Michael Sweet

HIM

Dog & Pony Records

From the start I approached this CD with respect and reservation.  The impact that Stryper has had across genres is respectable and with that much experience behind him, Michael Sweet I suppose deserves some reverence.  However, with the success of Stryper and his early solo career, there came moments of questionable integrity.  This just does not come from reading CCM or Hit Parade, but from a direct association with a concert promoter and a single event that left the promoter, and more importantly, the fans in doubt.  So with that history in the back of my mind, I approached this review with caution.  In some ways it has challenged my human nature to not forgive, which is too common in our lives and doubly evil when it comes between members of the body of Christ.

So with that said I will tell you what I think of the new solo project HIM.  At first I absolutely disliked the album.  I thought that it was weak and produced in an overly retro way.  My mistake however was expecting it to be a Stryper album.  Also the first time I listened to it I was in the early stages of what I explained above.  Once that was addressed I popped in the CD and gave it another try.  When I listened to it for what it was and not for “who” it was, I was really blown away.  This is the worship album that any artist would wish to record.  There appears to be a freedom for Michael to express himself in a traditional sense, with classic hymns and worship.  I later found the quality of nostalgia to be of importance, as I began to wonder what Michael Sweet and John Schlitt could accomplish together if they were to construct a worship project.  (Hint to Publicists:  Why can’t we have a super band too!). 

In the end I feel comfortable recommending HIM to all the middle-age persons who grew up rocking out with Stryper.  And there is a good chance that both Stryper and Michael Sweet can pick up a new generation of fans as they revive their presences on the forefront of the industry.

- Ken W.