Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Newsboys balance celebrity status with grace and Christ-like responsibility
In the discussion about Christian music, there's always a question lingering in the back of my mind: how do you balance being a Christian music
celebrity with biblical, Christian faith?
Sure, there are a lot of bands who sing about Jesus, and there are a lot of bands made up of Christians who offer great entertainment without a
specific faith message. But can an entertaining, top notch, mainstream-quality rock band be open and bold about their faith and still attract fans?
You better believe it, and one band that's been doing it for years is the Newsboys. Not only have they garnered multiple Dove Awards and
Grammy nominations, four RIAA certified Gold CDs, sold more than five million records, and scored 22 #1 radio hits, they're passionately dedicated
to sharing the gospel around the world.
Frontman Peter Furler has the ability to captivate the audience with his amazing vocals and dynamic stage presence, and then stand before a
crowd of thousands, who sit hushed in silence, as he passionately shares the truth about sin and redemption. I've seen it myself, and have
always been amazed at the band's dedication to offering quality entertainment and a no-nonsense approach to Christ. Furler speaks truth, and
does it in love and without any hesitation.
The band recently performed a "Reach" event in Tucson, Arizona at the Tucson Electric Park. The event was sponsored by Family Life Radio and
was open to the public and totally free of charge, offering a night of entertaining music as well as a solid presentation of the gospel.
One volunteer named Dale told me that an estimated 14,000 people were in attendance, with many coming forward to make commitments to Christ.
He said traffic was backed up on the interstate for miles and miles as people tried to get into the show.
I'm not surprised. The Newsboys put on one heck of a show, and if you can see it for free, and bring a friend who can hear about Jesus, it's
worth waiting in traffic to get in.
But what makes the Newsboys great isn't only what you see on stage. They're passionate about not just spreading the word of the gospel, but
also getting their hands dirty, from their work in with Baja Christian Ministries in Baja, Mexico building houses for the poor to their volunteer work
with Ethnographic Media, serving as a film crew for the making of the documentary "Miss HIV."
Even when the band can't actually share a gospel message during the show, they still are able to be godly light to the world. "We played a show
in Morocco not long ago for about 15,000 Muslims, and it was like something out of Indiana Jones," recalls Furler. "Snake charmers, people eating
eyeballs, etc. This is a place where the name of Jesus will get you killed! Nevertheless, His name went out subtly through our songs, and when it
did it was probably the loudest His name had been spoken there in ages. It's a dark place, for certain. But we were able to love these people by
just living with them for a few days. That's what it's about."
The band has focused attention on helping their fans not just hear about Jesus, but delve deeper in to a study of God's work, not just evangelizing
but making disciples.
All of which proves only one thing: Yes, Christians music artists can be celebrities, and when they handle that status with responsibility and
grace, they can reach the world with the gospel.
Chrisian Music News Source
celebrity with biblical, Christian faith?
Sure, there are a lot of bands who sing about Jesus, and there are a lot of bands made up of Christians who offer great entertainment without a
specific faith message. But can an entertaining, top notch, mainstream-quality rock band be open and bold about their faith and still attract fans?
You better believe it, and one band that's been doing it for years is the Newsboys. Not only have they garnered multiple Dove Awards and
Grammy nominations, four RIAA certified Gold CDs, sold more than five million records, and scored 22 #1 radio hits, they're passionately dedicated
to sharing the gospel around the world.
Frontman Peter Furler has the ability to captivate the audience with his amazing vocals and dynamic stage presence, and then stand before a
crowd of thousands, who sit hushed in silence, as he passionately shares the truth about sin and redemption. I've seen it myself, and have
always been amazed at the band's dedication to offering quality entertainment and a no-nonsense approach to Christ. Furler speaks truth, and
does it in love and without any hesitation.
The band recently performed a "Reach" event in Tucson, Arizona at the Tucson Electric Park. The event was sponsored by Family Life Radio and
was open to the public and totally free of charge, offering a night of entertaining music as well as a solid presentation of the gospel.
One volunteer named Dale told me that an estimated 14,000 people were in attendance, with many coming forward to make commitments to Christ.
He said traffic was backed up on the interstate for miles and miles as people tried to get into the show.
I'm not surprised. The Newsboys put on one heck of a show, and if you can see it for free, and bring a friend who can hear about Jesus, it's
worth waiting in traffic to get in.
But what makes the Newsboys great isn't only what you see on stage. They're passionate about not just spreading the word of the gospel, but
also getting their hands dirty, from their work in with Baja Christian Ministries in Baja, Mexico building houses for the poor to their volunteer work
with Ethnographic Media, serving as a film crew for the making of the documentary "Miss HIV."
Even when the band can't actually share a gospel message during the show, they still are able to be godly light to the world. "We played a show
in Morocco not long ago for about 15,000 Muslims, and it was like something out of Indiana Jones," recalls Furler. "Snake charmers, people eating
eyeballs, etc. This is a place where the name of Jesus will get you killed! Nevertheless, His name went out subtly through our songs, and when it
did it was probably the loudest His name had been spoken there in ages. It's a dark place, for certain. But we were able to love these people by
just living with them for a few days. That's what it's about."
The band has focused attention on helping their fans not just hear about Jesus, but delve deeper in to a study of God's work, not just evangelizing
but making disciples.
All of which proves only one thing: Yes, Christians music artists can be celebrities, and when they handle that status with responsibility and
grace, they can reach the world with the gospel.
Chrisian Music News Source
Newsboys more than old boys' club
COME rail, hail or shine, Bob Urquhart stood outside the Melbourne Town Hall and sold The Age. It was 1946 and he was just 12.
As one of seven children and with no father at home, he found the income handy, but the thing he thrived on was the social group connected with
it, the Newsboys Club.
Sixty-two years later, Mr Urquhart, 74, of Doncaster, is still a member of what has evolved into the philanthropic Newsboys Foundation. He was
at the Spiegeltent, outside the Victorian Arts Centre, yesterday to celebrate the foundation's 115th birthday.
The foundation has allocated more than $9 million in grants since the start of its charity focus — funding young people to reach their potential — in
1974.
But it had had a positive effect on Mr Urquhart long before then. "My young life was around the Newsboys Club," he said. The club's headquarters
at 109 Little Collins Street had a swimming pool, gyms, a library and a canteen. Members could do woodwork, play basketball or see a dentist.
The club was the basis of lifelong friendships, and even helped inspire his career. At 40 he changed his occupation from factory worker to
looking after problem and disadvantaged children.
A recent Newsboys Foundation grant recipient, Westside Circus, performed at yesterday's annual meeting. The circus aims to build confidence
and resilience among disadvantaged and at-risk young people.
Chrisian Music News Source
As one of seven children and with no father at home, he found the income handy, but the thing he thrived on was the social group connected with
it, the Newsboys Club.
Sixty-two years later, Mr Urquhart, 74, of Doncaster, is still a member of what has evolved into the philanthropic Newsboys Foundation. He was
at the Spiegeltent, outside the Victorian Arts Centre, yesterday to celebrate the foundation's 115th birthday.
The foundation has allocated more than $9 million in grants since the start of its charity focus — funding young people to reach their potential — in
1974.
But it had had a positive effect on Mr Urquhart long before then. "My young life was around the Newsboys Club," he said. The club's headquarters
at 109 Little Collins Street had a swimming pool, gyms, a library and a canteen. Members could do woodwork, play basketball or see a dentist.
The club was the basis of lifelong friendships, and even helped inspire his career. At 40 he changed his occupation from factory worker to
looking after problem and disadvantaged children.
A recent Newsboys Foundation grant recipient, Westside Circus, performed at yesterday's annual meeting. The circus aims to build confidence
and resilience among disadvantaged and at-risk young people.
Chrisian Music News Source
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
JOURNEY FEST 2008
City of David opens for Newsboys. Benefit Concert for Sertoma Youth Ranch.
Christian Music News Source
Christian Music News Source
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
n Christ Alone- NewsBoys (Passion of the Christ)
TO show the love of Christ who suffered and died and rose on the 3rd day. For this world knowing people some would have careless or ignored him for what he did for them. But despite knowing all of that he loved us enough to laid his life for our sins.
Christian Music News Source
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Newsboys Capture Popular 'Go' Tour in New Project
Popular Christian pop/rock group newsboys will be releasing a new CD/DVD project next week that captures their explosive sell-out “GO” tour, which ran from spring 2007 to spring 2008.
With an average audience of 3,000, the “GO” tour grossed $7 million and hit 95 cities, including Seattle, Minneapolis, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and Dallas. In Houston, newsboys set a record with 8,800 attendants.
“The newsboys ‘GO’ tour was a true music spectacular, featuring production values never seen before in Christian music,” commented Dale Bray, president of the band’s label, Inpop, in an announcement. “The song list was a complete history of the band’s depth of number 1 songs along with the energy and showmanship we have grown to expect from this world class band. Capturing this performance in both audio and visual formats was a must.”
Band member Jeff Frankenstein (keyboards) also expressed how much the band wanted to capture their “GO” tour.
“We felt on every level, this was our strongest tour to date, and we wanted to capture it,” Frankenstein expressed in a news release.
“Every night they turned out in droves and we had a great time,” he added.
Like the other band members, Frankenstein credits the fans with making the tour exceptional.
“The newsboys fan base is so diverse, from 3 to 93, different ethnic, economic, denominational and religious backgrounds. We have been fortunate to have the opportunity to grow up with our audience,” he stated.
With five gold albums, sales exceeding six million units, more than 20 No. 1 radio hits, and a mantle of Dove Awards as well as Grammy nominations, newsboys has achieved phenomenal success in its near two decades together.
Known for its amazing live performances and groundbreaking tours, newsboys continues to sell out festivals and concerts worldwide, satisfying diehard fans and winning new ones in the process. The band's fourteenth record, “GO,” debuted at No. 51 on the Billboard Top 200 chart after its Oct. 31, 2006 release.
In addition to showcasing hits from the current release, “GO,” the soon-to-be-released CD/DVD includes classic newsboys tunes “Shine,” “Breakfast,” “He Reigns” and “It Is You.”
The “newsboys live: Houston We Are Go” track listing includes:
1. Shine
2. Wherever We Go
3. The Mission
4. Something Beautiful
5. Blessed Be Your Name
6. Stay Strong
7. Amazing Love
8. Entertaining Angels
9. He Reigns
10. Breakfast
11. Your Love Is Better Than Life
12. Drum Solo
13. I Am Free
14. Peter’s Testimony
Christian Music News Source
With an average audience of 3,000, the “GO” tour grossed $7 million and hit 95 cities, including Seattle, Minneapolis, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and Dallas. In Houston, newsboys set a record with 8,800 attendants.
“The newsboys ‘GO’ tour was a true music spectacular, featuring production values never seen before in Christian music,” commented Dale Bray, president of the band’s label, Inpop, in an announcement. “The song list was a complete history of the band’s depth of number 1 songs along with the energy and showmanship we have grown to expect from this world class band. Capturing this performance in both audio and visual formats was a must.”
Band member Jeff Frankenstein (keyboards) also expressed how much the band wanted to capture their “GO” tour.
“We felt on every level, this was our strongest tour to date, and we wanted to capture it,” Frankenstein expressed in a news release.
“Every night they turned out in droves and we had a great time,” he added.
Like the other band members, Frankenstein credits the fans with making the tour exceptional.
“The newsboys fan base is so diverse, from 3 to 93, different ethnic, economic, denominational and religious backgrounds. We have been fortunate to have the opportunity to grow up with our audience,” he stated.
With five gold albums, sales exceeding six million units, more than 20 No. 1 radio hits, and a mantle of Dove Awards as well as Grammy nominations, newsboys has achieved phenomenal success in its near two decades together.
Known for its amazing live performances and groundbreaking tours, newsboys continues to sell out festivals and concerts worldwide, satisfying diehard fans and winning new ones in the process. The band's fourteenth record, “GO,” debuted at No. 51 on the Billboard Top 200 chart after its Oct. 31, 2006 release.
In addition to showcasing hits from the current release, “GO,” the soon-to-be-released CD/DVD includes classic newsboys tunes “Shine,” “Breakfast,” “He Reigns” and “It Is You.”
The “newsboys live: Houston We Are Go” track listing includes:
1. Shine
2. Wherever We Go
3. The Mission
4. Something Beautiful
5. Blessed Be Your Name
6. Stay Strong
7. Amazing Love
8. Entertaining Angels
9. He Reigns
10. Breakfast
11. Your Love Is Better Than Life
12. Drum Solo
13. I Am Free
14. Peter’s Testimony
Christian Music News Source
The Big Fresno Fair Opening Wednesday
The Big Fresno Fair comes to town for thirteen fun filled days on Wednesday, October 1st. CBS 47 This Morning will bring you live updates from the Big Fresno Fair every morning between 5am and 7am.
Last minute preparations are under as the Fresno Fair gets ready to open. Wednesday is opening day and the fair runs through Monday, October 13th. This year’s theme at the fair is “big times are back!”
There are plenty of things to look forward to; including new attractions for the kids in the Table Mountain Rancheria Park.
The Paul Paul Theater will rock each and every night with live concerts including; Chicago, Pepper, Gretchen Wilson, Doodlebops, Sean Kingston & Baby Bash, Jenni Rivera, Earth, Wind & Fire, Newsboys, Average White Band & Tower of Power, Smokey Robinson, Randy Travis, Demi Lovato, Lloyd, The Dream & Colby O’Donis, Pepe Aguilar and Bret Michaels with Great White.
Christian Music News Source
Last minute preparations are under as the Fresno Fair gets ready to open. Wednesday is opening day and the fair runs through Monday, October 13th. This year’s theme at the fair is “big times are back!”
There are plenty of things to look forward to; including new attractions for the kids in the Table Mountain Rancheria Park.
The Paul Paul Theater will rock each and every night with live concerts including; Chicago, Pepper, Gretchen Wilson, Doodlebops, Sean Kingston & Baby Bash, Jenni Rivera, Earth, Wind & Fire, Newsboys, Average White Band & Tower of Power, Smokey Robinson, Randy Travis, Demi Lovato, Lloyd, The Dream & Colby O’Donis, Pepe Aguilar and Bret Michaels with Great White.
Christian Music News Source
Friday, September 19, 2008
International Supergroup Newsboys Releases Live CD/DVD
Houston Stop of the Wildly Successful 'GO' Tour Captured Live
International pop/rock phenomenon newsboys captures the best of its explosive sell-out “GO” tour on the new CD/DVD project newsboys live: Houston We Are Go, releasing
Sept. 30 on Inpop Records.
Filmed and recorded in Houston during the third leg of the “GO” tour this past spring, newsboys live: Houston We Are Go takes the band’s wildly successful tour and commits it
to tape. “We felt on every level, this was our strongest tour to date, and we wanted to capture it,” says band member Jeff Frankenstein (keyboards).
The band credits the fans with making the tour exceptional. “The newsboys fan base is so diverse, from 3 to 93, different ethnic, economic, denominational and religious
backgrounds. We have been fortunate to have the opportunity to grow up with our audience. From the times we played high school auditoriums in the ’80s to arenas in 2008.
Every night they turned out in droves and we had a great time,” he says.
Inpop President Dale Bray agrees, “The newsboys ‘GO’ tour was a true music spectacular, featuring production values never seen before in Christian music. The song list
was a complete history of the band’s depth of number 1 songs along with the energy and showmanship we have grown to expect from this world class band. Capturing this
performance in both audio and visual formats was a must.”
