The Newsboys previous release, Not Ashamed, was a new beginning for the Aussie posse. Charter members Peter Furler and John James (drummer and lead vocalist, respiectively) enlisted lyric writer and producer Steve Taylor, and made some major trade-offs—they traded the simple but obnoxiously fun in-your-face Christian anthems for something a little more serious; but they also traded in their musical identity crisis for a more focused, automated pop sound primed for the dance floor.
Add Going Public to the catalog and it becomes even easier to triangulate where Newsboys are going. In the wake of their artistic maturity, Going Public is not nearly so flashy as Not Ashamed: There aren't as many toys buzzing around, there aren't as many quick-read bumpersticker songs, and—perhaps dangerously—there aren't as many quick-read pop hooks, either.
Oh, sure, there are tracks that stand out, like the sing-along, feel-good anthem of the summer "Shine" and the furious pop dance track "Last One Turn Out The Lights." While not as infectious as some singles on Not Ashamed, they will certainly win some fast friends. But the strength of the album is that there is a real chance for longevity—each pass through, you start to hear subtle artistry taking place, a gentle brush here and there, seeping slowly in the subsconscious.
"When You Called My Name," for instance, seems a bit droll at first ... but each time I listen to it, something else catches my attention. Which is all the more rewarding when I'm drawn into the frustrated lyrics, following a ministry through even when no one believes or cares.
And it is that marriage of Steve Taylor's lyrics with Peter Furler's music where we see the real strength of the album—where Not Ashamed sought respect, Going Public earns that respect. The music and the lyrics both demand our thoughtful concentration, our careful inspection, all without losing the modern pop tendencies that got our attention inthe first place.
4.5/5
Other coverage for this album
The Lighthouse September 1994Reviewed by David WangAfter the huge success of the previous Newsboys' album, Not Ashamed, the follow-up was awaited with much anticipation, especially when it was learned that Steve Taylor would be returning as the producer. When I first played this CD, however, I was quite surprised to find a fairly sharp change in direction for the band's sound. Gone are the techno-pop rhythms of Not Ashamed. In its place is a…Similar sounding releases
2005Sinéad O'ConnorCollaborations
2005MobyHotel
1998Trembling Blue StarsLips That Taste of Tears
1998As If...Strange Blue Thing
1997Michael W. SmithLive the Life
1998Considering LilyThe Pieces FitMore from Newsboys
2000Live One Night in Pennsylvania (video)
1996Take Me To Your Leader
2000Shine - The Hits
2004Devotion
2002Remixed
1998Step Up to the Microphone
