I’m a latecomer to the Newsboys' franchise. Though the band has been pumping out tunes for over 20 years, I’ve jumped on the wagon just as long-time lead singer Peter Furler is stepping down from his role as lead singer. After five gold albums, sales exceeding six million units, and the title track “In the Hands of God” becoming the bands 25th No.1, In the Hands of God is being hailed by many as a culmination of a lengthy contribution to contemporary Christian music.
This release is also the last album featuring Furler as front man; he will be continuing with the group as a songwriter. Michael Tait - formerly of dc Talk – is taking up the mantle from here on out, and long-time fans who aren’t able to make it to a live concert or festival to hear him singing in the lead can hear his backup vocals on the new disc.
Building upon the groups long-term momentum and loyal existing fan base, their fourteenth album arrived on the scene like a high-speed rocket, shooting to number one ranks on singles charts and Christian music charts, number one on iTunes in the Christian/Gospel category and in the top 30 on Billboard. Hailed as delivery the classic Newsboys sound, new listeners such as myself may find themselves wondering what exactly that sound is.
On my initial listen I was immediately struck by the distinct sound of an Australian-founded band. Like my first exposure to Midnight Oil, it took a while for my Canadian ears to adjust to and decipher Furler’s slightly accented lyrics. By the third of fourth time through I was singing along. The sound itself is largely eclectic, and that in and of itself seems to be a marker for Newsboys albums. Ranging from classic rock through to electronic Brit-pop stylings and soaring symphonic songs of worship, the band serves up a little bit of everything.
Opening with “The Way We Roll” the band rocks its way through the hardest track on the disc, a musical introduction to their history, work and purpose declaring, “that’s the way we roll, ‘cause we’ve been set free”. Pointing to God as the sole progenitor of their music, sustainer, and motivator; this driving tune kicks things off before heading into a diverse range of songs that run the gamut of CCM.
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