By Debra Akins, contributing editor, GospelMusicChannel.com 

The Newsboys are back in a big way with album number 14 (yep, 14), In the Hands of God.  Described as a return to the classic Newsboys sound, this project is certainly branded by the band’s signature pop-rock style, but also boasts some of their most contagious and memorably fresh melodies to date, including the remarkable title track which recently shot straight up the Christian radio charts and planted itself at No. 1.

The album packs a well-balanced blend of driving, rhythmic tracks like openers “The Way We Roll,” “No Grave” and the electric “This Is Your Life,” along with mid-tempo worship numbers such as “Glorious” (reminiscent of James Blunt) and the Brooke Fraser/Hillsong United cover “Lead Me to the Cross.” Band visionary Peter Furler and music icon Steve Taylor wrote most songs, along with bassist-keyboardist Jeff Frankenstein, who also joined Furler for the first time as a co-producer. Additionally, studio wiz Max Hsu (Superchick, tobyMac) was a new name at the production helm this time around.

Newsboys fans should be pleased with this offering, and will want to make special note of the fact that it is Furler’s farewell as the band’s lead vocalist – making way for newly-appointed frontman Michael Tait (formerly with dcTalk). Furler will remain on the creative front as a songwriter/producer. In the Hands of God makes a fitting transition into a new phase of musical ingenuity for one of Christian music’s iconic bands.

Purchase the CD!