Personnel: Michael W. Smith (vocals, piano); Rusty Anderson, Paul Moak, Bruce Gaitsch (guitars); David Davidson (violin); DeMarco Johnson (harmonica); Jeremy Bose (accordion); Patrick Warren (chamberlin, keyboards); James Gregory (bass instrument); Lindsay Jamieson (drums); Luis Conte (percussion).

Recording information: Dark Horse, Franklin, TN (2006).

After flirting with a wider variety of musical influences for several albums, STAND returns Michael W. Smith to the CCM mainstream. Smith specializes in pop-rock power ballads that have their secular equivalent in the work of Phil Collins, Michael McDonald, and Journey's Steve Perry, and STAND features a number of excellent examples. Highlights include the piano-driven ballad "Grace" and the rousing opening track, "Cover Me," which has traces of both U2 and Creed.