In the Hands of God is the album newsboys fans have been waiting for, and not just their fans, but everyone who loves rock 'n' roll pushed to its breaking point. The album, described as a return to the classic newsboys sound, is actually a forward-moving proclamation from a band doing what it does best.
To date, newsboys sold over 6 million albums, minted five gold records, charted more than 25 No. 1 radio hits and earned four Grammy nominations. In the Hands of God, however, wipes the slate clean with vivid flashbacks to a fresh-faced Australian band struggling to find its place. By retracing its early footsteps, the band captures an urgency and hunger that lights the songs ablaze with internal fire. The album then channels this energy into an unbreakable string of quick-hitting melodies that never seem to fade. It's newsboys laid bare, as seen through the looking glass of God's providence.
"The Way We Roll" starts the journey with loud guitars, slappin' beats and snarling punk vocals that offer a bird's eye view to the indignities suffered as a young band. "No Grave" doesn't let up, using hometown memories to ponder death's defeat as anvil-heavy chords empty into a ferocious bridge. Songs like "Glorious" and "In the Hands of God" take a reflective turn with verses steeped in grateful memories and choruses exploding into worship. "My Friend Jesus" gives the album a humorous twist with images of a caller going mad from waiting on hold, while "This Is Your Life" drops audio ear candy with waves of guitars crashing over electro-pop pulses. And while In the Hands of God opens with a defiant anthem from a band that refused surrender, "RSL 1984" closes the disc with band visionary Peter Furler offering a touching look at his youth beautifully poured out like a diary over piano keys, strings and electric/acoustic guitars.
As is the norm, In the Hands of God continues the lyrical partnership between Furler and music icon Steve Taylor, but the disc added some new names to the production front. Studio wizard Max Hsu (Superchick, tobyMac) – described as "a fantastic sounding board and someone who really understands what fans like best about the band" – made his debut as a newsboys producer, while bassist-keyboardist Jeff Frankenstein joined Furler for the first time as a co-producer. The band also welcomed back longtime guitarist Jody Davis, who left the group in 2003 to care for a daughter with cerebral palsy, rejoining a lineup that still features Duncan Phillips' masterful backbeat.
As already announced on their website, In the Hands of God marks Furler's final album as the band's lead vocalist. His passion is the songwriting and production, and as a band known for its enterprising ingenuity, Furler will now help drive the creative momentum as a new singer takes over the vocal reins for future tours and albums. Of course, the band ignited an immediate buzz when it announced the new vocalist was Grammy-winning dc Talk singer Michael Tait.
