Hymns

After winning acclaim for his pop-rock worship projects, Michael W. Smith takes a more country-leaning approach on Hymns. The veteran Christian singer/songwriter taps into his West Virginia roots and the wellsprings of his faith on this album. Rather than writing original tunes, Smith reaches back to previous centuries for a wide selection of famous and lesser-known sacred songs. Smith’s warm, earnest vocals are framed by sparse yet polished arrangements built around acoustic guitars, pianos, and backup choirs. The music achieves a classic tone without sounding antique, bringing out the timeless message within each lyric. There are flashes of bluegrass energy here (particularly in “Victory in Jesus” and “Softly and Tenderly”), as well as a hint of pop balladry (heard in a piano-centered interpretation of “Were You There”). A reading of “Wonderful, Merciful Savior” (composed in 1989) adds a modern melodic touch. For the most part, though, Smith hews close to tradition in his versions of church standards like “The Old Rugged Cross,” “How Great Thou Art,” and “God of Our Fathers.”