Newsboys - 'Devotion'

With Devotion being their second worship album, this material is definitely not the witty Newsboys approach we've grown to expect over the past 16 years, but it is still a better than average modern worship project.

We may be spoiled. For 16 years, the Newsboys provided us with witty, exciting music even as they tweaked our consciousness. Peter Furler often co-wrote with Steve Taylor and we became used to this them teasing and challenging us, shaking up our safe little worlds. This shift to worship makes this more challenging as the lyrics become more vertical. This, with the absence of longtime guitarist Jody Davis, makes for somewhat of a new Newsboys experience.

Listeners don't like to let their heroes out of the box, but they have earned the right, and Furler's self-produced "Devotion" is a solid offering that will be enjoyed by all who are able to open up their minds. The influence of U2 is strongly felt, and many of the cuts have a bit of a commercial sound. But in this day of abundant worship music, that may be hard to avoid. "Presence (My Heart's Desire)" and "Strong Tower" with their driving choruses are the obvious radio cuts. The "Blessed Be Your Name" duet with Rebecca St. James will be well received. "God of All Nations" and the title cut are both upbeat, guitar-driven songs that will get you out of your seat. The cover of Tim Hughes' "When the Tears Fall" is strong, reminiscent of Martin Smith. "The Orphan" and "Landslide of Love" might be the freshest cuts, containing the strongest sense of the old Newsboys, for the diehards who still yearn for the more thoughtful. All in all, there's a lot to like here and if you're disappointed, you may just be too hard to please.