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 album review Many fans of the Newsboys may wonder if Step Up to the Microphone still holds the same original sound they have come to love after lead man, Jon James, left the band and the record was produced without the hand of Steve Taylor. Well, the band's musical and lyrical content has matured, but for the better. The album is still being distributed by both Christian label, Star Song, and general market label, Virgin. Step Up to the Microphone was produced by new lead singer, guitar player, and still drummer as well, Peter Furler. The band members all contributed more into the making of this album, rather than relying on a producer outside the band to do all the work. The band believes they are better now, and indeed they are. Of course, past projects, especially Take Me to Your Leader, were very cool. But now it's out with the old and in with the new. We will all miss Jon James and Peter Furler is the only original Newsboy left. But the band still lives on and keeps on going as they always have in the past despite many changes. Furler claims that changes like this are nothing new for the Newsboys and they have always been able to adjust smoothely. Musically, Step Up, takes a small step into the world of electronica, yet it is evident on some tracks more than on others. In all they still do the original aussie pop-rock we all love. But they do it even better. The album is, no doubt their best material yet. WooHoo is an awesome top-quality rock song with an incredibly catchy beat. The other songs, especially the No. 1 single, Entertaining Angels and the title track come with the same catchy approach. |
The vocals on Step Up may make you think twice about whether there were actually any changes in the vocals since it still sounds alot like John James. The members of the Newsboys with the exception of American boys Jodi Davis and Jeff Frankenstein all have the same kind of accent just like James did, bassist/vocalist Phil Joel having an even stronger accent from New Zealand. Peter Furler, lead vocalist on the album also did lead on many of their old songs as well. So, the Newsboys don't really sound much different other than their newer, more mature musical approach.
Lyrically, the band touches on heavy, challenging subjects: giving your life completely to God in WooHoo; sharing the Gospel, as they always have addressed in the past and now again on the title track; angels watching over us, so evidently the theme of Entertaining Angels; faith in the unseen on Believe; inviting everyone to "tune in" to God and know the truth on Tuning In and Truth Be Known-Everybody Gets a Shot; Going into the Deep End in your relationship with God; being safe and in the arms of our Father in Heaven in The Tide; and the fatherless finding God as their true father in Always. All subjects on this album are serious, yet approached in a fun way.
In all, I dig this album because of the originality and persistence the band has. They are extremely talented and have an incredibly great original sound that is what brings great quality to a band, especially in the world of alterna-pop-rock where many bands seem to sound the same. You can also sense the sincerity in their relationships with God through their lyrics. Kudos to the new Newsboys!
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Comments or questions on this review? E-mail me at Rawk4GOD@aol.com
