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Newsboys With the release of Step Up to the Microphone, Newsboys have moved from one end of the production spectrum to the other. After being ridiculed time and again by those in the music biz for using too many tracks on albums and in concerts, Take Me to Your Leader listed a disclaimer in the credits that stated, "For those who are interested, this album contains no sequencing or loops." When first listening to SUTTM, one may wonder if any live instruments were used in the making of the record (okay - a slight exaggeration). But some of us don't care. If it rocks, who cares? The ultra-catchy title track, complete with programmed horn section, is sure to be an album favorite for many. Lead Newsboy, Peter Furler, comments, "Step Up to the Microphone obviously means make your statement, but to me, it also means what are you going to say when you get there?" Furler answers his own question in the song's chorus, "I say hey man!/ there's only one way!/ One God, one body, one faith alone." 'Tuning In,' one of only two songs co-written by long-time Newsboys collaborator, Steve Taylor, features trumpets from Shaded Red's, Jonathan Roberts (the one badly injured in the car-wreck last winter). Some may be quite surprised at the dance-sound of 'Hallelujah.' With grooving tracks, the 'boys sing about a girl who, "Sings hallelujah/ When all has become nothing." While some may not enjoy the new, slightly altered sound of the Newsboys, most modern rock/pop lovers will find it very enjoyable. Step Up to the Microphone may turn out to be an industry no-no, but if fans like it then who cares? (Marcia B.) |
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