Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review




Newsboys
Not Ashamed



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 10 tracks: 42 Minutes, 12 Seconds
Street Date: 1992


This is the album where the Newsboys really started to hit their stride. With their fourth album, the Newsboys went from an average pop/rock group to one that would produce great hits such as "Shine," "Breakfast," and "Take Me to your Leader," within a few short years.

The difference? Enter Steve Taylor. Acting as a songwriter/producer, Steve Taylor's unique and fun lyrical style combined with Peter Furler's rapidly improving songwriting skills to transform the Newsboys' sound into the catchy/fun-loving style they have now become famous for. Granted, this album is only the stepping stone towards future masterpieces, and it's certainly not perfect, but already several gems on the album showcase the Newsboys now-signature sound.

Strong cuts include the title track and "Strong Love" - two catchy and upbeat songs that showcase Steve Taylor's lyrics talents: "And some go for broke/like headless chicken folk - inspiring jokes about 'poultry-in-motion'." Lyrically, the themes range from boldness in faith ("I'm Not Ashamed") to reconciliation ("We Come Together") and God's unconditional love ("Love Comes True").

While this album is very 90's pop-oriented, there are some strong rockers in the mix ("I Cannot Get You Out of my System" and the DeGarmo & Key cover "Boycott Hell"). Other highlights include the keyboard-driven "Love Comes True" and "Lost the Sky Again" - where listeners are treated to a few guest raps by Steve Taylor.

Overall, this album is very keyboard-oriented, since Jody Davis did not join the group until their next album Going Public. As a result, the album has a slightly-annoying early 90's feel and sounds pretty dated by today's standards. There are also a couple of missteps on the album - the modernized hymn song "Where You Belong/Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" is kind of a snoozer, while Steve Taylor's raps don't really fit the Newsboys' sound too well (think Michael W. Smith's "Love Crusade").

Other than that, this album is not a bad starting point for the Newsboys as we know them, but you could tell that the best was still yet to come. The Taylor/Furler collaboration is definitely a winning formula that would bring the Newsboys countless hits throughout the next decade. This album is definitely worth checking out for those fans who want to see just how it all really started.

- Review date: 12/24/04, written by Sherwin Frias



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

 

CD

Buy This CD Online


. Artist Info: Discography
. Record Label: StarSong
. Album length: 10 tracks, 42 Minutes and 12 Seconds
. Street Date: 1992
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. I Cannot Get You Out Of My System
  2. I'm Not Ashamed
  3. Where You Belong/Turn Your Eyes
  4. Upon This Rock
  5. Strong Love
  6. Dear Shame
  7. Boycott Hell
  8. We Come Together
  9. Love Comes True
  10. Lost The Sky Again
spacer Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

Search JFH




This Friday, November 8, 2024
ALBUMS
Gabby Barrett Carols and Candlelight [Warner Music Nashville]
CXMMXNS CXMMXNS Chapter 1 - EP [Essential Worship]
New Hope Oahu There Is One - EP [DREAM]
Neal Morse & The Resonance No Hill For A Climber [InsideOut]
TAKE Time Bomb [Resuscitation Records]
Lauren Talley A Lauren Talley Christmas [Horizon]

SINGLES
Cory Asbury I Hope You Dance - Single [BEC]
Jordan Kauflin, Laura Story Approach, My Soul - Single [Getty]
Sam Bowman & GLADDEN Misfit Toys - Single [DREAM]
Wavorly Enemies - Single (independent)

VINYL
Michael W. Smith Every Christmas Vinyl [Rocketown]
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Vinyl [Frontiers]
TAKE Time Bomb Vinyl [Resuscitation Records]

DVD
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Blu-Ray [Frontiers]

Next Friday, November 15, 2024
ALBUMS
Dolly Parton & Family Smoky Mountain DNA – Family, Faith & Fables [Owepar Entertainment]
The Lore Family Faith Over Fear [Horizon]
Fernando Ortega For All the Saints - EP (independent)
Earnest Pugh Worth is the Lamb
We Are Messengers Rejoice! (A Celtic Christmas) - EP [Curb]
Paul Wright III Reverie [United Alliance]

SINGLES
Big Dismal Here In My Heart - Single (independent)
Hannah Kerr It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - Single [Curb]
Olivia Lane Silent Night - Single [BEC]
Tasha Layton Wake Up It's Christmas - Single [BEC]
Jamie MacDonald A Million Chances - Single [Capitol CMG]
Ronnie Martin On Christmas Morning - Single [Velvet Blue]
Hunter Plake Daylight - Single [BEC]
Jordan St. Cyr Christ is Here - Single [BEC]

VINYL
Sixpence None the Richer Divine Discontent Vinyl [Word]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images