Music review: Michael W. Smith – ‘A Million Lights’
With “A Million Lights,” Michael W. Smith continues to offer words of encouragement and hope by shining a musical light on the darkness that seeks to divide and conquer us.
I first became a fan of Smith way back in 1990 with the purchase of “Go West Young Man” with its crossover hit “Place in This World.” Over his career, Smith has garnered three Grammy Awards, 45 Dove Awards and has sold over 15 million albums.
SmithĢƵ new material radiants with a progressive feel that leans heavily on synthesizers and electronic dance beats infused with infectious pop seasoning that give the 60-year-old singerĢƵ messages a fresh and youthful tone.
GodĢƵ wondrous presence is relayed on the title track with Smith singing, “A million lights/Hanging on the world tonight/I see them reaching down/Dancing on the evening tide.”
Seeking a unifying solution for the divisive issues that continue to alienate brother from brother and sister from sister, Smith proposes a love revolution that encourages the building of bridges instead of burning them down to worthless ashes.
Songs such as “Revolution” and “Conversation” describe the importance of getting back to face-to-face interaction that consists of listening, understanding and respect as we build a strong bridge across the divide that separates us.
“Crashing Waves” delivers a clear message of hope when all seems lost. Smith sings about that glorious moment of feeling GodĢƵ love crashing all around with the power to roll the stone of despair away, making the pain and frustration a fading memory.
On “Something in My Heart,” GodĢƵ unconditional love serves as the spark that stirs the heart by providing the realization that we are never alone and equipping us with the power to cast away fear and to keep pushing on in pursuit of our dreams.
The theme of light continues on “Love Always Wins” with Smith describing the true power of love and the promise of deliverance from the darkest of shadows singing, “You know the light is gonna find us/Love always wins.”
SmithĢƵ uplifting messages shine brightly over 13 tracks that will hopefully help us find our place in this world.
Clint Rhodes is the ĢƵ music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.

