Newsboys: Born Again

Comments

1. Kevin R. Davis says:

   September 7, 2010 at 6:08 am

   Review by Kevin R. Davis for Born Again
   Rating:
   Genesis, Van Halen, newsboys. They all did it. Many legendary acts have introduced a new lead singer amidst their career without missing a beat. So when newsboys announced that dc Talk vocalist Michael Tait would take over for exiting front man Peter Furler–after a natural period of surprise–the band and its fans alike began to relish the positives and possibilities of this fresh start. Some have forgotten that newsboys already changed lead vocalists from original singer John James after Take Me To Your Leader to Peter Furler starting with Step Up To The Microphone. This new album opens with “Born Again,” the amazing title track which reflects how newsboys became a band completely renewed. “We’ve all believed in lies at some point. I had some prodigal years in the past,” says Michael Tait. “But I hope the song encourages others to make the same decision I did: “I’m giving Him the best of everything that’s left of the life inside this man / I’ve been born again.” Crowd-rallying “One Shot” is where Michael’s childhood dreams (“All I wanted was to do the rock thing”) meet the newfound joys of being center stage with newsboys, helping spread their kingdom cause even further (“We say there’s one way / when push comes to shove we’re gonna sing of His love”).

   The musical hooks and Michael’s stellar vocals have raised the bar on what to expect from newsboys. From someone who has collected their entire catalog, this is without a doubt their best album in my opinion. My top 3 albums by newsboys are Born Again (2010), Go (2006), and Going Public (1994). “When The Boys Light Up” is destined to be the album’s most celebrated track. A biographical anthem of reignited belief and purpose penned with longtime newsboys collaborator Steve Taylor, it puts every transitional issue anyone might raise to rest. “I was feeling all overcome / Had a faith gone dim and then some / Got a call from a band of brothers . . . / All the doubters I heard them say “now the band’s gonna fade away” / But the `boys are back for a second act / No excuses. We’re lighting fuses.” “Running to You” emphasize the change that must occur in a relationship with God: “More than just emotion, my broken heart has chosen / Jesus, I’m running to You.”

   What worked for both Go and Going Public is in full effect on Born Again which is that this is a complete album with no filler songs. “Be Still” is an amazing album track from Going Public and “The Mission” is an example from Go. As great as the “hits” are from Born Again, the songs “Impossible,” “Build Us Back” and “On Your Knees” are stand-out album tracks that really complete this album in my opinion. The themes are all relatable and I keep coming back to the album tracks which are rich both lyrically and vocally. As if the 10 new songs aren’t enough to make this a stand-out album, Born Again also includes 2 surprises at the end, “Mighty To Save” and “Jesus Freak.” As arguably the most influential songs of the 1990′s (“Jesus Freak”) and the 2000′s (“Mighty To Save”), what a great way to cap off this excellent album.

   CLOSING THOUGHTS
   
   Born Again is the HOTTEST album of the year! In comparing top albums this year from former dcTalk members Michael Tait versus TobyMac, advantage Tait and newsboys. If you are looking for musical hooks and lyrics that are not ashamed of the Gospel, you need to get Born Again, hands-down the best album ever by this legendary band. Newsboys already have over 20 #1 hit songs. I expect a few more #1 hit songs from this incredible album, one of my top 5 albums of 2010. “Born Again,” “One Shot,” “Impossible,” “Build Us Back” and “On Your Knees” are among my favorite songs ever by this incredible band.
2. Mary A. Kulow says:

   September 7, 2010 at 6:56 am

   Review by Mary A. Kulow for Born Again
   Rating:
   I’ve been a HUGE Newsboys fan for a few years now. I have even had the honor of seeing one of their concerts… I was really a fan of their old lead singer, Peter Furler, but was familiar with Michael Tait, so was cautiously optimistic for what they came up with with Michael as the new lead singer. After hearing the song “Born Again” and a few of the other tracks from the upcoming cd, WOW!!! It is, in a lot of ways, totally different… but the song still has a strong message while being GREAT musically!!! Would definitely recommend for anyone who is or has been a fan!!!
3. Josh Balogh says:

   September 7, 2010 at 6:58 am

   Review by Josh Balogh for Born Again
   Rating:
   1. Born again – 10/10 This ones been burning up the airwaves since it released, great rock track

   2. One shot – 9/10 Great follow up track to born again, has a nice vibey step up to the microphone feel to it. Not 10/10 because some of the lyrics won’t hold up well over time (facebook, twitter etc.)

