Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

JFH Music Review



Jimmy Needham
Not Without Love



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 12 tracks: 41 minutes, 34 seconds
Street Date: August 19, 2008


Not Without Love is the sophomore album from Inpop Records singer/songwriter Jimmy Needham. His major label debut came in the form of Speak in 2006. It was a very good introduction to Jimmy's acoustic-based style, catching the attention of critics and music lovers alike. Speak also garnered radio hits like "Lost At Sea," "Fence Riders," and "Dearly Loved," which helped to give Needham a place in the CCM industry. Sophomore albums are a vital key in the success of an artist, because it gives listeners a chance to hear growth in the artist's music. However, with Not Without Love, Jimmy Needham has hardly moved past his humble beginnings.

Songs like the catchy album opener "Come Around" and the album's first radio single, "A Breath Or Two," are classic upbeat Needham tunes. However, the majority of the album is made up of slower songs, especially towards the middle. The first of these is the beautiful "Hurricane." Other notable ballads include the made-for-radio "Before And After," "The Great Love Story," and the sweet "Unfailing Love," a song which Needham also sang at his recent wedding. But aside from those few gems, the rest of the album seems to get boring and lacks the magic of the first few songs. The only time Needham really gets out of his comfort zone is in "Firefly," in which he toys around with a fun, ragtime style.

Another thing that saves the album from failure is Needham's amazing knack for songwriting. His lyrics are never tiresome or clichéd, and are very inventive and thought-provoking. "The Author" is probably the best example of his poetic writing. Jimmy's voice also works exceptionally well with the style of the album. He has often been compared to Jason Mraz or John Mayer and rightfully so.

Listeners trying to find something new will sadly not find it here. Not Without Love feels a lot like a rehash of Speak in a stylistic sense. Jimmy's voice and songwriting are as good as always, but aside from a few highlights here and there, the music is mostly bland.

- Review date: 8/17/08, written by Matthew Watson



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

 

. Record Label: Inpop Records
. Album length: 12 tracks: 41 minutes, 34 seconds
. Street Date: August 19, 2008
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Come Around
  2. A Breath or Two
  3. Hurricane
  4. Firefly
  5. Forgiven & Loved
  6. Before and After
  7. Tossed by the Wind
  8. Unfailing Love (Kelly's Song)
  9. Rend
  10. The Author
  11. The Great Love Story
  12. Not Without Love (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. 14!

Search JFH



This Friday, October 17, 2025
ALBUMS
ANTHNY DIARY ENTRY 1 [Provident]
AOH Music BEHOLD (Acoustic Live), Vol. 1 (independent)
Blanca Full Bloom [Curb]
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas [Gaither]
Geoff Moore and The Distance Foundations (Re-Release) [Girder]
Geoff Moore and The Distance A Place To Stand (Re-Release) [Girder]
Vince Gill 50 Years From Home: I Gave You Everything I Had - EP [UMG]
Nate Parrish Make Me A Mountain (independent)
Psallos The New and Better Way: Hymns of Hebrews (independent)
Anne Wilson Stars [Capitol CMG]
Megan Woods The Truth EP [Fair Trade]

SINGLES
Elevation Worship Jesus Be The Name - Single [Provident]
F'rael God's Wheel (ft. TRYBISHOP) - Single [Syntax]
Brandon Lake When A Cowboy Prays (Amazon Music Songline) - Single [Provident]
LEON Undefeated - Single [El Rescate Music]
No Vain Glory UNLEADED - Single [Syntax]
Park 7 The Hope Is On The Way - Single (independent)
Rave Jesus & Gracie Binion Need Your Love - Single [Provident]
REFVGE, Cyfë II & WAY? U P W A R D S ft. Bianca Silver & Josh LeCroy - Single [Syntax]
Rhymes In Harmony & MAYIA My Sister - Single [Syntax]
Rock City Worship Gravestone - Single [Capitol CMG]
Anton Scholl Born To Love You - Single [Near Kingdom]
Nathan Sheridan Don't Lose Hope - Single [WieRok]
SNT. VINCENT Feast of the Saints - Single [Syntax]
Vertical Kings Faith In Stereo - Single [Covenant]
Vic Lucas, Essence Natay & Ashleey Barnes Let it Rain - Single [Syntax]
Zane Vickery All Things New - Single (independent)
Aaron Williams Abide (feat. CAIN) - Single [Integrity]

DVD
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, October 24, 2025
ALBUMS
John Allan untitled EP [Centricity]
Dan Bremnes The Villain - EP [Curb]
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]
God Behind Bars Music Live From Angola Prison Vol. 1 [Provident]
Fepeste This World Ain't Mine to Change [Velvet Blue]
gio. FINE BY ME [Capitol CMG]
Brandon Lake Amazon Music Songline [Provident]
Tyson Motsenbocker Modern Worries [Tooth & Nail]
Smalltown Poets St. Augustine (independent)
Zahriya Zachary Rediscovery [Bethel]

SINGLES
29:11 Worship, Zion Rempel You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
Joe L Barnes Grief, Joy, Gratitude - Single [Provident]
Chad Cory, Zacardi Cortez My First Love (Remix) - Single [DREAM]
Leanna Crawford Beginning Of Your Grace - Single [Provident]
darthy Juniper Tree - Single [WieRok]
Emerson Day Midnight Hour - Single [Fair Trade]
Good Weather Forecast lows2highs - Single [DREAM]
Grace + Max Rich - Single [WieRok]
Mercy Tribe Music The King is in the Room (feat. Ayiesha Woods) - Single (independent)
Mountains in the Sea You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
Seph Schlueter Already On The Way (feat. Benjamin William Hastings) - Single [Provident]
Tomb Slayer The Christmas Lamb (feat. Khristian Dentley & Sarah Whittemore) - Single [Tomb Slayer]
The Undertaking! All Smiles - Single (independent)

VINYL
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]


For all release dates, click here!
 

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images