo Get Up and Go (ft. Duprae) - Single [Syntax]
tonyxtrotter Rest - Single [Syntax]
Joel Vaughn Get Over It - Single [DREAM]
Phil Wickham Song of the Saints - Single [Fair Trade]

VINYL
The Swirling Eddies Let's Spin! Vinyl [Girder]
The Swirling Eddies Outdoor Elvis Vinyl [Girder]
The Swirling Eddies Zoom Daddy Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, July 18, 2025
ALBUMS
Justin Gambino Just Like Jesus - EP [Residence Music]
The Inspirations Up Above The World So High [Horizon]
Mary-Clair Enough [Vere]
The Rocky Valentines Music On The Shelf [Velvet Blue]

SINGLES
Zane Walls Think About Me - Single [DREAM]



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