I theorize that nobody has rated this album, Boys will be Boyz, because obviously few knows it even exists. It's really unfortunate that the Newsboys' greatest hits album never reached back this far because there were some really strong cuts on this disc. It's full on cheese whiz for the most part but it's mighty fine fun and that's what the Newsboys do. What I never got was the guitarist on this one. I saw him in concert during this tour and he must have been 50 years old -- looked like a soccer hooligan and did this wild outback yell. But he could play! John James does his thing with all the force of a tidal wave. Man, I miss that guy on stage -- reminded me of the lead singer of Midnight Oil (Peter Garrett?). But now that they are huge and beyond the days of embarrassment here, they have no need to revisit this era. Newsboys fans would do well to educate themselves on the history of this fine band when a trip to the novelty shop (upside down drums) and flying saucers (Take Me to Your Leader) made for some amazing shows.

Review date: 11/11/04, written by Bill Vanderbush for Jesusfreakhideout.com