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

JFH Music Review




Newsboys
Devotion



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 10 tracks: 43 minutes, 45 seconds
Street Date: November 2, 2004


The Australian-bred band Newsboys have made a name for themselves with their fun and anthemic pop/rock for over a decade now. Last year, the guys put on a more serious face and released Adoration: The Worship Album, marking the band's first venture into the world of praise and worship music. Adoration became the band's fastest selling record to date which was met with an equally successful Tour with Rebecca St. James. It shouldn't be a surprise that plans for a follow-up surfaced.

Devotion sees the return of the Newsboys to worship music but while they tested the waters with Adoration, Devotion dives right in with reckless abandon. The end result is a worship album that's less unique, less creative, and has almost no resemblance to anything the Newsboys have done in the past. Worship music, like any genre, possesses its own genre specific formula. And while there are some artists who dare to break such stereotypes and cliches, there are too many that fail to bring anything different and unique to the table. Adoration did, however, offer somewhat of a pop/rock take on the genre.

However, more typically written as a traditional modern worship project than anything you'd expect the Newsboys to ever do, Devotion is much less impressive than Adoration. The title track leads off the project, immediately setting the tone for it to be a new direction for the band. Musically and thematically an anthem of sorts, "Devotion" offers the typical percussion and rhythms one can expect from a modern worship album. "I Love Your Ways" continues this feel, but this time offers a noticably impressive piano melody and sonic sound. The album highlight "Presence (My Heart's Desire)" follows, a genre-bending tune with strong guitars and a powerful chorus, with "Strong Tower" resulting as more common fare.

In all fairness, a significant reason for the overall change in sound for the band could have something to do with the loss of guitarist Jody Davis. Replacement Bryan Olesen proves a fine addition in their live shows and adds to the sonic sounds of this record, but at the same time appears to have aided in shifting the direction of the band's signature sound.

The sound of Devotion is best described as a modern worship record with Newsboys' Peter Furler on vocals. Musically and creatively a departure from what we've come to know and expect from the Newsboys over the years, the album will be a disappointment to many while attracting a much wider fanbase with its more laid-back, subdued approach. Still offering highlights like "Presence," the touching melody-driven sounds of "The Orphan," and the extended finale "When The Tears Fall," Devotion is far from a lost cause. But as the album drifts to a close, one may long for the days of Going Public or Take Me To Your Leader. Devotion is an above-average worship album and a disappointing Newsboys installment.

- Review date: 10/31/04, written by John DiBiase



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!


. Artist Info: Discography
. Record Label: Sparrow Records
. Album length: 10 tracks, 43 minutes and 45 seconds
. Street Date: November 2, 2004
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Devotion
  2. I Love Your Ways
  3. Presence (My Heart's Desire)
  4. Strong Tower
  5. God Of All Nations
  6. Blessed Be Your Name (w/ Rebecca St. James)
  7. The Orphan
  8. Landslide Of Love
  9. Name Above All Names
  10. When The Tears Fall
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)

 

 

                 
Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, October 29, 2024
SINGLES
Pipe Bomb Hate Club - Single [The Charon Collective]

This Thursday, October 31, 2024
ALBUMS
Neon Horse Habit of Creature - EP [Velvet Blue Music]

This Friday, November 1, 2024
ALBUMS
AWZY Sinners and Saints - EP [DREAM]
Forrest Frank Child of God (Deluxe) [river house]
Future of Forestry Symphonic Christmas (Live) (independent)
Influence Music It's All About You (independent)
The Kingdom Heirs No Better Time [Sonlite]
Limoblaze Young & Chosen (Power Pack) - EP [Reach]
Paul & Hannah McClure Christmas Morning (Re-Release) [Bethel]
Planetshakers Winning Team: Songs For Church (Live) [Venture3Media]
Skillet Revolution [Atlantic]
Sam's the Hero Charlie Cox - EP [Small Step]
Jim "Soni" Sonefeld Light of Joy - EP [Vere]
Ivan Theva Waiting Here for You - EP [Descendent/Provident]
John Van Deusen Anthem Sprinter [Tooth & Nail]
Phil Wickham Hallelujah! It's Christmas! [Fair Trade]
YWAM Kona Music Missionary Anthem - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
Ayo Shamir, YP aka Young Paul Aaron Judge - Single (independent)
Gabby Barrett O Come, O Come Emmanuel (feat. The Piano Guys) - Single [Warner Music Nashville]
Brennley Brown Mary, Did You Know? - Single [Provident]
Lauren Daigle Then I Will - Single [Centricity]
Dreamers The Reason - Multi-Single [DREAM]
EJ Swavv I Hate Lucy - Single [Syntax]
Jess Ford This is My Jesus - Single (independent)
FYR FYTR So Simple - Single (independent)
Michael Monroe Pour It Out - Single [Provident]
Seph Schlueter We Sing (Joy To The World) [feat. Leanna Crawford] - Single [Provident]
Skye Peterson, Ben Shive Keep the Feast - Single [Getty]
SNT. VINCENT Confession - Single [Syntax]
Cyndi Thompson Silent Night - Single [County Line]
Thrive Worship Hark - Single [Integrity]
Tauren Wells Making Room - Single [Capitol CMG]

VINYL
Skillet Revolution Vinyl [Atlantic]

Next 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]



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