Jimmy Needham will no doubt be carving his name into iPods and playlists this fall. His new release comes off the heels of a mildly successful debut album in 2006, Speak, which clearly foreshadowed good things to come. With a big step-up in production quality and songwriting, Needham's new album, Not Without Love, will be the announcement of his arrival. He is easily compared with Jason Mraz for his lyrical wit and jazz-infused sound but still manages to carve out his own sound. Fans of Marc Broussard, Gavin DeGraw, and John Mayer will likely dig it, too.

The album kicks off with a sing-with-the-windows-open tune, "Come Around." It quickly becomes obvious that Needham reads his Bible. He sings eloquently about the need for love rather than clever schemes to show others Christ. As another sign of his maturity, Needham laments the unrelenting pace of life ("A Breath or Two") and shows his humility and need for God in "Hurricane." Few men are as convincing when singing frankly about their desire for Christ, but he comes across genuine and thoughtful.

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Needham's recent marriage becomes the subject in the playful and well-constructed "Firefly" and gets more serious in "Unfailing Loving." He uses his own thoughts and struggles to teach his listeners about complete forgiveness in the finished work of the cross ("Forgiven And Loved"). He offers warnings in "Tossed By The Wind" and pens a great tongue-in-cheek line about singing praises to the Scottish philosopher David Hume.

One gets a good sense of what is on his mind as the album progresses. Complete salvation by grace alone and the Christian's right standing before God becomes a clear theme. Needham has a desire to change the listener's way of thinking about Jesus and the story of the cross. He sums up his worries and thoughts nicely in the poignant spoken-word piece "Not Without Love (Benediction)."

While other mainstream Christian artists seem to be trying gimmicks and gunning for TV sitcom soundtracks, Needham's Not Without Love is lyrically fresh and well-written. He manages to challenge stereotypes of Christian music with a personal and reflective look on what it means to be a Christian and the struggles that ensue. He sings like a caring father to his kids; strikingly reminiscent of Keith Green, whom he calls a significant musical influence. One gets the feeling that there is only more good to come from this talented young man.