From: robertt@vcd.hp.com (Bob Taylor)
Subject: Re: MWS Change Your World
Organization: Hewlett-Packard VCD
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL5
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1992 16:26:03 GMT

Since I saw him do (well, sing along with the master tapes) some
of this at Jesus Northwest, I'll throw in comments on the ones
I heard.

Russell Soule (ras@controls.ccd.harris.com) wrote:
: 
: Hey everybody,
: 
: In this month's issue of CCM Magazine, they review Michael W. Smith's new
: album "Change Your World". The review was written by Chris Well. I figured
: there would be people out there in net-land who would be interesting in
: it, so here are some excepts.
: 
: "Change Your World is something for the kid in all of us, because, more
: than any album he's made before, Michael W. Smith has delivered a
: supremely fun album, with layered melodies and harmonies of highest
: caliber. Co-produced by Smith with Mark Heimermann, it would be easy
: to describe CYW as The Big Picture with big background vocals; easy,
: but unfair."
: 
: "CYW is still about spiritual and emotional healing through godly self-
: esteem, and about finding friends who affirm you in your value system--
: but this time it all feels so much more natural. In 'Picture Perfect',
: Smith sings what could have been your basic, wholesome high school
: love song, but writers Smith and long-time co-writer Wayne Kirkpatrick
: head for the charming chorus, 'You don't have to be picture perfect/
: To be in my world/You don't have to be picture perfect/To fit the frame.'"

This one struck me as pretty generic pop - probably good for another
top 40 try, but it doesn't have much to say other than what you see
here

: 
: "Smith and Kirkpatrick then come for the other side with 'Somebody Love 
: Me', as Smith sings from the perspective of someone who feels unloved: 
: 'It's like wanting to sing/But needing a song/When will I hear the music
: playing.' To the songwriter's credit, they don't attempt to answer
: the problem with a cheap phrase or with 'God loves you, that's enough.'
: Loneliness is real, and Smith's sympathy is refreshing."

didn't here this one

: 
: "Though CYW isn't a banner-waving platform, Smith's faith is still integral
: to his music: 'Give it Away' and 'Cross of Gold' are both clear statements
: of where his foundation lies. The former is an anthem that should do
: well on Christian radio, with the conclusion, 'Love isn't love until


This one was kind of neat - it's a big sing-a-long lighter waver, but
it may get old.

: you give it away.' And 'Cross of Gold' could very well be the focal
: point of the whole album: musically, because it's a solid jam;
: lyrically, because it calls the holy rollers out on the carpet--'Is it
: a flame/Is it a passion...or is it a game/Religion on fashion.' In the
: bridge, electronic whispers float over the music, 'Is it decoration
: or proclamation? For some it's just something to wear around your
: neck...it means a lot more than that to me.'"

this was my favorite (good tune - it cranks), good message, but the
message he talked about before the song was aimed more at the 
Madonna's, Prince's, etc. of pop music who use religion as a
fashion/political statement rather than as true faith.  I'd love
to see this one as an MTV video, but it probably won't happen since
it's whole meaning is a condemnation of the MTV mindset.

: 
: "There's also a duet with Amy Grant, 'Somewhere Somehow' which may
: confuse some. It's a song about distant loves, a kind of romantic
: equivalent to 'Friends.' [This is me talking: I heard Somewhere Somehow
: on the radio this morning, and it was pretty good stuff, although the
: station had a lot of static so I didn't hear it too clearly]. And then
: there's another love, the spunky 'I Wanna Tell the World,' which Smith
: wrote for his wife (with help from writers Heimermann and DC TALK's
: Toby McKeehan)."

didn't here either of these

: 
: "The big finale, though, is a fresh look at 'Friends,' which is
: celebrating 10 years. While the first recording, primitive by
: comparison, may accent the wistfulness of parting friends, the new
: recording is a big sounding anthem that will no doubt become a
: tear-jerker for a whole new arena a fans."

this was nice, but Friends is still Friends - those who are sick of
it still will be, those that aren't or who haven't heard it before
will love it just as much.

: 
: "When someone has as much to lose as Smith, it's exciting to see him
: make a project this fun and natural. Some fans may pass on this
: one---Lord bless 'em, they don't just want the seed, they want all
: the fertilizer too---but CYW could certainly plant the seed of the
: Gospel with listeners everywhere."
: 
: This is me again. Is it just me, or is anyone else anxiously waiting
: for this album to be release? Has anyone else heard "Somewhere Somehow"
: on the radio yet? What do you think?
: 

I'm probably not as anxious as you, but I'm sure I'll buy it.

: 
: God bless y'all,
: 
: Russ
: 
: 
: =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
: -      =              Jesus Christ is the answer.                    =    -
: =    =====         Now, what was your question again?              =====  =
: -      =                 --------------------                        =    -
: =      =            God doesn't believe in atheists                  =    =
: -      =  A fool says in his heart that there is no God (Psalm 14:1) =    -
: =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Bob Taylor
HP Vancouver