After 12 years, 8 albums, 4 Dove awards, 3 Grammy nominations, and 3 gold records, the members of the hit group Newsboys are beginning to branch out in new directions. The first member to take an adventurous leap is bassist-singer Phil Joel with his debut recording Watching Over You. Newsboys frontman Peter Furler is both producer of this project and partner in the new record label Inpop, which signed Joel as their second act. Watching Over You is a heartfelt rocker, showcasing Joel's impressively developed vocal and songwriting talents. Guitar driven, honest, and reflective, this CD's pop-rock sounds won't blow out the windows, but if played in a car, it may cause the driver to accelerate beyond the speed limit. Though he belts out these songs with rock & roll finesse, there remains a sensitivity that expresses Joel's Christ-centered convictions. He is not being presumptuous in beginning a solo career; in fact, one wonders why he didn't do it sooner. (And for those of you who are fearfully wondering, Phil is not leaving the Newsboys.) --Israel Button