Customer Reviews

Wonder

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I'm having some difficulty accurately relaying my emotional response to this new record by Michael W. Smith. It would be cliche to call it visceral, although that's exactly what it is. I would say that it is a radical departure, an amazing, well-crafted work, from an artist whose been around several decades. Michael W. Smith reveals his vulnerabilities, his overtly paternal affectations in a not-so-distinct, somewhat somber, yet upbeat, almost disturbingly passionate manner. Every album Michael W. Smith has produced is distinctly different from any other and this one is no exception. I highly, highly, highly recommend it.

Let me open by saying that I have every album Michael has ever made. That's right...everything from "Project" up through this current offering. He was my inspiration to continue piano lessons as a kid, and was an early inspiration in songwriting. I've seen him in concert several times and think he is a genuine guy and a great entertainer.

The Smitty/Wayne Kirkpatrick songwriting duo was incredible. The lyrics fit the music, and still carried a moving message. Since Michael has started writing with others, I think the songwriting has suffered. Musically this album is rich and powerful...which is Michael's work, no doubt. But the lyrics just don't fit anymore. It's like he is trying to get these deep messages across, then copying someone's words onto music that doesn't complement it. On Wonder (Not Far Away) Michael is talking the verses, "Everybody has enough to bear / and everyone feels the strain / there's a lot that really isn't fair / but it isn't more than you can take." Not a bad topic for a song, but you can't just take lyrics and say them over some music. Michael did a similar song a decade ago with Kirkpatrick lyrics called "Give Me Love" but the quirky lyrics fit the rapid-fire delivery style. Not so with Wonder.

There is just a lot of "talking" going on, and not singing. The message on "Leave" is lost because there is really no melody at all. It's like reading a poem with music behind it. The trick to pop songwriting is to take words and craft them into a soaring melody - the words and the melody should be inseparable. Think of Michael's earlier works: Place in This World, Give it Away (perfect lyrical fit with that song), Secret Ambition, I'll Lead You Home, Never Been Unloved. These songs soar because the lyrics are lifted up by the melodies.

I appreciate that Smitty is trying to stay relevant in the Christian music scene, and that he is working with a variety of artists (Leeland, Matthew West). But I think he shines the most when it's just him and the piano, cutting to the core of the song. The best song on Wonder is "Welcome Home." Beautiful melody and piano chording. If he came out with an album of vocals and piano, all written by him, I can guarantee it would be his best work in a decade.

After 22 albums this is one of his best.A mixture of pop,rock,worship,and love songs.You will not be disappointed.He is not getting older but is getting better.

Over the last few years, I felt Michael W Smith was mailing it in when it came to his new studio work. And even though his new Christmas album was musically a joy to listen to, it barely clocked in at a little over 30 minutes of music. I, for one, felt he was drifting off the path of making great music through personal indifference and maybe too many other personal projects to really put out a worthwhile studio project. It seemed he was making his new studio albums to meet record company commitments and not because he had created a lot of new, spirit-filled, passionate music he wanted to share with the world. Well, let me say, MWS is back in a big way with this new album. The soaring melodies, the up tempo songs, the beautiful piano playing, meaningful lyrics, and the slow tempo heartfelt ballads (Forever Yours and Welcome Home) are all back in a big way and have the signature MWS style from his early works we had grown to love.

Yes, time is starting to catch up with his voice (it is very subtle), but that is what makes this new album's music so refreshing. The edginess and the talking/singing style in the manner of Johnny Cash or Leon Russell adds a new dimension to the songs (on a few songs, he does not do this style on all of them). But as a new recording project from MWS, there are not any clunker, head scratching, make you yawn songs on this album that were so prevalent on his recent two studio albums.

Do not hesitate to buy or dowload this new album. It is will worth the price and will enhance his lengthy legacy of great Christian music.

I appreciate criticism of an artist that is straight forward and musicially based. I don't have the same appreciation for criticism that points multiple CDs backwards and laments "that was my favorite one and you aren't turning that 12 song cd into a 24 song cd with your latest work." Artists stay fresh by stretching their limits. However you define this CD, it is musicially excellent. If you want that Michael W Smith from the past dancing all over the stage to a disco beat like he did thirty years ago; buy the DVD. Don't drive other listeners away with the statement that this isn't like a past CD and therefore is no good. There is not a bad song on this CD. The opening song is not even a song written by Michael. It is a piece by a little known band CarPark North. And it is a great song. That he even knows of this band demonstrates his breadth as an ever learning and growing artist. Michael has never had a "spectacular" voice. But he has always been capable of using to full capacity the pipes that he has and he uses every bit of of the emotional range of them including full tilt on this CD. More importantly he knows how to write great songs. My personal tastes don't run in the electronically driven production of his CD Rain, but that doesn't lead me to opine that the CD is bad and getting thrown out of my collection. Like other reviewers I have every CD he has ever written, including his multiple Christmas CDs and his orchestral CD. They are all splendid. I have my favorites which means I rank some higher than others. But they are all remarkable works. He is a unique, special artist that seems to have a musicial well that never goes dry. The guy is phenominal. Buy this CD. It is an excellent set of songs, well produced and remarkably performed by an artist who is still growing, focused and driven.

