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Newsboys
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Newsboys have much more to boast about these days. During
the `90s, the Nashville-based quintet has become one of pop's
most solidly accomplished ensembles, selling nearly three
million records, earning three Grammy nominations, two gold
records, four Dove awards, and numerous other accolades.
Their blend
of polished, energetic songcraft and resonant lyrical themes
have resulted in meaningful music that engages the ears and
the soul. And the feet, for with Love Liberty Disco -- Newsboys'
8th album -- the quintet greets the turn of the century with
their best work yet, a stirring piece that brings Newsboys
to an exciting new pinnacle of artistry. ``I think we just
wanted to make a bigger and better and bolder and more beautiful
record than before,'' says bassist Phil Joel. ``We don't really
sit down with a solid, thematic agenda. It usually takes its
own course as the record progresses.'' Adds keyboardist Jeff
Frankenstein, ``This unit has been together seven years. We're
learning how to really work with each other and striving to
just get better. And we've never been a band that's just been
content with saying `How are we going to top that?' Every
record that comes out is different and challenging -- for
us and our fans.'' On Love Liberty Disco, Newsboys have arrived
at a particularly triumphant place in their career, completing
a transition that began two years ago. That's when lead singer
John James left the band, bringing Furler-who moved to the
United States in 1991-- up front to take his place, and moving
Duncan Philips onto the drum stool. Newsboys responded well
to that particular challenge; the subsequent album, Step Up
to the Microphone -- the first time the group produced itself
-- resulted in 4 number one hits (``Entertaining Angels")
and sales that thrilled Newsboys' faithful and attracted a
broader audience, particularly via the heavy touring the group
did to support the album. And that only left them eager to
take the next step.
Newsboys took
that next step last January, heading into the studio for an
uncharacteristic vacation session to work on some of the songs
that Furler and Joel wrote during a beachfront vacation with
their wives in Florida. It worked like a charm, according
to Furler, who also produced Love Liberty Disco. ``Most times,
for every record we've ever made, we walked into the studio
with five songs and we've dropped two of them and ended up
writing the rest while the record was going down,'' he relates.
``We knew that was not the best way to do it. This record
we went in with 40 songs, and it was a great pleasure to be
able to pick from that. If we didn't feel like doing a particular
one, it was easy to move on and keep the recording process."
Most importantly, the January session set a tone for when
Newsboys reconvened in June at the White House studios, particularly
in the dry, forceful drum sound that Joel says ``carried the
whole record.'' ``This is what the band sounds like when we're
playing live,'' says Frankenstein. ``A lot of times I've gotten
comments from people who say `Man, I love it on record, but
live it's just awesome. I think we wanted to capture more
of that this time.'' And for those fans that anticipate Newsboys'
live performances, their Spring 2000 tour will be a sure-fire
hit. This time around the band travels with a specially created,
self-contained inflatable venue. This air-dome will be the
showcase for the band as they play 70 shows in 50 cities to
crowds nationwide. As for the content of the songs on Love
Liberty Disco, they carry a heft and examine issues such as
self image, responsibility, spirituality and the need for
love, and not just the romantic variety, in our lives. That
certainly comes across in the ebullient title track, which
started as a between-songs jam according to Furler -- and
grew into a song that gave Love Liberty Disco another point
of focus. "We've begun to realize that love and freedom
and family are three key points in this faith that we have,"
says Joel. "These are the things that we have as the
body of Christ and I think growing up in the church we forget
that and neglect to let our neighbor in on it. It's really
hit home that we need to be sharing this." "Sometimes
the outside world is not is outside as you think, sometimes
it's right inside the church" states Furler "we
find that a lot of the people we play to are confused about
faith, about the world, and confused about eternity."
Some of those were drawn from the group's travels through
impoverished areas of Mexico last year. ``That really changes
you big time,'' says Frankenstein. ``It keeps your perspective
in check.''
Newsboys expect
a similar experience when they travel to Brazil to play at
the SOS da Vida Festival (SOS For Life) in San Paulo. And
that will only enrich an already deep and thoughtful group
of songs that comprise Love Liberty Disco. This is message
music for the masses, an album that's as thought-provoking
as it is enormously tuneful, ultimately establishing Newsboys
as an exciting and important force in pop music. ``We want
anyone to come along to it,'' insists Joel. ``We're getting
older, and I think we're beginning to see a little more of
what matters. I think our perspective is getting a little
clearer. I think it reflects in this record.'' To which Furler
adds, ``We're not here to play to one camp. We're trying to
make the best music and better ourselves each time."
 _.:Newsboys
Official Site
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