Born Again
Artist: Newsboys
http://www.newsboys.com
Label: Inpop
Length: 12 tracks / 42:05
 
The Newsboys (I'll refer to the band here as “The Newsboys,”  for grammatical fluidity) have had a history of connecting strongly with a large fan-base despite a perceived lack of 'indie-cool' by  many who would consider themselves to have more sophisticated musical taste. Still, the band has maintained a solid track record over the years and, with the inclusion of several compilations, have delivered their 19th release – quite an accomplishment in and of itself. 
 
Born Again is the band's 15th studio release and follows what this writer feels were two of the most defining and musically satisfying projects in The Newsboys' catalog – Go and In the Hands of God –  albums that successfully removed the 'youth group band' stigma and proved that The Newsboys had at last carved themselves an identity and were able to record meaningful songs with not only their trademark humor, but musical integrity as well. Born Again, while being extremely radio-friendly, unfortunately renders the group generically CCM, taking what seems to be an artistic step in the wrong direction.
 
Recent personnel changes didn't seem to hurt the band's energy, although last year's announcement that Peter Furler's front-man role would be filled by former DC Talk member and solo artist  Michael Tait pretty much took everyone by surprise. Born Again is Tait's first outing as a Newsboy in the studio and he's certainly stepped up to the microphone (!) and established the new vocal sound – this is fine, since Michael is a good, if fairly generic, rock singer – but it seems as if the band has forgotten who they are. Maybe it's the over-the-top Australian accent that we miss? There seems to be a bit less humor (don't expect whistling) and certainly less personality in this band – the production is safer, the lyrics sincere but with less twists and turns. Oddly enough, the first two tracks, “Born Again,” and “One Shot” sound more like Toby Mac songs than Newsboys songs. It takes “When the Boys Light Up,” with some signature Steve Taylor rhyming schemes (“no excuses, we're lighting fuses”) to remind us of what band we're listening to.
 
“Build us Back” is a powerful ballad – a song worthy of both Tait and The Newsboys, sounding neither derivative or condescending. This is followed by “Escape,” a genuine rocker that brings to mind the direction that Tait, the solo artist, was headed before his group disbanded. In the same vein, “Miracles” seems to fit more comfortably as a Newsboys song: bouncy rock with lots of clever lyrical storytelling. There are two other big ballads on Born Again. “Running to You,” a Daughtry-esque number (it's good enough, sure – but I still don't quite hear Newboys there) and “On Your Knees,” each of which make me think, 'Tait with a back-up band.' 
 
Why “Mighty to Save” and “Jesus Freak” close the album is anybody's guess. The first song is simply a cover of the popular worship song, played basically straight, and “Jesus Freak” serves only to reinforce the thought that Tait's past with DC Talk threatens to overshadow his current gig with The Newsboys. What were they thinking? It seems almost unbelievable that someone thought it would be a good idea to close a Newboys album with a cover of one of the most well-known songs by one of the most successful  and sorely-missed Christian groups ever? Certainly not the way to end an album that's supposed to introduce us to a new phase of The Newsboys.....?
 
Although there's a core of good songs to be found on Born Again, the effect is like the proverbial Chinese dinner – an hour later you're hungry again – only this time it's for more substantive music. Still, this might be the step that the band wanted to take – a step toward a more commercial, generic, radio-ready sound. If that's the case, then it's one step forward, two steps back (depending how you look at it). These questions linger: is this the next phase for The Newsboys? Is this the third Tait album? And if so – why am I thinking about DC Talk....?
 

Bert Saraco

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