The 95-city groundbreaking “GO” tour ran from Spring 2007-Spring 2008 and boasted sold out shows on all three legs. With an average audience of 3000, setting a record in
Houston, TX where 8800 attended, the tour grossed seven million dollars, giving evidence that newsboys continues to innovate its live show and offer fans an entertainment
experience that changes lives. This live CD/DVD showcases hits from both the current release GO (“I Am Free,” “Wherever We Go,” “Something Beautiful”), as well as classic
newsboys tunes including “Shine,” “Breakfast,” “He Reigns” and “It Is You,” all from gold-selling albums.
The newsboys live: Houston We Are Go track listing includes:
1. Shine
2. Wherever We Go
3. The Mission
4. Something Beautiful
5. Blessed Be Your Name
6. Stay Strong
7. Amazing Love
8. Entertaining Angels
9. He Reigns
10. Breakfast
11. Your Love Is Better Than Life
12. Drum Solo
13. I Am Free
14. Peter’s Testimony
With five gold albums, sales exceeding six million units, more than 20 No.1 radio hits, and a mantle of Dove Awards as well as Grammy nominations, newsboys has achieved
phenomenal success in its near two decades together. Known for its amazing live performances and groundbreaking tours, the band continues to sellout festivals and
concerts worldwide, satisfying diehard fans and winning new ones in the process. newsboys fourteenth record, GO, debuted at No. 51 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. For
more information visit www.newsboys.com.
Founded in 1999 by newsboys frontman Peter Furler, artist manager Wes Campbell and Inpop President Dale Bray, Inpop Records is home to a variety of artists including
newsboys, Superchick, Shane & Shane and Mat Kearney, among others.
Christian Music News Source
International pop/rock phenomenon newsboys captures the best of its explosive sell-out “GO” tour on the new CD/DVD project newsboys live: Houston We Are Go, releasing
Sept. 30 on Inpop Records.
Filmed and recorded in Houston during the third leg of the “GO” tour this past spring, newsboys live: Houston We Are Go takes the band’s wildly successful tour and commits it
to tape. “We felt on every level, this was our strongest tour to date, and we wanted to capture it,” says band member Jeff Frankenstein (keyboards).
The band credits the fans with making the tour exceptional. “The newsboys fan base is so diverse, from 3 to 93, different ethnic, economic, denominational and religious
backgrounds. We have been fortunate to have the opportunity to grow up with our audience. From the times we played high school auditoriums in the ’80s to arenas in 2008.
Every night they turned out in droves and we had a great time,” he says.
Inpop President Dale Bray agrees, “The newsboys ‘GO’ tour was a true music spectacular, featuring production values never seen before in Christian music. The song list
was a complete history of the band’s depth of number 1 songs along with the energy and showmanship we have grown to expect from this world class band. Capturing this
performance in both audio and visual formats was a must.”
The 95-city groundbreaking “GO” tour ran from Spring 2007-Spring 2008 and boasted sold out shows on all three legs. With an average audience of 3000, setting a record in
Houston, TX where 8800 attended, the tour grossed seven million dollars, giving evidence that newsboys continues to innovate its live show and offer fans an entertainment
experience that changes lives. This live CD/DVD showcases hits from both the current release GO (“I Am Free,” “Wherever We Go,” “Something Beautiful”), as well as classic
newsboys tunes including “Shine,” “Breakfast,” “He Reigns” and “It Is You,” all from gold-selling albums.
The newsboys live: Houston We Are Go track listing includes:
1. Shine
2. Wherever We Go
3. The Mission
4. Something Beautiful
5. Blessed Be Your Name
6. Stay Strong
7. Amazing Love
8. Entertaining Angels
9. He Reigns
10. Breakfast
11. Your Love Is Better Than Life
12. Drum Solo
13. I Am Free
14. Peter’s Testimony
With five gold albums, sales exceeding six million units, more than 20 No.1 radio hits, and a mantle of Dove Awards as well as Grammy nominations, newsboys has achieved
phenomenal success in its near two decades together. Known for its amazing live performances and groundbreaking tours, the band continues to sellout festivals and
concerts worldwide, satisfying diehard fans and winning new ones in the process. newsboys fourteenth record, GO, debuted at No. 51 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. For
more information visit www.newsboys.com.
Founded in 1999 by newsboys frontman Peter Furler, artist manager Wes Campbell and Inpop President Dale Bray, Inpop Records is home to a variety of artists including
newsboys, Superchick, Shane & Shane and Mat Kearney, among others.
Christian Music News Source
Awards & Nominations
Grammy Awards
* 1992 Nomination for Best Rock/Contemporary Gospel Album
o Not Ashamed
* 1994 Nomination for Best Rock Gospel Album
o Going Public
* 1996 Nomination for Best Rock Gospel Album
o Take Me to Your Leader
* 2003 Nomination for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album
o Adoration: The Worship Album
Dove Awards
* 1994 Nomination for Short Form Music Video of the Year
o "I Cannot Get You Out of My System"
* 1995 Award for Rock Album of the Year
o Going Public
* 1995 Award for Rock Recorded Song of the Year
o "Shine"
* 1995 Nomination for Short Form Music Video of the Year
o "Shine"
* 1995 Nomination for Group of the Year
o Newsboys
* 1996 Nomination for Song of the Year
o "Shine"
* 1997 Award for Recorded Music Packaging of the Year
o Take Me to Your Leader
* 1997 Nomination for Rock Album of the Year
o Take Me to Your Leader
* 1997 Nomination for Rock Recorded Song of the Year
o "God Is Not a Secret"
* 1997 Nomination for Short Form Music Video of the Year
o "Take Me to Your Leader"
* 1999 Award for Short Form Music Video of the Year
o "Entertaining Angels"
* 1999 Nomination for Song of the Year
o "Entertaining Angels"
* 1999 Nomination for Rock Album of the Year
o Step Up to the Microphone
* 1999 Nomination for Group of the Year
o Newsboys
* 2000 Nomination for Long Form Music Video of the Year
o One Night in Pennsylvania
* 2001 Award for Special Event Album of the Year
o City on a Hill: Songs of Worship and Praise (Various Artists, including Peter Furler's "Unified")
* 2001 Nomination for Short Form Music Video of the Year
o "Love Liberty Disco"
* 2003 Nomination for Long Form Music Video of the Year
o Thrive: Live from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
* 2004 Nomination for Group of the Year
o Newsboys
* 2004 Nomination for Praise & Worship Album of the Year
o Adoration: The Worship Album
* 2004 Nomination for Song of the Year
o "He Reigns"
* 2004 Nomination for Worship Song of the Year
o "He Reigns"
* 2005 Nomination for Praise & Worship Album of the Year
o Devotion
Billboard Music Video Awards
* 1999 Award for Best CCM Video
o "Entertaining Angels"
Intl. Angel Awards
* 1995 Award for Video
o "Shine"
* 1999 Award for Video
o "Entertaining Angels"
Nashville Music Awards
* 1999 Award for Favorite CCM Album
o Step Up to the Microphone
* 2000 Nomination for Contemporary Christian Album of the Year
o Love Liberty Disco
SESAC Awards
* 2000 Award for Christian Songwriter of the Year
o Peter Furler
Christian Music Links!
* 1992 Nomination for Best Rock/Contemporary Gospel Album
o Not Ashamed
* 1994 Nomination for Best Rock Gospel Album
o Going Public
* 1996 Nomination for Best Rock Gospel Album
o Take Me to Your Leader
* 2003 Nomination for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album
o Adoration: The Worship Album
Dove Awards
* 1994 Nomination for Short Form Music Video of the Year
o "I Cannot Get You Out of My System"
* 1995 Award for Rock Album of the Year
o Going Public
* 1995 Award for Rock Recorded Song of the Year
o "Shine"
* 1995 Nomination for Short Form Music Video of the Year
o "Shine"
* 1995 Nomination for Group of the Year
o Newsboys
* 1996 Nomination for Song of the Year
o "Shine"
* 1997 Award for Recorded Music Packaging of the Year
o Take Me to Your Leader
* 1997 Nomination for Rock Album of the Year
o Take Me to Your Leader
* 1997 Nomination for Rock Recorded Song of the Year
o "God Is Not a Secret"
* 1997 Nomination for Short Form Music Video of the Year
o "Take Me to Your Leader"
* 1999 Award for Short Form Music Video of the Year
o "Entertaining Angels"
* 1999 Nomination for Song of the Year
o "Entertaining Angels"
* 1999 Nomination for Rock Album of the Year
o Step Up to the Microphone
* 1999 Nomination for Group of the Year
o Newsboys
* 2000 Nomination for Long Form Music Video of the Year
o One Night in Pennsylvania
* 2001 Award for Special Event Album of the Year
o City on a Hill: Songs of Worship and Praise (Various Artists, including Peter Furler's "Unified")
* 2001 Nomination for Short Form Music Video of the Year
o "Love Liberty Disco"
* 2003 Nomination for Long Form Music Video of the Year
o Thrive: Live from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
* 2004 Nomination for Group of the Year
o Newsboys
* 2004 Nomination for Praise & Worship Album of the Year
o Adoration: The Worship Album
* 2004 Nomination for Song of the Year
o "He Reigns"
* 2004 Nomination for Worship Song of the Year
o "He Reigns"
* 2005 Nomination for Praise & Worship Album of the Year
o Devotion
Billboard Music Video Awards
* 1999 Award for Best CCM Video
o "Entertaining Angels"
Intl. Angel Awards
* 1995 Award for Video
o "Shine"
* 1999 Award for Video
o "Entertaining Angels"
Nashville Music Awards
* 1999 Award for Favorite CCM Album
o Step Up to the Microphone
* 2000 Nomination for Contemporary Christian Album of the Year
o Love Liberty Disco
SESAC Awards
* 2000 Award for Christian Songwriter of the Year
o Peter Furler
Christian Music Links!
Discography
Studio albums
* 1988: Read All About It
* 1990: Hell Is for Wimps
* 1991: Boys Will Be Boyz
* 1992: Not Ashamed
* 1994: Going Public
* 1996: Take Me to Your Leader
* 1998: Step Up to the Microphone
* 1999: Love Liberty Disco
* 2002: Thrive
* 2003: Adoration: The Worship Album
* 2004: Devotion
* 2006: Go
Singles
Extended Plays
DVDs and Videos
Music videos
Christian Music Links!
* 1988: Read All About It
* 1990: Hell Is for Wimps
* 1991: Boys Will Be Boyz
* 1992: Not Ashamed
* 1994: Going Public
* 1996: Take Me to Your Leader
* 1998: Step Up to the Microphone
* 1999: Love Liberty Disco
* 2002: Thrive
* 2003: Adoration: The Worship Album
* 2004: Devotion
* 2006: Go
Singles
| Year | Single | Album | Hot Christian Songs Peak | Hot Christian AC Peak | Spins (since 1998) source: Mediabase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | I Got Your Number | Read All About It | 4 | ||
| 1990 | All I Can See | Hell Is for Wimps | |||
| 1990 | In the End | ||||
| 1990 | Ten Thousand Miles | ||||
| 1991 | Simple Man | ||||
| 1991 | One Heart | Boys Will Be Boyz | |||
| 1991 | Kingdom Man | ||||
| 1991 | Stay With Me | ||||
| 1991 | Israel | ||||
| 1991 | You and Me | ||||
| 1992 | I'm Not Ashamed | Not Ashamed | 17,002 | ||
| 1993 | Where You Belong/Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus | 835 | |||
| 1993 | Upon This Rock | ||||
| 1993 | I Cannot Get You Out of My System | ||||
| 1993 | Strong Love | 217 | |||
| 1993 | Dear Shame | ||||
| 1994 | Be Still | Going Public | 1,452 | ||
| 1994 | Shine | 29,714 | |||
| 1995 | Let It Rain | 56 | |||
| 1995 | Spirit Thing | 2,353 | |||
| 1995 | Real Good Thing | 87 | |||
| 1995 | Truth and Consequences | 200 | |||
| 1995 | Going Public | 24 | |||
| 1995 | Reality | Take Me to Your Leader | 1,636 | ||
| 1996 | Take Me to Your Leader | 983 | |||
| 1996 | Let It Go | 716 | |||
| 1996 | Breakfast | 5,236 | |||
| 1997 | Breathe (Benediction) | 73 | |||
| 1997 | It's All Who You Know | 4 | |||
| God Is Not a Secret | 120 | ||||
| Cup O' Tea | 6 | ||||
| 1998 | Entertaining Angels | Step Up to the Microphone | 8,659 | ||
| 1998 | Believe | 2,945 | |||
| 1998 | Step Up to the Microphone | 480 | |||
| 1998 | Woo Hoo | 584 | |||
| Hallelujah | 135 | ||||
| Truth Be Known - Everybody Gets a Shot (video only) | 7 | ||||
| 1998 | Shine 2000 (remix) | Entertaining Angels EP | |||
| 1998 | Not Ashamed (remix) | ||||
| 1999 | Love Liberty Disco | Love Liberty Disco | 958 | ||
| 2000 | Beautiful Sound | 16,878 | |||
| 2000 | I Surrender All / Good Stuff (released as a double A-side single, with the former geared towards AC radio, and the latter towards the CHR/Rock format, which ended up as the bigger hit) | 90 ("I Surrender All") 253 ("Good Stuff") | |||
| 2000 | Joy | Shine: The Hits | 24,573 | ||
| 2001 | Mega-Mix | 508 | |||
| 2001 | Who? | 5,897 | |||
| God Is Not a Secret (featuring TobyMac) | 38 | ||||
| Praises | 161 | ||||
| 2002 | It Is You | Thrive | 44,270 | ||
| 2002 | Million Pieces (Kissin' Your Cares Goodbye) | 32,744 | |||
| 2002 | John Woo | 78 | |||
| 2002 | The Fad of the Land | 5 | |||
| 2002 | Giving It Over | 5 | |||
| 2002 | In the Belly of the Whale (featuring Steve Taylor) | Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie Soundtrack | 49 | ||
| 2003 | He Reigns | Adoration: The Worship Album | #4 | #6 | 81,620 |
| 2003 | You Are My King (Amazing Love) | #1 | #1 | 70,503 | |
| 2003 | In Christ Alone | ||||
| 2003 | Adoration (possibly not a radio single, but received enough airplay to make it on the charts during the Christmas season) | #34 | #31 | 1,854 | |
| 2004 | Presence (My Heart's Desire) | Devotion | #4 | #4 | 41,465 |
| 2004 | Devotion | #16 | #16 | 16,619 | |
| Blessed Be Your Name (featuring Rebecca St. James) | 363 | ||||
| Strong Tower | 97 | ||||
| 2006 | I Am Free (Live) | GO | #11 | #11 | 18,235 |
| 2006 | Wherever We Go | #3 | #15 | 13,561 | |
| 2007 | Something Beautiful | #4 (#5 of 2007)[4] | #6 | 25,448 | |
| 2007 | In Wonder | #4+ | #5+ | 14,974 | |
| 2008 | Yo Ho Hero (featuring Steve Taylor) | The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie Soundtrack | |||
| 2008 | Stay Strong | The Greatest Hits | #20+ | #21+ | 27 |
Extended Plays
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Entertaining Angels | Star Song |
| 2003 | 8 Great Hits | Sparrow Records/EMI CMG |
| 2006 | GO EP | Inpop Records/EMI CMG |
DVDs and Videos
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Boys Will Be Boyz (NTSC/VHS) | Star Song |
| 1993 | Not Ashamed (NTSC/VHS) | Star Song |
| 1996 | Down Under the Big Top (NTSC/VHS) | Star Song |
| 1999 | Live One Night In Pennsylvania (NTSC/VHS) | Sparrow Records |
| 2000 | Shine: The Hits Live-One Night In Pennsylvania (DVD) | Sparrow Records |
| 2002 | Thrive: From The Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame (DVD) | Sparrow Records |
Music videos
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 1990 | "Simple Man" |
| 1991 | "One Heart" (shot at Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa, OK) |
| "Kingdom Man" | |
| 1992 | "I Cannot Get You Out of My System" |
| 1993 | "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (Where You Belong)" |
| "Dear Shame" | |
| 1994 | "Shine" |
| 1996 | "Take Me To Your Leader" |
| 1998 | "Entertaining Angels" |
| 1999 | "Love, Liberty, Disco" |
| 2000 | "Truth Be Known (Everybody Gets a Shot)" |
| 2002 | "Million Pieces" |
| "In the Belly of the Whale" (for the Veggie Tales movie Jonah) | |
| 2003 | "He Reigns" |
| 2008 | "Something Beautiful" |
Christian Music Links!
