Jimmy Needham [Nightlights]
Posted May 14, 2010
By christianmusicreview,
[MAIN REVIEW]
Nightlights is the highly anticipated third project from singer/songwriter Jimmy Needham, released May 18, 2010. The lead single from the album is an upbeat pop song, “Yours To Take,” with the lyrics written by Needham and music by Needham and Tim Dillon. Nightlights features twelve new songs written or co-written by Needham and showcases his continued growth as a singer/songwriter and performer. The album kicks off with a funky gospel tune, “Moving To Zion,” recounting Jimmy’s journey away from the pressures of the Law toward the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The song sets the tone for this very solid album as Jimmy Needham blends his signature sound that to me blends mainstream artist Jason Mraz with recent American Idol winner Kris Allen. Jimmy's soulful voice and personal lyrics are very engaging and every song puts me right there with him.
“Being Small” is a great song based on John the Baptist’s statement “He must increase, I must decrease,” which is the theme of the album. The semi-autobiographical song, “The Reason I Sing,” says the Lord is the basis for Needham’s music ministry and not the accolades that comes with a music career. “Right Where You Are” is based on A.W. Tozer’s book “The Pursuit of God.” Knowing facts about God is not a “relationship.” Jimmy really grabbed me with his song “Grace Amazing,” which tells how Christ brings life to the believer in a strong R&B approach, which reminds me of Maroon 5. I can’t get enough of the vocals and rhythm of the song, my favorite song on the album. The message of this song is so personal and biblical as it is directed to both believers and non-believers to know that there is no condemnation for our sins when we accept Jesus as our substitute and Savior.
The only song that wasn’t written by Needham is his remake of the pop classic “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You).” Just like on his first two albums, Jimmy ends with a spoken word benediction where he spells out the message of the album “Nightlights.” With this new project, Needham wants to continue ministering to the churched and unchurched with his music. “The goal of this record is to breakdown walls and help me achieve my mission in the same sense those old spiritual songs did in the past,” Needham explains. “If people can take something positive away from this album, that’s all I can ask for.”
CLOSING THOUGHTS
If you like Jason Mraz and Kris Allen, you need to check out Jimmy Needham. "Being Small," "Yours To Take," “The Reason I Sing," “Right Where You Are" and "Grace Amazing" are my favorite songs on this very solid album. Nightlights is the best overall album by Jimmy Needham and one of my top albums of 2010.
Rating: 9.4 out of 10 (94%, A)
Review written by: Kevin Davis | Review can also be found here.
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