Beginning with ear-catching riffs and gritty vocals, Jody Davis catches the listener's attention immediately. Davis, guitarist for the Newsboys, has released his self-titled album and proven that he is just as successful as a solo artist as he is with The Newsboys.
The songs, which were composed over a span of ten years, all flow well, and capture many sounds and feelings, something that is hard to achieve within one album. With the combination of his exceptional delivery on vocals and the energy of the instruments, this recording keeps the listener wanting more. The opener, "Believe," is best described by Davis himself: "I wanted to make a statement about standing for something. Sometimes people don't really know what they believe. It's kind of easy to get caught up in the daily routine and lose track of what's really important." Anyone can relate to Davis' sentiments, and the song captures this feeling perfectly.
The heavy guitars in the next song, "Crush of Love," are catchy as the vocals follow along with the same tune. Though it's interesting, unfortunately, it is a bit too much by the end of the song. The vocals fading in and out grab your attention but seem to be overcome by the music. While the lyrics are outstanding, it is hard to concentrate on them due to the guitar arrangement.
"Climbing to Your Throne" is slower than the two openers. It has a very powerful chorus that fits perfectly with the song, giving it a fine effect. It is definitely one of the best tracks on the album. As Davis describes it, "In a nutshell, this is a song about prayer and the struggle to understand suffering."
"Can't Get Enough" begins with a very simple drum beat. The instruments in the song are lacking, making it a bit more dull than others. But it doesn't really mean it's a bad song. The listener can at least concentrate on the lyrics and his voice. Jim Cooper and Davis wrote the song ten years ago when they had just moved to Nashville. The song flows fine with the pace of the album.
"Satellite" returns to the heavier style and raspy vocals. It is a song that "was almost a Newsboys' song," but instead made it to this album and is a welcome addition. "Bleed" is a story written from a girl's perspective. It is a fine story and is something to which the listener can relate. Davis describes it further, "She's at the end of her rope; she's seen a lot in her life, and she is being brought down to her weakest point in order to open up and listen to God."
"Velveteen," is, oddly enough, about the story The Velveteen Rabbit. It is about what it is to be real. Who would have thought someone could write such a deep song about a book that is usually looked upon so lightly? The last track on the album is a cover of Todd Rundgren's "Love is the Answer." It has fine instrumentation and is a perfect track to finish this recording.
Overall, the album is one that anyone can appreciate. The structure of the whole album is very effective and, as it was described before, "Jody Davis surveys some of the best pop and rock sounds of the past 25 years." I agree.
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Andy ArgyrakisThe Newsboys desperately needed a break after a decade on the road, ending in their exhaustive dome tour from last summer. The group is not disbanding, just spending a bit of their down time engulfed in other projects. First was the modestly successful InPop Records release from Phil Joel. Now, guitarist Jody Davis had stepped out on his own with an 11 song self-titled project. The disc sports an…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Glenn McCartyWe'll get the "Breakfast" jokes out of the way first, so we can deal with Jody Davis on his own terms. As lead guitarist of the multi-platinum youth group favorite Newsboys (for those who need help, he's not the bald one or the one with Rapunzel-esque locks, but has gone through some hairstyle identity crises of his own), Davis has been the band's mainstay since its inception, providing skillful…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Olin JenkinsFirst things first: as Andy Argyrakis noted in the April issue of The Phantom Tollbooth, The Newsboys are not disbanding. With the release of Shine...The Hits, it's the perfect time for bassist Phil Joel and guitarist Jody Davis to shine a bit on their own. With Jody Davis, we have a bit of a spit-polish instead of a true shine. Second things second, don't expect a Newsboys' sound from Jody…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Chelsea LewisYet another Newsboy puts the spotlight on a solo project outside the band. Jody Davis' self-titled debut exhibits his wide range of abilities, including songwriting, playing guitar, and singing. His choice of music is rather different than the typical Newsboys sound, displaying Davis' will to make his own sound heard. The modern rock/pop tracks are heavily laced with guitar, drums, and bass, with…
