11th December, 2008

JUSTIN MICHAEL

Album: A New Hallelujah

Artist: Michael W. Smith

Year: 2008
Label: Reunion
Web: www.michaelwsmith.com
 
In A Word: Gravity-defying

"For those who loved the 'Worship' 1 and 2 albums, this is an easy choice. For those holding out for the next pop-album there's not a lot here. It's live, it's congregational and it's getting closer to a Hillsong album than a 'Go West Young Man' or 'This Is Your Time'."

First things first. I just had one of those 'that guy's a mate of mine' moments when I opened the CD jacket. Yep, there's Aussies on the album. Matt Smallbone (Alabaster Box) is playing the bass and Adam Lester (Stephen Curtis Chapman, Paul Colman Trio) is on the guitar. It's brilliant to see our local Christian scenes in Australia and NZ feeding into the international scene so successfully.

That, of course, makes this album worth buying straight away.

That said, there are many sonic reasons to have this one ripped into your iTunes. Notably, the blend of old and new tunes such as I Surrender All, Mighty To Save and A New Hallelujah. Then there's appearances from the African Children's Choir, Lakewood Choir, Israel Houghton, Coala Zamorano, and the typically brilliant orchestrations synonymous with Smitty.

A huge pallet of writers have been drawn on including tunes from Hillsong, Lakewood, Delirious and the recently assembled Compassionart team.

For those who loved the Worship 1 and 2 albums, this is an easy choice. For those holding out for the next pop-album there's not a lot here. It's live, it's congregational and it's getting closer to a Hillsong album than a Go West Young Man or This Is Your Time.

Smitty is still one of the most honest musicians out there. There is never anything convoluted about his message; nothing but shimmering simplicity in the music and a piano style that for 25 years now has given thousands reason to sing.

It is equally impressive to know that there were reportedly no overdubs on this record - yes, it's a live record that's actually live! Maybe this is Smitty's new challenge - after all, the last album, Stand, had the shortest recording time ever used in his career and now he's nailed one in a day!

Standout tracks: Grace - a co-write with Martin Smith of Delirious; Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) - Mr Smith's version of the Chris Tomlin hit; and the medley of Healing Rain/Let It Rain, and Majesty.

Turns out Mr Smith just keeps on refusing to recognise that his kids are all grown up and he's just not supposed to be this cool anymore! The man continues to defy music industry gravity. He's still flying.