Something to Say Matthew West
Discography Timeline
See Full Discography
Something to Say Review by Andree Farias
One of the biggest dilemmas a session songwriter like Matthew West faces is whether to make a solo career be the extension of his day job, or to do something altogether different the moment he chooses to step in front of the microphone. As a hitmaker for the likes of Mandisa, Natalie Grant, Point of Grace, and the occasional country act, West excels at penning melodic, serviceable pop anthems that get neatly wrapped up in just under four minutes. Incidentally, he's not too dissimilar to his role as a songster -- it's hard to distinguish whether some of his songs are leftovers from previous writing sessions or if they're an outpouring of where he stands as a stand-alone artist. In theory, West should have a lot to say on Something to Say, his third solo effort: he recorded it in the wake of a bout with vocal cord polyps, the same malady that once nearly sidelined Whitney Houston for good. Lamentably, nothing about this ordeal was chronicled on this album, whose press materials go to great lengths to describe. Instead, Something to Say is likable but ultimately impersonal Christian pop, large on indelible melodies, soaring hooks, and a pop/rock sound already championed by CCM peers Steven Curtis Chapman, Mark Schultz, and Chris Tomlin. West does have a distinctive half-rapped, half-sung vocal style in the more upbeat tunes, and "Life Inside You" and "Moment of Truth" are gutsy slices of real-life pop. Outside of that, Something to Say merely goes through the motions, only occasionally surpassing the best West has contributed to his own clientele over the years.
| Brown Bannister Engineer, Producer | |
| Cary Barlowe Guitar, Guitar (Electric) | |
| Steve Bishir Engineer | |
| Ed Cash Engineer, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Keyboards, Piano, Producer, Programming, Vocals (Background) | |
| John Catchings Cello, Strings | |
| Jesse Chambers A&R | |
| George Cocchini Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric) | |
| Jan Cook Art Direction | |
| Eric Darken Percussion | |
| David Davidson Strings | |
| Rob Hawkins Guitar (Electric) | |
| Clark Hook Design | |
| Jason Houser Composer | |
| Ted Jensen Mastering | |
| Tim Lauer Engineer, Keyboards, Organ (Hammond), Piano, Producer, Programming | |
| Tony Lucido Bass | |
| Eric McPherson Guitar (Electric) | |
| Jerry McPherson Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric) | |
| Sam Mizell Associate Producer, Composer, Keyboards, Producer, Programming | |
| Paul Moak Guitar (Electric) | |
| Dan Needham Drums | |
| Brad O'Donnell A&R | |
| Mike Payne Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric) | |
| Matt Pierson Bass | |
| Kevin Powell Assistant Engineer | |
| Will Sayles Drums | |
| Bobby Shin Engineer | |
| F. Reid Shippen Mixing | |
| Ben Shive Keyboards | |
| Aaron Sternke Digital Editing | |
| Christopher Stevens Guitar (Electric), Keyboards, Producer, Programming, Vocals (Background) | |
| Michelle Swift Vocals (Background) | |
| Matthew West Composer, Guitar (Acoustic), Primary Artist, Vocals (Background) | |
| Terry White Vocals (Background) | |
| Bill Whittington Digital Editing, Engineer |
|
|
2007 CD | Something to Say Sparrow Records - 845202 |
|
2008 Digital | Something to Say Sparrow |
|
2008 CD | Something to Say EMI CMG |
![Something to Say [Bonus Disc]](/https://fastly-s3.allmusic.com/release/mr0001054572/front/120/6WWHJjzZY2teKgUDpGhK7ASijaXJlYnq0St31qpAJWo=.jpg)
|
2009 CD | Something to Say [Bonus Disc] EMI Christian Music Group / Recorded Music - 07950 |
|
|
2009 Digital | Something to Say [Christmas Edition] EMI |
|
|
2010 Digital | Something To Say Sparrow Records |
|
|
2010 CD | Something to Say Sparrow Records - 937856 |