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Newsboys
Thrive


4.0
excellent

Review

by Bchop13 USER (22 Reviews)
March 24th, 2006 | 25 replies


Release Date: 2002 | Tracklist


Not many Christian bands can last as long as dc Talk or the Newsboys. You have to have originality, which both these bands definitely have because they started a revolution of Alternative Christian music. Even though the Newsboys lasted longer, and released about twice as many full-length albums the bands had about an equal effect on Christian music. Thrive was incredibly the Newsboys 9th release but there first studio release since 1998, the album was good but not the bands best.

What should I look for?
The Newsboys are one of the few bands that can change genres just from song to song. One song well could be a worship and praise song the next thing you know your listening to the next track, which is totally Brit Pop, it's pretty amazing. Another amazing thing is that the band always has high-energy when they are live their live shows are always well a show. Their must controversial and probably worst album was Love, Liberty, and Disco were the consistency that they usually have, and their loyal fans have come to expect. Would that consistency come back on this album? Yes.

Track by Track:

1. Giving It Over
A nice and rocking start to an album. Kind of has a 70's clapping beat to it, and the fast paced lyrics really fit into the song. The chorus is the three words in the title, which takes some of the originality away from the track. Some of the lyrics don't make sense but it's still fit in with the song.

2. Live In Stereo
The song starts out with a beat similar in a few ways to the first track on the album but the lyrics are even faster paced, and the chorus on this song is better. And I think this song has a better subject manner as well. The song really got me into the album and got me to review it. 4/5


3. Million Pieces
This song has that chorus that is always going to get stuck in your head. But it doesn't annoy you. That's why this song is great. And for the first time in this album the lyrics that surround the chorus are impressive as well. The riff for the instruments played in this song work as well. Overall it was a great effort from the band and you really feel that this album could contain some classic songs that the Newsboys earlier albums had. 4.5/5


4. Thrive
Starts out with a kind of depressing beat for a Christian song. What I said earlier has just happened the band completely changed their style of music from track to track. The last song was the "Encouraging Christian Music" this song is more of a dark song. But that's what gives this song a weird edge to the other songs. The lyrics in this song are really deep and the Newsboys finally prove their critics wrong as great "Song Writers" not just "Chorus writers" But the chorus in this song is pretty deep in powerful as well. 4.6/5

5. Rescue
Is another complete genre change. This is the kind of song that you would clap to in church, not the song you cry to. The song is very uplifting and comparable to the next track "It is you", which is a great song. I never absolutely loved this song, but I like it. The lyrics have some good points in them, but the subject manner isn't really there like in previous songs when it was there. Not a skippable track, but not one of my favorites. 3.5/5

6. It Is You
Has a lot of deep thoughts and lyrics for a praise song. It doesn't have a clapping theme but is the most recognized song on the album. The song sounds like it is coming from a live performance of the band but then it mellows out into a beautiful and graceful song. One of my favorites on the album because it's one of those song you fall in love with the first time you hear it, and you understand it the first time you hear it. I think that's what's made it appealing to some audiences. What a great song, one of my favorites from the Newsboys. 5/5

7. Cornelius
Wow, what a weird track. I don't have much praise for this track except it's a little bit catchy and very original. Some of the track moves fast and the other part is slow, it is just a weird track that you can't sing along to at all. 3/5

8. The Fad Of The Land
Starts out with a riveting acoustic beat. Just listen to how it fits the song. The song really jumps into a chorus real quickly but the chorus is powerful and some drums are included in the song. The lyrics in the song are all right but nothing great like It Is You, still an improvement over the last track. 3.5/5

9. John Woo
Is a very weird but yet listenable song unlike Cornelius. The song has a clapping slow beat for a while then jumps into power chords and heavy drums, it's a ground breaking song because the instruments are the focus of the song unlike the vocals which rarely happens in Christian music. 4/5

10. Lord [I don't Know]
One of my favorites on the album, and it's good especially for a closer. The chorus is very good and the beat changes are once again dramatic. Another good song. 4/5.

