The GRAMMY®-nominated and Dove Award-winning band newsboys has achieved what few artists have in their lifetime. They have sold over 6.5 million units, garnered five Gold albums and 26 #1 hits, and are renown for their heart-pumping live shows. Now, newsboys are more eager than ever to release their 15th studio project, BORN AGAIN, on July 13th courtesy of Inpop records.
When longtime members Jody Davis (guitar), Jeff Frankenstein (keys) and Duncan Phillips (drums) welcomed the vocal strengths, writing talents and boundless energy of Michael Tait (of the platinum-selling trio dc Talk) to the band in 2009, newsboys and their fans began to relish the positives and possibilities of this brand new start. Tait immediately, and easily, became part of the unique and tight newsboys unit. With headlining gigs across the U.S. and Canada along with a brand new stage show, the band is embarking on a momentous year with BORN AGAIN, a project chock full of fresh and innovative tunes. With songs penned by The Write Bros* (who also produced the project), newsboys, Mark Stuart, Steve Taylor and more, BORN AGAIN lives out its title with songs such as “When The Boys Light Up” and "Way Beyond Myself," as well as a new recording of "Jesus Freak" featuring KJ-52.
The project has already garnered its first No. 1 radio single with "Born Again," which is also one of the top-selling songs on iTunes' Singles chart. “Born Again” is also the project’s first music video and the perfect match to share footage of newsboys building houses in Mexico’s poverty stricken Baja Peninsula. The video, which can be viewed on the homepage of www.newsboys.com, has been seen by thousands thanks to its airing during the band’s past shows and is already impacting concertgoers on how they can do something for those less fortunate. For years now the band has been serving the people of this Third World setting by constructing hundreds of homes, and plans are set for more than 2,000 fans to join newsboys this summer for ministry efforts.
Best One They've Had| Posted July 07, 2010
I will admit the Newsboys days of Phil Joel and Peter Furler where their prime, but Michael Tait still has an irresistible voice. The songs that they have written are a fresh sound. They still are without a doubt are the Newsboys, just see one of their concerts now, but they have entered stage 3. They have done a couple of covers which are pretty good as covers go. They redid "Jesus Freak" which shouldn't surprise anyone, tobyMac has been playing at concerts for years. The Newsboys version is as close to the original DCTalk version as you can get with only one member. KJ-52 does a pretty good job rapping but he still isn't tobyMac. Over-all, a great album! Can't wait to buy it. Thanks newreleasetuesday for the free preview!
Born Again| Posted July 07, 2010
I've loved listening to the single on the radio for the past month or so. I was really excited to hear the entire album here on NRT and I'm very impressed. I thought it was very strong both musically and lyrically and plan on adding it to my "to purchase" list. Great job guys!
Newsboys: Born Again| Posted July 06, 2010
I've been a fan of the newsboys for quiet awhile, and I've got to say that this is the best one ever made. Each song just takes you on a journey like no other in the history of newsboys music. Although the traditional, authentic newsboys sound has left since Peter Furler stepped down as lead singer, Michael Tait has come on board this thing and helped make songs that will always be remembered. The title track, "Born Again," is one you will be repeating in the car over and over again. It's a true rock song with powerful words that really force you to listen to the message in an outstanding way! "On Your Knees" is probably my favorite one, in my opinion. It has a very simple message, yet the lyrics just remind you about the importance of prayer and living for GOD, with a really cool sound! It would take too long to describe everything about this album. So I'll let you make your own opinion. All I can say is...wow. =)
Talent is Born Again| Posted July 06, 2010
This album is by no means dull boring and out of touch with previous work by the newsboys. I am totally pumped that these tracks fully demonstrate the talent of a band I cave come to love over the years.
Great work guys. I look forward to future albums being just as vibrant as this one.
Newsboys, Born Again| Posted July 06, 2010
This album has a surprisingly high energy level. Some of the lyrics are repititive, but if you listen closely. Their lyrics are relevent to your and my life.
Fantastic| Posted July 06, 2010
This album is epic! I really can't pick a favorite. Born Again is chock full of songs for every step in the life of faith...songs full of redemption, hope, faith and fun! I highly recommend this album to anyone...can we give it more that 5 stars?...simply put FANTASTIC!
Born Again, with a new direction| Posted July 06, 2010
So the Newsboys have a new lead singer, and a new album. But is it any good? Well, in addition, there’s some more rock overtones, enough to change the Newsboys from a pop band to pop/rock. Those could affect your enjoyment of the album, I suppose, but there’s something for everyone on this CD, and most of it is done well. Check out my track-by-track review, with a conclusion and rating at the end.
