from: cmcentral.com
author: Robin Parrish
website: http://www.cmcentral.com

»» Phil Joel
Bring It On

Watching Over You, Phil Joel's debut solo album, was a fun little disc full of songs about God's love and encouragement. The production was basic but enjoyable, the songs were simple but true. For Bring It On, Joel does what most artists do on their second go 'round: he takes it to the next level.

Bring It On focuses on commitment: commitment to God, to one another, to living life to its fullest. Once again Joel wrote every song himself (with help from some friends), and there are some real corkers here. Especially the opening track, "Resolution," which is so potent in both sound and message, it very nearly eclipses everything else on the album. Joel was wise to save this one for his own album, because it smokes, even though it could have fit right in on Newsboys' Thrive. It's also a great reminder of the importance of accountability among believers.

Other songs, in Joel's no-nonsense style, talk about his commitment to his family ("All So Good," the gut-wrenching "Passing Angels," about saying goodbye to a loved one) and his faith ("Return," the terrific, gradually-building "The Man You Want Me To Be," "Fallen In Love," the funky "Move," and "Take My Heart"). One of his most poignant moments comes on "No Longer," where he vows to never again "watch the world slowly slip away"; he says, "I read Your lips / As we parted ways ...Do I have anything to lose / Worth more than what You've given me?"

More than anything, I was struck by the sonic similarities between this album and some of the best stuff the Newsboys have put out in recent years. Specifically, it sounds very much like a cross between Step Up to the Microphone and Thrive, and it's definitely harder in rock style than Watching Over You. So fans of either are safe, in any case.

Bring It On has a few weak spots, but overall, it gets my seal of approval, and it definitely outshines its predecessor.

Robin's rating: 87 %

--Robin Parrish ««