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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