Major Tours
* GO Tour "Finale"(3rd and final installment of the GO Tour)w/ Rush Of Fools, Newworldson and Article One
* GO Tour "Encore" (2nd GO Tour with Kutless and Newworldson) (2007)
* GO Tour (2007) (with Kutless and Stellar Kart)
* Winter Jam Tour (2006)
* Adoration Tour (2004) (with Jeremy Camp and Rebecca St. James)
* Thrive-It's All In The Word Tour (2002) (with Superchick)
* Festival Con Dios (2001 & 2003)
* LoveLibertyDisco AirDome Tour (2000) (with SONICFLOOd and Beanbag)
* Step Up To The Microphone Tour (with Third Day) (1999)
* Counter The Culture Tour (1997)
* Take Me To Your Leader Tour (1996-97) (with Plankeye and Geoff Moore and The Distance)
* Going Public Tour (1995)
* Not Ashamed Tour (1993) (W/Code of Ethics and Tony Vincent)
Christian Music Links!
* GO Tour "Encore" (2nd GO Tour with Kutless and Newworldson) (2007)
* GO Tour (2007) (with Kutless and Stellar Kart)
* Winter Jam Tour (2006)
* Adoration Tour (2004) (with Jeremy Camp and Rebecca St. James)
* Thrive-It's All In The Word Tour (2002) (with Superchick)
* Festival Con Dios (2001 & 2003)
* LoveLibertyDisco AirDome Tour (2000) (with SONICFLOOd and Beanbag)
* Step Up To The Microphone Tour (with Third Day) (1999)
* Counter The Culture Tour (1997)
* Take Me To Your Leader Tour (1996-97) (with Plankeye and Geoff Moore and The Distance)
* Going Public Tour (1995)
* Not Ashamed Tour (1993) (W/Code of Ethics and Tony Vincent)
Christian Music Links!
Members
Current members
* Peter Furler - lead vocals, guitar, drums, song writer, producer (1985 - present)
* Jeff Frankenstein - keyboards, bass, backing vocals (1993 - present)
* Duncan Phillips - drums, percussion, formerly keyboards (1993 - present)
* Paul Colman - guitar, backing vocals, bass (2006 - present)
Former members
Lead vocals
* John James (1985–1997)
Guitar
* George Perdikis (1985–1987) — Left the band before their first album, but co-wrote most of the songs on it.
* Phil Yates (1987–1989)
* Jonathan Geange (1990–1991, 1992) — Returned to the band briefly after Vernon Bishop left, before Jody Davis joined.
* Vernon Bishop (1991–1992)
* Jody Davis (1992–2003) — Left the band to spend more time with his family, and to care for his sick daughter.
* Bryan Olesen (2003–2006) — Was only a temporary replacement until the Newsboys could find a full-time lead guitarist not tied up with another project.
Bass guitar
* Sean Taylor (1985–1992)
* Kevin Mills (1993–1995) — Left the band to manage White Heart; Died in a motorbike accident on December 3, 2000.
* Phil Joel (1995–2006) — Left band to pursue "personal interests", a solo career, and ministry opportunities; Jeff Frankenstein is currently playing synth-bass on keyboards while Paul Colman records bass in the studio.
Keyboards
* Corey Pryor (1988, 1990–1993)
Christian Music Links!
* Peter Furler - lead vocals, guitar, drums, song writer, producer (1985 - present)
* Jeff Frankenstein - keyboards, bass, backing vocals (1993 - present)
* Duncan Phillips - drums, percussion, formerly keyboards (1993 - present)
* Paul Colman - guitar, backing vocals, bass (2006 - present)
Former members
Lead vocals
* John James (1985–1997)
Guitar
* George Perdikis (1985–1987) — Left the band before their first album, but co-wrote most of the songs on it.
* Phil Yates (1987–1989)
* Jonathan Geange (1990–1991, 1992) — Returned to the band briefly after Vernon Bishop left, before Jody Davis joined.
* Vernon Bishop (1991–1992)
* Jody Davis (1992–2003) — Left the band to spend more time with his family, and to care for his sick daughter.
* Bryan Olesen (2003–2006) — Was only a temporary replacement until the Newsboys could find a full-time lead guitarist not tied up with another project.
Bass guitar
* Sean Taylor (1985–1992)
* Kevin Mills (1993–1995) — Left the band to manage White Heart; Died in a motorbike accident on December 3, 2000.
* Phil Joel (1995–2006) — Left band to pursue "personal interests", a solo career, and ministry opportunities; Jeff Frankenstein is currently playing synth-bass on keyboards while Paul Colman records bass in the studio.
Keyboards
* Corey Pryor (1988, 1990–1993)
Christian Music Links!
History
Formation–1985
Newsboys' original core members, bassist Sean Taylor, vocalist John James, and drummer Peter Furler, formed the band in Mooloolaba, Australia in 1985 along with Furler's guitarist school mate, George Perdikis. The band's original name was The News, but once in the U.S. they changed it to The Newsboys to avoid conflict with another U.S.-based band. The band came to the United States in late 1987 after getting signed with Refuge Communications, and released the album Read All About It in 1988 in the United States. After signing with Star Song Communications, they released two more albums from 1990 to 1991: Hell Is For Wimpsand Boys Will Be Boyz. None of the three albums garnered much attention, and the band's lineup changed with every release.
1992–2000
It wasn't until their 1992 album, Not Ashamed (which featured a re-make of the DeGarmo & Key hit "Boycott Hell"), that the band gained notice in the Christian music scene. The title track of the album became a huge hit on Christian radio and elevated the band's profile considerably. Notably, Steve Taylor, a quirky singer well-known within the Christian music community, began a partnership with the band, producing the band's record and writing most of the lyrics for their songs; Furler remained the band's primary songwriter.
In 1994, amidst continued lineup changes (which included mainstays Jody Davis & Duncan Phillips), the band released Going Public, their fifth album and first smash success. The record proved to be a watershed for the group, winning a Dove Award for "Rock album of the Year" in 1995 [1]. It also produced #1 hits such as "Spirit Thing", "Let It Rain", and, most notably, "Shine". "Shine" quickly became an enormous hit and one of the most recognizable songs in Christian music, also taking the 1995 Dove for "Rock Recorded Song of the Year". In 2006, CCM Magazine listed "Shine" in the top ten in its ranking of the 100 Greatest Songs in Christian music. Going Public turned Newsboys into one of the top acts in Christian music.
The eagerly-anticipated follow-up, Take Me To Your Leader (1996), did not disappoint fans, either. The additions of Phillip Joel Urry & Jeff Frankenstein finalized a regular roster of musicians for the band and generally showcased a bigger rock sound than in past projects. Because of the large size of the band, their concerts were full of energy with various members trading instruments as well as introducing Peter's rotating drum set. The album produced more #1 hits: "God Is Not A Secret", "Reality", "Breakfast", and the title track. This album also snagged the groups third Dove, this time for "Recorded Music Packaging of the Year" [2]. The album solidified the band's place in the Christian music industry.
In 1997, John James announced he would be leaving the band to become a pastor. Despite the loss of the longtime frontman, the band pressed on. Furler easily switched from drums to vocals (as he had recorded most of the songs on past albums) and Duncan Phillips, who had previously played keyboards and percussion for the band, became the new drummer. From 1998 to 2003, the band's lineup of Furler, bassist Phil Joel, guitarist Jody Davis, keyboardist Jeff Frankenstein, and Phillips stayed constant. Often, at concerts and festivals such as Spirit West Coast, the band played "Breakfast" as the final song. It was customary for fans to purchase boxes of Captain Crunch and throw the cereal onto the stage, cued by "And Captain Crunch is waving farewell". A Captain Crunch fight between band members would ensue.
When Newsboys released its first post-James record, Step Up to the Microphone (1998), it quickly became clear that the band's popularity was still intact; the album sold well and produced, among other hits, the ubiquitous hit "Entertaining Angels", whose video won the 1999 Dove for "Short Form Music Video of the Year" [3]. During the resulting "Step Up To The Microphone" tour, the band featured the drums on a rotating platform that could tilt downward up to 90 degrees. In fact, there were two sets of drums and Peter Furler (the original drummer) and Duncan Phillips would wear seat belts and have a rotating drum-off. This feature is still used on their tours and has grown to be quite popular.
The band returned in 1999 with the oddly-titled Love Liberty Disco, the band's only album to majorly deviate from their pop rock sound. Featuring 60s era-inspired pop and disco, the album delivered radio single hits such as "Beautiful Sound", "Good Stuff", and "Love Liberty Disco".
2000–present
In 2000, Newsboys helped start and headlined the annual, traveling CCM festival Festival Con Dios with Audio Adrenaline and The O.C. Supertones. The festival was known for featuring popular Christian bands and for its motocross stunts.
Also in 2000, Newsboys released a greatest hits compilation, Shine: The Hits, which did not include any songs from the Love Liberty Disco album but included four new songs, two of which ("Joy" and "Who") went to #1. The band did not release any all new material until the spring of 2002 when they released Thrive. Featuring a return to pop-rock, the album also showcased one of the band's biggest hits: "It Is You".
The success of the worshipful "It Is You" perhaps paved the way for newsboys' first praise and worship album in 2003: Adoration: The Worship Album. The album soon became the band's best-selling to date, based on the strength of singles "He Reigns" and "You Are My King (Amazing Love)". Late in 2003, guitarist Jody Davis left the band to care for his sick daughter, Bethany; he was replaced by Bryan Oleson, who agreed to be a temporary replacement until the band found a replacement for Davis.
The band returned in 2004 with another worship album: Devotion, led by the single, "Presence (My Heart's Desire)". The album was not nearly as successful as its predecessor, one reason arguably being the modest impact the singles had on Christian radio. In 2006, Bryan Oleson left the band to focus on his own band, Casting Pearls. Paul Colman, a respected Australian Christian singer-songwriter and long time personal friend of Peter Furler, replaced him as guitarist.
Although the band is currently based in Nashville, its lineup remains predominantly Australian. Of the current lineup of Furler, Frankenstein, Phillips, and Colman, only Frankenstein (Michigan) hails from outside Australia.
The band's latest radio hits came in 2006 with a live version of "I Am Free" (originally written by Jon Egan of the Desperation Band), and "Wherever We Go". On October 31, 2006, Newsboys have released their newest pop/rock record entitled GO, as well as an iTunes GO EP, including the songs "Wherever We Go", "GO", and "I Am Free". The album was the band's first under their new Inpop Records label, and received strong reviews, praising the group's return to its original rock sound. "GO" featured upcoming Christian artist David Eri as a co-writer. Their song "Something Beautiful" and "In Wonder" were big hits on Christian Radio.[4]
Newsboys music is featured in the Christian video game Dance Praise. "Woo Hoo" from Step Up To The Microphone is included with the game. "You Are My King" and "It Is You" can be added to the song list via the Dance Praise Expansion Pack Volume 1: Modern Worship. "Devotion" can be added to the game via the Dance Praise Expansion Pack Volume 3: Rock & Pop Hits.
In December 2006, Phil Joel announced that he would leave the band to pursue his own projects and albums, bringing his time with the band to a close.
In May, 2007 The Newsboys announced that they will release the remixed version of the hit album "GO" which will include the smash hits "Wherever We Go" and "Something Beautiful. The CD was released on May 8, 2007" Featuring unique mixes by famed producers Tedd T., Jeff Frankenstein of newsboys, Max Hsu of Superchick and Lee Bridges. The "GO Remixed" album has been released and is available for purchase.[citation needed]
On November 20, 2007 the Newsboys released their newest album entitled The Greatest Hits. It features newer hit songs like "Wherever We Go," "Something Beautiful," "It Is You," "Million Pieces," and "You Are My King," in addition to older hits like "Reality," "Shine," "Not Ashamed," and many more. The 18 song CD also features two new songs "I Fought the La" (which features the singing of "La's" by the crowd from the Six Flags St. Louis Newsboys Concert of the GO Tour 8/11/2007), and "Stay Strong."
In late September 2008, Newsboys are set to release "Newsboys Live: Houston We Are Go" a CD/DVD combo recording package of the Newsboys Go Tour.
Every Nation Ministries links
The Newsboys have significant links to Every Nation. The group's lead singer, Peter Furler, is a member of Bethel World Outreach Center, an Every Nation church.
The Newsboys have also co-authored a book with the chief prophet of Every Nation, Jim Laffoon.[5] A daily teaching by Laffoon, was also given prominent space on the Newsboy's webpage.
Christian Music Links!
Newsboys' original core members, bassist Sean Taylor, vocalist John James, and drummer Peter Furler, formed the band in Mooloolaba, Australia in 1985 along with Furler's guitarist school mate, George Perdikis. The band's original name was The News, but once in the U.S. they changed it to The Newsboys to avoid conflict with another U.S.-based band. The band came to the United States in late 1987 after getting signed with Refuge Communications, and released the album Read All About It in 1988 in the United States. After signing with Star Song Communications, they released two more albums from 1990 to 1991: Hell Is For Wimpsand Boys Will Be Boyz. None of the three albums garnered much attention, and the band's lineup changed with every release.
1992–2000
It wasn't until their 1992 album, Not Ashamed (which featured a re-make of the DeGarmo & Key hit "Boycott Hell"), that the band gained notice in the Christian music scene. The title track of the album became a huge hit on Christian radio and elevated the band's profile considerably. Notably, Steve Taylor, a quirky singer well-known within the Christian music community, began a partnership with the band, producing the band's record and writing most of the lyrics for their songs; Furler remained the band's primary songwriter.
In 1994, amidst continued lineup changes (which included mainstays Jody Davis & Duncan Phillips), the band released Going Public, their fifth album and first smash success. The record proved to be a watershed for the group, winning a Dove Award for "Rock album of the Year" in 1995 [1]. It also produced #1 hits such as "Spirit Thing", "Let It Rain", and, most notably, "Shine". "Shine" quickly became an enormous hit and one of the most recognizable songs in Christian music, also taking the 1995 Dove for "Rock Recorded Song of the Year". In 2006, CCM Magazine listed "Shine" in the top ten in its ranking of the 100 Greatest Songs in Christian music. Going Public turned Newsboys into one of the top acts in Christian music.
The eagerly-anticipated follow-up, Take Me To Your Leader (1996), did not disappoint fans, either. The additions of Phillip Joel Urry & Jeff Frankenstein finalized a regular roster of musicians for the band and generally showcased a bigger rock sound than in past projects. Because of the large size of the band, their concerts were full of energy with various members trading instruments as well as introducing Peter's rotating drum set. The album produced more #1 hits: "God Is Not A Secret", "Reality", "Breakfast", and the title track. This album also snagged the groups third Dove, this time for "Recorded Music Packaging of the Year" [2]. The album solidified the band's place in the Christian music industry.
