Michael Anderson - Love Is The Hard Part

Thursday 1st August 1996
Michael Anderson - Love Is The Hard Part
Michael Anderson - Love Is The Hard Part

STYLE: Pop
RATING 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 2603-479
LABEL: Forefront FFD5143
FORMAT: CD Album
RRP: £15.31

Reviewed by Tony Cummings

His debut album 'Saints And Sinners' was very good but it was his brilliant rendition of Larry Norman's "Shot Down" (originally for the 'One Way' compilation and track four here) which announced to the CCM world that Michael Anderson was something special. His voice is a gritty, gutsy, world weary growl while the arrangements are meaty, full of shattering power chords, searing swirls of guitar and funky bottom. His lyrics bite deep into their subject too. Here, he is eschewing the shallow sloganeering of some of his Nashville contemporaries. Songs of faith and redemption ("In this world of compromise, Most people slowly die"), soul overcoming fear ("There's a candle in the window/There's a flame that burns for you/Though you're walking in the darkness/There's a light to see you through.") and a compelling piece of improvised atmosphere, "The Post Moderne Soul Antenna" vie for attention. My current faves are "Soul Man Myself" with its affectionate tribute to old Motown grooves, the blistering opener "Love Is The Hard Part" and a song "for poets, artists, musicians, revolutionaries, missionaries and other dreamers", "Revival". A thrilling album by a fine new rock songwriter/musician.

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Sample Track Listing:
6. Be Not Afraid [Listen]
9. Fighting To Surrender [Listen]

This track data is supplied by the Cross Rhythms CD/DVD review library. Please note that CD tracks may vary according to release region or product version.

Reader Comments

Posted by Karla in Idaho @ 23:17 on May 1 2006

I used to own this CD. It was my favorite and the Lord really spoke to me through it. I felt led to give it to a friend and I have been without it for years. I would love to have it again. Michael is very anointed.



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