Disco de Newsboys: “Adoration: The Worship Album”

With the exception of "You Are My King (Amazing Love)" and "In Christ Alone", all of these songs were written by the Newsboys lead singer Peter Furler and Steve Taylor. You know how well they can write from previous albums. It's nice to see producer/writer Steve Taylor back with the Newsboys.

Before I cover the songs, let me say that the lyric sheet included with the album is cool because it lists all the guitar chords above the words of most of the songs. So get out your guitar and start playing (just don't break any copyright rules and play in church without proper permission).

The band starts off with "He Reigns", a very catchy praise song that you have probably heard on the radio. Then it is followed by a powerful and soulful rendition of "You Are My King (Amazing Love)". "Great Is Your Faithfullness" is not the traditional hymn you might have thought it was, instead it's a kind of medley of a few songs put together in an entirely new form.

You'll recognize "Take My Hands (Praises)" from the album Shine The Hits, but it's got new words and a different mix. Follow that with "Adoration" which would make a great Christmas praise song (there's not enough of those!). It's sung from the perspective of someone at the stable in Bethlehem. "In Christ Alone" is a melodic catchy hymn.

Then they follow with live version of hits from the album Thrive "Lord (I Don't Know)" and "It Is You". "It Is You" was recorded live at the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame and is very good.

Next is another new hymn... "Father, Blessed Father". Also a catchy tune which include the chorus from "Breathe" (album Take Me To Your Leader Now). It is very tastefully included. The album ends with "Hallelujah", a longful thought of what it'll be like when we're standing in heaven singing.

I love this album because the music is fantastic, not schmaltzy as some praise music can sound/feel. Each one is fun to sing and I think they capture a wide variety of praise moods. The song "Lord (I Don't Know)" got me through a rough time, and I enjoy "Take My Hands (Praises)" so much we incorporated it into our VBS program last summer. "In Christ Alone" and "Great is Your Faithfulness" are new twists on classic hymns, if in name only. There isn't a song on this disc I don't like.

The Newsboys have recorded a refreshing album of praise. The opening song, He Reigns, just grabs the listener from the start with a slightly calypso sound. The melody and vocals just flow on top of the beat, and then a full body of backing vocals just comes in on the chorus. Truly a refreshing, powerful, and catchy song that is destined to be a classic praise recording. But the album does not stop there. It has an outstanding live version of It Is You. Not only are the lead vocals beautiful to hear, but the gospel chorus on this track give the song a depth and power that must be listened to. But the album does not stop with these two hits. Father, Blessed Father starts off with light instrumentation and vocals, but builds to a climax with a gospel chorus backing. These are songs that just scream to be cranked up on your sound system. Other songs on the album are great. Hallelujah is a beautiful song, with the solo vocals on the verses having a certain softness. Take My Hands (Praises) has a catchy, driving beat that just pulls you into the music. It is followed on the album by the title track, Adoration, which has a lighter, more floating sound that is uplifting. This is an album that you will enjoy listening to, and which you will want to tell others about. This what modern praise music is all about.

I heard the most beautiful song in our church service about a year ago - and it touched me so much when I heard the words "you my KING would die for me" - ISN'T THAT JUST THE MOST AWESOME PHRASE! And then today I heard this song on the radio. So I found it on-line, and I am buying it today. Can't wait to get it.

As a Newsboys fan, I couldn't wait til this cd "Adoration" to come out. I bought it as soon as it hit the shelves. This worship album isn't like the others. It has the trademark Newsboys instrumentation, put w/ their classic vocals and clever/original lyrics to worship God. It doesn't fit the usual worship stereotype like many worship albums being put out. It is refreshing to listen to and it will be a favorite of mine. It has some choir backups and some live takes especially "It is You". Well worth it.