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JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Music Spotlight Review

Lenny Smith

Lenny Smith
You Are My Hiding Place

Street Date: November 23, 2016
Style: Singer-Songwriter / Folk-Rock
Buy It: iTunes
Buy It: Bandcamp
Buy It: AmazonMP3


Do you enjoy music that seems like the sounds of a family reunion? If so, Lenny Smith has got the stuff you've been looking for. His sound is reminiscent of The Welcome Wagon or a weathered Sufjan Stevens with a pinch more of that hometown grit. His latest release You Are My Hiding Place is a conglomeration of heartfelt songs of praise and prayers to the Lord. Musically, the songs are communal with eclectic arrangements that feel like they belong on a Jared Hess film soundtrack. Some might be put off by that but it truly is something unique and strangely special. Songs like "Teach Me My God," "You Are My Hiding Place," and "You Are A Good Shepherd" are rich in affection and Biblical depth; not to mention the instrumentation is reminiscent of Harry Nilsson. "Ask Me Not To Leave You" and "All Things Work Together For Good" are excellent examples of useful and gifted ways of implementing scripture through song – but honestly there is less adaptation and more readings with a melody. The album concludes with the sincere declaration of praise in "With All My Heart." It's a sweet song of commitment to the Lord, and the message is reinforced with the sweet crowd vocals throughout the track. This is music without an apology or fear of radio stations not liking the sound of the artist; and it is that blatant freedom that gives this album more weight than most. Overall, I don't imagine everyone diving headfirst into this album; as a matter of fact, most people may think it's almost not serious – but it is! And in that respect, Smith has made a beautiful work of art. Unfortunately, it will more than likely get overlooked by shiny or newer contemporary music, but I say, "Nay! Give this album a chance!" It may grow on you or at the very least make you wonder if current contemporary artists are actually writing songs inspired by the Word of God and not just really nice things to make the masses feel good about themselves. This reviewer may be drinking the Kool-Aid but Lenny Smith, your art is without a doubt unusual but most definitely special.

- Review date: 3/16/17, written by Ryan Barbee of Jesusfreakhideout.com



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JFH Indie Spotlight Review . Record Label: Great Comfort Records
. Album length: 12 tracks: 40 minutes, 45 seconds
. Street Date: November 23, 2016
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Bandcamp
. Buy It: AmazonMP3

  1. Teach Me, My God (3:14)
  2. Ho! Everyone Who Thirsts (3:28)
  3. There Is A River (3:17)
  4. You Are My Hiding Place (3:23)
  5. You Are A Good Shepherd (4:27)
  6. Who Is This One (2:53)
  7. City, O City (3:18)
  8. Eyes Have Not Seen (3:21)
  9. Ask Me Not To Leave You (3:21)
  10. Tell Me, O You (4:04)
  11. All Things Work Together For Good (3:11)
  12. With All My Heart (2:48)

 

 

 

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This Friday, July 25, 2025
ALBUMS
Anchor & Braille New Mexico [Equal Vision]
B. Tee Told You [Syntax]
Bride Scarecrow Messiah CD Re-Release [Girder]
Empowered SALT - EP (independent)
Homesick Prodigals Different Good (independent)
KDNS After Eden [Syntax]
Olivia Lane Songs About Jesus (Deluxe Edition) [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard TASHA [Motown Gospel]
Kevi Morse Kingston We Winning [Syntax]
Pulpit Vomit Hospital Lens [Rottweiler]
Anthony & Tiffany Salerno Dance for Jesus - EP (independent)
Taylor & Co Worship Breakthrough - EP (independent)
Josh Wright LEAD (independent)

SINGLES
abenezer i was lost - Single [Gotee]
Joe L Barnes Good Shepherd (Studio Version) - Single [Provident]
Sho Baraka Still Got Faith (ft. L3xdivine) - Single [Syntax]
Gracie Binion Easy To Please - Single [BEC]
Katty Camargo Shine Upon Me - Single (independent)
The CCC Collective Thankful - Single (independent)
C4 Crotona Mr. Gritty - Single [Syntax]
CXMMXNS Trust and Obey (feat. CAIN) - Single [Provident]
EJ Swavv & Nickwit2Ks Growth - Single [Syntax]
Forrest Frank GOD'S GOT MY BACK - Single [River House / 10K]
Andrew Gonoude Closer To You - Single (independent)
Noah Paul Harrison Oh Lord My God (Live) - Single [Bethel]
J.Solo All I Have (ft. Kaboose & MotionPlus) - Single [Syntax]
Kings Kaleidoscope + Kings Kaleidoscope Hymns Amazing Grace - Single [BEC]
Tasha Layton Life In Me - Single [BEC]
Lecrae Bless You (feat. Torey D'Shaun) - Single [Reach]
TobyMac God Did It (feat. Jamie MacDonald) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Matt Maher Wait (Radio Version) - Single [Provident]
Hunter Plake Down to Earth - Single [BEC]
QEW JOYXFIX (ft. Stevie Rizo) - Single [Syntax]
Naomi Raine God Will Work It Out - Single [Tribl]
Rave Jesus Runnin' - Single [Provident]
Saints in Exile Bad Vibes - Single [Syntax]
Xander Sallows infinite - Single [DREAM]
Silent Reflection Left Me for Dead - Single [Syntax]
Michael W. Smith Your Love Is A Flood - Single [The Fuel]
John Stratton The Body and the Blood - Single [Pure Mosaic Services]
Regina Vandereijk You're the Light - Single (independent)
Joel Vaughn Feel It - Single [DREAM]
Zach Williams Killed A Man - Single [Provident]
Zauntee Jesus Down In Florida - Single [BEC]

VINYL
Bride Scarecrow Messiah Vinyl [Girder]

DVD
Jordan Smith The People's Hymnal DVD [Gaither]

This Saturday, July 26, 2025
SINGLES
Anthony & Tiffany Salerno What Would You Do? - Single (independent)

Next Friday, August 1, 2025
ALBUMS
Crash Rickshaw Big Sir - EP [Velvet Blue]
McKamey Legacy Holding to Truth [Horizon]
Ordained Thunder Roar [Girder]
V1 Worship Archives [DREAM Worship]

SINGLES
Dan Bremnes Human - Single [Curb]
Lauren Daigle Let It Be A Hallelujah - Single [Centricity]
Sleeping At Last Believe - Single (independent)

VINYL
Disciple Attack! (Limited Run Vinyl) Vinyl [Girder]



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