Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

JFH Music Review




Newsboys
Not Ashamed



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 10 tracks: 42 Minutes, 12 Seconds
Street Date: 1992


This is the album where the Newsboys really started to hit their stride. With their fourth album, the Newsboys went from an average pop/rock group to one that would produce great hits such as "Shine," "Breakfast," and "Take Me to your Leader," within a few short years.

The difference? Enter Steve Taylor. Acting as a songwriter/producer, Steve Taylor's unique and fun lyrical style combined with Peter Furler's rapidly improving songwriting skills to transform the Newsboys' sound into the catchy/fun-loving style they have now become famous for. Granted, this album is only the stepping stone towards future masterpieces, and it's certainly not perfect, but already several gems on the album showcase the Newsboys now-signature sound.

Strong cuts include the title track and "Strong Love" - two catchy and upbeat songs that showcase Steve Taylor's lyrics talents: "And some go for broke/like headless chicken folk - inspiring jokes about 'poultry-in-motion'." Lyrically, the themes range from boldness in faith ("I'm Not Ashamed") to reconciliation ("We Come Together") and God's unconditional love ("Love Comes True").

While this album is very 90's pop-oriented, there are some strong rockers in the mix ("I Cannot Get You Out of my System" and the DeGarmo & Key cover "Boycott Hell"). Other highlights include the keyboard-driven "Love Comes True" and "Lost the Sky Again" - where listeners are treated to a few guest raps by Steve Taylor.

Overall, this album is very keyboard-oriented, since Jody Davis did not join the group until their next album Going Public. As a result, the album has a slightly-annoying early 90's feel and sounds pretty dated by today's standards. There are also a couple of missteps on the album - the modernized hymn song "Where You Belong/Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" is kind of a snoozer, while Steve Taylor's raps don't really fit the Newsboys' sound too well (think Michael W. Smith's "Love Crusade").

Other than that, this album is not a bad starting point for the Newsboys as we know them, but you could tell that the best was still yet to come. The Taylor/Furler collaboration is definitely a winning formula that would bring the Newsboys countless hits throughout the next decade. This album is definitely worth checking out for those fans who want to see just how it all really started.

- Review date: 12/24/04, written by Sherwin Frias



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

 

CD

Buy This CD Online


. Artist Info: Discography
. Record Label: StarSong
. Album length: 10 tracks, 42 Minutes and 12 Seconds
. Street Date: 1992
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. I Cannot Get You Out Of My System
  2. I'm Not Ashamed
  3. Where You Belong/Turn Your Eyes
  4. Upon This Rock
  5. Strong Love
  6. Dear Shame
  7. Boycott Hell
  8. We Come Together
  9. Love Comes True
  10. Lost The Sky Again
spacer Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

Search JFH



This Wednesday, October 29, 2025
ALBUMS
Brandon Lake Amazon Music Songline [Provident]

SINGLES
Tikae Maestro Dwell (ft. Kingdmusic) - Single [Tribe Rua]

This Friday, October 31, 2025
ALBUMS
1K Phew What's Understood 3 [Reach]
Hope Deferred Darkness Remains [The Charon Collective]
Vic Lucas The Journey [Syntax]
MORIAH Nice Life - EP [F2]
SEU Worship What A God [Live at JOGS] (feat. Abbie Gamboa) - EP [Provident]
Testimony of Apocalypse Agony in the Garden [Roxx Records]

SINGLES
Alphein Working - Single [Syntax]
Chris Caro It's Okay - Single [Syntax]
Drea LP & OnBeatMusic Still - Single [Syntax]
Dreamers My Heart His Home - Single [DREAM]
Dust and Grace He Made It All - Single [MTS]
Roxanne Grace Try Again - Single [DREAM]
Jericko Skeletons - Single [Syntax]
Kingdmusic Speed Dial (ft Mégan Rose) - Single (independent)
The Light Superior Ghost - Single [Rottweiler]
Lock & Chi Do To Me - Single (independent)
John Long Simple Pursuit - Single (independent)
My Place Was Taken Rude Awakening - Single [Rottweiler]
No Vain Glory ROYALTY (CHOSEN) - Single [Syntax]
Polished Arrow Music LOTW - Single [Polished Arrow Music]
Poor Old Lu The Hurting - Single (independent)
Razzie & Joz NEW PETRO (ft. 4KL) - Single [Syntax]
Saints in Exile Pain is My Best Friend (At My Best) [ft. THE EXILED] - Single [Syntax]
Jordy Sam Hard Days (ft. IAN) - Single [Syntax]
Silent Reflection The Air - Single [Syntax]
Still Remains The Wound and the Weapon - Single (independent)
Warren Zeiders How Great Thou Art - Single [Warner]

This Saturday, November 1, 2025
SINGLES
Relentless Pursuit He Is Coming - Single (independent)

Next Friday, November 7, 2025
ALBUMS
Biscuits Country Fried LoFi - EP [Circle Back]
Jekalyn Carr JEKALYN X LEGENDS [WayNorth]
DAMIAN DAMIAN [DREAM]
Josh Garrels Peace To All Who Enter Here, Vol. 2 (independent)
Amy Jay Mnemonics (independent)
(UN)WORTHY From the Belly of the Beast - EP (independent)

SINGLES
Damian If I Should Fail - Single [DREAM]
Hillside Recording Everlasting Father - Single (independent)
Ian Austin, Heather Suzanne Somewhere Far - Single (independent)
Life.Church Worship Tanto - Single (independent)
Sacrificial Betrayal Take Risk - Single (independent)
Zane Walls YOU ARE THE FIRE (feat. JontheKid) - Single (independent)


For all release dates, click here!
 

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images