Customer Reviews

Born Again

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've been a HUGE Newsboys fan for a few years now. I have even had the honor of seeing one of their concerts... I was really a fan of their old lead singer, Peter Furler, but was familiar with Michael Tait, so was cautiously optimistic for what they came up with with Michael as the new lead singer. After hearing the song "Born Again" and a few of the other tracks from the upcoming cd, WOW!!! It is, in a lot of ways, totally different... but the song still has a strong message while being GREAT musically!!! Would definitely recommend for anyone who is or has been a fan!!!

1. Born again - 10/10 This ones been burning up the airwaves since it released, great rock track

2. One shot - 9/10 Great follow up track to born again, has a nice vibey step up to the microphone feel to it. Not 10/10 because some of the lyrics won't hold up well over time (facebook, twitter etc.)

3. Way beyond myself - 8/10 Dance track that I like, but felt was about 30 seconds too long, becomes too repetitive

4. Impossible 8/10 Slower jam song that would play well on pop charts. Lyrics encourage the listener to go for it, you can do the impossible. Lyrically it's been done before

5. When the boys light up 10/10 That one track that each Newsboys cd has that gets stuck in your head. Poppy perfection!

6. Build us back 9/10 Slowest song to this point, good half point ballad

7. Escape 10/10 Picks the energy back up. A great rocker that would fit perfectly on any Tait cd. Jittery pop rock done well

8. Miracles 10/10 Another up tempo rocker that delivers a driving beat and cool guitar licks

9. Running to you 10/10 My favorite slower song this one has Tait delivering a great punchy vocal despite it's slower feel

10. On your knees 9/10 A close second for my favorite ballad on the cd. A great encouragement to pray

11. Mighty to save 7/10 A cover of the ever popular Hillsong staple I really felt that this track was unecessary to the cd, doesn't really fit the rest of the album even though it's a decent cover, it's just been done to death. This would have been best served as a bonus track or left off entirely

12. Jesus Freak 9/10 Dc talk's signature song I was highly skeptical when I saw it on the track list but they did a decent enough job tweaking it slightly to put their own spin on it.

Overall A-

All in all after a few spins I believe they have a winner on their hands here. I would have preferred just the first 10 tracks for a trim pop record with the last two being released on a bonus edition or available on iTunes as bonus tracks. I can't fault them for wanting to give fans as much as possible but one more original track or a Lenny Kravitz cover would have been better. I do recommend this one though and they will be pricing it aggressively low at my local Christian Bookstore (Lifeway) for 6.99 so I'm all in.

I have to admit that when I heard that Peter Furler was stepping away and that Michael Tait would be the new Newsboys frontman, I did a double-take. Not because I don't like Tait -- I think he has a fabulous voice and have liked his solo stuff since the dc Talk days -- but because it seemed about as drastic a change in a lead singer as a band could make. While I like Furler's singing, what really stood out to me was his 'showmanship', the way he would interact with the crowd as they sang along with some of the most lyrical quips imaginable (thanks in large part to song-writer extraordinaire, Steve Taylor).

As much as I have liked the Newsboys (especially 'Step Up To The Microphone' & 'Thrive'), I must admit that I have lost interest over the last few years as they have been a part of the 'recycled worship' movement that has yielded some nice takes on existing songs, but very little creativity and 'newness' (as in 'Microphone' & 'Thrive'). The Newsboys have been one of my fave bands to see in concert, because they had so much energy and Furler's 'showmanship', but the last few CD's have seemed to lack the creativity and 'punch' that their earlier stuff had.

Enter Michael Tait. While I agree that this CD really doesn't sound like the (early) Newsboys, I feel that it IS an improvement over what they had been slowly drifting into. 'Born Again' carries more energy & emotion, and the title couldn't be more appropriate considering the transformation they are undergoing. I have always liked Peter Furler, but I didn't feel like the last few Newsboys projects had really captured that swagger that he had shown on the early projects and in concert.

Here is a few thoughts on the 'Born Again' CD:

1: BORN AGAIN -- it certainly doesn't take long to hear the difference in the Newsboys, as they start off with a no-nonsense rocker that is lyrically 'up-front' and tailored to Tait's singing style. A very bold song to begin this new era, which obviously refers to the new life one has in Christ, but also to the new life (symbolically) that both Tait and the Newsboys have with this new direction. 10/10

2: ONE SHOT -- I like this song for the very reason that some on here have dissed it -- the fact that it refers to Twitter & FaceBook. While it does date the music, it is also very relevant to the here and now, much like the lyrics that KJ-52 has in some of his songs. Another very up-front song with lyrical boldness, this one is very easy to sing along with. 7/10

3: WAY BEYOND MYSELF -- I like the dance feel this song has, and it again exemplifies the variety and wide range of music that Tait can sing with. I usually prefer good rockers, but I really like the unique sound of this song and find myself repeating it quite often. 9/10

4: IMPOSSIBLE -- another very good song, but to me it is not as strong as most of the other songs. Great message and lyrics (as with all the other songs), but nothing really makes this song stand out like most of the rest. 6/10

5: WHEN THE BOYS LIGHT UP -- now this could be a Peter Furler song! The style of this song is so Furler, and yet it describes the very 'coming together' of Tait and the Newsboys. Very creative song and is very hard to get out of your head (and that's a good thing). 9/10

6: BUILD US BACK -- although it is slow, I really like the message and the way it 'builds' as the song unwinds. great set-up for the next couple of songs on the CD. 8/10

7: ESCAPE -- Here is the song that I am bound and determined to wear out! The lyrical genius of Steve Taylor and a straight-ahead hard rocking sound that deals with a topic that is seldom dealt with -- dealing with temptation. There is no doubt that this is NOT the old Newsboys, as it has a great edge to it. 10/10