I really like the risks that this album takes. It has drastic changes from song to song, which I really appreciate. A great album with good songs.



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3.8
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Comments:Add a Comment 
Electric City
March 25th 2006


15756 Comments


You've written lots of reviews, so try to branch out now. Do some overalls or something, or at least add some depth to your t by t. This is your 19th review! Im not going to neg it, but please it's time to start expanding.

As for the Newsboys, my Christian friend is obsessed with them, but then again he tries to shove God down my throat by telling me I'll go to hell when I don't believe in any religion. But thats just me.

Bchop13
March 25th 2006


68 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Yes Sir! But seriously, thanks for the advice. Since your reviews are pretty darn good, I will start to do more overalls. I've done a couple and I liked them better anyway. But do you think my reviews have got better?

Electric City
March 25th 2006


15756 Comments


I think they have progressed, but only minimally so. That's why I think you should expand.

Bchop13
March 25th 2006


68 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Alright, again thanks for the advice.

br3ad_man
March 25th 2006


2126 Comments


I only like Step Up to the Microphone. That's a great album.

Rounder
March 26th 2006


13 Comments


Ive always felt like newsboys and dc talk were preachers in disguise. I always get a bad taste in my mouth. I'm an athiest, but I can listen to some christian music, like Circle Of Dust...or Jars of clay (the first album, anyway) Dryve, even the crucified, who were preachy, but they seemed more honest to me. Plus they had great songs.This Message Edited On 03.26.06

Hunter555
June 21st 2006


424 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

My Favorites are thrive and Fad of the Land.

In response to te review, Giving it over doesn't have a 3 word chorus. He says "My head in the clouds and my feet in good dirt" after saying giving it over. THe song is original. This album is awesome. Newsboys were the first band I listened to. look at my profile and you'll find that amusing.

ninjuice
September 23rd 2007


6760 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

^ Newsboys were pretty much the first band I listened to as well (also first fav. band)



Solid review. I really enjoyed this album, as it marks their last good one before going unoriginal for the worship stuff and then disappointing on Go

Parallels
May 21st 2010


10166 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

"But it doesn't annoy you."



i call shenanigans. i love the newsboys, but million pieces is probably one of the most overplayed songs on christian radio stations

Asiatic667
May 21st 2010


4651 Comments


these guys take it up the butt, don't they?

Parallels
May 21st 2010


10166 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

On this album they do, sounds like a bunch of mixed up rehashed disney-esque hanna montana pieces with christian lyrics in the place of "partying in the usa".

Which is strange because this is their highest rated album.

No, really the newsboys have some wonderful songs, but a lot of people on sputnik arent recognizing them.



Parallels
May 21st 2010


10166 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

The albums "take me to your leader" and "going public" are incredibly well made. Good christian music, although lots of people will see it as "preachy music". "Thrive" is a watered down album for the newsboys to push for a mainstream recognition, and a poor attempt at it in my opinion.



Sry for double post, im using my iphone and it wont let me edit

Yotimi
May 21st 2010


7668 Comments


"Entertaining Angels" is great, I'll give 'em that

Parallels
May 21st 2010


10166 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Agreed.

random
May 21st 2011


3185 Comments

Album Rating: 2.0

Live In Stereo and Rescue are bad.

Maniac!
May 21st 2011


28552 Comments


Also used to be my jam when I was 12

Tyrael
May 21st 2011


21108 Comments


Really? When I was twelve I listened to Rammstein. Lol.

Maniac!
May 21st 2011


28552 Comments


I had a messed up childhood.

Get Low
April 5th 2019


14620 Comments


Hmmm. Intrigued by that 3.8 avg.

MxL0
November 26th 2020


150 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Not entirely sure about how I feel about this album yet but Million Pieces, Thrive, Live in Stereo are pretty great. Rescue as well.



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