In 1997, John James announced he would be leaving the band to become a pastor. Despite the loss of the longtime frontman, the band pressed on. Furler easily switched from drums to vocals (as he had recorded most of the songs on past albums) and Duncan Phillips, who had previously played keyboards and percussion for the band, became the new drummer. From 1998 to 2003, the band's lineup of Furler, bassist Phil Joel, guitarist Jody Davis, keyboardist Jeff Frankenstein, and Phillips stayed constant. Often, at concerts and festivals such as Spirit West Coast, the band played "Breakfast" as the final song. It was customary for fans to purchase boxes of Captain Crunch and throw the cereal onto the stage, cued by "And Captain Crunch is waving farewell". A Captain Crunch fight between band members would ensue.
When Newsboys released its first post-James record, Step Up to the Microphone (1998), it quickly became clear that the band's popularity was still intact; the album sold well and produced, among other hits, the ubiquitous hit "Entertaining Angels", whose video won the 1999 Dove for "Short Form Music Video of the Year" [3]. During the resulting "Step Up To The Microphone" tour, the band featured the drums on a rotating platform that could tilt downward up to 90 degrees. In fact, there were two sets of drums and Peter Furler (the original drummer) and Duncan Phillips would wear seat belts and have a rotating drum-off. This feature is still used on their tours and has grown to be quite popular.
The band returned in 1999 with the oddly-titled Love Liberty Disco, the band's only album to majorly deviate from their pop rock sound. Featuring 60s era-inspired pop and disco, the album delivered radio single hits such as "Beautiful Sound", "Good Stuff", and "Love Liberty Disco".
2000–present
In 2000, Newsboys helped start and headlined the annual, traveling CCM festival Festival Con Dios with Audio Adrenaline and The O.C. Supertones. The festival was known for featuring popular Christian bands and for its motocross stunts.
Also in 2000, Newsboys released a greatest hits compilation, Shine: The Hits, which did not include any songs from the Love Liberty Disco album but included four new songs, two of which ("Joy" and "Who") went to #1. The band did not release any all new material until the spring of 2002 when they released Thrive. Featuring a return to pop-rock, the album also showcased one of the band's biggest hits: "It Is You".
The success of the worshipful "It Is You" perhaps paved the way for newsboys' first praise and worship album in 2003: Adoration: The Worship Album. The album soon became the band's best-selling to date, based on the strength of singles "He Reigns" and "You Are My King (Amazing Love)". Late in 2003, guitarist Jody Davis left the band to care for his sick daughter, Bethany; he was replaced by Bryan Oleson, who agreed to be a temporary replacement until the band found a replacement for Davis.
The band returned in 2004 with another worship album: Devotion, led by the single, "Presence (My Heart's Desire)". The album was not nearly as successful as its predecessor, one reason arguably being the modest impact the singles had on Christian radio. In 2006, Bryan Oleson left the band to focus on his own band, Casting Pearls. Paul Colman, a respected Australian Christian singer-songwriter and long time personal friend of Peter Furler, replaced him as guitarist.
Although the band is currently based in Nashville, its lineup remains predominantly Australian. Of the current lineup of Furler, Frankenstein, Phillips, and Colman, only Frankenstein (Michigan) hails from outside Australia.
The band's latest radio hits came in 2006 with a live version of "I Am Free" (originally written by Jon Egan of the Desperation Band), and "Wherever We Go". On October 31, 2006, Newsboys have released their newest pop/rock record entitled GO, as well as an iTunes GO EP, including the songs "Wherever We Go", "GO", and "I Am Free". The album was the band's first under their new Inpop Records label, and received strong reviews, praising the group's return to its original rock sound. "GO" featured upcoming Christian artist David Eri as a co-writer. Their song "Something Beautiful" and "In Wonder" were big hits on Christian Radio.[4]
Newsboys music is featured in the Christian video game Dance Praise. "Woo Hoo" from Step Up To The Microphone is included with the game. "You Are My King" and "It Is You" can be added to the song list via the Dance Praise Expansion Pack Volume 1: Modern Worship. "Devotion" can be added to the game via the Dance Praise Expansion Pack Volume 3: Rock & Pop Hits.
In December 2006, Phil Joel announced that he would leave the band to pursue his own projects and albums, bringing his time with the band to a close.
In May, 2007 The Newsboys announced that they will release the remixed version of the hit album "GO" which will include the smash hits "Wherever We Go" and "Something Beautiful. The CD was released on May 8, 2007" Featuring unique mixes by famed producers Tedd T., Jeff Frankenstein of newsboys, Max Hsu of Superchick and Lee Bridges. The "GO Remixed" album has been released and is available for purchase.[citation needed]
On November 20, 2007 the Newsboys released their newest album entitled The Greatest Hits. It features newer hit songs like "Wherever We Go," "Something Beautiful," "It Is You," "Million Pieces," and "You Are My King," in addition to older hits like "Reality," "Shine," "Not Ashamed," and many more. The 18 song CD also features two new songs "I Fought the La" (which features the singing of "La's" by the crowd from the Six Flags St. Louis Newsboys Concert of the GO Tour 8/11/2007), and "Stay Strong."
In late September 2008, Newsboys are set to release "Newsboys Live: Houston We Are Go" a CD/DVD combo recording package of the Newsboys Go Tour.
Every Nation Ministries links
The Newsboys have significant links to Every Nation. The group's lead singer, Peter Furler, is a member of Bethel World Outreach Center, an Every Nation church.
The Newsboys have also co-authored a book with the chief prophet of Every Nation, Jim Laffoon.[5] A daily teaching by Laffoon, was also given prominent space on the Newsboy's webpage.
Christian Music Links!
Newsboys - Thrive: At the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Sparrow)
Sounds like … hook-heavy pop/rock influenced by the likes of Midnight Oil and INXS, with clever production and co-writing assistance from the legendary Steve Taylor.
At a Glance … the Newsboys' new studio album, Thrive, brought to life in a live visual setting, complete with a handful of past hits and bonus footage.
The Newsboys have been one of the most electrifying live acts in Christian music since their Australian beginnings over a decade ago. From their natural on-stage chemistry to their breathtaking rotating drum kit, the Newsboys have earned flocks of satisfied fans in practically ever city they've visited. Besides possessing performance dynamics, the Newsboys often have gone where no band has gone before when it comes to touring plans. It all started after the release of Love, Liberty, Disco in 1999 when the band's subsequent tour was planned around a self-sufficient air dome venue that traveled from city to city with them, negating the need for them to be booked in a traditional concert hall, theater, college, or club.
They followed suit two years later while on the road in support of Shine: The Hits, their career-spanning best-of collection. Even more daring than the tour before, the Newsboys hit the road with the likes of Audio Adrenaline, The O.C. Supertones, and about a dozen other up-and-coming acts to mark the first time in music history that an entire festival lineup has gone on tour together! Similar to the dome-tour concept, "Festival Con Dios" was a fully functional, completely movable festival venue, with everything from sound and lights to food vendors and bathroom facilities.
Granted, it's hard to outdo such feats, which have already earned the Newsboys cover stories on both Newsweek and Pollstar (the music industry concert publication), but the band has managed to make history once again. On March 25, 2002, the group was invited to perform on one of the most coveted stages in music history, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum. To coincide with the band's latest release, Thrive, the Newsboys set up shop in the middle of the Museum (somewhere in between a display of Bono's outfits from the "Zoo TV" tour and a shrine to Led Zeppelin) to showcase the record, along with a few past gems. They did so on a semi-circle stage complete with an often-used catwalk, which throngs of people gathered around each time a band member ventured towards them. Originally airing on PAX television earlier this year, Thrive: At the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is now available for your viewing pleasure on DVD.
Like the CD, the DVD opens with the hearty rocker "Giving it Over," followed by the rollicking "Live in Stereo" (minus the whistling choir). The group performs 8 of the 10 tracks from the Thrive album, including potent renditions of "Million Pieces (Kissin' Your Cares Goodbye)" and "Rescue." The only awkward moment amongst the new material is the cut "The Fad of the Land," featuring a clumsy cameo appearance by dc Talk's Michael Tait, who attempts a duet with Peter Furler even though he doesn't know the words to the song. (Even more embarrassing is the fact Michael stumbles over the lyrics despite holding the CD jacket with the words printed inside while he's on stage)....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
At a Glance … the Newsboys' new studio album, Thrive, brought to life in a live visual setting, complete with a handful of past hits and bonus footage.
The Newsboys have been one of the most electrifying live acts in Christian music since their Australian beginnings over a decade ago. From their natural on-stage chemistry to their breathtaking rotating drum kit, the Newsboys have earned flocks of satisfied fans in practically ever city they've visited. Besides possessing performance dynamics, the Newsboys often have gone where no band has gone before when it comes to touring plans. It all started after the release of Love, Liberty, Disco in 1999 when the band's subsequent tour was planned around a self-sufficient air dome venue that traveled from city to city with them, negating the need for them to be booked in a traditional concert hall, theater, college, or club.
They followed suit two years later while on the road in support of Shine: The Hits, their career-spanning best-of collection. Even more daring than the tour before, the Newsboys hit the road with the likes of Audio Adrenaline, The O.C. Supertones, and about a dozen other up-and-coming acts to mark the first time in music history that an entire festival lineup has gone on tour together! Similar to the dome-tour concept, "Festival Con Dios" was a fully functional, completely movable festival venue, with everything from sound and lights to food vendors and bathroom facilities.
Granted, it's hard to outdo such feats, which have already earned the Newsboys cover stories on both Newsweek and Pollstar (the music industry concert publication), but the band has managed to make history once again. On March 25, 2002, the group was invited to perform on one of the most coveted stages in music history, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum. To coincide with the band's latest release, Thrive, the Newsboys set up shop in the middle of the Museum (somewhere in between a display of Bono's outfits from the "Zoo TV" tour and a shrine to Led Zeppelin) to showcase the record, along with a few past gems. They did so on a semi-circle stage complete with an often-used catwalk, which throngs of people gathered around each time a band member ventured towards them. Originally airing on PAX television earlier this year, Thrive: At the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is now available for your viewing pleasure on DVD.
Like the CD, the DVD opens with the hearty rocker "Giving it Over," followed by the rollicking "Live in Stereo" (minus the whistling choir). The group performs 8 of the 10 tracks from the Thrive album, including potent renditions of "Million Pieces (Kissin' Your Cares Goodbye)" and "Rescue." The only awkward moment amongst the new material is the cut "The Fad of the Land," featuring a clumsy cameo appearance by dc Talk's Michael Tait, who attempts a duet with Peter Furler even though he doesn't know the words to the song. (Even more embarrassing is the fact Michael stumbles over the lyrics despite holding the CD jacket with the words printed inside while he's on stage)....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
newsboys - He Reigns: The Worship Collection (Sparrow/EMI)
Sounds like … the band's worshipful chapter of bright pop/rock from the last five years, compiled on one disc.
At a glance … the album could serve as an intro to their praise-oriented fare, but for fans who own the band's most recent albums, this disc is completely unnecessary.
Sometimes business dealings aren't always in the fans' best interest, leading to what's essentially a superfluous product. Case in point: He Reigns: The Worship Collection. In what ends up fulfilling the band's contractual obligation to Sparrow Records, the latest from newsboys is nothing more than a collection of the band's most worshipful offerings from their last four studio albums—Love Liberty Disco, Thrive, Adoration and Devotion.
A lot of artists these days—Usher, Gwen Stefani, Relient K, Green Day, John Mayer, and Building 429, to name a few—have repackaged their albums with enhanced features, bonus/unreleased tracks, a complimentary DVD with a live performance, or even some snazzy new packaging. But with He Reigns, even the packaging looks like a five-minute job—a shame, really, when you think about all that the newsboys have done in recent years....
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At a glance … the album could serve as an intro to their praise-oriented fare, but for fans who own the band's most recent albums, this disc is completely unnecessary.
Sometimes business dealings aren't always in the fans' best interest, leading to what's essentially a superfluous product. Case in point: He Reigns: The Worship Collection. In what ends up fulfilling the band's contractual obligation to Sparrow Records, the latest from newsboys is nothing more than a collection of the band's most worshipful offerings from their last four studio albums—Love Liberty Disco, Thrive, Adoration and Devotion.
A lot of artists these days—Usher, Gwen Stefani, Relient K, Green Day, John Mayer, and Building 429, to name a few—have repackaged their albums with enhanced features, bonus/unreleased tracks, a complimentary DVD with a live performance, or even some snazzy new packaging. But with He Reigns, even the packaging looks like a five-minute job—a shame, really, when you think about all that the newsboys have done in recent years....
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newsboys - The Greatest Hits
Sounds like … ultra catchy Euro-pop/rock influenced by the likes of Duran Duran, a-Ha, Savage Garden, and INXS, as well as Steve Taylor.
At a glance … a seemingly unnecessary compilation, The Greatest Hits improves on its predecessor Shine: The Hits as a definitive collection of the best from the enduringly popular newsboys.
This compilation seems completely unnecessary at first glance, and the uninspired album cover sure doesn't help. Besides, we already have Shine: The Hits from 2000, as well as He Reigns: The Worship Collection from 2005. But this release manages to improve on its predecessors, and there's also a nostalgic purpose for The Greatest Hits. This year marks the official twentieth anniversary for the perpetually popular newsboys.
The absolute essentials are accounted for: "Shine," "Breakfast," "Not Ashamed," "Take Me to Your Leader," and even the sublime "Joy" from the first hits anthology. Also present are the worshipful anthems "It Is You" and "He Reigns," as well as the most recent material from the Go album, "Wherever We Go" and "Something Beautiful."
Lesser hits like "Woo Hoo," "Step Up to the Microphone," and anything before 1992's Not Ashamed have been dropped to accommodate the newer material—not a major loss, though its strange that 1999's Love, Liberty, Disco album has been completely ignored once again. Would it have hurt to throw a couple more songs on this 68-minute disc to get it right? And does their cover of the worship standard "You Are My King" really belong here?...
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At a glance … a seemingly unnecessary compilation, The Greatest Hits improves on its predecessor Shine: The Hits as a definitive collection of the best from the enduringly popular newsboys.
This compilation seems completely unnecessary at first glance, and the uninspired album cover sure doesn't help. Besides, we already have Shine: The Hits from 2000, as well as He Reigns: The Worship Collection from 2005. But this release manages to improve on its predecessors, and there's also a nostalgic purpose for The Greatest Hits. This year marks the official twentieth anniversary for the perpetually popular newsboys.
The absolute essentials are accounted for: "Shine," "Breakfast," "Not Ashamed," "Take Me to Your Leader," and even the sublime "Joy" from the first hits anthology. Also present are the worshipful anthems "It Is You" and "He Reigns," as well as the most recent material from the Go album, "Wherever We Go" and "Something Beautiful."
Lesser hits like "Woo Hoo," "Step Up to the Microphone," and anything before 1992's Not Ashamed have been dropped to accommodate the newer material—not a major loss, though its strange that 1999's Love, Liberty, Disco album has been completely ignored once again. Would it have hurt to throw a couple more songs on this 68-minute disc to get it right? And does their cover of the worship standard "You Are My King" really belong here?...
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newsboys - Go: Remixed (Inpop)
Sounds like … the newsboys's Go album remixed to sound like a combination of Moby, Chemical Brothers, Beck, and Paul Oakenfold.
