from: cdnow.com, 03-26-2002
author: Lisa Zhito
website: http://www.cdnow.com

»» Newsboys
Thrive

After years of dancing under the disco ball and pop-infused glitz, Newsboys seem ready to return to their snarly pop-rock roots. Working once again with Steve Taylor, their collaborator on such seminal early hits as Going Public and Not Ashamed, Thrive finds the guys delivering a fresh perspective on the progressive pop sound that has characterized their most recent work. It's been three years since Newsboys' last studio release (the quirky Love Liberty Disco), but the time off has been well spent, as band members pursued solo projects and songwriting, a la dc Talk. The group now seems refreshed, as evidenced by the energetic performances and uplifting songs of the spiritual life.

Opening track "Giving It Over" is an aggressive, rollicking affair that talks of leaving behind a life of sin for a "true love that lasts." That pretty much says it all for this album, which rocks as hard as it can while delivering a message of spiritual authority. There's not much downtime here, but title track "Thrive" comes close to a ballad; reminiscent of '80s rock outfit Simple Minds, the song digs a little deeper lyrically than Newsboys have in the past in its pleading for a Savior. "It Is You" is an exciting modern worship track, well executive despite being a bit lyrically banal -- but so is much of today's modern worship music. All in all, Thrive is a fine return for one of Christian rock's favorite bands.

Lisa Zhito
CDNOW Contributing Writer ««