Newsboys - they’re done.I don’t mean they broke up, although that probably be for the better. I say “they’re done” coz I think they are spinning their career wheels. Ever since Michael Tait joined the band, they’ve become a yawnfest.
The spinning drums - ya ya. It’s still cool. But we’ve seen it a hundred times. Michael Tait is a great singer with a great history - dc Talk, solo, actor. I saw him with Newsboys in Toronto on his first tour as their new lead singer. He was great. Fabulous, passionate preacher.
But their recent songs.... yawn. “Born Again” - yawn. “Way Beyond Myself” - sounds like a dc Talk leftover. Doesn't compare to "I'm Not Ashamed", or "Going Public".
Peter Furler was not just an amazing frontman; his personality defined the band. Guy-liner on a 40 year-old? Sure, it worked! Unpredictable, edgy, yet safe. Newsboys were an Aussie band, transported to Nashville.
Now, only one guy is Aussie. As much as I am an advocate for artists and producers in the Music City, in this case Nashville has transformed Newsboys into just another band, which makes them like everybody else. Everybody else is good - but Newsboys were great. Not anymore.Boys...breakfast is over. The toast is burnt. Let the good memories rest and we’ll pretend this Michael Tait thing never happened.
I stopped listening when they went worship.
ReplyDeleteI miss the "Boycot Hell" and "God Is Not A Secret" days. When they were a rock band.
I'm loving the reinvented Newsboys. I think Michael Tait came on board at just the right time for the band. I heard the Newsboys last week on the Music Boat and I found them to be tight,entertaining and sincere. I was also impressed with the way they had time for all the fans on the boat. Very humble. Lots of smiles and fun.
ReplyDeleteyou could say the "spin doctors" re-invented the newsboys. haha
ReplyDeletemost of what you said was correct, with the exception that there's 2 Aussies (Jody and Duncan)
I think Jody is from Detroit.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I don't think ANYONE could take the place of PF. He was and is the heart of Newsboys and had a presence all his own. Nothing against Tait. He's great, but it would have been better to place a different band name for these guys.
ReplyDeleteIf sales mean anything - your wrong.
ReplyDeleteSaw them in concert recently. Two things: when they did Newsboys classics they sounded like a cover band. But there new material was well done.
I agree and disagree with you Mr. Jackson. There is no way the Michael Tait newsboys is newsboys... you don't just replace the lead singer of a band! I mean when you listen to a song you don't usually recognize them by there instrumentalists its the singer! But we must remember Peter Furler wasn't the first singer for this band and considering the fact they used Michael Tait, Tait I doubt will be the last singer either.
ReplyDeleteHowever I disagree the new newsboys has some sweet trax!!! But they are in no way newsboys!
Alot of bands have changed singers and been successful. Van Halen, AC/DC, Doobie Brothers, Petra, White Heart.
ReplyDeleteWhen they announced the change it was a major headline - "wow, Michael Tait! Really?" But now that I've heard the cd maybe they should be "the all new Newsboys". Joking.
I bet the label is thinking "uh oh, what do we do now?"
Grew up on Newsboys - and Newboys this group of boys is NOT! Although Peter was not the original singer he was an original band member and kept the Newboys shall I say "edge"; the "edge" that is definitely missing with the new mix of artists. Music is tight and full sounding - but agreed - boring :-(
ReplyDeleteBobby Wilson