At a glance … it's mostly a fans-only treat, though remix aficionados might also find something to savor here.
Of all the bands in Christian music, few lend themselves better to the art of the remix than newsboys. Given their history with electronica and other synthesized sounds, that comes as no surprise. Some trace the group's techno-pop beginnings to 1992's Not Ashamed, whose title track became a dance-pop smash across Christian radio in the early '90s.
Their first remix album, 2002's Newsboys Remixed, was an all-out celebration of the band's love of all things digital, as well as a pretty good reinterpretation of some of the group's latter-day hits. This brings us to Go: Remixed, an ancillary release that repurposes the bulk of last fall's Go album for something that, for the most part, does a fairly good job of distancing itself from the original....
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At a glance … it's mostly a fans-only treat, though remix aficionados might also find something to savor here.
Of all the bands in Christian music, few lend themselves better to the art of the remix than newsboys. Given their history with electronica and other synthesized sounds, that comes as no surprise. Some trace the group's techno-pop beginnings to 1992's Not Ashamed, whose title track became a dance-pop smash across Christian radio in the early '90s.
Their first remix album, 2002's Newsboys Remixed, was an all-out celebration of the band's love of all things digital, as well as a pretty good reinterpretation of some of the group's latter-day hits. This brings us to Go: Remixed, an ancillary release that repurposes the bulk of last fall's Go album for something that, for the most part, does a fairly good job of distancing itself from the original....
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newsboys - Go (Inpop)
Sounds like … extremely catchy and electronic flavored pop/rock, reminiscent of '80s acts like Duran Duran, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, and a-ha, and similar at times to the more recent work of Scissor Sisters, Mute Math, and Family Force 5.
At a glance … though not a perfect effort, it's enough of a treat to hear the newsboys return to their playful and energetic Euro pop/rock roots while expressing poignant messages of love and grace inspired by the mission field.
Newsboys have been anything but idle in recent years, yet lots of their fans have been wondering where they've gone. Some felt the (mostly) Aussie band began to get too serious with Step Up to the Microphone (1998) and Love Liberty Disco (1999), but they rebounded once they re-teamed with co-producer/co-writer Steve Taylor for Thrive (2001). Then came the worship music phase—adoration (2003) and devotion (2004)—which brought the newsboys to a new level of success in touring and ministry. However, there's no denying that lots of fans have felt let down by a band whose catchy and fun-loving brand of Christian pop/rock attracted fans with Not Ashamed (1992), Going Public (1994), and Take Me to Your Leader (1996).
Happy to report that the fun side of the newsboys has finally resurfaced after a five-year hiatus with Go, an album titled for the band's newfound passion for worldwide ministry. They've managed to bring back most all the qualities that made them so revered for a time. And if you're worried that the addition of Paul Colman as the new lead guitarist, vocalist, and co-writer has dramatically altered their sound, think again. He recognizes that this is Peter Furler's ship and fits in perfectly.
The greatest strength of the newsboys has always been Furler's natural gift for infectious melodies and hooks. Some have compared it to ABBA—I'd say closer to '80s bands like Duran Duran, a-ha, and Frankie Goes to Hollywood. You can tell from the opening tom thunder of the radio single "Wherever We Go" that it'll play tremendously well in concert with its stadium-friendly chant, "Hands up, holler back here/Let's throw this party in gear, we brought the welcome mat/Wherever we go, that's where the party's at." The title track is similarly even more irresistible with its electronic flavored funk, and an awesomely produced chorus that belies the talents of co-producer Tedd T (Mute Math, Rebecca St. James).
"Something Beautiful" bears a similar dance rock vibe to past favorites like "Reality" and "Rescue," and "The Mission" even riffs on that classic guitar echo from '80s bands like The Police and Flock of Seagulls. Go also offers its share of big pop ballads, the best being "The Letter," written from God's perspective as a personal call to each of us from his Word. But the most interesting track has to be "Your Love Is Better Than Life" with its mix of spoken word verses and its worshipful choruses. Whether it reminds you of The Streets, EMF, or newsboys' own "Lost the Sky," it's a killer UK rock sound that contrasts our endless doubts with the certainty of God's love. Also check out "Gonna Be Alright," which like Moby's brand of DJ-fueled electronica makes unexpected use of Evie Tornquist's classic rendition of "Oh How He Loves You and Me" to yield some soulful modern pop....
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At a glance … though not a perfect effort, it's enough of a treat to hear the newsboys return to their playful and energetic Euro pop/rock roots while expressing poignant messages of love and grace inspired by the mission field.
Newsboys have been anything but idle in recent years, yet lots of their fans have been wondering where they've gone. Some felt the (mostly) Aussie band began to get too serious with Step Up to the Microphone (1998) and Love Liberty Disco (1999), but they rebounded once they re-teamed with co-producer/co-writer Steve Taylor for Thrive (2001). Then came the worship music phase—adoration (2003) and devotion (2004)—which brought the newsboys to a new level of success in touring and ministry. However, there's no denying that lots of fans have felt let down by a band whose catchy and fun-loving brand of Christian pop/rock attracted fans with Not Ashamed (1992), Going Public (1994), and Take Me to Your Leader (1996).
Happy to report that the fun side of the newsboys has finally resurfaced after a five-year hiatus with Go, an album titled for the band's newfound passion for worldwide ministry. They've managed to bring back most all the qualities that made them so revered for a time. And if you're worried that the addition of Paul Colman as the new lead guitarist, vocalist, and co-writer has dramatically altered their sound, think again. He recognizes that this is Peter Furler's ship and fits in perfectly.
The greatest strength of the newsboys has always been Furler's natural gift for infectious melodies and hooks. Some have compared it to ABBA—I'd say closer to '80s bands like Duran Duran, a-ha, and Frankie Goes to Hollywood. You can tell from the opening tom thunder of the radio single "Wherever We Go" that it'll play tremendously well in concert with its stadium-friendly chant, "Hands up, holler back here/Let's throw this party in gear, we brought the welcome mat/Wherever we go, that's where the party's at." The title track is similarly even more irresistible with its electronic flavored funk, and an awesomely produced chorus that belies the talents of co-producer Tedd T (Mute Math, Rebecca St. James).
"Something Beautiful" bears a similar dance rock vibe to past favorites like "Reality" and "Rescue," and "The Mission" even riffs on that classic guitar echo from '80s bands like The Police and Flock of Seagulls. Go also offers its share of big pop ballads, the best being "The Letter," written from God's perspective as a personal call to each of us from his Word. But the most interesting track has to be "Your Love Is Better Than Life" with its mix of spoken word verses and its worshipful choruses. Whether it reminds you of The Streets, EMF, or newsboys' own "Lost the Sky," it's a killer UK rock sound that contrasts our endless doubts with the certainty of God's love. Also check out "Gonna Be Alright," which like Moby's brand of DJ-fueled electronica makes unexpected use of Evie Tornquist's classic rendition of "Oh How He Loves You and Me" to yield some soulful modern pop....
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Newsboys - Devotion (Sparrow/EMI)
Sounds like … worshipful pop/rock that bears the too obvious influences of U2, Coldplay, and Delirious.
At a glance … Devotion is an improvement from the mixed bag of Adoration, but it's not the Newsboys that many longtime fans remember, nor is it the full realization of what Newsboys could be as a worship band.
I've got some bad news for many longtime Newsboys fans. Remember when this was a fun band, with witty-yet-insightful songs of faith like "Shine" and "Take Me to Your Leader?" Remember when they were the premier live band in Christian rock with spinning drum kits and inflatable concert domes? They're things of the past.
Not to say we won't still hear some of the oldies in concert, or enjoy the visual wonder of a mega confetti machine amplifying the image of "Million Pieces." But Newsboys is a changed band, and it's not just because of the departure of longtime guitarist Jody Davis, who left to devote more time to family. Nor is it only because Adoration, the band's first full-fledged worship album, was the fifth to go Gold, leading to their most successful tour ever in support of it. It's really a combination of these two things. Frontman Peter Furler has seen more lives changed as a result of the worshipful focus, and the time on the road has caused him to reconsider his relationships with God and family.
So we continue into the new worshipful phase of the Newsboys' career, reflecting the band's new commitment to ministry—fulfilling God's plans, restoring relationships, promoting biblical literacy, and rallying people to fight the African AIDS crisis. Adoration was the start. Devotion involves a deeper response—commitment. The good thing about the Newsboys' success with worship is that it's challenged them to be more creative with the genre. They've got a ways to go before fully tapping their artistic potential in this, but Devotion is at least a step in the right direction. It's not the hodgepodge of live tracks, cover songs, and so-so originals heard on the previous recording. Self-produced by Furler and featuring additional guitar work from Stu G. (Delirious) and John Ellis (Tree63), Devotion features seven original songs co-written with Steve Taylor....
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At a glance … Devotion is an improvement from the mixed bag of Adoration, but it's not the Newsboys that many longtime fans remember, nor is it the full realization of what Newsboys could be as a worship band.
I've got some bad news for many longtime Newsboys fans. Remember when this was a fun band, with witty-yet-insightful songs of faith like "Shine" and "Take Me to Your Leader?" Remember when they were the premier live band in Christian rock with spinning drum kits and inflatable concert domes? They're things of the past.
Not to say we won't still hear some of the oldies in concert, or enjoy the visual wonder of a mega confetti machine amplifying the image of "Million Pieces." But Newsboys is a changed band, and it's not just because of the departure of longtime guitarist Jody Davis, who left to devote more time to family. Nor is it only because Adoration, the band's first full-fledged worship album, was the fifth to go Gold, leading to their most successful tour ever in support of it. It's really a combination of these two things. Frontman Peter Furler has seen more lives changed as a result of the worshipful focus, and the time on the road has caused him to reconsider his relationships with God and family.
So we continue into the new worshipful phase of the Newsboys' career, reflecting the band's new commitment to ministry—fulfilling God's plans, restoring relationships, promoting biblical literacy, and rallying people to fight the African AIDS crisis. Adoration was the start. Devotion involves a deeper response—commitment. The good thing about the Newsboys' success with worship is that it's challenged them to be more creative with the genre. They've got a ways to go before fully tapping their artistic potential in this, but Devotion is at least a step in the right direction. It's not the hodgepodge of live tracks, cover songs, and so-so originals heard on the previous recording. Self-produced by Furler and featuring additional guitar work from Stu G. (Delirious) and John Ellis (Tree63), Devotion features seven original songs co-written with Steve Taylor....
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Newsboys - Adoration: The Worship Album (Sparrow)
Sounds like … inspired by the success of their hit single "It Is You," the modern pop band creates four more songs that sound just like it, and combine it with covers of other worship songs and new live renditions of their worshipful singles.
At a Glance … Newsboys should have taken their time perfecting this album — Adoration doesn't sound bad, but it lacks creativity and inspiration.
It's not as if the Newsboys have been absent in the last year, between the release of an acclaimed new album (Thrive), a hugely successful hit single ("It Is You," which was a number one Christian radio hit for three full months), an inspired concert DVD, a popular concert tour, and a fairly good remix album. Bassist Phil Joel even found the time to release an excellent solo album last fall, Bring It On.
Why then, in the aftermath of this flurry of activity, did the Newsboys and Sparrow Records feel so compelled to rush another album into stores little more than a year after the release of Thrive? On paper, Adoration: The Worship Album seems like a good idea. Inspired by the tremendous success of "It Is You" (which was shockingly overlooked for the 2003 Dove Awards), the band felt it was high time to release their own worship recording. After all, they've been creating excellent songs of worship long before "It Is You" — "Breathe" (not the Marie Bennett ballad), "I Surrender All" (not the classic hymn), "Be Still," "Break," and their arrangement of "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" to name a few.
Like most every Newsboys album to date, Adoration does at least sound good, as co-produced with long-time collaborator Steve Taylor (who also co-wrote many of the new tracks) and recorded in the band's home studio — it's like a more live sounding Thrive. Peter Furler is a confident lead vocalist with great range, Phil Joel is a strong backing vocalist and a solid bassist, Jody Davis creates interesting guitar hooks, Jeff Frankenstein pads it all with beautiful keyboard sounds, and Duncan Phillips continues to shape himself into one of Christian music's finest drummers. The problem with Adoration is the overall album, which might best be viewed as the Newsboys' answer to the success of Third Day's Offerings projects. A combination of originals, covers, and live renditions of old favorites, this new disc feels as if it was scraped together too hastily.
As with Rebecca St. James's Worship God, some of these songs are simple rearrangements of modern worship favorites — familiar songs as performed by the artist. But even Rebecca and her producer knew enough to change their worship covers into unique, albeit predictable arrangements. Here the Newsboys are just predictable. Their rendition of Billy James Foote's intimate ballad "You Are My King (Amazing Love)" sounds exactly like every other version you've ever heard, except with Newsboys instrumentation. The same is true of "In Christ Alone," a modern Irish hymn written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, stripped here of its Celtic leanings.
Three of the other songs on Adoration are previously released Newsboys favorites, retooled for this album. Note the parenthetical in the title "Praises (Take My Hands)." It indicates that this is a modified version of the song that first appeared on 2000's Shine: The Hits album — the difference is that the verses are now completely different, written by Martin Smith (Delirious) and tobyMac, and intended to be more worshipful with a chorus that now declares "I will sing Your praises" instead of "my praises." While the mix of this upbeat song is more aggressive than its predecessor, it's little more than that. Frankly, the original's Psalm-like lyrics were more interesting and meaningful than these new words of simple surrender. Also featured on Adoration are two live cuts, which feel out of place stuck in the middle of the album — the rock anthem "Lord (I Don't Know)" and, naturally, "It Is You." Both are beefed up with backup gospel singers, yet lack the energy of the originals found on Thrive....
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At a Glance … Newsboys should have taken their time perfecting this album — Adoration doesn't sound bad, but it lacks creativity and inspiration.
It's not as if the Newsboys have been absent in the last year, between the release of an acclaimed new album (Thrive), a hugely successful hit single ("It Is You," which was a number one Christian radio hit for three full months), an inspired concert DVD, a popular concert tour, and a fairly good remix album. Bassist Phil Joel even found the time to release an excellent solo album last fall, Bring It On.
Why then, in the aftermath of this flurry of activity, did the Newsboys and Sparrow Records feel so compelled to rush another album into stores little more than a year after the release of Thrive? On paper, Adoration: The Worship Album seems like a good idea. Inspired by the tremendous success of "It Is You" (which was shockingly overlooked for the 2003 Dove Awards), the band felt it was high time to release their own worship recording. After all, they've been creating excellent songs of worship long before "It Is You" — "Breathe" (not the Marie Bennett ballad), "I Surrender All" (not the classic hymn), "Be Still," "Break," and their arrangement of "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" to name a few.
Like most every Newsboys album to date, Adoration does at least sound good, as co-produced with long-time collaborator Steve Taylor (who also co-wrote many of the new tracks) and recorded in the band's home studio — it's like a more live sounding Thrive. Peter Furler is a confident lead vocalist with great range, Phil Joel is a strong backing vocalist and a solid bassist, Jody Davis creates interesting guitar hooks, Jeff Frankenstein pads it all with beautiful keyboard sounds, and Duncan Phillips continues to shape himself into one of Christian music's finest drummers. The problem with Adoration is the overall album, which might best be viewed as the Newsboys' answer to the success of Third Day's Offerings projects. A combination of originals, covers, and live renditions of old favorites, this new disc feels as if it was scraped together too hastily.
