Michael W. Smith

Smitty's first pop release in five years reminds us why he's the inimitable godfather of Christian contemporary music. Pop-CCM simplicity meets moody Clapton-style rock in "Hang On," "Human Spark" and "All I Want." The "Bridge Over Troubled Water" cover is absorbing, and the title track, with its closing "I'm not afraid" chorus, is worshipful magic. Truly healing.

Dubya is the earthly king of Christian rock, returned to the pop fold after several profitable forays into the worship scene. His voice both strong and pleasant (though he's no Amy Grant), he commands an unusually detailed palette of stale CCR studio techniques ("Eagles Fly" sports a sitar). He rocks mechanically hard on songs about perseverance and aspiration that don't mention the Lord's name and sounds sad about AIDS in Africa, or maybe famine (or animism). "I Am Love" is pretty mystical, and he essays "Bridge Over Troubled Water," by the Jewish songwriter Paul Simon. In general, though, the words are not a plus. (Grade - D+)