Step Up to the Microphone by Newsboys (CD, Jun-1998, Virgin)

Again we have the Newsboys emmulating top-40 pop here. This is a good cd for teenagers, especially of a younger age, who need some engaging and positive music to listen to. This music is not only bouncey and something that they can get excited about, but there are some good morals worth emmulating as well.

But, the band misses their original lead singer, as good as his official and permanent one is, the last founding Aussie member. While the vocals are still good, the less Aussie influence the less their uniqueness.

Musically, this cd is more coherent and has more flow. Styles are not quite as sporadic here. As a whole, this seems to be a better representation of the style that suits them. They aren't trying as hard to be rockers, worship leaders, and alternative types as they are sometimes guilty of. They are glamorous popsters who have both a fun side and a serious side. They aren't trying to be DJ's or dancing-queens.

But, along with band member change, so also comes the changes in production with the short hiatus of Steve Taylor. While this cd is therefore not as experimentive and more homogeneous, it still seems to lack focus. It is definitely missing the musical and lyrical edge that Taylor brought elsewhere.

In terms of hitting the target, Woo-Hoo is a celebration of life and an immenent concert staple. Entertaining Angels is probably the best track, both lyrically and musically, and is worth further dissection. The title-track is another example of take it or leave it, as is common on most of their cd's and especially so here. The rest is light fluff, which might be the right stuff for some.

It is only rated average by this listener because of the skills and creativity lacking here, especially in comparison with Take Me to Your Leader. They have obvious potential but it would be nice to see evidence of it on every song, not just a couple of hits off each disk.

Even 12 years later, I love listening to the rockin beat and good variety the Newsboys provide in Step Up to the Microphone. Great message too, I daresay. In fact, all their old CDs are simply AMAZING.

Well I am a big Newsboys fan so no suprise that I liked this album. It was a wonderful addition to my collection. Acually it is a rebuy my hubby took it overseas with him when he was in the military and it didn't return with him :) I would recommend it to anyone.

My daughter loves the Newsboys and Loves the CD, Her Favorite is Entertaining Angles and WooHoo. But the whole thing is Great. Highly Recommended

It's a good CD & I enjoy it alot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!​!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!​!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!​!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!​!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!​!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!​!!!!!!!!!!!!