Customer Reviews

Healing Rain

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

With two hugely successful praise CD's under his belt, Michael W. Smith decided to return to his pop roots for this CD. The result is still influenced by praise music.

Michael's career has been known for praise music from the very beginning. His first CD (PROJECT) produced the modern classic "Great Are You, Lord." He's also written praise-focused songs for Sandi Patty and Scott Wesley Brown among others. Here, he's got several more to add to the fold, including the title song. Not only can I see this song of renewal being sung in churches in the near future, but also the first track, "Here I Am," is a ready-made praise chorus about surrender. And while "All I Want" might not fit as easily into some churches, it falls into this category as well.

Not all the songs are new praise choruses, however. "Hang On" is a fun song of encouragement. "Live Forever" is another on a common theme for him, death of a loved one who is in Heaven. "We Can't Wait Any Longer" is reminiscent of many songs recorded over the years as a reminder of the needs around the world. Also included is a cover of the ballad "Bridge Over Troubled Water," the only song on here not co-written by Michael.

Over all, this CD seems to be missing something. I don't see it having any of the big hits from some of his other CD's. Maybe it's because there isn't a good mix of upbeat and slower songs. It has grown on me, and I like it better then THIS IS YOUR TIME. Still, not his best release.

I heard two tracks from this album at Smitty's Radio City Music Hall concert with Mercy Me. This album has very strong tracks, superior musicianship and most of all, he goes back to the body of work that made him famous.

Two songs that stand out for me is his version of Paul Simon's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and the title track. This album has helped me during a difficult time and hopefully, it will do for other people.

Way to go, Smitty!

I thoroughly enjoyed this album on the first listen and it got better with every listen afterwards. I love Michael's version of "Troubled waters", best I've heard yet. Also, the lyrics are very thought provoking. This album is somewhat mellow compared with his previous albums but nonetheless each song is good and worth buying the album. It comes close to the work he did on LIVE THE LIFE album.

Healing Rain is Michael W. Smith's first album in a few years that wasn't (in the title anyway) completely focused on praise and worship music. Like his other pop/rock albums, however, he doesn't sway too far from praise and worship. The title song "Healing Rain" is only lacking time to be called a classic. The music on this disc will take you away and the lyrics as always are amazing. This is, in my opinion, his best album in years.

Maybe the younger listeners are right. Maybe this CD will appeal more to the older generation. I liked the CD, especially "Human Spark", as much for the Bruce Hornsby and Mark Knopfler influence, as anything. I listen to a lot of CCM, since I program an hour of daily praise music on a low-power radio station. (The show's not cutting edge; but it's eclectic, since we try to appeal to all ages.) The CD may not inspire you to action, but it will help you think about your next step.

Well, i have eagerly awaited the release of this album since i heard about it, but when i heard him play Healing Rain in concert (before it was released) i knew there was something special about this cd.

To listen to this cd, and reading its lyrics, is like being washed in a cool rain on a very parched day. From the very first words on the cd

"There's a place where I can go
Where the angels hear me pray
I want to change, yes, i need Your touch
I'm waiting here for You
And I fall at Your feet
I'll give it all until the day we meet"

