Michael W. Smith and Christian music go together like peanut butter and jelly. They just fit. Peanut butter and jelly are very tasty..how about his latest album "Sovereign"? Will it give you that same warm fuzzy feeling? Will it be Boring, O.K. or Brilliant? Here is the full review.
What I listened to: "Sovereign" By: Michael W. Smith
How did I listen to it: 320 kbps on Apple Earpods
In today's music world, the radio stations available to us have boomed since the release of apps on smart phones and the Internet and such. One genre that has still remained strong is the Contemporary Christian Rock and artists of it today. And if you have happened to seek passed it in your car, listen in on your computer or if you are a big fan of that genre, you have most likely heard of Michael W. Smith. His music not only inspires whenever you are in a bad mood or feeling down but you can count on the messages that he portrays to help lift you up. This album does just that, again.
First of all, look at the cover. Simple and filled with sophistication. Just a guy sitting on a chair. He is in front of a blank canvas and you can see him smiling off into the distance. The square slightly smaller than the border create a perfect picture frame that, like I said, is simple. There is no fancy CGI or crazy patterns and designs. Just simple.
He starts off the album with the song titled "You Won't Let Go". It begins with some piano. Very beautiful. It begins to signify God's light is stronger than any darkness. The chorus comes in with Michael and some additional voices and more instrumentaion. Very well done. A great opener to album. The "Ohhh-Oh-Oh-Oh's'" you hear bring in a solid drum beat that makes you bob your head. Great opening song. You can listen to this while looking at that awesome cover art and smile just as Michael is doing.
As smoothly as the album started off, it's no sloutch. The second song titled "Heaven Come Down" gets right into the action. A loud chorus of people erupt from your speakers.
"Sky Spills Over" is a different tone for this album. It starts off with some unique instrumentation. Michael's voice is solid and once again we hear more "Oh-Oh-Oh-Ohhh's". Gives a cool flow to the album.
"You Are The Fire" is a great tune, but the drum beats are getting kind of repetitive at this moment. Only a few songs have kind of differed but not very much..and there's more "Oh-Oh-Ohhhh's". Ok Michael..we get the point lol
I guess the title track (it just has it's name in it) called, "Sovereign Over Us" is an ok track. The next song, though, is where the album takes a surprising turn from being sounding the same to changing it up a bit. Every song still has this grand-ness too it though. It builds up from nothing into something with tons of vocals and good guitar solos. The song titled "Hide Myself" is the start of this welcoming change of pace.
He starts off the album with the song titled "You Won't Let Go". It begins with some piano. Very beautiful. It begins to signify God's light is stronger than any darkness. The chorus comes in with Michael and some additional voices and more instrumentaion. Very well done. A great opener to album. The "Ohhh-Oh-Oh-Oh's'" you hear bring in a solid drum beat that makes you bob your head. Great opening song. You can listen to this while looking at that awesome cover art and smile just as Michael is doing.
As smoothly as the album started off, it's no sloutch. The second song titled "Heaven Come Down" gets right into the action. A loud chorus of people erupt from your speakers.
"Sky Spills Over" is a different tone for this album. It starts off with some unique instrumentation. Michael's voice is solid and once again we hear more "Oh-Oh-Oh-Ohhh's". Gives a cool flow to the album.
"You Are The Fire" is a great tune, but the drum beats are getting kind of repetitive at this moment. Only a few songs have kind of differed but not very much..and there's more "Oh-Oh-Ohhhh's". Ok Michael..we get the point lol
I guess the title track (it just has it's name in it) called, "Sovereign Over Us" is an ok track. The next song, though, is where the album takes a surprising turn from being sounding the same to changing it up a bit. Every song still has this grand-ness too it though. It builds up from nothing into something with tons of vocals and good guitar solos. The song titled "Hide Myself" is the start of this welcoming change of pace.
The song that makes the album, in my opinion, is the last song. It's called "That One That Really Matters". It's a duet featuring a female artist named Kari Jobe. I haven't really looked into her but her vocals mixed with Michael's is a refreshing blend. This end the album on an extremely high note. Still, though, most of the songs are somewhat the same and for the exception of Michael's voice, it's nothing you wouldn't hear on another contemporary Christian album.
So..........is this album Boring, O.K or Brilliant?
Verdict: O.K.
The album is on the better side of O.K. but for most of the CD the songs sound relatively the same. It wasn't boring because of the grand sound they each had. It was just a bit repetitive. I wish he could've done more with the rhythms and overall themes of each song. If you're a big fan of his music or a newcomer, you really can't go wrong with Michael W. Smith. His music is covered by pretty much every contemporary/modern church band and what not and it's no surprise why.
You will most likely enjoy this album. But I'm warning you, it might get repetitive for you. When you're feeling down, you will be uplifted without a doubt.
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