Customer Reviews

I 2 (Eye)

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I love this CD very much. I think that out of all of Michael W. Smith's recordings (with the exception of his latest which I have not yet listened to), this is the best. I think i2(eye) shows how versatile Smitty's musical talent really is much better than any of his other recordings (except, of course, for FREEDOM which was entirely instrumental). But I also think i2(eye) does a much better job of digging into theology than his other works. And even though this album was released in the 80s, most of the music on it is not so 80s-sounding. The majority of the music on here is fresh and original.

Enormously popular at the time of it's release was the folksy opener "Hand of Providence". "Secret Ambition" is a truly timeless classic highlighting the ministry of Christ. "Ashton" is a haunting and hard-hitting instrumental piece written as an ode to Frank E. Peretti's classic novel THIS PRESENT DARKNESS. Probably my favorite song on here has to be "I Miss the Way". This is a very soft and very melodic song that reaches out to the believer who has gotten distracted and gotten off course in his or her Christian walk. I guess the reason why this song's message speaks so loudly to me is because it is something that happens to all of us, if we were to be honest.

I've only mentioned my personal favorites on here. But if you have a wide range of musical tastes (if you're a Smitty fan, you have to), then you'll probably enjoy just about every song on here.

There will be no need to press the fast forward button when listening to this CD.

In my opinion this is Michael's best album. The entire album is full of heart felt tracks that stick with you. Secret Ambition is one of Michael's all time greats. Hand of Providence, I Miss the Way, Pray for Me and Help You Find Your Way are terrific songs as well. If you like any of Smitty's more recent albums, you will love I 2 (EYE)!

This CD is wonderful! "I miss the Way" "Secret Ambition" and "Pray for me are absolutely fabulous!

For an album that came out in the 1980's, there's an amazing amount of great stuff on i 2 eye. Michael W. Smith really comes into his own here, delivering such powerful anthems like "The Throne" and one of my all-time favorites, "Secret Ambition". Any fans of Smitty's classic song "Friends" will eat up the song "Pray For Me". Also, don't overlook a wondrous instrumental, "Ashton". MWS was way ahead of the Christian music curve in the '80's, and this album is Exhibit A of that.

As a MWS fan going back to the 80's I have to say without reservation that i2eye is by far his best work. The message is crystal clear and has brought many hours of worship, praise and rejoicing as well as tears and searching. Other Side will touch the heart of anyone who lived a wild life before you knew Christ. Ashton will haunt you with the light fighting the darkness and winning (based on This Present Darkness...read the book and you'll understand the music). He is raw and fully exposed on this cd and it shows. His heart is in every song and it truly captures the best of Michael W. Smith. Though it's an old one, it's WELL WORTH the time to listen again and again.

Michael W. Smith released i 2 (EYE) in 1988, shedding much of the heavy programming and syntha-80's pop/rock sound of his previous album and going for a more real and organic vibe. The resulting product was the best sounding record of Smith's career to that point. And, thanks to his partnership with Wayne Kirkpatrick, it had the lyrical muscle to back it up.

"Hand Of Providence" is one of those slightly off-of-center Kirkpatrick songs that comes at you from a different angle but contains one of his more brilliant lyrics. "Secret Ambition" is next. To this day it remains a powerhouse cut, with a strong drum backup and its steady build/creccendo to climax, and has become one of the classic anthems in ccm history.

"On the Other Side" teams up with "All You're Missin' Is A Heartache," "Live and Learn," and "Help You Find Your Way" in forming the album's core theme. The songs reflect on the gulf between the life of a Christian and one who is lost, and the struggle to stay on the right path. "On the Other Side" speaks of the relationship between a Christian and his old friends who knew him before he was saved. "All You're Missin'," which has some Stryper-powered backup vocals, addresses the false premise that the grass is always greener, stating "they look mighty fine, a sight to behold, but all that glitters is not gold." "Live and Learn" is a particularly strong cut that struggles with the human tendency to "always do what I don't want to do."

The trifecta of ballads on this album is almost unmatched. "I Miss the Way" is a song of longing for a friend who has fallen away from God. "I Hear Leesha" parallels "Hello, Good-bye" in message and emotion. "Pray For Me" is one of Smith's classic goodbye-to-a-friend songs, and was played at many a graduation in the years following its release.

With zero weak tracks, this is perhaps the strongest beginning-to-end album that Smitty has ever recorded, except for maybe Live the Life. The production was dead on for its era, the songwriting was particularly impressive, and the timing and marketing of the album helped it connect with the public in a very real way. Looking back we can see that i 2 (EYE) was one of the best pop albums of the 1980's, it helped propel Smith's career to a whole new level, and it still stands today as one of the best projects of his career.

Being a huge Smitty fan myself,I just had to check out some of his older albums.I was a little shocked at first when I heard this album's 80's sound but after listening to it a few more times,I quickly grew into it.I found some of Micheal's best lyric depth in songs like "Secret Ambition" and "I Miss the Way".Smith tells the story of a young girl who's life was ended too soon in "I Hear Leesha",another example of his thoutghful lyrics.I thoroughly enjoy this album but someone needs to tell Smitty to go easy on the synthesizers (kidding)! GOD BLESS,JF.com

This isn't Michael's best album, but it is a great one! "Pray For Me" is another song -- like friends -- that is fitting for Graduations and other times when there is a major life change. The sound and lyricsim of "I Miss the Way" is very haunting and familliar to any Christian who has ever had to watch a friend that has deviated from His Path. Highly recommended! (But then I recommend literally ANYTHING that Michael has done. He is THAT good!)

No matter what your personal religious standing is, this album should appeal to you. If you're into 80's pop, or just into great songwriting, look no further than this album. "Hand of Providence" is a definite keeper. "Secret Ambition" is an 80's arena rocker. My personal favorite is "The Other Side," which sounds kind of like "Boys of Summer," but not as stupid. Christian or not, i2(eye) is pure music Heaven. I also highly recommend "Go West Young Man" which i found at K-Mart for like $1.99.

I LOVE listening to Smith's songs. "Secret Ambition" is a great song and really speaks to me. I first heard this song at my church after the trajety on September 4 and I thought it was great. There was also a music video to accopmany the song and it showed scened in Jesus's life like the crusifixion and the last supper. I say this is a great song and Smith is one of the best.