“Out Loud” is no “Come to Jesus.” Mindy Smith’s 2006 follow up to her amazing One Moment More album begins with “Out Loud,” a song out of the more tender, dreamy side of Smith’s range. The song challenges anyone who came eager to hear more from that “Come to Jesus” set. While “Out Loud” picks up the pace from rim clicks to full rock chorus, it never rides with that bluesy haunt of “Come to Jesus.”

So, then, does Long Island Shores disappoint? Only if you weren’t ready to let Mindy Smith grow. Only if you expected the same sound on the first track, a mimicry in the track order. If you kept listening this year to Smith’s sophomore effort, you found Smith as wry around a groove, tender amid lullabies, breathy on the ballads, betraying a growl on the songs that push the tempo.

With tremendous musicians filing into the studios to lend their efforts, Long Island Shores sounds as if recorded much later in an artist’s career—which also says something about the maturity Smith brings to her music, especially the lyrics. Perhaps the most indelible stamp here are the guitars of Buddy Miller (who also duets on “What If the World Stopped Turning”).

It’s no surprise, then, to find that Smith is able to turn a phrase like Buddy (and Julie) Miller when it comes to melding faith and life. While I wrote a devotion based on “Come to Jesus,” Long Island Shores is ripe for many devotions. From facing temptation square in the face (“Little Devil”) to what could be a prayer to the Holy Spirit (“Please Stay”)—songs that also reside in the more bluesy new bluegrass. From questioning the silence for answers from God (“I’m Not the Only One Asking”) to struggle to let go of the things that tear us apart (“Out of Control”)—two songs that take you from the Country blues electrified to the hiding-in-the-corner lullaby coaxed out by a melody and hope.

Finally, the album closes with one of the most poetic approaches to explaining what we need and how faith in Jesus answers this desire. The song floats off into the distance, but it still wakes you up with the way it lands upon what you’ve felt deep within your heart. The lyric isn’t as specific as a hymn or Contemporary Christian praise song, but the words strike you deeper than any song built on surface talk.

I need peace of mind and a hopeful heart
To lose this rage and move out of the dark
I ain’t looking for rainbows or shooting stars
Just some peace of mind and a hopeful heart

Thanks to Mindy Smith and Vanguard Records for the review CD.