As with Rebecca St. James's Worship God, some of these songs are simple rearrangements of modern worship favorites — familiar songs as performed by the artist. But even Rebecca and her producer knew enough to change their worship covers into unique, albeit predictable arrangements. Here the Newsboys are just predictable. Their rendition of Billy James Foote's intimate ballad "You Are My King (Amazing Love)" sounds exactly like every other version you've ever heard, except with Newsboys instrumentation. The same is true of "In Christ Alone," a modern Irish hymn written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, stripped here of its Celtic leanings.
Three of the other songs on Adoration are previously released Newsboys favorites, retooled for this album. Note the parenthetical in the title "Praises (Take My Hands)." It indicates that this is a modified version of the song that first appeared on 2000's Shine: The Hits album — the difference is that the verses are now completely different, written by Martin Smith (Delirious) and tobyMac, and intended to be more worshipful with a chorus that now declares "I will sing Your praises" instead of "my praises." While the mix of this upbeat song is more aggressive than its predecessor, it's little more than that. Frankly, the original's Psalm-like lyrics were more interesting and meaningful than these new words of simple surrender. Also featured on Adoration are two live cuts, which feel out of place stuck in the middle of the album — the rock anthem "Lord (I Don't Know)" and, naturally, "It Is You." Both are beefed up with backup gospel singers, yet lack the energy of the originals found on Thrive....
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Newsboys - Remixed (Sparrow)
Sounds like … the songs of the Newsboys from their last two albums, sonically transformed.
At a Glance … the Newsboys catalog has a bevy of songs that are perfect candidates for the remix treatment, which are wonderfully handled by several different artists, including some members of the Newsboys.
Sparrow Records has discovered a new low-cost source of revenue for their company – it's called the remix album. Unlike compilation albums however, there's an art to creating a good remix. It's more than simply putting a pop song to a new beat you can dance to, like so many past remix albums have done. There needs to be an element of creativity in the creation of the drum loops and sound effects. Thankfully, Sparrow's getting it right. Their first foray into the remix album genre was Avalon's O2 Remixed, a surprisingly well-made project that successfully transformed many of the vocal group's beloved hits into Euro dance-pop gems. Unfortunately, not all Avalon's fans were warm to the idea of someone messing with their favorite songs; and since the concept of a Christian dance club is fairly alien to most communities, O2 Remixed was largely overlooked. Sparrow probably will have an easier time marketing their latest two remix recordings — ZOEgirl's Mix of Life and Newsboys' simply titled Newsboys Remixed — because the concept is more compatible with the artists' style and fan base.
Like O2 Remixed, Newsboys Remixed features a handful of artists who lend their talents to transforming songs mostly culled from the Newsboys' last two studio albums. Perhaps the most prominent of these studio wizards are Andy Hunter (an up-and-coming DJ from the UK with a solo debut soon to release) and Tedd T. (producer for Rebecca St. James and Stacie Orrico to name a few), who both take the reigns on "It Is You (UK Mix)." This version merges old-time gospel with ambient electronica to remix the song into something you'd expect from Moby's Play or last year's Soul Lift project. Michael Linney's work on the album is equally impressive; he transforms the current single "Million Pieces (A Million and One Mix)" into a heavily distorted futuristic hip-hop track. He also handles yet another remix of the ever popular "Shine," but his "YZ250F Mix" is quite the rocking hip-hop groove that's different enough from other remixes of the song. I was delighted to see Dave Perkins involved with the remix project as well. The former guitarist of Chagall Guevara (Newsboys producer Steve Taylor's old band) delivers a stunning new rock rendition of "Fad of the Land," confirming my opinion that this Newsboys gem meshes well with the Chagall's repertoire as well. This version features additional guitars, keyboards, and drums, and Dave even brings Steve Taylor's backing vocals to the foreground.
If you were one of the Newsboys fans disappointed with the Love Liberty Disco album, you'll probably appreciate what Kipp Kubin and Tony Miracle did with that disc's three hits. The familiar opening guitar effect heralds the start of "Beautiful Sound (Below the Radar Mix)," which pretty much eliminates any trace of disco from the mix, save the lush string arrangement. The same can be said of "Love Liberty Disco (All Mixed Up Mix)" and its fabulous modern dance-club ambience. These remixes do a great job of reintegrating the songs into the Newsboys more modern-pop sounding repertoire. Additionally, there's the bizarre "NYC Mix" of "Good Stuff," which starts off true to the original, only to change into a cheesy easy listening doctor's lounge mix. Complete with a cornball Farfisa organ, a Moog synthesizer straight out of an old Wings album, and lots of "la la la" vocals, it bears little resemblance to the song people know. I suspect most people will dislike it, but I found it irresistibly campy and fun. Kudos to Kipp and Tony for coming up with something unusual and different to vary the sound of this album....
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At a Glance … the Newsboys catalog has a bevy of songs that are perfect candidates for the remix treatment, which are wonderfully handled by several different artists, including some members of the Newsboys.
Sparrow Records has discovered a new low-cost source of revenue for their company – it's called the remix album. Unlike compilation albums however, there's an art to creating a good remix. It's more than simply putting a pop song to a new beat you can dance to, like so many past remix albums have done. There needs to be an element of creativity in the creation of the drum loops and sound effects. Thankfully, Sparrow's getting it right. Their first foray into the remix album genre was Avalon's O2 Remixed, a surprisingly well-made project that successfully transformed many of the vocal group's beloved hits into Euro dance-pop gems. Unfortunately, not all Avalon's fans were warm to the idea of someone messing with their favorite songs; and since the concept of a Christian dance club is fairly alien to most communities, O2 Remixed was largely overlooked. Sparrow probably will have an easier time marketing their latest two remix recordings — ZOEgirl's Mix of Life and Newsboys' simply titled Newsboys Remixed — because the concept is more compatible with the artists' style and fan base.
Like O2 Remixed, Newsboys Remixed features a handful of artists who lend their talents to transforming songs mostly culled from the Newsboys' last two studio albums. Perhaps the most prominent of these studio wizards are Andy Hunter (an up-and-coming DJ from the UK with a solo debut soon to release) and Tedd T. (producer for Rebecca St. James and Stacie Orrico to name a few), who both take the reigns on "It Is You (UK Mix)." This version merges old-time gospel with ambient electronica to remix the song into something you'd expect from Moby's Play or last year's Soul Lift project. Michael Linney's work on the album is equally impressive; he transforms the current single "Million Pieces (A Million and One Mix)" into a heavily distorted futuristic hip-hop track. He also handles yet another remix of the ever popular "Shine," but his "YZ250F Mix" is quite the rocking hip-hop groove that's different enough from other remixes of the song. I was delighted to see Dave Perkins involved with the remix project as well. The former guitarist of Chagall Guevara (Newsboys producer Steve Taylor's old band) delivers a stunning new rock rendition of "Fad of the Land," confirming my opinion that this Newsboys gem meshes well with the Chagall's repertoire as well. This version features additional guitars, keyboards, and drums, and Dave even brings Steve Taylor's backing vocals to the foreground.
If you were one of the Newsboys fans disappointed with the Love Liberty Disco album, you'll probably appreciate what Kipp Kubin and Tony Miracle did with that disc's three hits. The familiar opening guitar effect heralds the start of "Beautiful Sound (Below the Radar Mix)," which pretty much eliminates any trace of disco from the mix, save the lush string arrangement. The same can be said of "Love Liberty Disco (All Mixed Up Mix)" and its fabulous modern dance-club ambience. These remixes do a great job of reintegrating the songs into the Newsboys more modern-pop sounding repertoire. Additionally, there's the bizarre "NYC Mix" of "Good Stuff," which starts off true to the original, only to change into a cheesy easy listening doctor's lounge mix. Complete with a cornball Farfisa organ, a Moog synthesizer straight out of an old Wings album, and lots of "la la la" vocals, it bears little resemblance to the song people know. I suspect most people will dislike it, but I found it irresistibly campy and fun. Kudos to Kipp and Tony for coming up with something unusual and different to vary the sound of this album....
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Newsboys - Thrive (Sparrow)
Sounds like … catchy melodies unite guitar rock and Euro dance-pop to recall bands such as INXS, Duran Duran, and Savage Garden.
At a Glance … the Newsboys return to all the elements that made them such a favorite through the '90s — the very reason fans will love Thrive.
Not many Christian artists can claim a fourteen year career, and it's hard to believe the Newsboys have been around that long. But, truth be told, it's frontman Peter Furler who's had the 14-year, 9-album career. The first three punk/new-wave albums hardly seem like the same band, and I think most appropriately look at 1992's Not Ashamed album as the launch pad for the band we know today as the Newsboys. It was that album that first featured the pairing of Peter with producer Steve Taylor (also a legendary Christian artist, songwriter, and the founder of Squint Entertainment), giving the Newsboys more of a Euro-dance-rock sound that was matched by extremely clever and satirical lyrics. It was the successful 1994 follow-up album, Going Public, that showcased the band we know today taking shape — introducing guitarist Jody Davis, percussionist Duncan Phillips, and keyboardist Jeff Frankenstein to the band. By 1996, the Newsboys had made bassist Phil Joel a part of the band, released the hit album Take Me to Your Leader, and firmly established themselves as one of Christian music's most successful acts. After two more studio albums, a greatest-hits collection, and an endless number of mind-blowing concerts (not to mention solo albums from Phil and Jody), the Newsboys are poised to thrill audiences yet again with their latest project, Thrive.
To call them pop would mean ignoring their modern guitar rock sound and sophisticated Euro-pop programming, and yet their penchant for catchy melodic hooks keeps hard-rock purists from fully embracing them. They're one of those rare bands that falls somewhere in the middle and attracts a wider audience for it, in the same way that bands such as INXS and U2 have done. Though they've altered their sound just enough from album to album to give each their own flavor, the Newsboys have remained remarkably consistent over the years. However, fans were not as quick to warm up to the retro sounds of their neo-disco project, 1999's Love Liberty Disco. The Newsboys undoubtedly recognized this, since Thrive is essentially a return to formula. I'd describe it as somewhere in between the guitar rock of Take Me to Your Leader and the modern pop of Step Up to the Microphone. Comparisons to Take Me to Your Leader extend to the production crew involved, since this is the first album co-produced by Steve Taylor since that release (Peter produced the last two albums himself). Additionally, acclaimed mix-specialist Thom Lord-Alge (Dave Matthews Band, INXS, Collective Soul) also returns for the first time since Take Me to Your Leader to give it that slightly more polished and professional finish.
When you put all those ingredients together, you can't help but achieve greatness. Peter's melodies shine like always, especially on the extremely catchy "Million Pieces" (about laying all our burdens before the Lord and the sense of freedom that follows), the title track (a prayer for God's direct presence in our lives), and the first hit single, "It Is You," a deceptively simple worship song that features some wonderfully flowing lyrics and excellent production. The rest of the band joins Peter to record some of their most rocking material since "Woo Hoo" and the Take Me to Your Leader album. Particularly impressive is the gritty classic-rock sound of "Giving it Over," which sounds like something the Rolling Stones or T-Rex ("Bang a Gong") would have recorded back in the late '60s or early '70s. There's also "John Woo," which may be the band's most progressive and experimental song to date, blending modern rock with techno, industrial, and an unusual-yet-catchy melody....
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At a Glance … the Newsboys return to all the elements that made them such a favorite through the '90s — the very reason fans will love Thrive.
Not many Christian artists can claim a fourteen year career, and it's hard to believe the Newsboys have been around that long. But, truth be told, it's frontman Peter Furler who's had the 14-year, 9-album career. The first three punk/new-wave albums hardly seem like the same band, and I think most appropriately look at 1992's Not Ashamed album as the launch pad for the band we know today as the Newsboys. It was that album that first featured the pairing of Peter with producer Steve Taylor (also a legendary Christian artist, songwriter, and the founder of Squint Entertainment), giving the Newsboys more of a Euro-dance-rock sound that was matched by extremely clever and satirical lyrics. It was the successful 1994 follow-up album, Going Public, that showcased the band we know today taking shape — introducing guitarist Jody Davis, percussionist Duncan Phillips, and keyboardist Jeff Frankenstein to the band. By 1996, the Newsboys had made bassist Phil Joel a part of the band, released the hit album Take Me to Your Leader, and firmly established themselves as one of Christian music's most successful acts. After two more studio albums, a greatest-hits collection, and an endless number of mind-blowing concerts (not to mention solo albums from Phil and Jody), the Newsboys are poised to thrill audiences yet again with their latest project, Thrive.
To call them pop would mean ignoring their modern guitar rock sound and sophisticated Euro-pop programming, and yet their penchant for catchy melodic hooks keeps hard-rock purists from fully embracing them. They're one of those rare bands that falls somewhere in the middle and attracts a wider audience for it, in the same way that bands such as INXS and U2 have done. Though they've altered their sound just enough from album to album to give each their own flavor, the Newsboys have remained remarkably consistent over the years. However, fans were not as quick to warm up to the retro sounds of their neo-disco project, 1999's Love Liberty Disco. The Newsboys undoubtedly recognized this, since Thrive is essentially a return to formula. I'd describe it as somewhere in between the guitar rock of Take Me to Your Leader and the modern pop of Step Up to the Microphone. Comparisons to Take Me to Your Leader extend to the production crew involved, since this is the first album co-produced by Steve Taylor since that release (Peter produced the last two albums himself). Additionally, acclaimed mix-specialist Thom Lord-Alge (Dave Matthews Band, INXS, Collective Soul) also returns for the first time since Take Me to Your Leader to give it that slightly more polished and professional finish.
When you put all those ingredients together, you can't help but achieve greatness. Peter's melodies shine like always, especially on the extremely catchy "Million Pieces" (about laying all our burdens before the Lord and the sense of freedom that follows), the title track (a prayer for God's direct presence in our lives), and the first hit single, "It Is You," a deceptively simple worship song that features some wonderfully flowing lyrics and excellent production. The rest of the band joins Peter to record some of their most rocking material since "Woo Hoo" and the Take Me to Your Leader album. Particularly impressive is the gritty classic-rock sound of "Giving it Over," which sounds like something the Rolling Stones or T-Rex ("Bang a Gong") would have recorded back in the late '60s or early '70s. There's also "John Woo," which may be the band's most progressive and experimental song to date, blending modern rock with techno, industrial, and an unusual-yet-catchy melody....
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Newsboys -Shine - The Hits
This the season for greatest hits projects! I can't remember the last time they were released in such abundance-- dc Talk, Carman, Bride, All Star United, Plumb, Audio Adrenaline (next spring), and now the Newsboys. Hits projects can be spectacular or complete wastes of disc space. With the Newsboys' Shine - The Hits, the fans are treated more thoughtfully than all the others released so far this year. Not only are 3 brand new songs present, but a special remix of a song as well as the first successful (that I've heard) effort to blend all the hits into one song exists at the close of the album. On top of this, the older tunes are "digitally remastered" and there is a ever-so-slight remix of "Shine."
This remix starts off the collection appropriately (from the 1995 Going Public era) and is more appropriately followed up by the song that made the band, the 1992 hit, "Not Ashamed." Sounding as great as ever, the track is followed up by the 1996 Take Me to Your Leader fan favorite "Breakfast." Two other cuts from the same album directly follow, including "Reality" and the title track. A brand new song, "Joy," a worshipful pop/rock song with the sound and feel of something off their 1998 Step Up to the Microphone album. The song fits well and is definitely "hit" material.