it sets you in the right mood for the rest of the album; the heartfelt words of a man coming to his Lord, tired of trying on his own, needing the power of God to change him. The next song, the title track, flows very well with the layout of the album, right into the healing rain so crucial for a change so deep inside. With this change, well, your outlook on life is certainly bound to change as well, and we see this positive outlook in Live Forever. It's a beautifully done anthem to the hope we have in Christ to know there is more to life than this world! "This hope we have as an anchor of the soul!" (from Hebrews) Next is a more upbeat pop song of encouragement for those about to give up. A good song for young folks, but attractive enough in its pop style for adult listening as well. The fifth track on this album is a song Smitty wrote for his 18 year old daughter Whitney. It speaks of not letting people boo your dreams, even when they seem insane or stupid. Do not settle for the usual in life. Strive for excellence, because it IS POSSIBLE! Song six, Human Spark is particularly touching to me. The desperate questions of why we must suffer under this sinful nature are relayed in the verses and answered in the chorus, not with WHY we must suffer, but how we can handle it. That sadness spoken of in the chorus is a sadness i have felt for so long. It's not a depression, but it is there even in happy times, but the hope of heaven and a perfect world are the spark that keep us going in a dark world! How can anyone logically dispair with that hope?? :) The story line of the album then goes into a similar topic in We Can't Wait Any Longer. For a while now, Michael has been teaming up with the likes of Bono and Data to speak out in an effort to raise awareness of the Aids epedemic spreading through Africa. It's an issua close to his heart, and you can hear that through his voice as he sings "we can't wait any longer, they're crying out, doesn't it matter?? We can't wait any longer, no, no! To long in a slumber, shake it up, wake it up now! We can't wait any longer, no, no...." A very well done call for support. Then we follow this song with one that tells of the reason why we would respond to that track. This song is sucha simple truth that Jesus IS love that at first glance at the lyric sheet and it seems almost cheesy, but stop at moment. Think about it, how often do we really believe those cheesy lines in verse one, and how often do we really understand that Jesus is NOT standing passively by in your life, or letting you go? Come on. It's true. Next up is a ballad that follows one of Smitty's most prominent themes throughout his career. Real friendship (which is a great followup song to the previous song, because Jesus is a Real Friend to us is we let Him). A good remake of Paul Simon's Bridge Over Troubled Water. Oldie but a goodie! ;) Then we hear Eagles Fly. An interesting stretch for Michael, kids will like it more, i think, but a good shot for him to try something new. (note: if you'll notice, it was produced by a man smitty has not collaborated with in previous albums.... so a new flavor no doubt.) But the lyrics are fantastic anyway. And then to close this journey through a healing rain, Michael closes with a gorgeous piece describing how all we really have in life is God, but it's ENOUGH. Everything else fails, but this love and fire from God, our life force holds strong.

All in all, Smitty has tried some new things musically on this album, and it has been a GOOD thing for him to stretch himself this way. The result is marvellous! He blends extremely personal lyrics with very befitting melodies, and the music blends so well together and is so well done it practically screams for you to come back and hear it again!

See the heart behind the lyric, and listen to the way each songmoves perfectly into the next with subject matter, and it is an amazing journey into the soul of just another human, experiencing the same things as you and me. Come away refreshed.

so give it a listen, and thanks for checking it out,
Jen :O)

p.s. for those who got a copy at Family Christian Stores, there is a bonus track of Smitty singing Healing Rain at a concert. Personally, i don't care for it much because he sounds like he's got a cold ... but that is just my opinion! hehe.

Although I am mostly a "rockier" type music lover, I really respect and enjoy Michael W Smith's work....this album is also rockier than the latest worship albums, and is terrific! The first time I heard it in it's entirety, I was coming back from a road trip (camping)...and it was very enjoyable and inspirational! Thanks for singing for the Lord, Michael!!

It seems as if most of the reviews here fall into two camps: long time fans who are pleased with another (M W Smith) Smitty pop album and those fans who normally favor Smitty, but who aren't exactly digging this CD.

I am in the 2nd camp, even tho i too am die hard Smitty fan. To me this CD does sound old school, but in an outdated way. It's heavy on synthesized sounds, veering differently from the guitar based sounds he was doing on "live the life"
Songs like "eagles fly" and "fly to the moon" really sound like they're from the late 80's. The first track "here I am" was co written by Martin Smith of Delirious and it's a strong opener. The first 2 songs are more "Jesus faith" centered than Michael's pop songs normally are.

What remains strong on this album are the personal lyrics dealing with human connection, encouragement, and loving others and acting that out with actions. "we can't wait any longer" is an urgent plea to help alleviate the AIDS crisis in Africa.
*my fave song is Michael's cover "bridge over troubled water". it seems risky to cover a simon and garfunkel classic, but his version will strike an emotional chord with you.

I too haven't quite gelled with this CD; it's not his best but definitely worth a purchase if you're a new or long time fan.

I am typically a MWS fanatic. However, this CD is just... lackluster. None of the songs really grab you like "A Place in This World", or "This is Your Time". Even MWS's bread and butter piano ballads seem forced. It is as if he had to crank out a cd to fulfill a studio contract obligation.

That said, the messages in the songs are dead on. Smith never has pulled punches and the message is convicting.

Healing Rain just touches my heart so much -- it seems very emotional to me. The music is surrounding, and the lyrics are strong. Having experienced the death of my husband recently, I stumbled on this recording while in a bookstore, and have identified with each of the emotions the songs reflect. I hear strength and passion, hope, encouragement, challenge, and compassion, among others. I have cried while listening to some of the songs, and have also gathered strength. I didn't know who Michael Smith was before this, so cannot draw on previous listening experience. I look forward to more of his music.