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

JFH Music Review




dc Talk
Nu Thang

Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 11 tracks: 43 minutes, 50 seconds
Street Date: 1991


    [Staff] Review #1

 

Although dc talk are widely known today for their flawless pop-rock anthems, many still remember them for their earlier hip-hop days back in the early 90's. Nestled comfortably between their (almost-horrible) debut album and the near-classic Free At Last, Nu Thang showcases dc talk's transition and maturity quite well. Whereas, their self-titled debut sounded like it was recorded in someone's garage - with nothing more than a drum machine and some loops - Nu Thang is more similar to Free At Last, almost sounding like its predecessor.

The first thing you notice about Nu Thang is that each vocalist has improved since the first album. Once sounding like background-singers in their own group, Michael Tait and Kevin (Max) Smith, are each given more freedom vocally this time around. Their voices are more prominent in the arrangements and each of them even get their own solo spotlight on two songs, with Kmax taking the chorus for "Things of This World" and Tait handling "Children Can Live (Without It)." Even Toby McKeehan's raps have improved. Although still a tad on the clichéd side, Toby's lyrics tackle serious issues such as racism ("Walls"), abortion ("Children Can Live"), and taking God for granted ("Take it to the Lord").

There are plenty of highlights on this album too. The opener "When DC Talks" is a great mission statement on what the band is about. "Walls" is a strong anthem against racism with a rock-infused sound, sounding kinda like "Time Is" from Free At Last. "Talk it out" and "Can I get a Witness" are also two great songs, both as catchy as anything on Free At Last. However, there are a couple of spots where the album falls flat - "Take it to the Lord" sounds uninspired and "No More" is just plain corny with its "boycott sin" message.

While the album is not perfect, it is a solid step forward for dc talk since it provides the blueprint on which Free At Last was built upon. Although unfairly overlooked by most dc talk fans (I bet most fans don't even have it, and no tracks made it onto Intermission: Greatest Hits), this album is still worth checking out for those fans who enjoy Free At Last and are interested in catching up on dc talk's earlier hip-hop material.

- Review date: 12/31/04, written by Sherwin Frias




(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!

    [Reader] Review #2

 

This album is nothing like I had ever heard before. When I picked it up, it was sitting on my shelf for quite awhile. After I finally decided to try it out, I found it to be pretty good for an old-school dc Talk album.

The Nu Thang starts out with "When DC Talks", which in itself is a very unique song. It talks about how us, as Christians, should speak out for what we believe in, and not keep it inside ourselves. It goes through another series of these unique (though not bad) hip hop songs and gets to "Things of this World." This song is one of my favorites on the album, addressing how the things of this world will pass away. "Walls" is a good, rousing song, which talks about how we need to break down the walls of segregation and fight fire with fire. "Children Can Live (Without It)" is another of my favorites on this album. dc Talk really speaks out on abortion, how it is wrong, and how we should pray for a change. The album ends with "Can I Get a Witness," which is another great upbeat song in itself. It ends with a bang, just like the beginning. This album is definitely a step-up from their first project, but still VERY much a rap album, and fans of dc Talk's later hits are warned before buying this rap (despite good) album.

JFH Reader Review: Review date: 1/6/05, written by Chris Francis< for Jesusfreakhideout.com



(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!

 

JFH Staff's Additional 2 Cents


Nu Thang is an album that made people to sit up and take notice at a band who would soon change Christian music forever, however, does not quite represent the magic this trio would bring in years to come... - 1/6/05, John DiBiase

 


CD

Buy This CD Online


. Artist Info: Discography
. Record Label: Forefront Records
. Album length: 11 tracks, 43 minutes and 50 seconds
. Street Date: 1991
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. When DC Talks
  2. He Works
  3. I Luv Rap Music
  4. No More
  5. Nu Thang
  6. Things Of This World
  7. Walls
  8. Talk It Out
  9. Take It To The Lord
  10. Children Can Live (Without It)
  11. Can I Get A Witness
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
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