"Entertaining Angels" adequately follows, with another new song, "Praises," stepping up afterwards. Sounding like a modern version of a song you might have found on Not Ashamed, "Praises" is another worshipful song with yet another catchy rhythm. Going Public's "Spirit Thing" follows with "Woohoo" and "Step Up to the Microphone" close behind. Only problem I had there was the consecutiveness of the last 2 songs makes you forget you're listening to their greatest hits and makes you think you have in Step Up to the Microphone, with those songs being the 2 tracks that start off that album. The intriguing and tasty "God Is Not a Secret featuring Toby Mac" is a treat to fans as the pumped up tune gets a boost from dc Talk's own Toby McKeehan. Although completely different from the rest of the collection, I'm glad they included the new version....
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This remix starts off the collection appropriately (from the 1995 Going Public era) and is more appropriately followed up by the song that made the band, the 1992 hit, "Not Ashamed." Sounding as great as ever, the track is followed up by the 1996 Take Me to Your Leader fan favorite "Breakfast." Two other cuts from the same album directly follow, including "Reality" and the title track. A brand new song, "Joy," a worshipful pop/rock song with the sound and feel of something off their 1998 Step Up to the Microphone album. The song fits well and is definitely "hit" material.
"Entertaining Angels" adequately follows, with another new song, "Praises," stepping up afterwards. Sounding like a modern version of a song you might have found on Not Ashamed, "Praises" is another worshipful song with yet another catchy rhythm. Going Public's "Spirit Thing" follows with "Woohoo" and "Step Up to the Microphone" close behind. Only problem I had there was the consecutiveness of the last 2 songs makes you forget you're listening to their greatest hits and makes you think you have in Step Up to the Microphone, with those songs being the 2 tracks that start off that album. The intriguing and tasty "God Is Not a Secret featuring Toby Mac" is a treat to fans as the pumped up tune gets a boost from dc Talk's own Toby McKeehan. Although completely different from the rest of the collection, I'm glad they included the new version....
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Newsboys - LoveLibertyDisco
As I sit here and listen to this CD I think to myself, "Why?" In case you haven't heard the Newsboys released a new CD on Nov. 16 entitled Love, Liberty, Disco. If you're a big Newsboys fan and haven't heard this yet, you're in for a big surprise. Many bands have drastically changed their sound this year like Jars of Clay, Third Day, Delirious and The Insyderz. Well, add the Newsboys to that list. I think that when the Boys sat down they said, "Alright let's do a CD that's totally different from anyone else including ourselves." Well needless to say they succeeded, and in a major way. I think that many bands are under so much pressure to do good that they forget to have fun. As we all know very well the Boys are very good at having fun and i think they did here.
Lyrically the CD is incredible. All the lyrics were written by Peter Furler and Phil Joel. They deal with everything from love, to conviction, to the Holy Spirit and wrap it up into one project: Love, Liberty, Disco. The first song, "Beautiful Sound" has a couple different meanings. The obvious one is that the Lord loves to hear us sing. Looking at it closely I think they were trying to point out that we are "poetry in motion" in God's eyes. What a humbling thought. The title cut "Love, Liberty, Disco" says that there is a God that loves us and a family that loves us. Once I looked at the song closely I saw a theme of heaven. The little drawing next to the song in the CD jacket kind of reinforces that idea. The song "Forever Man" talks about God being the Forever Man. Our society focuses on people who are original. The lyrics, "Good news for the common man, made by the creator's hands" is encouraging because it reminds us that God created us in His image for His purpose. The only disturbing part in this song is when they mimic the vocal band Glad.
My favorite song, "Good Stuff" is based on the love chapter, 1 Cor. 13. I feel it's a challenge to believers to "show what we know, let the good stuff flow." Showing love is something that we know how to do, but often forget. The song, "Everyone's Someone" is a reminder to all that "no matter who you are, no matter where you run to, no matter what you do, no matter what you're going through. When it all comes down everyone's someone." The song "Say You Need Love" talks about unconditional love. It talks about God's love for us that we sometimes don't return in full. "I would Give Everything" starts out depressing, but ends on a happy note. It's hard to tell exactly what this song is about. I think it's actually the Boys' statement of faith. Some of the lyrics are, "I would give everything to give nothing" and continuously asks the question of "How long?" The song "Break" is a song of conviction by the Holy Spirit. One of the lyrics in the song is , "A world full of hurt so full of need. The closer I get I see. The less of me." talks about seeing the need and letting the Spirit break us and let Him take control.
"I Surrender All" is pretty self-explanatory in itself. However this isn't the same song that we sing in church, but the application is the same. At the end of the song, it talks about God's nature is to love us, but not the things we do. God doesn't have to love us because He's God, but He does anyway. "Fall On You," the last song on the album talks about letting the Holy Spirit fill us. I think that it was the perfect song to end the CD with. It summed up all of the topics on the CD and ended up with the source of it all the Holy Spirit....
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Lyrically the CD is incredible. All the lyrics were written by Peter Furler and Phil Joel. They deal with everything from love, to conviction, to the Holy Spirit and wrap it up into one project: Love, Liberty, Disco. The first song, "Beautiful Sound" has a couple different meanings. The obvious one is that the Lord loves to hear us sing. Looking at it closely I think they were trying to point out that we are "poetry in motion" in God's eyes. What a humbling thought. The title cut "Love, Liberty, Disco" says that there is a God that loves us and a family that loves us. Once I looked at the song closely I saw a theme of heaven. The little drawing next to the song in the CD jacket kind of reinforces that idea. The song "Forever Man" talks about God being the Forever Man. Our society focuses on people who are original. The lyrics, "Good news for the common man, made by the creator's hands" is encouraging because it reminds us that God created us in His image for His purpose. The only disturbing part in this song is when they mimic the vocal band Glad.
My favorite song, "Good Stuff" is based on the love chapter, 1 Cor. 13. I feel it's a challenge to believers to "show what we know, let the good stuff flow." Showing love is something that we know how to do, but often forget. The song, "Everyone's Someone" is a reminder to all that "no matter who you are, no matter where you run to, no matter what you do, no matter what you're going through. When it all comes down everyone's someone." The song "Say You Need Love" talks about unconditional love. It talks about God's love for us that we sometimes don't return in full. "I would Give Everything" starts out depressing, but ends on a happy note. It's hard to tell exactly what this song is about. I think it's actually the Boys' statement of faith. Some of the lyrics are, "I would give everything to give nothing" and continuously asks the question of "How long?" The song "Break" is a song of conviction by the Holy Spirit. One of the lyrics in the song is , "A world full of hurt so full of need. The closer I get I see. The less of me." talks about seeing the need and letting the Spirit break us and let Him take control.
"I Surrender All" is pretty self-explanatory in itself. However this isn't the same song that we sing in church, but the application is the same. At the end of the song, it talks about God's nature is to love us, but not the things we do. God doesn't have to love us because He's God, but He does anyway. "Fall On You," the last song on the album talks about letting the Holy Spirit fill us. I think that it was the perfect song to end the CD with. It summed up all of the topics on the CD and ended up with the source of it all the Holy Spirit....
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Newsboys - Step Up To the Microphone (1998)
The Newsboys became one of my favorite alternative bands when they released their absolutely awesome Not Ashamed project. Although not of the same caliber in my opinion, Step Up to the Microphone is not a bad piece of music, and is worth the listen. For the most part, though, the band seems to have lost the hyperactive energy and unique sound that first attracted me to them. The new sound is well crafted and quite listenable, but there isn't anything now to distinguish the Newsboys from every other modern alternative rock band.
"WooHoo" told me from the get-go that they had forsaken the keyboard / techno driven music of their previous albums, much like Take Me to Your Leader had before it. The electronic sound is still there, but it muffled behind powerful, distorted electronic guitars, while the drums don't have the heart-stopping power I liked so much in their previous work.
This may well be because co-founder Peter Furler, who used to drive aggressively from behind his drum kit, is now in the lead vocals role following the departure of former lead man John James. Duncan Phillips, the new drummer, has a style of his own that is quite talented, but just doesn't quite fill the hole left by Furler....
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"WooHoo" told me from the get-go that they had forsaken the keyboard / techno driven music of their previous albums, much like Take Me to Your Leader had before it. The electronic sound is still there, but it muffled behind powerful, distorted electronic guitars, while the drums don't have the heart-stopping power I liked so much in their previous work.
This may well be because co-founder Peter Furler, who used to drive aggressively from behind his drum kit, is now in the lead vocals role following the departure of former lead man John James. Duncan Phillips, the new drummer, has a style of his own that is quite talented, but just doesn't quite fill the hole left by Furler....
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Newsboys - Take Me To Your Leader (1996)
When I first heard the latest release by the Newsboys, I had relatively low expectations, as most of what I heard about it was on the negative side. Instead, I got a lesson about not listening to other people's judgments: this CD rocks!
The Newsboys have taken another step in the right direction with Take Me To Your Leader. The band rocked the Christian alternative / pop scene in 1992 with Not Ashamed, and this album takes the lyrical wit and musical creativity to the max. If it weren't for the fact that this CD is only 37 minutes long, I'd have rated it a five-star hands down. Unfortunately, I can't give five stars when I pay $16 for 37 minutes of music.
The CD begins with the Newsboys new rock / alternative / pop recipe, which incidentally now includes no looping or sequencing ... i.e. everything you hear is straight from the musicians. Granted, there are a lot of effects and such, but the 'boyz blew me away with this one. They managed to reproduce the high energy and impact of Not Ashamed without the extra looping.
"God Is Not A Secret" opens with in-your-face lyrics and rock, and a message they have held all along: they ain't going to hide God, they're going to tell everyone about Him! From the first verse, they set the record straight:
"You don't understand, this is not what you think it is. You don't get it man, you want to boil it down to showbiz. Your in-depth research shows: drop the God, emphasize the beat; I've heard that positive pop you dig - I'd rather be buried in wet concrete!"
Talk about speaking their mind! But would you expect or accept anything less from the band that woke up the world to the fact that Christian alternative doesn't have to be disappointing. The rest of the song sings that God is not a secret, they're not going to hide Him, they're not going to play lyrical and political games by keeping their message vague ... as the Psalms say, if we don't praise His name, the rocks and all of creation will cry out for us. Personally, I think it would be somewhat embarrassing to be outdone by a tree! And catch the trailer, if you haven't caught on to the Newsboys determination: "Would I deny my savior when He hung inside the public square? Did not my silence put Him there?" It sounds to me like we have a duty to do, and the Newsboys aren't being eccentric ... they're merely living up to our God-given responsibilities as Christians.
The title track follows, with a mellow, funky air to it, and a message that we've go to take them to our Leader - a fitting follow up to the intro track. After this comes "Breathe," which I think could have been done better. For a rock alternative song, it's pretty cool, but the song and the music don't fit together. It sounds more like a ballad sung to a rock background to me.
The pop hit "Reality" is the fourth cut on the CD, and is bound to rise up the charts. The Newsboys, with lyrical help from Steve Taylor, created a winner with this one. They take a very mellow, almost easy-listening style, put in a heavy bass line and drum beat, and added in some really clever lyrics, making a song that's a lot more energetic and upbeat than it's tempo would make you think.
The lyrics on this song really are funny, in typical Newsboys / Steve Taylor combo style. It starts out with a letter to Mom and Dad, saying "I'm fine, how are you? I've joined a small circus ... I'm a little malnourished, but try to relax. Could you find a better photo for the milk carton backs? Send money." The second verse says more of the same - "My career as an acrobat hasn't begun, but I'm busy giving blood and shoveling elephant dung." The chorus comes back with the reality that comes from God: "God is calling, there's no bigger love. It's His reality that welcomes us back."
Another serious joke follows: and ode to "Breakfast." In effect, it's a funeral song for a breakfast that's seen better days, but the chorus has a catchy, if serious, message: "When the toast is burned and all the milk has turned and Captain Crunch is waving farewell, When the big one finds you, may this song remind you that they don't serve breakfast in Hell." Hidden behind the cereal bowl full of wit is a lot of wisdom - no matter how hard life is on Earth, it isn't anything like Hell will be for those who don't know Jesus. When we as Christians die, we have Heaven to look forward to, and those we leave behind have comfort in knowing we're in a better place. When non-Christian's die, they don't have that hope, and the ones they leave behind can only mourn. In a way, the 'boyz are saying that even if you don't care about going to Hell, you owe it to your loved ones to turn to Christ....
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The Newsboys have taken another step in the right direction with Take Me To Your Leader. The band rocked the Christian alternative / pop scene in 1992 with Not Ashamed, and this album takes the lyrical wit and musical creativity to the max. If it weren't for the fact that this CD is only 37 minutes long, I'd have rated it a five-star hands down. Unfortunately, I can't give five stars when I pay $16 for 37 minutes of music.
The CD begins with the Newsboys new rock / alternative / pop recipe, which incidentally now includes no looping or sequencing ... i.e. everything you hear is straight from the musicians. Granted, there are a lot of effects and such, but the 'boyz blew me away with this one. They managed to reproduce the high energy and impact of Not Ashamed without the extra looping.
"God Is Not A Secret" opens with in-your-face lyrics and rock, and a message they have held all along: they ain't going to hide God, they're going to tell everyone about Him! From the first verse, they set the record straight:
"You don't understand, this is not what you think it is. You don't get it man, you want to boil it down to showbiz. Your in-depth research shows: drop the God, emphasize the beat; I've heard that positive pop you dig - I'd rather be buried in wet concrete!"
Talk about speaking their mind! But would you expect or accept anything less from the band that woke up the world to the fact that Christian alternative doesn't have to be disappointing. The rest of the song sings that God is not a secret, they're not going to hide Him, they're not going to play lyrical and political games by keeping their message vague ... as the Psalms say, if we don't praise His name, the rocks and all of creation will cry out for us. Personally, I think it would be somewhat embarrassing to be outdone by a tree! And catch the trailer, if you haven't caught on to the Newsboys determination: "Would I deny my savior when He hung inside the public square? Did not my silence put Him there?" It sounds to me like we have a duty to do, and the Newsboys aren't being eccentric ... they're merely living up to our God-given responsibilities as Christians.
The title track follows, with a mellow, funky air to it, and a message that we've go to take them to our Leader - a fitting follow up to the intro track. After this comes "Breathe," which I think could have been done better. For a rock alternative song, it's pretty cool, but the song and the music don't fit together. It sounds more like a ballad sung to a rock background to me.
The pop hit "Reality" is the fourth cut on the CD, and is bound to rise up the charts. The Newsboys, with lyrical help from Steve Taylor, created a winner with this one. They take a very mellow, almost easy-listening style, put in a heavy bass line and drum beat, and added in some really clever lyrics, making a song that's a lot more energetic and upbeat than it's tempo would make you think.
The lyrics on this song really are funny, in typical Newsboys / Steve Taylor combo style. It starts out with a letter to Mom and Dad, saying "I'm fine, how are you? I've joined a small circus ... I'm a little malnourished, but try to relax. Could you find a better photo for the milk carton backs? Send money." The second verse says more of the same - "My career as an acrobat hasn't begun, but I'm busy giving blood and shoveling elephant dung." The chorus comes back with the reality that comes from God: "God is calling, there's no bigger love. It's His reality that welcomes us back."
Another serious joke follows: and ode to "Breakfast." In effect, it's a funeral song for a breakfast that's seen better days, but the chorus has a catchy, if serious, message: "When the toast is burned and all the milk has turned and Captain Crunch is waving farewell, When the big one finds you, may this song remind you that they don't serve breakfast in Hell." Hidden behind the cereal bowl full of wit is a lot of wisdom - no matter how hard life is on Earth, it isn't anything like Hell will be for those who don't know Jesus. When we as Christians die, we have Heaven to look forward to, and those we leave behind have comfort in knowing we're in a better place. When non-Christian's die, they don't have that hope, and the ones they leave behind can only mourn. In a way, the 'boyz are saying that even if you don't care about going to Hell, you owe it to your loved ones to turn to Christ....
