newsboys
Newsboys fans have had good reason to feel uneasy. Having gone through no less than two personnel changes since their last studio album, and recently announcing the departure of charismatic front-man Peter Furler as a touring member, you’d think that this seminal Christian rock/pop band was on its last legs.
For those who are keeping score: Paul Colman (guitar) is gone, replaced by returning guitarist, Jody Davis. Bassist Phil Joel is gone, replaced (mostly) by Jeff Frankenstein on keyboard bass. Then comes the CCM surprise of the year: Peter Furler is retiring from the road (although he’s still lead singer on this CD) to be replaced by none other than Michael “dcTalk” Tait (the rumor that Tait will shave his head to see if anybody will notice that he’s not Furler are untrue and simply a poor attempt at humor by certain Soul-Audio writers)!
Defying the odds, newsboys’ new release, In the Hands of God, proves that the boys from Down Under not only still have what it takes to create an album worthy of the band’s legacy, but have perhaps recorded one of the finest, most cohesive and well-produced newsboys projects to date, featuring hooky, well-written songs, a fresh approach to melody and more flexible vocals than on most of their previous work.
In the Hands of God delivers the delicate balance of humorous, observational and yes, worshipful songs that have characterized the band’s best work through the years, accomplishing this without pandering or sounding condescending or preachy. The songs that rock do so with appropriate swagger and punch, like the first track, “The Way We Roll,” the opening lines of which sound enough like pure Steve Taylor vocals to fool Taylor’s biggest fans (Furler has hinted that Steve actually contributed vocals somewhere on the album….) and, following an effectively stripped-down opening, “No Grave” explodes into a modern rock avalanche of sound going into the bridge. The dcTalk-like “My Friend Jesus” is somewhat akin to 2006’s “Your Love is Better Than Life,” offering a wryly-amusing look at how life might be better if we all thought a bit more about how Jesus might handle such mundane annoyances as being put ‘on hold’ while waiting for customer service on a cell phone (you’ve gotta’ love a song with lyrics like, “…and the music they’re playing is the soundtrack of Hell/You say two wrongs don’t make a right/Just try listening to Celine Dion all night…” ).
“This is Your Life” is a powerful, yet simple pop exposition on the crux of the Gospel: “…this is your life/Treat yourself right/Treat others right/Live like you know you should…” Still managing to stay creative melodically, and keeping within the pop genre, are “Glorious,” and the title track – two songs that have enough of a hook to linger in the mind, enough spiritual content to be considered worshipful, and enough musical integrity to rise above the bloated genre of the same name. A highlight of the more worshipful songs is the big ballad, “Lead me to the Cross,” which starts out quietly with Furler’s vocal backed by Lennon-esque piano and strings before opening up into a big chorus fueled by heavy guitar chords, drums, and orchestration.
In terms of production, Max Hsu seems to have found the perfect formula, working alongside Furler and Frankenstein. Brian Gocher’s string arrangements (especially on the Beatle-inspired “The Upside”) are perfectly mixed to augment the songs without being intrusive, giving the pop element class and power. The album is beautifully engineered and a sonic pleasure.
I know, I know – you’re not supposed to take newsboys seriously. This is a band that isn’t hip in the ‘indie’ sense, they don’t jam, they have a squeaky-clean image, they’re (shudder) commercial, and they target a largely Christian audience – offenses serious enough to cause the more ‘sophisticated’ to look down their noses at these pop entertainers. Those that easily dismiss the band, or this album, do themselves a disservice since In the Hands of God is a solid collection of lyrically sound, sonically rich, musically well-informed, creatively produced and performed, memorable pop songs with a modern rock edge.
Bert Saraco is a native New Yorker married to his high school sweetheart, has three children, runs his own professional photography business, and writes occasional music, book and film reviews.
Monday May 4th, 2009 • View all posts by Bert Saraco • View all posts in Album Reviews
↓ 9 comments
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[...] Soul Audio has a great review of the record here. [...]
OH WOW!!! Listening to this cd (AGAIN) right now. It is definitely one of the best!!! The vocals, the music, all is really great! The lyrics really speak volumes to me!
You’re actually praising the Celine Dion line? I don’t think it’s in a Christian Singer’s best interest to liken anybody to the soundtrack to hell. Even if it is mediphorical it can be seen as a blatent attack and we are supposed to lift each other up and not put each other down. Newsboys lost a sale today.
Not to mention that it is not O.K. to use Hell as a swear word in Christian Music.
The Celine Dion line is used in a humorous context and not in any way a ‘blatant attack.’ It’s a way of showing the state of mind of the song’s subject – haven’t we all felt the ‘agony’ (a little sarcasm here) of listening to music of someone else’s choice while ‘on hold?’ Besides, the whole point of the singer’s ‘attitude’ is to point out that he lacks the patience and grace of Jesus and says that we’d all be better off if we could all be more like Him. It’s just a cultural observation, that’s all. I’m sure that the lyricist’s intent is to point out that the little annoyances of the modern age shouldn’t get to us the way they often do. The ’soundtrack of Hell’ is a concept that probably would mean different things to different people – I know some people who think that elevator music will be the soundtrack of heaven – go figure….
I actually thought the line was an epic win, myself. But I’m a heathen, so what do I know?
Great job, Bert. Per the usual.
Really good review… so true.
This is by far one of the best ones ever made by the Newsboys. I like how some of their past is integrated in some of the songs and I love the worship songs… I would encourage anyone to buy this one!
The Celine Dion line – - – sorry, Glenn, I busted out laughing when I first heard it. The whole premise of “My Friend Jesus” is the gap between what we think / how we act & the love of Jesus (who would never compare Celine Dion’s singing to … well, you get the point).
You didn’t mention “RSL 1984″ – Furler’s valedictory song hits every right note, looking at the past, all the things that have happened, and the changes to come, as “the boys” crank up the road rig & take Furler’s legacy, but not Furler himself, back on the road.
I’m glad we have the music – we’re going to miss Peter.
Well-said review and I concur whole-heartedly! I like the Celine Dion reference and didn’t find it at all offensive. I pre-ordered ITHOG and have since bought 2 more to give away. Didn’t think Go could be topped and too early to tell if it has, but I’m in no way disappointed with this release.
Does it Resonate with you?