Love this new album from Michael W. Lots of variety-some sound country, some very spiritual,some gorgeous music! I have listened to it for 2 days already & just want more!

I really appreciate this album, MWS shows that he a real seasoned psalmist by the variety of the genres of music that this album covers. Seldom it is that when you purchase a CD that every track is a great track. But in my opinion, this is the case here. Below is a breakdown of the tracks and the genres that I think that the tracks fall into:

GENRE:: Tracks
------ :: ----------------------------------------------------------------
Rock: 1, 7 (track 7 has a really cool bridge that will get you moving)
POP: 2
Worship: 3, 6, 8, 12
Easy Listening: 4, 10
Prayerful: 5
Romantic: 9
Faith Building: 11

So far tracks 7 and 12 are my favorites. I especially love the interlude and ending of track 12 - you can really get into some deep worship here. This is a CD that everyone in the family can truly enjoy.

I have been a HUGE Smitty fan for many, many years. Have always enjoyed his music, and Wonder is no exception. It's beautiful, inspiring, poetic, encouraging, and thought-provoking on so many levels...everything we've come to expect from MWS. I very highly recommend this cd, you will not be disappointed!! :)

It gives a message of hope and helps you reflect in different aspects of your life as a Christian, husband, father and human being. His style is somewhat different compared with recent projects but this is exactly the reason why MWS has been so successful after so many years of being a music minister. Many big fans of MWS were disappointed because they were expecting a more Contemporary Christian approach like "This is your time" and "Stand" or a worship production like "A New Hallelujah" or "Worship". However, this is an amazing CD with a unique style by a very talented veteran in this industry. Let's not forget that, for authentic Christian singers, the most important aspect of a production is to bring a positive message with God as center of our lives. I think MWS accomplishes this and more with this CD. My personal favorites: "Save Me From Myself" a very romantic "You belong to Me" and an inspirational song of hope: "One More Time".

Michael W. Smith's Wonder, his 22nd album, combines the best elements of his recent releases: passionate worship, heartfelt pop and a touch of classical and orchestral arrangements (a la Freedom).

The opening song and first single, "Save Me From Myself," makes it clear that this is not a praise and worship recording. It blasts from the start with a massive guitar-driven sound. The three songs that follow, however, are on par with his recent praise-oriented recordings. The downside is that the atmospheric, arena rock sound, common to artists like Hillsong, has become almost too prevalent.

Smith gets more personal on "Forever Yours" and "You Belong to Me," which are beautifully penned and performed odes to Smith's wife Debbie. The former is similar in content to "I Will Be Here" by Steven Curtis Chapman. Both highlight fidelity to one's spouse. They also feature Smith's piano playing, always a delight to hear, and his proficiency as an arranger.

"Welcome Home" wonderfully balances the grief of losing someone with the joy of knowing that they have entered their rest. The lovely melody keeps this from being overly melancholy, which makes this an ideal song for a memorial or funeral service. It exudes hope in sadness.

The title track is a whirlwind of synthesizer-led pop holding forth God's nearness and all-sufficiency. This and many of the songs convey encouragement while acknowledging harsh realities. "I think this record can bring healing," Smith said in an interview with Charisma. "Times are tough, and I personally believe it's a record for our time."

This is especially true on "One More Time" where affirming words float on a bubbling melody. Smith comes along side saying, keep on reaching ... keep on moving.

At first "Leave" is like the dark side of one of the Psalms. The instrumentation is sparse, a lone acoustic guitar helping to paint a bleak picture. A young person struggles with abuse at home. If that isn't bad enough, outsiders give conflicting advice including, Why don't you just kill yourself? It's from that place of brokenness that he reaches upward for help, hoping and then believing that God is there. Because it's so different, it may be my favorite.

This recording is one of the first to use a new technology that allows songs to be cut direct to tape instead of digital, providing additional warmth and depth. "Sonically I think it's the best thing I've ever done," Smith said.

The album closes with "Take Me Over" a worshipful orchestral pop tune.

Smith's skill as a music composer (his greatest strength) is what impressed me from the earliest days of his career. Even though he is somewhat constrained by the limitations of pop and praise songs, his brilliance still shines through. Smith's creative flourishes keep me listening.