Producer: Shane Roark
Record Label: Chapel Valley
Website: www.micahelwaynesmith.com
This project starts off with “Jesus Saves”. It’s a big way to start off the album. This is a powerful ballad. It is followed by a slow ballad, “You Are With Me”. Very pretty song, with a good message. “We Still Believe He Will” picks the pace up a little bit to a medium tempo groove. I like this one. The words are good, and the melody is catchy. “Lead Me Lord” takes things back down to a slow ballad. I love the violin in the intro. The melody is beautiful. If I had to pick a favorite, this would be it. You can really feel his heart on this song.
Next up is, “He’ll Be Holding Me”. This song has that upbeat, campmeeting feel to it. It’s got a good groove to it. Slow melody, “Lord I Thank You For The Valley” comes next. It’s a song of encouragement to uplift believers. “He Holds Everything” follows and picks the pace back up. This one is a “head bobber”. It would be a good radio song.
“Remind Me Of Your Grace” is another song of comfort. It reminds us that no matter what we are going through, that God’s grace is greater. Fast song, “Been Changed” is next. It’s got a cool arrangement to it. This would be another good radio song. It’s one of those songs that if I heard it come on the radio while traveling down the road, I would stop and listen. The next tune is, “Lift High The Cross”. The message in this song is relevant and timely. It has a nice, strong finish as well. Michael ends the album with the old favorite, “How Great Thou Art”. The whole first verse and chorus is an instrumental. I love that they chose the violin as the lead instrument there. Then, Michael comes in strong with the last verse and chorus. I think it was an interesting move to have the violin come back in and end the song with another chorus and tag instrumentally. It changed things up a bit.
Michael does a good job on this project. There’s a good ratio of slow songs versus upbeat songs. His style is more of a Country Gospel, and his voice pairs well with it. Overall, I give this project 4 1/2 stars. If you haven’t yet, check him out!
