from: hm magazine, issue #73, Sept./Oct. 1998
author: Brian Vincent McGovern
website: http://www.hmmagazine.com

»» NEWSBOYS - Step Up to the Microphone
[ Star Song ]

Yeah, they may be the darlings of youth pastors everywhere, but unlike many such bands in the industry, that doesn’t mean the music is sub par. This record has a bite that just a few of the band’s previous records have had, while maintaining the band’s penchant for quality songwriting. Steve Taylor did not produce this project, but rather, vocalist/songwriter/former drummer Peter Furler did, and it sounds great. John James is gone, but honestly, it doesn’t make a huge difference, as it’s usually been Furler’s elastic voice you’ve been hearing for the past few years anyway.

The last two songs on the album are deep, contemplative ballads, showcasing the relatively newfound lack of silliness Newsboys has found, and are no longer leaning on the Steve Taylor songwriting crutch for which critics have chided them.

This next step in the band’s career has plenty of rock & roll, along with the band’s everlasting European influences. but I’d almost venture to guess that one who doesn’t like this record either can’t stand this style (poppy electronic modern rock), or simply doesn’t want to like Newsboys, due to any number of presuppositions about them.

--Brian Vincent McGovern ««