Artist Info:Discography Album length: 10 tracks: 39 minutes, 10 seconds Street Date: February 13, 2007
While Michael Olson's debut Long Arm of Love might not have blown listeners away with its
originality, it was the first glance at an artist who has many things going for him. Olson's clean, crisp
voice and solid songwriting stirred up comparisons to the better-known Michael of Christian music and a
younger Steven Curtis Chapman. With his sophomore release Where Fear & Faith Collide, Olson proves
himself worthy of such parallels. But he also shows he's not merely a younger version of the two singers,
playing a variety of styles and establishing his own sound.
Olson does his best work when he's not worried about how a song will sound on the airwaves (like he is
with "On The Third Day"). "If You Can Stop The World" is catchy, and should also find success if released for
radio, but doesn't display Olson's full capabilities. They are revealed most in the heart of the album where,
after a rough start, it really takes off.
Olson does a little bit of everything; "Unchanged" sounds like a mixture of MercyMe and Starfield, while
"Our First Love" is reminiscent of Five for Fighting - heartfelt and beautifully sung, it's the standout track
of the album. It truly showcases Olson's talents and his ability to branch out beyond sappy pop songs like
"On The Third Day." "God Is With Us" picks up the tempo and delivers a catchy, bold song of praise. "Tell Me
Again" follows, slowing things down with soft violins and spot-on harmony. "Fear and Faith" is next, and
though its chorus sounds unmistakably like some of Chapman's work, it's done so well that it's closer to a
remastery than a rip-off.
Olson does hit a few potholes near the end of Fear & Faith. "Helpless" and "Everywhere" don't
fare quite as well as the previous several songs, presenting little that hasn't been heard before. "Drawing
Near" is better, but not quite the stellar finale one might anticipate after hearing "Our First Love."
Where Fear & Faith Collide is at times exactly what listeners might expect to hear, but often may
surprise them by how mature and diverse it can be. It's a step up from Olson's debut, and while still leaving
room for growth in the future, is one of the year's best albums of its kind.
- Review date: 2/11/07, written by Spencer Priest
Artist Info: 
