Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!

JFH Music Review




Jimmy Needham
Speak



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 12 tracks: 43 minutes, 37 seconds
Street Date: August 15, 2006


Jimmy Needham is a relatively new addition to the Christian music world, recently being signed to Inpop Records after releasing a project independently last year. Needham has the perfect style Inpop has become known for, which includes that mellow yet solid pop/rock sound. He demonstrates this on his label debut, Speak.

Jimmy Needham has been compared to the secular icon Jason Mraz, who is known for his quick, witty lyricism and toe-tapping melodies. Needham mimics Mraz in a huge way, sometimes sounding exactly like his secular counterpart. He even has the thought provoking yet strikingly truthful lyrics at times: "Can I sing about my maker, and not have you roll your eyes?" from the light rocker "Fence Riders." Another rocker is the title track, "Speak," in which Needham talks of us as believers needing to open our mouths and talk about the Lord, instead of just trusting our walks to do all the talking. Other highlights on Speak include the catchy "Lost At Sea," the delightful rock-laced "Make Me Sing," and the beautiful ballad "Dearly Loved."

The only problem I see with Needham's debut may be some of his vocals. He strains some of the high notes sometimes, particularly in "Wake Up," and his signing hit "For Freedom." On the majority of the album, Jimmy keeps this high pitch at bay, but when it comes out, it just doesn't seem to work. Another problem is found within certain aspects of "We Cry Holy" and "Stand on Grace," where the heavy rock sounds just about drown out his voice, making for an almost unpleasant worship experience. He pulls it off, but not without risking the loss of his vocals amidst the noise.

After all is said and done, Jimmy Needham's debut from Inpop Records will likely attract Christian and secular market fans, particularly those from the top 40 crowd. Anyone looking for a Jason Mraz alternative need to look no further than Jimmy Needham. People looking for a little more substance than that probably won't find it in Speak.

- Review date: 10/16/06, written by Justin Mabee



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

 


. Record Label: Inpop Records
. Album length: 12 tracks, 43 minutes and 37 seconds
. Street Date: August 15, 2006
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. I Am New
  2. Lost At Sea
  3. Fence Riders
  4. Dearly Loved
  5. For Freedom
  6. Speak
  7. Make Me Sing
  8. Wake Up
  9. We Cry Holy
  10. Stand On Grace
  11. The Gospel
  12. Benediction
spacer Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

Search JFH



This Friday, July 25, 2025
ALBUMS
Anchor & Braille New Mexico [Equal Vision]
B. Tee Told You [Syntax]
Bride Scarecrow Messiah CD Re-Release [Girder]
Empowered SALT - EP (independent)
Homesick Prodigals Different Good (independent)
KDNS After Eden [Syntax]
Olivia Lane Songs About Jesus (Deluxe Edition) [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard TASHA [Motown Gospel]
Kevi Morse Kingston We Winning [Syntax]
Pulpit Vomit Hospital Lens [Rottweiler]
Anthony & Tiffany Salerno Dance for Jesus - EP (independent)
Taylor & Co Worship Breakthrough - EP (independent)
Josh Wright LEAD (independent)

SINGLES
abenezer i was lost - Single [Gotee]
Joe L Barnes Good Shepherd (Studio Version) - Single [Provident]
Sho Baraka Still Got Faith (ft. L3xdivine) - Single [Syntax]
Gracie Binion Easy To Please - Single [BEC]
Katty Camargo Shine Upon Me - Single (independent)
The CCC Collective Thankful - Single (independent)
C4 Crotona Mr. Gritty - Single [Syntax]
CXMMXNS Trust and Obey (feat. CAIN) - Single [Provident]
EJ Swavv & Nickwit2Ks Growth - Single [Syntax]
Forrest Frank GOD'S GOT MY BACK - Single [River House / 10K]
Andrew Gonoude Closer To You - Single (independent)
Noah Paul Harrison Oh Lord My God (Live) - Single [Bethel]
J.Solo All I Have (ft. Kaboose & MotionPlus) - Single [Syntax]
Kings Kaleidoscope + Kings Kaleidoscope Hymns Amazing Grace - Single [BEC]
Tasha Layton Life In Me - Single [BEC]
Lecrae Bless You (feat. Torey D'Shaun) - Single [Reach]
TobyMac God Did It (feat. Jamie MacDonald) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Matt Maher Wait (Radio Version) - Single [Provident]
Hunter Plake Down to Earth - Single [BEC]
QEW JOYXFIX (ft. Stevie Rizo) - Single [Syntax]
Naomi Raine God Will Work It Out - Single [Tribl]
Rave Jesus Runnin' - Single [Provident]
Saints in Exile Bad Vibes - Single [Syntax]
Xander Sallows infinite - Single [DREAM]
Silent Reflection Left Me for Dead - Single [Syntax]
Michael W. Smith Your Love Is A Flood - Single [The Fuel]
John Stratton The Body and the Blood - Single [Pure Mosaic Services]
Regina Vandereijk You're the Light - Single (independent)
Joel Vaughn Feel It - Single [DREAM]
Zach Williams Killed A Man - Single [Provident]
Zauntee Jesus Down In Florida - Single [BEC]

VINYL
Bride Scarecrow Messiah Vinyl [Girder]

DVD
Jordan Smith The People's Hymnal DVD [Gaither]

This Saturday, July 26, 2025
SINGLES
Anthony & Tiffany Salerno What Would You Do? - Single (independent)

Next Friday, August 1, 2025
ALBUMS
Crash Rickshaw Big Sir - EP [Velvet Blue]
McKamey Legacy Holding to Truth [Horizon]
Ordained Thunder Roar [Girder]
V1 Worship Archives [DREAM Worship]

SINGLES
Dan Bremnes Human - Single [Curb]
Lauren Daigle Let It Be A Hallelujah - Single [Centricity]
Sleeping At Last Believe - Single (independent)

VINYL
Disciple Attack! (Limited Run Vinyl) Vinyl [Girder]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Join honey and save on online purchases!
Get all of JFH's indie compilation now totally free!
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images