from:
cmcentral.com
author: Robin Parrish
website: http://www.cmcentral.com
»» Newsboys
Thrive
Rock
Sparrow Records
Release Date: 03/26/02
by Robin Parrish
With old pal Steve Taylor back at the helm (not to mention co-writing
many of the album's songs with band leader Peter Furler), the Newsboys
are going old school on their latest album, Thrive, which releases
March 26. Expect to hear a lot of those good old sounds and Taylor's
slightly-insane, yet poetic lyrics that made the group famous, but performed
without losing the momentum of their more recent experimental albums.
It should be an interesting mixture of old and new.
Giving It Over
Within seconds, a deep, grinding, crunching bass line kicks in and you
start to wonder if the 'boys are about to rock a good bit harder than
usual. But despite its tasty bass grooves, "Giving It Over"
features a typical Newsboys pop chorus. Taylor flexes his production
muscles here in some fun ways, but I won't spoil the whole thing. Overall,
it's a hard-edged pop/rock song with lyrics about giving our will over
to God.
Live In Stereo
This one immediately made me think of "Breakfast," because
of the whistling in the background. "Live In Stereo" is a
radio-ready hit if I've ever heard one, with a driving, bouncing melody
and an especially fun chorus. But it's quite short, and over all too
soon.
Million Pieces (Kissin' Your Cares Goodbye)
A mid-tempo little ditty about letting your worries and fears and cares
fall away. With different production, the melody could almost sound
like a praise chorus. Sounds kind of like it would have fit in well
on Step Up to the Microphone.
Thrive
The title track has a strong worship vibe, with another memorable Furler-crafted
melody. The message emplores God to draw us nearer to Him.
Rescue
With a slight disco groove, "Rescue"'s songwriter tells how
God saved him from his circumstances and his earthly life. Thankfully,
the dance/disco thing works better here than anything on Love Liberty
Disco.
It Is You
Already a chart-topping radio single, "It Is You" is probably
the most straight-up worship song the Newsboys have ever recorded. It's
all about magnifying God.
Cornelius
An irresistable rock-a-billy rhythm section draws you in to one of the
album's most enjoyable songs, complete with a "na-na-na" bridge.
"Cornelius" is a toe-tapping good time wrapped in a four-minute
package.
Fad of the Land
Picking right up where "Cornelius" left off is "Fad of
the Land," which sounds like a garage jam band kind of thing, complete
with hand claps and a wicked guitar groove. This one is destined to
be a fan favorite for sure.
John Woo
A fairly eccentric song that sounds very unlike anything they've recorded
before. Obviously inspired by the action style of the title film director,
it sounds curiously like one of his trademark fight sequences set to
music. If nothing else, it's very creative and different.
Lord (I Don't Know)
Lord, we don't know where all this is going, or how it all works
out. Lead us to peace that is past understanding, a peace beyond all
doubt. Obviously a response to 9-11.
Look for Thrive on sale on March 26, 2002. Come back to CMCentral.com
on that same day for my full review. ««
