Newsboys

Item: Take Me To Your Leader
Author: Roger Appelinski / Beth Blinn

Take Me To Your Leader

(1996)

Reviewed by Roger Appelinski / Beth Blinn

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Label Star Song RecordsThe LighthouseFebruary 1996

alternative rock ccm pop rock

Roger: I think that you and I would agree that our response to the first listen to Take Me To Your Leader, the latest from the Newsboys, was pretty much a soft "ho-hum." It wasn't until about my third listen to it that I started to enjoy it.

Beth: Well, I have to admit I went into this review with a little prejudice. While I did enjoy Not Ashamed and Going Public, when they were each first released, I haven't found myself going back to them much. Both had some really good, catchy songs, but as a whole, they weren't all that memorable. So I went into Take Me To Your Leader with certain biases.

Some of those biases partially relate to my age-I'm more than a decade removed from the individuals who seem to make up the majority of Newsboys fans-teenagers. And I tend to veer towards artists whose lyrics have a lot of depth-not something that the Newsboys have really been known for.

The first listen or two of this release started to lead me to believe that things hadn't changed much-mainly because a couple of songs have choruses that, taken by themselves, seem a little simplistic. But then I really sat down and paid attention to the lyrics, and was pleasantly surprised.

Roger: Exactly. I wasn't immediately impressed with the project because so many of the lyrics seemed a little juvenile. However, once I got a hold of the lyric sheet and read through with the album, several songs took on a deeper meaning. A few of them are still pretty simple and direct-what we usually call "cheerleader songs." They focus on things like not denying Christ, forgiving others, and asking for God's breath of life. However, some tracks contain some rather insightful statements. I think that mainly comes through the genius of Steve Taylor, who wrote or co-wrote most of the lyrics (and co-produced), to lace the deep message of salvation through simple-sounding lyrics-such as:

Breakfast clubbers, drop the hankies Though to some our friend was odd That day he bought those pine pajamas His check was good with God

from "Breakfast," which is almost disguised by the chorus:

When the toast is burned And all the milk has turned And Captain Crunch is waving farewell When the big one finds you May this song remind you That they don't serve breakfast in hell.

Beth: I think hooking up with Taylor was the best thing that the Newsboys could have ever done. Under his tutelage, Peter Furler has become a better lyricist-he's not a Taylor clone, but he's starting to show a real talent. The songs that he wrote by himself, or with one of the other band members, are solid-it's not like there is a glaring difference in lyrical quality from those that Taylor was involved in.

While I do think that a couple still have traces of that "cheerleading" quality you mentioned, for the most part, that was minimal. They are still very up-front with their lyrics-"God Is Not A Secret" reminded me of dc Talk's "Jesus Freak" in attitude-but the lyrics are also entertaining, illuminating, and fun.

I think that they'll still appeal to the crowds that like their lyrics simple-because they can appear that on the surface. But there is a lot underneath, if someone takes the time to look.

Roger: Right. Sort of a two-tiered lyric. The catchy phrases express a short, unmistakable point, and then there's a second complimentary statement in the verses. And, I wanted to say one more thing about the choruses: they are very catchy-maybe too catchy. Through most of the songs, it feels like they are rushing through the verses to reach the chorus. I think that's been a slight downfall for the Newsboys on the last few projects. It also makes Take Me To Your Leader seem much shorter than it is. Granted, it is only 37 minutes long, but it seems even shorter.

Beth: Turning to the music, I don't think this album is a big departure from the last two. It still seems heavily influenced by British and European artists. The tunes are very hooky-musical phrases abound that will leave you humming for hours. It is a little more organic, though.

Roger: I don't know if you caught this in the liner notes, but it says, "For those who are interested, this album contains no sequencing or loops." Wow, are the Newsboys getting organic? Not really, but they do pack a lot more grungy guitars throughout, and the keyboards seem to have been shoved to the background. And Peter Furler does a pretty good "Bono-wanna-be" angst-laden vocal bit on "Cup O'Tea."

There is also a noticeable lack of their standard "ballad-for radio's sake" inclusion. The only thing close is "Breathe (Benediction)" at the end, which seems more of an afterthought. They had been in a rut, with the third or fourth song bringing the project to a screeching crawl, but not here. Take Me To Your Leader keeps a pretty upbeat pace throughout.

And, I would agree for the most part with the British influence; though there is a lot more to it, that is definitely in there. On the song "It's All Who You Know," there is a slight tinge of the Moody Blues in there. But, for those familiar with the Newsboys, this will probably sound a little bit more rock-influenced. They are still a pop band, but the more organic and grunge sounds tilt some of it toward the rock side.

The Newsboys also performed all the material without any outside assistance-no studio players whatsoever. Well, unless you count Steve Taylor's whistling...

Beth: All in all, a very solid release. I think this one will stick around the CD player a little longer than the others.