8: MIRACLES -- After an opening that either annoys you or hooks you, this song has a very chunky sound that carries you along as it rocks. As with all the other songs on this CD, the lyrics are refreshingly BOLD and do not hold back. This song continues the musical momentum carried over from 'Escape' and is another rocking hit. 10/10

9: RUNNING TO YOU -- My favorite slow song on the CD -- one of the best on this collection. "Running" continues the momentum built by the previous two tracks and makes this trio the best stretch on the CD. 10/10

10: ON YOUR KNEES -- Very good song, but a little cliche in my opinion. Great song regarding the power of prayer and need for it. 7/10

11: MIGHTY TO SAVE -- This is one of my favorite praise songs, and I like the spin the band puts on it. It is indeed a little 'heavier' with more emphasis on the guitar. A new take on a well-known song. 7/10

12: JESUS FREAK -- A remake of a classic, which is almost always a recipe for disaster. It really sounds much like the original, and I am a big KJ-52 fan so I like the rap, but I miss the heavier feel of the original, especially with the screeching guitar near the end of the song. While this version is very very good, it seems like the jagged edges are a little rounded off. 8/10

Overall, I think the quality is top-notch and I really like the boldness of the lyrics -- strong Christian witness without being overbearing or sappy-sweet. As much as I have liked Peter Furler (and still do!), there is no doubt in my mind that Michael Tait is a superior singer who has a much broader range, enabling the Newsboys to be even more diverse now. Every song is very good to great, with the 'Escape-Miracles-Running To You' trio taking best show, along with the title track. A very solid start to what is a very unique band transformation -- I look forward to what lies ahead for the Newsboys as they move forward . . . .

I think this is simply one of the best albums I've heard in awhile. While they kept some of the old Newsboys sound and groove, they are a completely new group. There is no doubt about that. But I've always like Michael Tait (from way back in the DC Talk days), and feel his voice lends to the sound splendidly.

In my opinion, the covers (Jesus Freak, Mighty to Save, etc) aren't as good as the original versions, however I think pretty much all of their new songs are fantastic... Especially "Way Beyond My Self" and of course, "Born Again."

Okay, so like a lot of people I was thinking Newsboys was done once Peter left but that really isnt the case. Yeah, Peter was awsome and the Newsboys aren't the same but this is stunning!!! I assumed to hear a half-hearted album that was going to sell big only cuz EVERYBODY wants to hear what Newsboys 2.0 sounds like. WRONG!!! Yeah, it's a totally different sound but its hard to find music this good right now. I listen to a ton of rock and pop stuff coming out of the christian music industry and lately its all been sounding the same. NOT THE CASE HERE!!! Quite fresh. Awsome God-centered lyrics. AND A TON OF FUN TO LISTEN TO!!! Newsboys 1.0 might be over but Tait and the old boys sound great! Best stuff I've heard in too long. Almost brought me back to the old newsboys "Thrive" album. Just with a more pop/electronica feel. At any rate, I have to disagree with all the people crying cuz Peter Furler left. Yes, Peter is awsome and no one can replace him but THIS IS REALLY GREAT STUFF!!! BUY IT!!!

To keep this pithy, its an OK album, if you are a fan of Michael Tait. The cool guitar licks and interesting lyrics are gone. Its a synthy, R and B-ish, rocky mix. Nothing special. They probably should have just formed their own band, since most links with the Newsboys days are gone. I wish them luck, but this is not really the newsboys anymore.

I picked this up when Amazon was running a $5 special and couldn't be more pleased. My 8-year old daughter and I sing along to the CD in the car, especially "Miracles(8)", "Way Beyond Myself(3)" and "When the Boys Light Up(5)". I'm grateful that her first foray into rock-n-roll is accompanied by wholesome lyrics.

Having never listened to the Newsboys, and hoping for more like this album, I later bought one of their greatest hits CDs. Whle good, I didn't like it as much as "Born Again" (this album). This has a great variety of styles and fun, energetic rhythms.

I hope you're as blessed by this CD as I am.

Michael Tate definitely gave NewsBoys a new age. It is almost similar to DC Talk but more Jazz and R&B pop oriented. Christian Focus lyrics with a good message for all to hear. Great album.

I've been a fan of the "Oi Boys" since the early 90's and when I heard Furler was stepping out I knew the newsboy I had known and loved were essentially leaving with him. Then when I discovered that the band was not quitting and that Tait was taking the helm I was extremely skeptical but a little excited to see and hear what the "new" Newsboys would sound like. I was scared that the CD would essentially be Tait's third release (which I wouldn't have minded if it were actually titled Tait). One bit of news that kept me ever hopeful was that Peter Furler would be heavily involved in the writing and producing of the album to help keep their sound distinctly Newsboys.
Now that the CD is out I am both pleased and disappointed (but mostly pleased). The biggest disappointment for me was not the bands sound, its good rock with definitely some Newsboys flavor, it is the total lack of Furler even behind the scenes. This absence is clearly felt and while this CD does indeed have a Newsboys "flavor" its definitely its own entity and feels more like a new Tait CD.
This disappoint aside the CD itself is very good. The original songs are catchy and fun and MOST of the lyrics are solid (facebook/twitter references notwithstanding). The two cover songs that close out the CD aren't bad but aren't very innovative. The "Jesus Freak" cover could have been so much better if Tait and the guys had actually made it their own. KJ-52 is no Toby but his rap is as solid anyone could have done. It will certainly be interesting to see what the future holds for this group but I know I will certainly grab their next release.

The Newsboys did it again! LOVE "Born Again". But the new "Jesus Freak" version is really good, too. If you like contemporary Christian music, you will like this one.