Michael W. Smith

Item: I'll Lead You Home
Author: Roger Appelinski

I'll Lead You Home

(1995)

Reviewed by Roger Appelinski

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Label Reunion RecordsThe LighthouseSeptember 1995

adult contemporary ccm pop

I know you're in a hurry, so I'll bottom-line it for you:

If you are expecting a continuation of Change Your World, you will be massively disappointed.

Musically and lyrically, this is a departure for Smith.

I'll Lead You Home is an album of questions, challenges, and concern. Smith is most known for happy-go-lucky, ear-friendly, and infectious songs that most people can't help but hum the rest of the day. The songs here are diverse and they change style frequently, making this one of his least radio-friendly projects to date. His writing partner, Wayne Kirkpatrick is still an intimate part of the project; the musicians are the usual Nashville "power team" (Steve Brewster, Dann Huff, Tommy Sims, and others) however Smith has opted for a new producer in Patrick Leonard.

The project opens with a smooth-sounding pop tune, "Cry For Love." It is a song of near desperation in his situation and an eventual decision to stop worrying and cry out to God for healing. Near the end, it drops into an African-sounding chant.

"Breakdown" is a track that wouldn't be a big stretch to appear on a Carman project. It intersperses quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "The American Dream" speech and a third-grade class reciting the pledge of allegiance with a funky pop groove. His point is that America was intended to be a Christian nation and has fallen woefully short and into moral chaos:

Hear the fear of disease Hear the baby never born Hear a people crying out "Somebody save us-Oh, please somebody save us, From what we're headed for-from what we're headed for..."

Smith next includes a new rendition of The Lord's Prayer in "As It Is In Heaven." Most of it is a downbeat and simplistic tune, although it builds into a crescendo with full choir back-up.

The pop anthem "Straight To The Heart" follows. The soft piano accompaniment of the first verse yields to synthesized effects while still remaining simple. It is one of those catchy songs-maybe not as infectious as "Friends," but one of the few "feel good" spots on the project:

Child of God Child of Light There'll be no more lonely nights 'Cause you have brightened up my life

If you have ever wondered what Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start The Fire" might have sounded like in an upbeat steel-guitar-laden countryish medium, then "Someday" should probably appeal to you. It's not as tongue-twisting as Joel's, but it quickly states all sorts of moral dilemmas in today's society with Susan Ashton adding her voice to the track. The hope of the song comes in the choruses that "love will be here to stay" in the kingdom come.

The slow R&B groove of "I'll Be Around" speaks of commitment. Although not specifically speaking to a romantic friend, it will no doubt become a favorite of new couples. I didn't like how the bridge broke out of the driving R&B beat with a big choral bit, but that's a minor complaint.

My favorite track follows-the title track. It is a simple, but catchy pop ballad that builds emotion through the tune. It is a song from God to each of us:

So let it go and turn it over to The one who chose to give His life for you Leave it to Me I'll lead you home

"The Other Side Of Me," the first part of a trilogy is very similar in style to "As It Is In Heaven." This song will be another popular tune for couples, as it is about his wife becoming a part of him, told through analogies such as:

If love was mathematical You'd understand the sum To the heart's equation Where one and one makes one And lonely equals me minus you Always love me Never leave me now Now you are the other side of me

The slow piano-based accompaniment continues into the second part of the trilogy, "Breathe In Me." It asks God to breathe new life to "revive feelings in my soul that I have laid to rest." It builds to an orchestrated bridge that leads to the piano-dominated, yet slightly blues-influenced ballad of "Angels Unaware." Smith's daughter Whitney helps close the song with a light and airy combination of vocals. Some may like the ending, but I am not particularly crazy about it.

"Calling Heaven" is a mid-tempo pop track with verses that talk of unloved and battered children, aborted babies, hypocritical nobles, and "ones who call you Lord but play the field," which are followed by the chorus:

Calling heaven Seeking mercy Tell me there's a place for these

Maybe I'm missing the point, but it rubbed me as a little self-righteous-questioning everyone else's salvation.

The funky R&B "A Little Stronger Every Day" contains one of my favorite lines, "A little carnal knowledge is a dangerous thing/It'll eat a hole in the brain." It talks of making a stand against the universe and getting into the Word to "get a little stronger every day."

Anointed joins Smith on "Crown Him With Many Crowns," in a straight-out Black Gospel romp backed by a full choir.

Closing out the project is a heartfelt "I'm Waiting For You." It is a soft ballad sung from Jesus' perspective:

I walked this road So very long ago To show the way So you would know ...What are you waiting for? I'm waiting for you

If you are looking for something far different than Smith's previous work, then this hour-plus project should provide an eclectic collection of sounds for your collection.