Hymns II (Michael W. Smith album)

Hymns II – Shine on Us
Studio album by
ReleasedJanuary 29, 2016[1]
ProducerMichael W. Smith, Kyle Lee, Jim Daneker
Michael W. Smith chronology
The Spirit of Christmas
(2014)
Hymns II – Shine on Us
(2016)
A Million Lights
(2018)

Hymns II – Shine on Us is a studio album by Christian recording artist Michael W. Smith. It was released exclusively at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store on January 29, 2016.[2] This is Smith's second hymns album and second release with Cracker Barrel.[3] In the US the album is also available digitally on iTunes and Amazon.[4]

Critical reception

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Hymns II – Shine on Us was met with positive reviews. Caitlin Lassiter of New Release Today rated the album with four stars out of five, stating that "With Hymns II: Shine On Us, Michael W. Smith once again proves why he's one of the greats in this industry as he takes timeless favorites and adds his unique touch--breathing incredible creative energy into them to make them feel revived."[5] Matt Conner of CCM Magazine gave the album three-and-a-half stars out of five.[6] Gary Durban at Worship Leader gave the album four stars out of five.[7]

Commercial performance

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The album debuted at No. 172 on Billboard 200[8] and No. 3 on Billboard Top Christian Albums with approximately 4000 copies sold in its first week of release.[9] This album marks Smith's 29th Top 10 album.[9]

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Down to the River to Pray" 3:16
2."I Need Thee"Annie Sherwood Hawks, Robert Lowry4:18
3."Jesus, Only Jesus"Chris Tomlin, Christy Nockels, Kristian Stanfill, Matt Redman, Nathan Nockels, Tony Wood4:09
4."Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus"Helen Howarth Lemmel4:36
5."I'll Fly Away"Albert E. Brumley2:21
6."His Eye Is on the Sparrow"Civilla D. Martin, Charles H. Gabriel4:12
7."I Don't Know Why (Jesus Loves Me)"Andrae Crouch3:19
8."Shine on Us"Michael W. Smith, Debbie Smith3:59
9."Nearer My God to Thee"Lowell Mason, Sarah Fuller, Flower Adams5:13
10."Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus)"Chris Rice3:44
11."I'd Rather Have Jesus"Rhea F. Miller4:06
12."O Sacred Head, Now Wounded"Paul Gerhardt, Bernard of Clairvaux, Hans Leo Hassler, James Waddell Alexander4:34
13."Be Still My Soul"Kathrina Amalia Dorothea von Schlegel, Jane Laurie Borthwick, Jean Sibelius3:38
14."Great Is The Lord"Michael W. Smith, Debbie Smith2:59
15."A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"Martin Luther, Frederic H. Hedge3:53
16."America the Beautiful (O Beautiful for Spacious Skies)"Katharine Lee Bates, Samuel A. Ward3:31
Total length:62:48

Charts

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Chart (2016) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[10] 172
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[11] 3
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[12] 3

References

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  1. ^ Longs, Herb. "Preview Michael W. Smith's "Hymns II – Shine on Us" Album". thechristianbeat.org. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  2. ^ Landicho, John. "Michael W. Smith To Release New Album 'Hymns II – Shine on Us'". breathecast.com. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  3. ^ Greenhalgh, Andrew (December 1, 2015). "Michael W. Smith Partners with Cracker Barrel for Christmas Tour, New Album". soul-audio.com. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  4. ^ "Hymns II: Shine on Us by Michael W. Smith on iTunes". Apple. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  5. ^ Lassiter, Caitlin (January 30, 2016). "Hymns II: Shine On Us by Michael W. Smith". newreleasetoday.com. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  6. ^ Conner, Matt (January 29, 2016). "Michael W. Smith – 'Hymns II' album review". CCM Magazine. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  7. ^ Durban, Gary. Armstrong, Jeremy (ed.). "Michael W. Smith: Hymns II: Shine on Us". Worship Leader. Vol. May/June 2016. San Juan Capistrano, California: Chuck Fromm, PhD (Worship Leader Partnership). p. 54. ISSN 1066-1247. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
  8. ^ "Dream Theater Debuts at 11 in the U.S.; Tedeschi Trucks Band at 15". vintagevinylnews.com. Retrieved February 12, 2016.[permanent dead link]
  9. ^ a b Asker, Jim. "Kirk Franklin No. 1 With Own Hit & 'Wow Gospel 2016' Compilation". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  10. ^ "Michael W. Smith Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  11. ^ "Michael W. Smith Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  12. ^ "Michael W. Smith Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2016.