Item description for Healing Rain by Michael W. Smith...
Healing Rain is an album relevant to the human experience and God's love for us...
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Known for his prolific songwriting and a driving passion to see lives changed, Michael W. Smith stands as a pillar in the Christian community and beyond. With a catalog full of impactful worship and pop music, Michael could rest on his reputation, but instead he strives to keep making music that is relevant to the human experience and Gods love for us. He writes music that meets us where we are and ushers us into the healing presence of God.
This is the mission behind Michaels highly-anticipated new album, Healing Rain. With poignant lyics, moving musical expression, and a sound that seems fresh, yet familiar, Michael delivers an album that perfectly blends his pop sensibilities with the worship experience that has endeared him to so many. Listeners will hear what is closest to his heart and hopefully will let it impact their lives. Worship is a lifestyle, says Michael. Embrace God fully and let him embrace you. Dont be afraid to be washed in heavens rain.
Track Listing 1) Here I Am 2) Healing Rain 3) Live Forever 4) Hang On 5) Fly To The Moon 6) Human Spark 7) We Cant Wait Any Longer 8) I Am Love 9) Bridge Over Troubled Water 10) Eagles Fly 11) All I Want
Item Specifications...
Studio: Reunion
Record Label Reunion Records
Dimensions: Length: 5.74" Width: 5.04" Height: 0.39" Weight: 0.2 lbs.
Binding CD
Release Date Oct 26, 2004
Publisher PROVIDENT MUSIC DISTRIBUTION
ISBN 2901003303 ISBN13 9782901003304 UPC 602341007320
Availability 0 units.
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Reviews - What do customers think about Healing Rain?
Smitty's Music Just Keeps Getting Better and Better!!! Oct 5, 2006
Just when I thought he can't top his last album, he does it again! I absolutely love this album and would recommend it to anyone who loves Contemporary Christian music. It's hard to say which songs are my favorite because I love them all.
A MUST HAVE for any Smitty fan out there!
This CD for Boomers? Jun 9, 2006
Maybe the younger listeners are right. Maybe this CD will appeal more to the older generation. I liked the CD, especially "Human Spark", as much for the Bruce Hornsby and Mark Knopfler influence, as anything. I listen to a lot of CCM, since I program an hour of daily praise music on a low-power radio station. (The show's not cutting edge; but it's eclectic, since we try to appeal to all ages.) The CD may not inspire you to action, but it will help you think about your next step.
Reply to a comment May 26, 2006
The following was written by another who left a review:
'Healing Rain' failed to move me towards taking action in my daily life, I feel if a CCM artist is going to record an album, I want to get music that inspires me to love my neighbor when I don't want to, and to have unconditional compassion towards people that are opposite of me or of different cultures or lifestyles. Hopefully MWS and CCM can once again join the world in trying to make it a better place, instead of this 'keeping to ourselves' mentality.
I cannot disagree with some comments made by this person on the ablum as a whole. I enjoyed the album, however, for what it offers musically, despite what it does not offer. Keep in mind that even the best artists cannot knock it out of the park every time. An average Smitty album is still better than many other artists' best albums.
I would like to say that I am disappointed in some expectations on Christian music. It can be a sign of where a person is with God in general. Our relationship with God is what should grow and inspire us - not little tools we try to integrate in our lives (such as music). I agree that God can and will use anything - including inspiring music. It is dangerous to have it as a crutch so that we make such comments that show we expect nothing less than music that moves us to action. Pardon me - I think that should be the Holy Spirit. And even if a song or an album moves you - it is still credited to God.
Christian music should be enjoyed or cast aside according to your preferences in music and according to what you know God wants you to expose yourself to regularly - but let's not put responsibility on music writers for our actions or lack of actions. Buy it or don't. Enjoy what you enjoy. Above all - praise and worhip God with your life. If an album gets in the way of that, by all means avoid it. If it does not meet your taste, fine. That does not mean it cannot still be useful to God.
Really in touch May 16, 2006
I think that Smitty has done another great album. At first I was so-so about it, but after really listening, I have found this album to be solid musically and lyrically.