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Newsboys - Going Public (1994)
It's a shame this release by one of Christian alternative music's hottest band is so short ... it's a hot CD, but I can't very well give five stars after paying $16 for just over a half hour of music. And it's a shame I didn't finish this review when I started it :-) But better late than never, eh?
If Not Ashamed put the Newsboys on the map in 1992, Going Public has assured them a continued spot in the limelight. It doesn't have the same level of hyperactivity and techno sound, but the boyz' message hasn't diminished one bit. From "Real Good Thing," which reminds us to be thankful that we don't get what we deserve, the the AC radio hit "Be Still," this album is welcomed in my library.
The first song I heard off of the CD was "Be Still," which played on a radio station in Albuquerque, New Mexico, before the CD was released. I was hooked from the get-go, and bought the album as soon as it was released.Possibly the most recognized song is "Shine" (I can say that now, because I'm finishing this review two years after the album was released!). It's got the pop and rock feel that put it well up on the contemporary and rock charts for some time, and if I remember correctly, garnered the band a Dove award in 1996. With it's message to "shine, let them wonder what you've got - make them wish that they were not on the outside looking bored." Hey - we've got an exciting gift in the form of salvation; let's show them that we're excited about it!
The title track takes "Not Ashamed" to the next level. It's not enough to simply be unashamed - we've got to speak out, to reach out - to go public with our faith...
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If Not Ashamed put the Newsboys on the map in 1992, Going Public has assured them a continued spot in the limelight. It doesn't have the same level of hyperactivity and techno sound, but the boyz' message hasn't diminished one bit. From "Real Good Thing," which reminds us to be thankful that we don't get what we deserve, the the AC radio hit "Be Still," this album is welcomed in my library.
The first song I heard off of the CD was "Be Still," which played on a radio station in Albuquerque, New Mexico, before the CD was released. I was hooked from the get-go, and bought the album as soon as it was released.Possibly the most recognized song is "Shine" (I can say that now, because I'm finishing this review two years after the album was released!). It's got the pop and rock feel that put it well up on the contemporary and rock charts for some time, and if I remember correctly, garnered the band a Dove award in 1996. With it's message to "shine, let them wonder what you've got - make them wish that they were not on the outside looking bored." Hey - we've got an exciting gift in the form of salvation; let's show them that we're excited about it!
The title track takes "Not Ashamed" to the next level. It's not enough to simply be unashamed - we've got to speak out, to reach out - to go public with our faith...
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
This is the album where the Newsboys really started to hit their stride. With their fourth album, the Newsboys went from an average pop/rock group to one that would produce great hits such as "Shine," "Breakfast," and "Take Me to your Leader," within a few short years.
The difference? Enter Steve Taylor. Acting as a songwriter/producer, Steve Taylor's unique and fun lyrical style combined with Peter Furler's rapidly improving songwriting skills to transform the Newsboys' sound into the catchy/fun-loving style they have now become famous for. Granted, this album is only the stepping stone towards future masterpieces, and it's certainly not perfect, but already several gems on the album showcase the Newsboys now-signature sound.
Strong cuts include the title track and "Strong Love" - two catchy and upbeat songs that showcase Steve Taylor's lyrics talents: "And some go for broke/like headless chicken folk - inspiring jokes about 'poultry-in-motion'." Lyrically, the themes range from boldness in faith ("I'm Not Ashamed") to reconciliation ("We Come Together") and God's unconditional love ("Love Comes True").
While this album is very 90's pop-oriented, there are some strong rockers in the mix ("I Cannot Get You Out of my System" and the DeGarmo & Key cover "Boycott Hell"). Other highlights include the keyboard-driven "Love Comes True" and "Lost the Sky Again" - where listeners are treated to a few guest raps by Steve Taylor....
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The difference? Enter Steve Taylor. Acting as a songwriter/producer, Steve Taylor's unique and fun lyrical style combined with Peter Furler's rapidly improving songwriting skills to transform the Newsboys' sound into the catchy/fun-loving style they have now become famous for. Granted, this album is only the stepping stone towards future masterpieces, and it's certainly not perfect, but already several gems on the album showcase the Newsboys now-signature sound.
Strong cuts include the title track and "Strong Love" - two catchy and upbeat songs that showcase Steve Taylor's lyrics talents: "And some go for broke/like headless chicken folk - inspiring jokes about 'poultry-in-motion'." Lyrically, the themes range from boldness in faith ("I'm Not Ashamed") to reconciliation ("We Come Together") and God's unconditional love ("Love Comes True").
While this album is very 90's pop-oriented, there are some strong rockers in the mix ("I Cannot Get You Out of my System" and the DeGarmo & Key cover "Boycott Hell"). Other highlights include the keyboard-driven "Love Comes True" and "Lost the Sky Again" - where listeners are treated to a few guest raps by Steve Taylor....
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Newsboys - Boys Will Be Boyz
I theorize that nobody has rated this album, Boys will be Boyz, because obviously few knows it even exists. It's really unfortunate that the Newsboys' greatest hits album never reached back this far because there were some really strong cuts on this disc. It's full on cheese whiz for the most part but it's mighty fine fun and that's what the Newsboys do. What I never got was the guitarist on this one. I saw him in concert during this tour and he must have been 50 years old -- looked like a soccer hooligan and did this wild outback yell. But he could play! John James does his thing with all the force of a tidal wave. Man, I miss that guy on stage -- reminded me of the lead singer of Midnight Oil (Peter Garrett?). But now that they are huge and beyond the days of embarrassment here, they have no need to revisit this era. Newsboys fans would do well to educate themselves on the history of this fine band when a trip to the novelty shop (upside down drums) and flying saucers (Take Me to Your Leader) made for some amazing shows....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
Newsboys - Hell Is For Wimps
Being a major Newsboys junkie, I got this album purely so that I could say "I have every Newsboys CD," which, considering how many albums the band has, is quite a feat. The bigger feat is that this album surprised me, a "Newsboys expert." It is nothing like the rock of Take Me to Your Leader or even the pop/rock of Not Ashamed. When taken in context, however, this style makes sense. It has the distinctive sound of the 80's (when the album was made), has all the high points and pitfalls of a band still finding their musical footing, and hints at the fact that the 'boys were trying a little too hard to expand their fan base.
The album starts off with "Stand Up for Jesus" which makes for one of the most hilarious opening sounds I've ever heard. The guitars are the high point of the song as Jonathan Geange goes into mini-solos every now and then. Next is "In the End," a rather monotonous rock song that I usually end up skipping after the first verse. "Simple Man" is probably the best song on the album with engaging drums, thoughtful lyrics, and very nice vocals by John James. "All I Can See" is a very nice ballad with good vocals, but sounds a little too much like "Love You Tomorrow," found later on the disc. The last notable song is "Ten Thousand Miles," which has a nice beat and feel to it, featuring some of the best lyrics....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
The album starts off with "Stand Up for Jesus" which makes for one of the most hilarious opening sounds I've ever heard. The guitars are the high point of the song as Jonathan Geange goes into mini-solos every now and then. Next is "In the End," a rather monotonous rock song that I usually end up skipping after the first verse. "Simple Man" is probably the best song on the album with engaging drums, thoughtful lyrics, and very nice vocals by John James. "All I Can See" is a very nice ballad with good vocals, but sounds a little too much like "Love You Tomorrow," found later on the disc. The last notable song is "Ten Thousand Miles," which has a nice beat and feel to it, featuring some of the best lyrics....
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Newsboys -Read All About It
As I place this album into my stereo and push 'play', I am embraced by enthusiastic young Aussies eager to proclaim their faith. The music is very much in style for the 80's,
and the song lyrics are very simple. For the Newsboy's first record, I think that it shows a lot of potential talent.
Throughout the entire album the music is very upbeat and joyful, while lead vocalist John James declares simple Christian truths such as "He's coming back again" and "Love and Joy and Peace and Hope is what He offers us." The lyrics of the songs touch several topics ranging from standing up for our faith to how He will never leave us. Some lyrics are very simplistic: "He can give us the power to make it through, He gives us the strength, He cares for you"; while other dive a little deeper, "I see the neon lights as they light the city sky / I see a desperate boy at the moment he cries / I see him reaching out, his hand is to the sky / I'm telling you don't let go, God is on your side."...
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
and the song lyrics are very simple. For the Newsboy's first record, I think that it shows a lot of potential talent.
Throughout the entire album the music is very upbeat and joyful, while lead vocalist John James declares simple Christian truths such as "He's coming back again" and "Love and Joy and Peace and Hope is what He offers us." The lyrics of the songs touch several topics ranging from standing up for our faith to how He will never leave us. Some lyrics are very simplistic: "He can give us the power to make it through, He gives us the strength, He cares for you"; while other dive a little deeper, "I see the neon lights as they light the city sky / I see a desperate boy at the moment he cries / I see him reaching out, his hand is to the sky / I'm telling you don't let go, God is on your side."...
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
Guitar Computer Game Using Christian Rock Releases Sept. 2008
Digital Praise® Inc, the leader in Christian-themed, family-friendly entertainment software, announced Guitar Praise™, its new inspirational PC guitar game, at the International Christian Retail Show 2008 in Orlando. Combining unique play features with a playlist of today’s most popular Contemporary Christian rock hits, Guitar Praise gives Christian retailers a headlining opportunity to build on the $1 billion guitar game segment that continues to smash sales records among young consumers.
In creating Guitar Praise, Digital Praise has applied its intimate knowledge of player tastes gained through its #1 best-selling Dance Praise™ dance arcade game franchise. “Our research shows that 92% of Dance Praise families, and 100% of Dance Praise churches, are interested in Guitar Praise,” said Tom Bean, President and CEO of Digital Praise, Inc. “People love the console guitar games on the market, but many would like more family-friendly songs and graphics. Guitar Praise gives kids, families and youth groups the play features they like best, plus some new twists as well as the best Christian rock titles out there today.”
Leading the unique list of features in Guitar Praise is the ability to sing along with the game’s chart-topping rock tunes, thanks to lyrics that scroll across the screen. “Guitar Praise can be an exciting group event ,” noted Bean. “Having the lyrics onscreen reinforces the positive messages present in Guitar Praise’s roster of songs, and allows everyone to take part in the game.”
Inspirational Fun Guitar Praise lets players act out their dreams of leading a rock band by playing along with their favorite Christian rock tunes. As the song and lyrics play, colorful notes scroll down the screen. Players must keep up by matching the notes to the fret buttons on the guitar controller included with the game. Four levels of play are offered—as the player completes songs, more tracks are unlocked and the challenge increases.
New Digital Praise® Guitar Praise™ Set To Take Center Stage With Kids, Families This Fall—Page 2
Guitar Praise features 52 of the most inspirational and pulsating tracks from the Christian rock world, all by the original artists. Today’s most popular hits are combined with classics from the 80’s and 90’s; the playlist includes titles from Flyleaf, Skillet, Stellar Kart, tobyMac, Newsboys, Petra, 12 Stones, Spoken, Whitecross, Thousand Foot Krutch, Paul Baloche, David Crowder, and Red, plus many others.
As players shred through their guitar solos, Guitar Praise records high scores per song. New songs, in sets of five, are unlocked along the way to keep the player’s interest. By tilting the guitar, players can activate spinner bonuses; as they increase their skills they can earn new onscreen “guitars” with richer sounds and different effects.
One or Two Players
Guitar Praise keeps the fun coming by allowing either one player to perform in solo mode, or two players to compete for the better lead guitar score. With a second guitar (not included but available from digitalpraise.com), players can jam at the same time—both on lead guitar, or one on lead and the other on bass. The game’s Power Duel mode also lets players send “surprises” that impact their opponent’s play.
Pricing and Availability
Guitar Praise supports both Windows and Mac personal computers and includes one wireless guitar controller, a USB wireless adapter, plus the game CD-ROM. (The guitar controller requires 4 AA batteries – not included.) Setting up the game is easy—just load the software into any PC or Mac, plug in the wireless adapter, switch on your guitar and you’re ready to rock!
Guitar Praise carries an MSRP of $99.95 (USD) and is expected to be in stores September 25, 2008. During the International Christian Retail Show 2008, July 13-17, Guitar Praise will be demonstrated at the Digital Praise exhibit, Booth 417 in the Orange County Convention Center. For more information or to order Guitar Praise visit the exhibit or contact Digital Praise at http://www.digitalpraise.com/.
Christian Music News Source
In creating Guitar Praise, Digital Praise has applied its intimate knowledge of player tastes gained through its #1 best-selling Dance Praise™ dance arcade game franchise. “Our research shows that 92% of Dance Praise families, and 100% of Dance Praise churches, are interested in Guitar Praise,” said Tom Bean, President and CEO of Digital Praise, Inc. “People love the console guitar games on the market, but many would like more family-friendly songs and graphics. Guitar Praise gives kids, families and youth groups the play features they like best, plus some new twists as well as the best Christian rock titles out there today.”
Leading the unique list of features in Guitar Praise is the ability to sing along with the game’s chart-topping rock tunes, thanks to lyrics that scroll across the screen. “Guitar Praise can be an exciting group event ,” noted Bean. “Having the lyrics onscreen reinforces the positive messages present in Guitar Praise’s roster of songs, and allows everyone to take part in the game.”
Inspirational Fun Guitar Praise lets players act out their dreams of leading a rock band by playing along with their favorite Christian rock tunes. As the song and lyrics play, colorful notes scroll down the screen. Players must keep up by matching the notes to the fret buttons on the guitar controller included with the game. Four levels of play are offered—as the player completes songs, more tracks are unlocked and the challenge increases.
New Digital Praise® Guitar Praise™ Set To Take Center Stage With Kids, Families This Fall—Page 2
Guitar Praise features 52 of the most inspirational and pulsating tracks from the Christian rock world, all by the original artists. Today’s most popular hits are combined with classics from the 80’s and 90’s; the playlist includes titles from Flyleaf, Skillet, Stellar Kart, tobyMac, Newsboys, Petra, 12 Stones, Spoken, Whitecross, Thousand Foot Krutch, Paul Baloche, David Crowder, and Red, plus many others.
As players shred through their guitar solos, Guitar Praise records high scores per song. New songs, in sets of five, are unlocked along the way to keep the player’s interest. By tilting the guitar, players can activate spinner bonuses; as they increase their skills they can earn new onscreen “guitars” with richer sounds and different effects.
One or Two Players
Guitar Praise keeps the fun coming by allowing either one player to perform in solo mode, or two players to compete for the better lead guitar score. With a second guitar (not included but available from digitalpraise.com), players can jam at the same time—both on lead guitar, or one on lead and the other on bass. The game’s Power Duel mode also lets players send “surprises” that impact their opponent’s play.
Pricing and Availability
Guitar Praise supports both Windows and Mac personal computers and includes one wireless guitar controller, a USB wireless adapter, plus the game CD-ROM. (The guitar controller requires 4 AA batteries – not included.) Setting up the game is easy—just load the software into any PC or Mac, plug in the wireless adapter, switch on your guitar and you’re ready to rock!
Guitar Praise carries an MSRP of $99.95 (USD) and is expected to be in stores September 25, 2008. During the International Christian Retail Show 2008, July 13-17, Guitar Praise will be demonstrated at the Digital Praise exhibit, Booth 417 in the Orange County Convention Center. For more information or to order Guitar Praise visit the exhibit or contact Digital Praise at http://www.digitalpraise.com/.
Christian Music News Source
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