If people really want this band's currently perceived greatest hits, this is their best effort to date.
Included hits listing:
- I Fought the La... ...a brand new track. Instantly a favorite!
- Breakfast. ...originally from
.
- Million Pieces. ...originally from
.
- Shine. ...originally from
and
.
- Something Beautiful. ...originally from
.
- In the Belly of the Whale. ...originally from
.
- He Reigns. ...originally from
.
- Wherever We Go. ...originally from Go.
- Take Me To Your Leader. ...originally from Take Me to Your Leader.
- Stay Strong. ...a brand new track. Solid as ever.
- Entertaining Angels. ...originally from
.
- Reality. ...originally from Take Me to Your Leader.
- You Are My King. ...originally from Adoration: The Worship Album.
- Real Good Thing. ...originally from Going Public.
- Joy. ...originally from Shine: The Hits. A personal favorite.
- Spirit Thing. ...originally from Going Public.
- It Is You. ...originally from Thrive.
- I'm Not Ashamed. ...originally from
.
My main question is: "Why not release Shine: The Hits part II?". Well, I guess that would be great for longtime fans, but maybe not for newer ones. This current hits collection gets straight to the point, whereas the even newer 2009
covers a greater range of records. Both are extremely excellent, with my favorite actually being this Greatest Hits CD, even though it doesn't include any photos of the band. Shine: the Hits, released in 2000, still has a few tracks that these newer releases miss. "Praises", "God Is Not A Secret" with Toby Mac, "Where You Belong/ Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus", "Believe", "I Got Your Number", and "Mega Mix" make the original Shine: the Hits still worth getting!
P.S. I like that they included "Real Good Thing" here, an earlier hit. It's kind of a surprising pick, since many other tracks could've easily taken its place. But it gives this track listing a bit of a nice twist, my favorite collection ever.
I tend to like the "idea" of Christian music more than I find myself liking Christian music itself. This is because too often it seems that Christian music artists, while well meaning in their mission, don't seem to infuse the same level of musical artfulness into their work that the best secular music takes for granted. I find it frustrating that if I want "good music" I often have to turn to secular sources, but if I want "meaningful music" I can switch temporarily to my Christian radio station. These are generalizations of course, so please don't feel mortally wounded that I have inadvertantly slighted your particular favorite Christian artist.
This preface is offered to emphasize that the Newsboys breaks the Christian-Music mold by producing powerful and inspiring music that can stand up on its own merit against that of any secular rock/pop genre. Their music is decidely that: MUSIC, that is bold, refined, intricately composed and arranged, and able to cover a range of styles that displays real talent and a diversity of moods and attitudes. What sets them apart from the very best secular talent is that the message and meaning of their (well written) lyrics are Christ-centered. If you've given up hope that you can find a "win-win" with Christian artists who don't short-change on the musical front, Newsboys will pleasantly prove you wrong. This is one of those must-have albums that is never far from my reach.
I only have 3 newsboys cds but I have to admit it's not their best.I do give it one extra star for the fact that they put Something Beautiful and Entertaining Angels on here, but I gave it only 4 because of the fact that they put 2 or 3 horrible sounding songs with poor lyrics on here.But it was like the rest of the songs were calling out: Listen to meee!but keep in mind that "Spirit Thing" and "In The Belly of The Whale" aren't really worth it.
Newsboys is one of my favorite Christian artists. Their Greatest Hits CD includes music from ALL of their albums - including Not Ashamed. I own almost all of their CDs and purchased this one for the song "Stay Strong." I believe it is worth purchasing this CD for that song. It is a song written to encourage Christians to keep running the race. This CD has a great mix of songs - you won't be disappointed.
i love this cd if you even think you know one song of theres listen to the samples you'll be surprized cuz i thought i only knew a few songs and it turns out that i knew all of them lol and in one of the songs you hear larry's vocie 0_o kinda weird but funny! if you love god and chirstin music then this is a MUST BUY!
