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  Jesusfreakhideout.com 5-Star Review

  JFH 5-Star Review




Michael W. Smith
Michael W. Smith Project



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 11 tracks: 41 Minutes, 21 Seconds
Street Date: 1983


In 1983, a young singer/songwriter named Michael Whitaker Smith emerged from the background of Christian music to release his solo debut Project. Having made a name for himself in the early 1980s as a songwriter for artists such as Sandi Patti, Kathy Troccoli and, most prominently, Amy Grant, Smith signed to the then-fledgling Reunion Records for his artist debut. With his wife Deborah acting as primary lyricist, Smith wrote the music for the entirety of Project, filling it with eight pop/rock originals, three synth-based instrumentals and, as time would prove, more than its share of enduring classics.

You cannot mention Michael W. Smith's name without immediately being reminded of the one song that has made him most famous: "Friends." This iconic song made its first appearance on Project and while it remains the undeniable centerpiece of Smith's debut, the rest of the album holds up just as well as a landmark release in early CCM history.

The album is divided fairly equally between upbeat rockers, melodic pop numbers, and powerful anthems. "You Need A Savior," "The Race Is On," and "Be Strong And Courageous" are among the most propulsive rockers Smith has ever penned, while "Could He Be The Messiah" and "Love In The Light" are pop classics built around MWS's established strengths: unabashed melodicism and straightforward, yet unmistakably Christian messages. The album also closes off with two of his most famous anthems: "Friends" and the now-worship standard "Great Is The Lord."

Lyrically, Project's songs are split between Biblically inspired narratives ("Could He Be The Messiah" and "Be Strong And Courageous"), encouraging exhortations ("You Need A Savior," "Love In The Light" and "The Race Is On") and personal confessions on faith and friendship ("Too Many Times" and the timeless "Friends"). There's a disarming simplicity to Smith's lyrics that is missed in much of today's Christian music and that's partly why Project has stood up so well. Two and a half decades after it was first released, Smith's debut still stands as a boldly Christian album in an age when most projects are glaringly self-conscious about their Christianity.

Although Michael W. Smith would continue to have a long-lasting and wildly successful career in Christian music, it all started in 1983 with Project. More than just a historical artifact, Project is a musically and lyrically remarkable album that still speaks to listeners today. A truly defining release in Christian music!

- Review date: 2/10/07, written by Sherwin Frias



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. Artist Info: Discography
. Record Label: Reunion Records
. Album length: 11 tracks, 41 Minutes and 21 Seconds
. Street Date: 1983
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Sonata In D Major
  2. You Need A Saviour
  3. Could He Be The Messiah
  4. Too Many Times
  5. Be Strong And Courageous
  6. Looking Up
  7. The Race Is On
  8. First Light/Love In The Light
  9. Friends
  10. Great Is The Lord
  11. Alpha Overture
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This Friday, October 17, 2025
ALBUMS
ANTHNY DIARY ENTRY 1 [Provident]
AOH Music BEHOLD (Acoustic Live), Vol. 1 (independent)
Blanca Full Bloom [Curb]
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas [Gaither]
Geoff Moore and The Distance Foundations (Re-Release) [Girder]
Geoff Moore and The Distance A Place To Stand (Re-Release) [Girder]
Vince Gill 50 Years From Home: I Gave You Everything I Had - EP [UMG]
Nate Parrish Make Me A Mountain (independent)
Psallos The New and Better Way: Hymns of Hebrews (independent)
Anne Wilson Stars [Capitol CMG]
Megan Woods The Truth EP [Fair Trade]

SINGLES
Elevation Worship Jesus Be The Name - Single [Provident]
F'rael God's Wheel (ft. TRYBISHOP) - Single [Syntax]
Brandon Lake When A Cowboy Prays (Amazon Music Songline) - Single [Provident]
LEON Undefeated - Single [El Rescate Music]
No Vain Glory UNLEADED - Single [Syntax]
Park 7 The Hope Is On The Way - Single (independent)
Rave Jesus & Gracie Binion Need Your Love - Single [Provident]
REFVGE, Cyfë II & WAY? U P W A R D S ft. Bianca Silver & Josh LeCroy - Single [Syntax]
Rhymes In Harmony & MAYIA My Sister - Single [Syntax]
Rock City Worship Gravestone - Single [Capitol CMG]
Anton Scholl Born To Love You - Single [Near Kingdom]
Nathan Sheridan Don't Lose Hope - Single [WieRok]
SNT. VINCENT Feast of the Saints - Single [Syntax]
Vertical Kings Faith In Stereo - Single [Covenant]
Vic Lucas, Essence Natay & Ashleey Barnes Let it Rain - Single [Syntax]
Zane Vickery All Things New - Single (independent)
Aaron Williams Abide (feat. CAIN) - Single [Integrity]

DVD
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, October 24, 2025
ALBUMS
John Allan untitled EP [Centricity]
Dan Bremnes The Villain - EP [Curb]
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]
God Behind Bars Music Live From Angola Prison Vol. 1 [Provident]
Fepeste This World Ain't Mine to Change [Velvet Blue]
gio. FINE BY ME [Capitol CMG]
Brandon Lake Amazon Music Songline [Provident]
Tyson Motsenbocker Modern Worries [Tooth & Nail]
Smalltown Poets St. Augustine (independent)
Zahriya Zachary Rediscovery [Bethel]

SINGLES
29:11 Worship, Zion Rempel You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
Joe L Barnes Grief, Joy, Gratitude - Single [Provident]
Chad Cory, Zacardi Cortez My First Love (Remix) - Single [DREAM]
Leanna Crawford Beginning Of Your Grace - Single [Provident]
darthy Juniper Tree - Single [WieRok]
Emerson Day Midnight Hour - Single [Fair Trade]
Good Weather Forecast lows2highs - Single [DREAM]
Grace + Max Rich - Single [WieRok]
Mercy Tribe Music The King is in the Room (feat. Ayiesha Woods) - Single (independent)
Mountains in the Sea You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
Seph Schlueter Already On The Way (feat. Benjamin William Hastings) - Single [Provident]
Tomb Slayer The Christmas Lamb (feat. Khristian Dentley & Sarah Whittemore) - Single [Tomb Slayer]
The Undertaking! All Smiles - Single (independent)

VINYL
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]


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