Newsboys

Australia's Newsboys were at the vanguard of Contemporary Christian artists taking their message mainstream. In a segregated society where lyrics of praise were typically relegated to the pulpit, and musical ministry meant sacred hymns set to the solemn strains of a church organ, Newsboys opened a window, introducing Jesus' words to an audience weaned on guitars, drums, and impossibly catchy vocal harmonies. Their breakthrough hit, "Shine," dancing on a skittering beat, finds the 'Boys glorifying God to a population of skeptics, while "I'm Not Ashamed" is a declaration of faith delivered with all the fervor of a Top 40 revival meeting. Fired up by double-time electric guitars, the band serves "Breakfast" as a reminder that without the Lord, there's simply no life in the afterlife.

Start spreadin' the news! In Next Steps, Newsboys deliver the Word . . . to the world.

The 1996 departure of lead singer John James opened a new chapter in the Newsboys saga, as drummer Peter Furler took to center stage like a man on a mission (which, of course, he was). With its fat, sub-tropical blasts of brass and instantly memorable melody, "Step Up to the Microphone" brings Christian dedication and pop music to a new level of intimacy, while "Entertaining Angels" is a stirring rededication to the Biblical doctrine of loving thy neighbor. Then there's "John Woo," a high-octane punk/reggae stinger about an errant bee trapped in a limousine — which may or may not be a metaphor about the dangers of famous people cloistering themselves behind a wall of celebrity. Only Peter Furler knows for sure.

In Deep Cuts, Newsboys put faith above all else . . . and have a little fun in the process.

On "God Is Not a Secret," Newsboys lash out at the bean counters who suggested they increase their already considerable following by watering down the ministry angle ("Drop the God, emphasize the beat"). The band responds with a sharp and pointed refusal to even consider such a thing. Then there's the hard-rocking "The Fad of the Land," which pleads for people to remember that faith — as opposed to material possessions — is what makes the world go 'round; set to an inescapable rhythm, the song moves like a monster truck bouncing along the highway to heaven. And just in case you think Newsboys don't have a sense of humor, our Deep Cuts includes "In the Belly of the Whale," a rollicking seafaring tune the band recorded for the Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie kids movie. It's brash, buoyant, and unabashedly biblical.

It's said that God is in the details; given the subtlety and complexity of the best songs in the Newsboys canon, it must be true. Of all the Christian pop bands that have made connections with the faithful, and persuaded the undecided that Jesus might just be worth looking into, none have broken through as convincingly — and as consistently — as Newsboys. With the ability to marry inspirational lyrics with masterfully written and brilliantly recorded music, the group has flourished in a quicksilver pop-rock world where fads change like traffic lights. Whether it's the reverentially worshipful "You Are My King (Amazing Love)," the celebratory "Woohoo," or the double-time, pseudo-psychedelic "Hallelujah," their faith-based message has remained linear — it's a direct line to the musicians' deepest and most heartfelt beliefs. Can we get a witness?