   3. Way beyond myself – 8/10 Dance track that I like, but felt was about 30 seconds too long, becomes too repetitive

   4. Impossible 8/10 Slower jam song that would play well on pop charts. Lyrics encourage the listener to go for it, you can do the impossible. Lyrically it’s been done before

   5. When the boys light up 10/10 That one track that each Newsboys cd has that gets stuck in your head. Poppy perfection!

   6. Build us back 9/10 Slowest song to this point, good half point ballad

   7. Escape 10/10 Picks the energy back up. A great rocker that would fit perfectly on any Tait cd. Jittery pop rock done well

   8. Miracles 10/10 Another up tempo rocker that delivers a driving beat and cool guitar licks

   9. Running to you 10/10 My favorite slower song this one has Tait delivering a great punchy vocal despite it’s slower feel

   10. On your knees 9/10 A close second for my favorite ballad on the cd. A great encouragement to pray

   11. Mighty to save 7/10 A cover of the ever popular Hillsong staple I really felt that this track was unecessary to the cd, doesn’t really fit the rest of the album even though it’s a decent cover, it’s just been done to death. This would have been best served as a bonus track or left off entirely

   12. Jesus Freak 9/10 Dc talk’s signature song I was highly skeptical when I saw it on the track list but they did a decent enough job tweaking it slightly to put their own spin on it.

   Overall A-

   All in all after a few spins I believe they have a winner on their hands here. I would have preferred just the first 10 tracks for a trim pop record with the last two being released on a bonus edition or available on iTunes as bonus tracks. I can’t fault them for wanting to give fans as much as possible but one more original track or a Lenny Kravitz cover would have been better. I do recommend this one though and they will be pricing it aggressively low at my local Christian Bookstore (Lifeway) for 6.99 so I’m all in.
   
4. Trav I Am says:

   September 7, 2010 at 7:41 am

   Review by Trav I Am for Born Again
   Rating:
   I have to admit that when I heard that Peter Furler was stepping away and that Michael Tait would be the new Newsboys frontman, I did a double-take. Not because I don’t like Tait — I think he has a fabulous voice and have liked his solo stuff since the dc Talk days — but because it seemed about as drastic a change in a lead singer as a band could make. While I like Furler’s singing, what really stood out to me was his ‘showmanship’, the way he would interact with the crowd as they sang along with some of the most lyrical quips imaginable (thanks in large part to song-writer extraordinaire, Steve Taylor).

   As much as I have liked the Newsboys (especially ‘Step Up To The Microphone’ & ‘Thrive’), I must admit that I have lost interest over the last few years as they have been a part of the ‘recycled worship’ movement that has yielded some nice takes on existing songs, but very little creativity and ‘newness’ (as in ‘Microphone’ & ‘Thrive’). The Newsboys have been one of my fave bands to see in concert, because they had so much energy and Furler’s ‘showmanship’, but the last few CD’s have seemed to lack the creativity and ‘punch’ that their earlier stuff had.

   Enter Michael Tait. While I agree that this CD really doesn’t sound like the (early) Newsboys, I feel that it IS an improvement over what they had been slowly drifting into. ‘Born Again’ carries more energy & emotion, and the title couldn’t be more appropriate considering the transformation they are undergoing. I have always liked Peter Furler, but I didn’t feel like the last few Newsboys projects had really captured that swagger that he had shown on the early projects and in concert.

