a wonderful musical experience!
Posted May 16, 2014
By smittyfan,
It's because of my mom that I have a love and appreciation for traditional hymns. Music in general, really. She'd sing them to me from her hymnal while I'd sit on her lap in her rocking chair, typically at the end of the day before bedtime. Later over the years when she had a piano, and I was too big for her lap, she'd play them and sometimes I'd sing along.
This album reminds me of those fond memories growing up, and while there's many Christian musicians and singers out there, Michael W. Smith is one of the few that hold to tradition.
In a modern age of punk rock and electronic disco music, also known as dubstep, it's refreshing to hear albums like this that embrace the classic hymns in a simple and traditional way with a piano and stringed instruments. Real down-to-earth-instruments, and not computer generated synthesizers.
Overall, this album carries a bit of a country backwoodsy twang, and while Michael hasn't any specific country albums, he has a good voice for it. He is a West Virginia country boy after all.
Though Michael has already recorded a modern pop/worship version of The Wonderful Cross, on Worship Again I like that he included it here in the traditional rendition. These days it's always rendered with the shortened name and extra chorus written in by Chris Tomlin. It adds to the song and while shorter song titles can be a plus, sometimes it's good to go back to our Christian roots.
Another of my favorite tracks is Victory In Jesus. It's because of His love and sacrifice that we're here. The whole essence of the Christian faith is in that song, and the fact that GOD loved us to let his only Son die, just so we wouldn't have to live in eternal separation even though it's what we deserve. It's up to us to spread that message of hope and love, and I like how the song has a sort of hoe-down feeling like when celebrating an old-fashioned barnraising. Communities used to be tightly knit so when a need arose, or there was an event to celebrate, people came from miles around. Fits the idea of Jesus' love to a 't'.
It's quite fitting that it was released in time for Easter as every song proclaims GOD's perfect love, sacrifice, and devotion. He is always there, and always will be.
Here's hoping Smitty keeps with tradition and does a Hymns Again or rather Hymns II, to stay with the theme.  View All Music And Book Reviews By smittyfan | View smittyfan's Profile
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