The 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 average contemporary pop sound at best, and after several spins of the disc, nothing stands out as exceedingly catchy or memorable.
The only real highlight is the disc's closer "Light of the World/ Love is the Answer," which Davis borrowed from Todd Rundgren. Although it's clear this Newsboy put effort into his own creative development, he didn't look very far past the group. He's joined by a couple of his band mates in the studio, which makes one wonder why he even bothered to venture out "on his own."
1.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
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 Jessica HeikoopBeginning 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…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…
