from: cdnow.com, 07-23-2000
author: Mike Parker
website: http://www.cdnow.com

»» Phil Joel
Watching Over You

Phil Joel made his mark as the guitar-slinger, sometimes singer, sometimes songwriter for the Newsboys. Fans will recognize him as the voice behind the Newsboys hit "Entertaining Angels," which he co-wrote with Peter Furler. After a half-dozen years playing Aussie-rock with the 'Boys, Joel releases his debut solo project Watching Over You on Furler's fledgling Inpop label.
Stylistically, Watching Over You could be another Newsboys record. You'll find the same bouncy, surf-inflected, pop-rock rhythms that have marked Newsboy projects since Take Me To Your Leader. What immediately marks this as something fresh are Joel's nearly autobiographical lyrics (he wrote or co-wrote all 10 songs on this project). "Strangely Normal" examines the frustration of being an individual, as normal as that may seem. "My Generation" laments the tragedy of friends who have drifted away, and "Fragile" is a delicate, acoustic number that quietly accepts the inevitability of pain -- "Life is fragile / everybody breaks so easily."
Joel insists that he intends to continue as a full-fledged member of the Newsboys, which is probably a good idea. Although Watching Over You is a fine debut project from an undoubtedly talented artist, it is not sufficiently different from previous Newsboys material to mark the territory as his own.

Mike Parker
CDNOW Contributing Writer ««