REVIEW: Michael W. Smith “Stand” (CMT)

For nearly 25 years, Michael W. Smith has reigned supreme with a string of hook-laden pop albums, not to mention a charming boy-next-door personality that’s endeared him to multiple generations—hard to believe the youthful singer/songwriter is already approaching 50! His career took something of a detour after 1999’s This Is Your Time, successfully dabbling with instrumental scoring and live worship for a period. Healing Rain (2004) marked his return to pop with middling results, though it offered enough to satisfy patient fans, and singles from outside projects (”Signs,” “All in the Serve”) demonstrated Smitty could still recapture his trademark programmed pop/rock style.

Now along comes Stand, Smith’s 19th album, and I’m left with the chorus from a John Mayer song echoing in my head: “Something’s missing, and I don’t know what it is.” Oh, I have my guesses, but if you had told me ten years ago there would come a day where I’d find a Smitty album that I cared for less than Michael W. Smith 2, I’d have called you crazy. But at least the infamous “argyle album” had more personality and creativity. […read more]

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