Watching Over You

Album Review

The road to solo-dom is often paved with big statements. Many break-away band members tend to stray from their "band" formula with notions of grandeur. Newsboy Phil Joel nixes the temptation with his first solo disc entitled Watching Over You. As an instrumental fixture to the Newsboys sound as both vocalist and bassist, Joel can't help but deliver a feel-good contribution here. With fellow Newsboy Peter Furler at the production helm, Joel sounds comfortable without being contrived. The disc's opener is "God Is Watching Over You." The number is acoustic splendor. Joel packs a punch with an acoustic guitar and a hooky chorus that just plain makes the listener feel good. "Strangely Normal" and "El Salvador" are songs about journeys. The first is a romp through teenage years with the experience recounted lyrically. The second is a tune about a trip Joel took for the World Vision organization. The cut is passionate and sung with emotional impact. "My Generation" is a radio-friendly endeavor. The song features a conglomeration of influences, at times sounding like Hall and Oates while also cooking with a Dave Matthews vocal vibe. "Fragile" is an intensely personal song. The cut was written after Joel heard about a friend's terminal illness. The tunes lyrics are a testimony to Phil Joel's enduring faith and God's sovereignty. Here Joel's emotional vocals have the nuances of Leo Sayers' 1976 mega-hit "When I Need You." "Together" is another radio friendly melody that should connect with the Newsboy faithful. The cut is an impressive once, again demonstrating that Phil Joel can write, sing, and play. Watching Over You is a testimony to the character of Phil Joel, one that's deeply rooted in Christ and brimming with talent.