Michael W. Smith - Worship Again

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Music reviews of Worship Again

Music Review: Paradoxical Powerhouse
Rating: 5 Stars

It took a lot of work for me to appreciate this album. For over a week I asked, "Michael, what _are_ you doing?" But then it began to seep in.

This album is an eclectic powerhouse. Much of it recalls Renaissance tonality, with sparse harmony in the inner voices, but the collection ventures far and wide from there. There are power modulations from 70s classic rock, there are Michael Card-ish blends of classical instrumentation and soaring electric guitars. You'll hear block chords reminiscent of a conservative country church, you'll hear an American Indian-inspired rave up.

Much of the album consists of "wall-of-sound" sonorities - sometimes it seems a bit too much so - but there certainly are tender moments also. The mood ranges from youthful exuberance to mature contemplation. As in its predecessor, _Worship_, violin solo and accompaniment are masterfully employed.

The album also is a strange blend of the informal (most notably, with Michael's exclamations and even outright stage direction) and the highly disciplined. While most of it obviously is live performance, some cuts are indecipherably so, rivaling detailed studio work. I am impressed with the amount of depth and polish worked into the music.

My favorite cut is the Smith family's own haunting _I Can Hear Your Voice_. It has a very transparent texture that recalls refined classical vocal writing. My best single moment is Amy Grant's cameo in the studio version of _Lord Have Mercy_. Beyond her masterful phrasing and voice control, I felt in my spirit that this was indeed her own public confession and repentance. That was moving, and was what began to soften me to this album. I also am impressed with the work of the lead guitarist, Glenn Pearce, especially on _I See You_ ("Everywhere I go"). His melodies don't quit.

The bottom line of music for the Christian is how it affects him spiritually. I wrestled with this album for a while, but once I understood what it was doing, I was moved. If you have an open mind, and are willing to work with it at first, I think you will find spiritual riches to be mined in this collection.

Description of Worship Again

Christian & Gospel CDs

• Music > Styles
• Pop