In the Hands of God
Artist:  newsboys
Label:  InPop
Time:  10 Tracks / 38 mins (nearly)
 
Maybe newsboys just have a knack of writing a catchy and enjoyable song. I wonder, because this disc is full of good songs, but not great ones. Does this mean that they can do a fair job without even trying?
 
That said, the lyrics are fully up to their normal standard, partly due to the Steve Taylor co-writes, no doubt. On “This is Your Life” they remind us:

            This is not the warm-up round; this is not a trial heat;
            It can’t be repeated when your time is gone.
            This is not an infinite resource or the prelude to a starter course...
            This is life... Fight for what’s right; do what you know you should.
 
On “My Friend Jesus” they mix their trademark wit with an earthed approach to living out faith, as Furler sings of making a complaint call to a store and feeling like using words he shouldn’t:

            I state my business; she puts me on hold. 
            I'm back to thinking I'm gonna explode. 
            The dog wants dinner and the music they're playing is the sound-track of hell. 
            You say, "Two wrongs don't make a right?" 
            Just try listening to Celine Dion all night. 

            But if everybody talked like my friend Jesus... 
            If everyone forgave like my friend Jesus, 
            If we want to mend world relations, surely I can show a little patience.
 
The strings and indie guitar of “No Grave” have such a Delirious? guitar edge that I thought it might be Stu G playing, but he actually guests on the worship anthem “Glorious” and the aforementioned “This is Your Life”. Tollbooth fave Dave Perkins gives a Chagall Guevara edge to the opener, while old bassist Phil Joel adds backing vocals, as does new live front-man Michael Tait.
 
The title track is one of the most frustrating pieces, partly due to the verse sounding completely generic for newsboys, and the pace being a little slow. It is redeemed by the huge chorus, though – something that has often saved the band.
 
This is a sonically rich release, with some vibrant low end. There is barely a single track that won’t get you singing along, and some that can stir the soul – like the exhilarating “Dance,” which must be great fun to drum to as it picks up the Europop of Go! So why is it frustrating? Certainly it’s a grower. I’d put it down partly to the short measure – there is easily room for a good, strong extra track. But otherwise, we have come to expect excellence from this band – or at least a few stunning tracks. I can’t help thinking that bringing back Tedd T. as co-producer would have added that extra spark that he specialises in.
 
This might be a collection of fine songs that don’t fully come alive until they hit the stage, or may be improved by the probable re-mix version. In the meantime, this will keep the fans happy – just.
 
Derek Walker