Michael shows his creativity combined with a passion for God and the world around him. He also is someone who has shown grat character and courage in doing the "unpopular" things, such as supporting our country and the great things that God has allowed us to do around the world, in helping people have a chance at freedom.
Smitty is a class act...a musician who uses his talents and time to reach the world with the message of God's love and grace, and with another amazing album.
He is also a reflection of how far the rest of CCM has come as well. IT is great to see how it has progressed past trying to play catchup with the world, like it did in the 80's and early 90's, to being a group that has set the standards higher in all aspects!
Really out of touch..... Mar 9, 2006
Contemporary Christian Music is in real trouble...although no one likes to mention it, it is. The past ten years have seen a serious decline in the originality, creativity, and overall appeal. What was once an innovative and progressive genre of music has now sunk into it's own unimaginative world, and has managed to set itself far apart musically and stylistically from the rest of the music world. Although some would argue that it's intentional, falling back on the old Christian saying, 'be in the world, but not of it'. Whatever. The point is that CCM prided itself on being a part of the rest of the musical world, and in the late 80's and early 90's, CCM artists had great vision, and raised the bar for Christian artists and their sounds. Not anymore.
What you have now are many Christian artists mimicking pop/mainstream artists, there are several CCM artists who sound like a Christian Britney Spears, many who mimic hip-hop groups, there's even a Christian Alannis Morissette...and although CCM could choose to see this as a more 'wholesome' alternative to mainstream/secular acts, the lyrics and styles are boring at best, and not thought provoking.
Michael W. Smith was known at one time to be a very visionary artist. His earlier releases spearheaded pop Christian music, and even had crossover appeal. His music was once very in step with the current trends-the lyrics more intelligent and thought provoking-but as time went on, the quality of his music has declined. 'Healing Rain' is a perfect example of how far down the musical ladder MWS has gone. Nothing in today's pop music and Adult Contemporary scene sounds the way that 'Healing Rain' does, it's splashy, punchy guitars, big BGV's, and polished, glossy lyrics belong in the late 80's and early 90's.
I do believe he found his nitsch with his two worship albums, which genuinely displayed his talent for performing contemporary praise music, but 'Healing Rain' sounds like a man who's almost 50, still trying to relate to junior high kids. Sorry Smitty, but those days are over. I also found 'Healing Rain' to sound very much like his previous releases, 'This is your time' and 'Live the Life'. In fact, they could all be one album because there's very little that differentiates them.
If you are wanting a mature, well written, and very in-step MWS 'pop' album, then check out his 1995 release, 'I'll Lead You Home', which is an amazing record, and very appropriate for his age at the time.
The only redeeming track on 'Healing Rain' is the remake of the Simon and Garfunkel classic, 'Bridge Over Troubled Water', which Smitty does very well. But for his pop sensibility, it's become silly and ineffective-just like much of CCM today, lyrics have become redundant and dull. I remember the days when CCM could lure a 'non-believer' in by the sound and the lyrical quality, now, unfortunately the lyrics are so 'praise' oriented that anyone with any curiosity about Christianity could feel very alienated, and this record would be hard pressed to make an impact on someone looking for a modern sound. People want something they can relate to, this album, like a lot of CCM music today, seems to have it's head in the clouds-which is unfortunate because real spirituality is in daily action-not praise and worship choruses sung in church.
'Healing Rain' failed to move me towards taking action in my daily life, I feel if a CCM artist is going to record an album, I want to get music that inspires me to love my neighbor when I don't want to, and to have unconditional compassion towards people that are opposite of me or of different cultures or lifestyles. Hopefully MWS and CCM can once again join the world in trying to make it a better place, instead of this 'keeping to ourselves' mentality.
Sorry Smitty, but you're capable of so much more than what you demonstrated on 'Healing Rain'. Instead of getting involved in a corrupt political campaign that has proven itself over and over as an embarrassment, let alone a poor example of Christian ethics, (i.e. lying about weapons, innocent lives unneccesarily slain, corrupt and criminal advisors, etc, etc) maybe you should concentrate on doing an album that promotes unity for all people-not just a certain political party.
