"Glory" by Michael W. Smith View All Reviews

I know there's a lot of people out there who see instrumental music as pointless, because there's no deep spiritual, or thought provoking lyrics, to sing along with. There's nothing to get stuck in your head to convict you, or encourage you throughout the day, so why should someone even bother to give this album a listen?

Those were my thoughts when i first learned that Michael W. Smith's album Freedom was an instrumental album. No lyrics, just music. For the longest time, i never bothered to give it a chance, letting my own prejudices against 'pointless' songs blind me. One day though, i had a change of heart, and decided that since it was from Michael W. Smith, my favorite artist, i should at least listen to it once...

As the music of Freedom washed over me for the first time, i was inspired. How had i let such incredible songs go unheard? Why had i not given it a chance any sooner? i came to discover that just because a song doesn't have any words doesn't mean that it isn't worth listening to.

Kinda reminds me of a quote from St. Francis, ''Preach the gospel to all the world and if necessary, use words.'' Just like words aren't necessary to share the Gospel, lyrics aren't necessary to express an idea in a song. Love is the universal language, used to bring others to Christ, just like music is the universal language used to touch people's hearts.

These days, most artists seem to have the mentality that a song isn't truly a song, unless it's been completely rocked out with as many electric guitars as they can fit into it, or if it's been synthesized to death with 8 different kinds of drums etc. While i don't think there's anything wrong with electric guitars and drums here and there, sometimes they just get in the way of the true, raw musicality of a song. Sure, even Michael W. Smith has had his moments of totally rocking out a song, but he is also one of the few artists that truly understands the beauty and simplicity of a classical, traditional orchestral sound.

Over the years there's been talk of Michael W. Smith doing a second instrumental album as a follow-up to Freedom, and now in just a few short days Glory will be hitting music stores everywhere. I challenge those who like me, used to have the same attitude against instrumental music to pick it up, and give it a listen, or you can just listen to the free live stream here on New Release Tuesday. either way, you'll be glad you did. Words just don't do it justice, and can't convey the creative musical genius of Glory, and if you haven't ever listened to Freedom, then i sincerely hope you'll give it a listen as well. :D

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