Newsboys

Item: Devotion
Author: Kevin Mathews

Devotion

(2004)

Reviewed by Kevin Mathews

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Label Sparrow RecordsThe Phantom Tollbooth2004

ccm pop rock worship

I like Newsboys. Quite a few of their albums are my personal favorites. But when I read the press release accompanying this new album and read the copious legal threats contained in the liner notes of the pre-release CD to the tune of "we fully reserve our rights to bring legal proceedings to enforce our rights." It does make you wonder -- what are Newsboys doing associating themselves with the corporate Beast that is a major label? Is it the money? Or does Newsboys imagine themselves as a Daniel in Babylon? Not the best frame of mind to be in when you press "play" is it?

Despite all that, Devotion is a wonderful collection of praise songs ably presented with soul and artistry. Whilst I cannot imagine too many congregations adopting these songs, due to the challenging nature of the tunes, but to me that is the strength of Devotion not a weakness and certainly cannot be accused of the "bandwagonesque" approach that marked its predecessor.

Songs like the title track, "Presence (My Heart's Desire)," "God of All Nations," and "The Orphan" prove that the Newsboys of "Take Me To Your Leader" and "Not of this World" is well and truly back!

Now if only Peter Furler can get over his occasional Phil Collins fixation.

4 tocks