When I first bought Jody Davis' self-titled CD, I thought to myself that I don't really want to review this album. But the more I listened to it, the more I changed my mind. The thing to get adjusted to at first is the use of the guitars and trumpets. It sounds kinda like Shaded Red, but Jody's vocal's are a lot more high-pitched.

Needless to say, the album is very guitar-oriented considering he's the Newsboys' guitarist. That's the highlight of the album. The trumpets fit well into the music, especially in "Crush of Love."

One of the things that makes this album stand out a lot is the writing. Sometimes when an artist comes out, especially on a solo project, you take good notice to the lyrics. In Jody's case, he's got no problem here. In the song "Climbing to Your Throne," he writes "Shovelin dirt on the coffin of my dream. The sea that's buried dead becomes alive again. Eventually. Lazarus has one single thing on me. His stone is rolled away and he can see you." In the song "Satellite," he sings about being a satellite "crashing down in a flaming ball. Burn away the heavy shell. Holding back my flight." And in "Bleed," one of the best songs lyrically, he sings in the chorus "Why do I have to bleed? Why do I have to scream? Why do I have to be tore down? Before I can believe." Overall, the CD is pretty good. It's different and you get used to his high-pitched voice. If you like basic rock with a hint of classic rock and disco with good lyrics and a lot of trumpets, then you'll like this album. The only two problems I had with the album were that some of the songs sound alike, and if you're a new Christian some of the lyrics are deep. I'd say try the demo and see for yourself. It may not be for you. It got my little two-year-old brother's approval. That's good.

- Review date: 5/24/01, written by Kevin Chamberlin