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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, June 27, 2025
ALBUMS
7eventh Time Down We Praise You [BEC]
The Browns 25th Anniversary: Better Days Ahead [StowTown]
Franni Cash Wild Child - EP [Capitol CMG]
Matt Crocker interlude [Anotherland]
Jimmy Fortune Songs of an American Dreamer [Gaither]
Roxanne Grace Road Trip - EP [DREAM]
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise The Live Reunion: Washington, DC [James Town]
Kutless The Seventh Seal - EP [BEC]
Evvie McKinney It Ain't Over - EP (independent)
Rusty Shipp Capsized Empire (independent)
SEU Worship A Forgiving God [Provident]
The Shimmering Carnelians The Doorway (Version 2.0) (independent)
We Are Messengers A Thousand Times - EP [Curb]

SINGLES
Anchor & Braille Rattlesnake - Single [Equal Vision]
ANTHNY imposter syndrome - Single [Provident]
Blanca Right On Time - Single [Curb]
Landry Cantrell & Elenee sunshine & rainbows - Single [DREAM]
Eddie Clark Never Content - Single [Syntax]
Colony House Atomic - Single [Roon]
Megan Danielle Preachin' To The Choir - Single [Provident]
Drea LP & OnBeatMusic Don't Try Me (DTM) - Single [Syntax]
ELI GABLE Glory Bound - Single [Capitol CMG]
Joseph Habedank Running to Me - Single [Daywind]
Lonnie Hunter Flow (Like A River) - Single [Uncle G]
Kashh Kade HELP - Single [Syntax]
KB x KEANU Keanu's Song - Single [Provident]
Tasha Layton Singing In the Dark - Single [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard The Hand That Keeps Holding - Single [Motown Gospel]
Claire Leslie Thank God I'm Not Alone (from Claire's Phone) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Tim Lovelace Celebration of America Medley (feat. Charlie McCoy) - Single [StowTown]
Lecrae Tell No Lie (feat. Jackie Hill Perry) - Single [Reach]
LO Worship The Perfect Love of Jesus - Single [Integrity]
Patrick Mayberry Thank The Lord - Single [Provident]
Michael Monroe John The Baptist (feat. Chris Renzema) - Single [Provident]
Alexander Pappas A Great Awakening / Un Nuevo Despertar - Single [Integrity]
PEABOD Summer in Seattle - Single [RMG Amplify]
Rave Jesus Walk On The Water Remix (From The Chosen) - Single [Provident]
The Rocky Valentines Nat Song - Single [Velvet Blue]
Tommy Royale, gio. Like Dat - Single [Capitol CMG]
Saints In Exile & Cutright My Dead End (ft. Jeannie Ortega, Luc DiMarzio, Jericko) - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Take Care (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]

DVD
Jimmy Fortune Songs Of An American Dreamer DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, July 4, 2025
ALBUMS
Chad Cory America [DREAM]
Tenielle Neda The Way Of Love [Wings]

SINGLES
Christian Back Now - Single [DREAM]



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