1. Born Again – The first single off the CD. It’s fitting for the new band, sets the tone for the new release, and is overall a very solid song. 4/5
2. One Shot – I love this song… it’s absolutely infectious! It feels like something which would’ve been released in the Peter Furler years, it’s just so much fun. 4.5/5
3. Way Beyond Myself – I suspect a subtle use of Auto-Tune on this song, but that’s okay. Overall it gives off an 80s-synthpop-ish sound, but stays true to the Newsboys’ totally Christian lyrics. It’s a pretty good combination, but probably not an album highlight. 3.5/5
4. Impossible – ‘Impossible’ is the first ballad on the album. I can see this becoming absolutely massive on Christian radio, as it’s absolutely worshipful and something everyone can appreciate. This song also takes advantage of the 80s-synthpop sound on the previous track, ‘Way Beyond Myself’, which neatly makes it sound distinct and not like a CCM copycat (I’m looking at you, ‘I’ll Be’!). The female vocals are a nice touch, too. 4.5/5
5. When the Boys Light Up – After Impossible, this song does a nice job of lightening the mood, although the lyrics come close to being too shallow at some points. It’s not that it’s a bad song – the beats are totally catchy and fun – but the lyrics seem very clichéd, grabbing a bunch of different Christian-sounding phrases and fitting them into the song, until it’s difficult to tell what the point of the song is. The verses seem to focus on (maybe?) victory in Christ or the light vs. the dark, while the chorus focuses on God giving them power… it’s mostly redeemed by its great beats, but it’s still disappointing that they couldn’t nail the lyrics. 4/5
6. Build Us Back – I predict that this will become the album’s second single. This sounds like a very mainstream CCM single… which is a good thing and a bad thing. On the good side, it’s solid lyrics-wise and Michael Tait can show off his great vocals. On the bad side, it’s not original. In fact, by the time you reach the end of the song, we’re in full K-LOVE power ballad mode, with violins, soaring vocals, and the works. This distinct lack of originality is disappointing considering how they managed to pull off original, radio-friendly worship in ‘Impossible’ with such ease. However, people will download this song en masse. Count on it. 3/5
7. Escape – This is the Newsboys song I thought I’d never hear. This breaks away from the album’s pop/rock mold to embrace full-on rock and roll. Some won’t care for it, but it’s great to hear something new from the Newsboys. The guitar solo, while short, is amazing. I give them huge props for trying something new and nailing it… but I love rock anyway, so I’m biased. :) 4.5/5
8. Miracles – I wish that this would be a single, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. The rock tones are lesser than Escape, but the guitar riffs following the chorus are enough to keep it off K-LOVE, I fear. The lyrics are great, the hook (Tait shouting “I believe in miracles!”) is the most memorable on the entire album, and they even carry the 80s-synthpop into the bridge, which gives it some connection to the rest of the album. The best song on the album, period. 5/5
9. Running to You – I feel bad for this song. The song has a great buildup, but not a very strong chorus. Rather, the chorus becomes a K-LOVE soundalike. It could do well as a single, but I don’t know that it’d do as well as the albeit-lesser ‘Build Us Back’. Sadly, despite a valiant effort, this song just doesn’t come together in any meaningful way. 3/5
10. On Your Knees – If ‘Build Us Back’ is the second single, ‘On Your Knees’ will be the third. And for good reason… this song has great, meaningful lyrics. What’s more, both Tait’s restraint (in not soaring his vocals) and the differently-styled bridge give this song differentiation from standard mainstream fare. I like this song, even though it’s not my typical style. 4/5
11. Mighty to Save – A straightforward worship song, done in straightforward style. The intermittent guitar parts are cool, and the chorus-in-harmony is kind of neat, but other than that there is nothing original about this song. It’s done well, but it’s also been done a million times before. 3/5
12. Jesus Freak (featuring KJ-52) – As a huge fan of the original ‘Jesus Freak’, this was the song I was most psyched for. Tait hasn’t changed the song too drastically, but it has it’s own distinct style from the original… you won’t mistake the two songs for each other. I’m sure some ‘purist’ DC Talk fans will despise this song, but I think it’s fun and I enjoy it. KJ-52, I expect, will be the most controversial addition, as his rapping style is very different than tobyMac’s… the pre-chorus rap segments are the biggest change in the song. However, I like it a little different, and it was certainly a better idea to bring in KJ-52 than to make the Newsboys rap. Besides, it takes guts to cover a classic, and skill beyond that to cover it well, which is what the Newsboys and KJ-52 do here. 5/5
Overall, the Newsboys, under the new direction of Michael Tait, have put together a very good album. It won’t become an all-time classic, but it is strong enough to get people used to Michael Tait as the new lead singer. Some people may not like the genre change from pop to pop/rock, as guitars are more prevalent here than previously, but it’s not so different. On some songs, like ‘One Shot’, you can practically imagine Peter Furler singing the lyrics. It’s not a total change, just an evolution. I for one am looking forward to the ‘Tait era’ of the Newsboys. I give ‘Born Again’ 4 stars out of 5, as well as my wholehearted recommendation.
For those who don’t want to buy the full album, I would recommend ‘Miracles’ (if you could only buy one), ‘Escape’, ‘One Shot’, and ‘Impossible’.
One more week!| Posted July 06, 2010
Incredible music! I had the opportunity of seeing the Newsboys this past spring with new frontman Michael Tait. It was an exciting performance, and I'm even more excited about www.newreleasetuesday.com giving us a free preview of their new album a week before its released! Thank you
Born Again| Posted July 06, 2010
Just listened to CD 2 times on the website, this album is awesome, best newsboys CD in a long time. Tait brings freshness to the band. Jesus Freak at the end was a nice surprise!
Awesome CD| Posted July 06, 2010
I bought the EP during Winter Jam and loved it. Wore it out. Been waiting for the release of the CD for what seems like ages! Getting to listen to it here was a dream come true. I LOVE the songs. They not only have a message of God's love for us but the music is fantastic! Great dance music actually! Makes you want to get up and dance for Jesus!
Was delighted to hear Jesus Freak added to the mix. Seeing them do it live at Winter Jam was awesome! I'm not sure Tuesday can get here quick enough. I may need 2 copies - I have a feeling I'm going to wear one out!!
I love all the Newsboys music and the addition of Michael Tait is the icing on the cake!
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