Amazon.com
Employing the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach, the Newsboys churn out more catchy and quirky pop on Thrive, their first studio album in nearly three years. Building on the chart success of Shine: The Hits and a massive Festival con Dios world tour, the Newsboys know what works. Frontman Peter Furler and producer Steve Taylor lay down the gauntlet from the opening T. Rex-flavored glam rocker, “Giving It Over,” setting the tone for another hit-laden release. The tit… More >>
Tags: Thrive5 Comments
Reading the ‘Amazon.com’ review- they’re right. The Newsboys take the ‘if it aint broke, don’t fix it’ approach and pretty much churn out the same thing. What a disappointment. I know Peter Furler and Steve Taylor are much better than this! Look at “Take me to your leader” for instance. What happened to trying to break new ground?
Alltogether, the album isn’t bad, but quite honestly its one of those discs you buy, listen to, enjoy, but put back into your cd rack. It isn’t one of those discs you listen to again and again and just keep on falling in love with it. I guess true newsboys fans will dig it- and i haven’t trusted the newsboys since ‘step up to the microphone.’ Take me to your leader was brilliant, after that, NewsBoys got way too cheesy and John James was a much better vocalist anyway. Altogether, they should’ve done something a little more dynamic and experimental (not cheesy like ‘love liberty disco.’) The first track is cool with the guitar piece, ‘Thrive’ is a nice song with some great lyrics, and ‘cornelius’ is quite cool too. But the rest is too much of the same. Just my recommendation
Rating: 2 / 5
Forget comparing this CD to other Newsboys releases. In my opnion, it blows away every other Newsboys cd (or any other contemporay christian pop/rock band, for that matter). But if you look at it by itself, it looks even better.
Starting form the top:
Giving it Over-Pop/Rock, opens up Thrive with a happy sounds and a catchy melody
Live in Stereo: Pop/Rock, I’d give this cd 5 stars just for the lttle sound that plays in the intro of this song…plus it has the best lyrics in any song ever: ‘the best laid plans are in my other pants”! Seriously, tho, this is an upbeat song about living completely for God. Great content, great music.
Million Pieces: Pop, The Chorus in this song is amazing, very encouraging. The best track on the album.
Thrive: Pop, the negative and dark verses strakly contrast with the rising chorus.
Rescue: Pop/Rock, definitly one of the better tracks on the album. The chorus is infectious, and it’s backed up by a solid poppy sound
It Is You: Worship, I’m not too big a fan of worship music but the Newsboys put their spin on it and out comes “It Is You”.
Cornelius: Rock, the only true rocking song on the album, Cornelius is that chirstian everyoen wants to and should be. On of the less serious songs on the album, but definitly the best.
Fad of the Land: Pop/Rock, like the first two tracks and Cornelius, a pop/rock song that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Great stuff.
John Woo: ????, chances are this will be the only track you skip over…it’sd about a bee in a limo…
Lord (I Don’t Know): Worship, great song aobut the future/worship song. Like all the others, the chorus wills tick in your head. Great ending ot a great cd.
Rating: 5 / 5
I have been a fan of the Newsboys since I bought the going public CD about 6 years ago. Everytime they come out with a new CD I am excited to see if they can top the last. Well, with Thrive, they definetly pushed it over the top and surprised me once again with a GREAT album. They are even better in concert as I saw on their Thrive Tour in my town. I would recommend this CD to anyone who likes Alt. Rock/Semi-Pop music. Every song is worth awesome and has a new and exciting beat. I love the Newsboys!
Rating: 5 / 5
I used to be crazy over these guys, but I started to lose interest when Step Up to the Microphone came out, then Love, Liberty, Disco really bummed me out, so I was hoping they would start getting better again, and good news, they did! They completely changed their style around and I like em’ all over again! My favorite songs are “Live in Stereo,” “Thrive” and “Fad of the Land.” Well, there ya’ have it!
Rating: 5 / 5
After ditching their partnership with Steve Taylor for the last two albumns, he returns for Thrive. Although not the best Newboys offering (that honor continues to go to Take Me to Your Leader), it’s a solid collection of well-written stuff. The title track is great, and it’s clear that the Newboys are having fun on Cornelius! The only real throwaway song is “John Woo” which is a little too much Steve Taylor, and not enough Newboys. The final track “Lord (I don’t know)” is a great expression of faith, even in our limited knowledge. This one will quickly earn a place in your CD carousel.
Net-net, this is the classic Newboys that we all know and love, updated for this millenium! Let’s hope they continue their momentum into
Rating: 4 / 5