   Here is a few thoughts on the ‘Born Again’ CD:

   1: BORN AGAIN — it certainly doesn’t take long to hear the difference in the Newsboys, as they start off with a no-nonsense rocker that is lyrically ‘up-front’ and tailored to Tait’s singing style. A very bold song to begin this new era, which obviously refers to the new life one has in Christ, but also to the new life (symbolically) that both Tait and the Newsboys have with this new direction. 10/10

   2: ONE SHOT — I like this song for the very reason that some on here have dissed it — the fact that it refers to Twitter & FaceBook. While it does date the music, it is also very relevant to the here and now, much like the lyrics that KJ-52 has in some of his songs. Another very up-front song with lyrical boldness, this one is very easy to sing along with. 7/10

   3: WAY BEYOND MYSELF — I like the dance feel this song has, and it again exemplifies the variety and wide range of music that Tait can sing with. I usually prefer good rockers, but I really like the unique sound of this song and find myself repeating it quite often. 9/10

   4: IMPOSSIBLE — another very good song, but to me it is not as strong as most of the other songs. Great message and lyrics (as with all the other songs), but nothing really makes this song stand out like most of the rest. 6/10

   5: WHEN THE BOYS LIGHT UP — now this could be a Peter Furler song! The style of this song is so Furler, and yet it describes the very ‘coming together’ of Tait and the Newsboys. Very creative song and is very hard to get out of your head (and that’s a good thing). 9/10

   6: BUILD US BACK — although it is slow, I really like the message and the way it ‘builds’ as the song unwinds. great set-up for the next couple of songs on the CD. 8/10

   7: ESCAPE — Here is the song that I am bound and determined to wear out! The lyrical genius of Steve Taylor and a straight-ahead hard rocking sound that deals with a topic that is seldom dealt with — dealing with temptation. There is no doubt that this is NOT the old Newsboys, as it has a great edge to it. 10/10

   8: MIRACLES — After an opening that either annoys you or hooks you, this song has a very chunky sound that carries you along as it rocks. As with all the other songs on this CD, the lyrics are refreshingly BOLD and do not hold back. This song continues the musical momentum carried over from ‘Escape’ and is another rocking hit. 10/10

   9: RUNNING TO YOU — My favorite slow song on the CD — one of the best on this collection. “Running” continues the momentum built by the previous two tracks and makes this trio the best stretch on the CD. 10/10

   10: ON YOUR KNEES — Very good song, but a little cliche in my opinion. Great song regarding the power of prayer and need for it. 7/10

   11: MIGHTY TO SAVE — This is one of my favorite praise songs, and I like the spin the band puts on it. It is indeed a little ‘heavier’ with more emphasis on the guitar. A new take on a well-known song. 7/10

   12: JESUS FREAK — A remake of a classic, which is almost always a recipe for disaster. It really sounds much like the original, and I am a big KJ-52 fan so I like the rap, but I miss the heavier feel of the original, especially with the screeching guitar near the end of the song. While this version is very very good, it seems like the jagged edges are a little rounded off. 8/10

   Overall, I think the quality is top-notch and I really like the boldness of the lyrics — strong Christian witness without being overbearing or sappy-sweet. As much as I have liked Peter Furler (and still do!), there is no doubt in my mind that Michael Tait is a superior singer who has a much broader range, enabling the Newsboys to be even more diverse now. Every song is very good to great, with the ‘Escape-Miracles-Running To You’ trio taking best show, along with the title track. A very solid start to what is a very unique band transformation — I look forward to what lies ahead for the Newsboys as they move forward . . . .
5. jak-uv-ol-traids says:

   September 7, 2010 at 7:49 am

   Review by jak-uv-ol-traids for Born Again
   Rating:
   I’m feeling the same as many of the reviewers. I first decided the last Newboys album with Peter Furler would be the last I’d buy as I feel Peter Furler’s songwriting, production and vocals captured what I liked most about Newsboys. I ended up buying the album BORN AGAIN today out of curiosity for a good price but after listening to it, I’m disappointed. First, I listened to DC Talk but reluctant to admit that Tait was my least favorite vocal out of the group and now he’s upfront on Newsboys. Secondly, I think the group is too eager to embrace DC Talk with the recording of ‘Jesus Freak’. I’m not familiar with Tait’s past solo recordings after DC Talk but I know that what I heard on this new album makes me forget it is the Newsboys. I loved the last album ‘In The Hands Of God’ with Peter Furler and I’ve decided to stop my Newsboys collection there. If Peter Furler puts out any solo albums, I’m sure to follow.