Louder Than The Music

Martin Smith - Iron Lung

Artist:

Martin Smith

Title:

Iron Lung

Type:

Album

Released:

10 May 2019

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Review

I think it's fair to say that if you are on LTTM you probably know a little bit about Martin Smith already. For the last three decades, UK worship artist, songwriter and producer Martin Smith has been penning songs that bring fresh air to the lungs of the Church. From “Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble?” and “Waiting Here For You” to “I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever” and “History Maker,” Martin’s songs have connected generations - inspiring and influencing worship leaders and worshippers alike.

Before finding success, Smith spent time as a studio recording engineer and formed worship collective...
Read More I think it's fair to say that if you are on LTTM you probably know a little bit about Martin Smith already. For the last three decades, UK worship artist, songwriter and producer Martin Smith has been penning songs that bring fresh air to the lungs of the Church. From “Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble?” and “Waiting Here For You” to “I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever” and “History Maker,” Martin’s songs have connected generations - inspiring and influencing worship leaders and worshippers alike.

Before finding success, Smith spent time as a studio recording engineer and formed worship collective ‘Cutting Edge’ in the early 90s alongside Stewart Smith (no relation) and Tim Jupp. Following a near fatal car crash in 1995, Smith emerged from a time of recovery committed to pursuing a full-time career as a recording artist. The crew formerly known as ‘Cutting Edge’ reformed as ‘Delirious?’, going on to receive both CCM and mainstream success and are still greatly beloved by fans around the world. ‘Delirious?’ disbanded in 2009 after giving their final performance for a sold-out crowd at London’s Hammersmith Apollo.

If Delirious made an album now, this is what it would sound like. Hearing Martin Smith singing brings back all kinds of nostalgia. Yet this isn’t an album that plays on the nostalgia and Martin isn't even playing the Delirious soundcard. This is an album that stands on its own. This is a forward thinking album, a creative and exciting album that is at the heart, gutsy and soulful all at the same time.

For me 'Great & Glorious' is Martin Smith's greatest song he has ever written and recorded. There I said it. Tweet me if you disagree, I can now see the complaint postcards flying into the LTTM mailroom, “have you never heard Majesty, I Could Sing of Your Love Forever.... Waiting For the Summer”. I stand by my comment, this is Martin Smith's Bohemian Rhapsody moment. The song is a masterpiece on all levels, creative, inspiring and above all a stunning tune.

'Runaway' has a driven haunting sound, I would say his time as frontman of Brighton band Army Of Bones inspired this kind of track. The album is full of these little moments where you can see Martin bringing his past and present into his work. I love the bridge and end of ‘Fire’s Gonna Fall’ it feels like real ‘come together’ moment and even has a big football terraces kind of thing going on. One song that deserves a massive mention is the closing ‘Give Thanks For A Broken Heart’. It’s a truly epic, passionate and powerful way to end the album.

On this album you see Martin try some new stuff in his vocal delivery. It’s like he isn’t scared to go out of that worship vocal sounding box. For me it is like Martin is saying in his head this is how I want to sound and this is what I've got to say, and he does it, as he has always done, the Martin Smith way.

You can’t really compare it to anything out there at the moment, this is no carbon copy album. This is a Martin Smith album and the closest comparison I could make is to say that I think this is what Delirious would sound like in 2019.

I enjoyed this album from start to finish and this album packs a punch with its songs, not only lyrically or even in delivery, but in regards to musical oomph. Yet we never expected anything else from Mr Smith. A really stunning album which I would love for people to get into. Not just for Delirious fans but for everyone who wants to draw closer to God with fist pumping worship anthems.

Review by Jono Davies

LTTM Rating 5 Out of 5 Stars
Standout Tracks
Great & Glorious
Everybody is Broken
Give Thanks For A Broken Heart

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Martin Smith Releases New Studio Album 'Iron Lung'

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Martin Smith - Iron Lung

Other Martin Smith Releases

Joy

You Deserve The Applause

Garment Of Praise

Joy (What The World Calls Foolish)

Holy

Dancing In The Fire