Newsboys - Go (2006)

Artist: Newsboys
Album: Go
Format: mp3
Bitrate: ??? kbps

Track Listing:
1. Wherever We Go
2. GO (I Want To Send You)
3. Something Beautiful
4. The Mission
5. Let It all Come Out
6. In Wonder
7. Your Love Is Better Than Life
8. I Am Free
9. Secret Kingdom
10. The Letter
11. Gonna Be Alright

Album Review
It’s finally here. One of the most anticipated releases of 2006 has finally been completed, and it’s sure to live up to the hype that’s been revolving around it. Creating one of the best albums of their career and stepping off of the infamous "worship bandwagon," the newsboys dug down deep into their rock roots and even added a little techno to mold their newest release, GO.

The album opens up like their most recent concerts, with the funky sounds of "Wherever We Go." The song proves that only the newsboys can get away with singing about animals partying it up when the band comes to town. Fun and upbeat, "Wherever We Go" is sure to give you the same amount of energy, if not more, than during their live show. Continuing with the "go" theme and introducing a bit of techno into the mix, "Go," recounts the stories of Jesus sending out the disciples. It follows His most used demand, "Go!" and encourages all Christians to live up to their expectations of spreading the Gospel.

The next song continues with the techno tune. "Something Beautiful" compares the love and conversations between God and His children with everyday things, including the feelings we get "when we laugh so hard we cry," and the sight of "the child on a wedding day, the daddy who gives her away." The lyrics get you smiling at the simple comparisons, and the sound will have you tapping your feet unconsciously.

"The Mission" is a retrospective look at some of history's greatest icons and their role in spreading the Gospel. Something like a history lesson is given, elaborating on the fact that the famous words of these icons help connect us to Jesus from more than 2000 years ago. Though times have changed, the mission has stayed the same, and "it’s here." The bell in the background adds an effect to this solid rock song.

Halfway through, GO slows down a bit for "Let it All Come Out" and goes into the U2-like "In Wonder." It dives into the most basic topic of Christianity, the fact that the power of God is completely incomprehensible and unfathomable. The repetitions of lead singer Peter Furler’s words, "such a wonder," get you trying to understand God along with him.

The newsboys bring back the techno sounds again with the most interesting song on the album, "Your Love is Better Than Life." You’ll hear sounds comparable to The Gorillaz, Aqua, and Eiffel 65 throughout the song while Furler’s monotone verses are reminiscent of INXS’ "Mediate." There is something about the feel and innocence of the song that proves that the members of the band aren’t perfect. Admitting that they "don’t know when it’s a ministry or when it’s a show, maybe neither, maybe both" helps bring them down from their pedestal that some Christians are prone to putting them on. The song explains that sometimes they just "don’t know."

The intro to "Secret Kingdom" may sound familiar, as it resembles newsboys’ classic, "Breakfast." Honestly, I can see this song becoming the next classic concert song. It could be the inclusion of whistling, but the chorus is just plain fun. The visuals of Peter’s actions while singing this song remind me of the days of "Take Me To Your Leader" being performed live.

Again slowing up the album, "The Letter (One of a Kind)" might be my favorite song. The chorus is fascinating, mesmerizing almost. The words are smooth and comforting, and it will get you feeling good about yourself – knowing that you are one of a kind, and no one can replace you in the kingdom. It leaves a good taste in your mouth and you’re sure to be singing it all day long.

"Gonna Be Alright" concludes the regular version of GO. Furler’s high-pitched vocals from, most recently, "The Orphan," come to surface again and provide a lullaby-like tune to the song. Though not ending the album with a bang musically, so to speak, the mixture of lyrics and soft sounds are consistent with the rest of the album in that it is comforting, yet powerful.

The studio version of "I Am Free" is also included on the album, and the power of the live version still exists. I’m even going as far as saying that it’s better in the studio than live.

Overall, I agree with drummer Duncan Phillips 100% when he claimed that the band was "bringin’ back the fun." GO has been playing non-stop on my media player and not one song has been skipped over or stopped short. With this album, the newsboys prove that they're still standing strong after 20 years in the music business, and they don’t show signs of slowing down any time soon. If you haven’t already, be sure to pre-order Go today. You won’t be disappointed.

Download Newsboys - Go