With nearly 1.5 million albums sold, 20 #1 radio singles, and Pollstar™ record-breaking touring success, the music and ministry of Grammy™ nominated and Dove Award™ winning artist NewSong continues to impact hundreds of thousands of people. Their annual Winter Jam Tour draws half a million people each year and gives NewSong the largest live touring platform in Christian music. On their latest studio release, One True God, NewSong returns with an urgent collection of new songs supported by an extraordinary cast of gifted artists. From the Dove Award™ winning team of Ian Eskelin (“Producer of the Year”), Jennie Lee Riddle (“Songwriter of the Year”), and Francesca Battistelli (“Female Vocalist of the Year”), One True God will be unlike any other release in NewSong’s remarkable career.
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01.
One True God
02.
Love Is The Medicine
03.
The Same God
04.
The Way You Smile (featuring Francesca Battistelli)
Nobody does tours like NewSong. When the group introduced its annual "Winter Jam Tour Spectacular" in 1995, NewSong started to change the public face of Christian music. The mega-event on wheels has become one of the Gospel music world's biggest annual tours, with some history-making moments along the way. To this day, NewSong's multi-artist, ticketless concerts give thousands the opportunity not only to hear incredible music but, of course, to also hear the Gospel message. During 2011's Tour, more than 100,000 Winter Jam attendees made either a first-time commitment to follow Christ or rededicated their lives to Him. More than 500,000 fans attended the 46 dates of the 2011 Winter Jam Tour ranking it as the largest tour of any kind in the world during the year's first quarter according to Pollstar.
I got the chance to experience the band performing the first two songs from One True God, the title track and “Love Is The Medicine” at Winter Jam in Reading, PA. I’ve followed this band since I was saved due to seeking Jesus after hearing the Gospel messages of Christian music in the mid-1990’s, for which I’m eternally grateful. Everyone has heard “The Christmas Shoes,” and my favorite NewSong album to date is Sheltering Tree. The band has undergone multiple line-up changes and Russ Lee is now back as the main lead vocalist, and keyboardist Matt Butler shares lead vocals on the title track, which is one of the stand-out songs of One True God. The message of the song is powerful as Butler professes the strong lyrics, “When the dust has settled and this world is no more, every saint and sinner will confess that You are Lord.” The next two tracks are catchy and inspirational adult contemporary songs. In “Love Is The Medicine,” Lee passionately sings that “Jesus is the remedy,” and in “The Same God,” Butler softly sings “the same God with you then is with you now, the same God who led you in, will lead you out, take all the fear and doubt, go and lay them down, the same God with you then is with you now, He’s with you now.”
The song I can’t stop playing is the stand-out track “The Way You Smile,” an incredibly infectious duet sung by Russ Lee and Francesca Battistelli. The song was co-written by Lee and Eddie Carswell for Eddie’s youngest son’s wedding. Extended-family NewSong member Francesca Battistelli adds a gorgeous female vocal which reminds me of Natalie Grant’s vocals on “When God Made You.” It is a super-catchy love song that would be great for Christian weddings and I love the bridge, “If God be for us, who can be against us.” Francesca’s husband Matt Goodwin was the drummer for NewSong when they met during Winter Jam in 2009 and her father-in-law Billy Goodwin sings on “Strong City.” “Why Worry?” is a another catchy song filled with the biblical truth from Matthew 6:34: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” One of my favorite songs on the album is the worshipful ballad “Between The Cross And Crown.” In classic NewSong style, Lee, Goodwin, Carswell and Butler all share vocals and harmonize the worshipful chorus, “Lord, give us strength, here and now, in the days between the cross and crown.”
CLOSING THOUGHTS
I love songs that are filled with biblical truth, and several stand-out tracks on the album have biblical references, especially “One True God,” “Love Is The Medicine,” “Why Worry?” and “Between The Cross And Crown.” The album is filled with catchy and inspirational adult contemporary songs. Don’t miss the amazing duet “The Way You Smile,” featuring Francesca Battistelli. If you like MercyMe, Casting Crowns and classic NewSong, One True God is their best album since Sheltering Tree.
Newsong!| Posted May 21, 2011
Prior to attending Winter Jam Spectacular 2011, I had heard a song or two of Newsong's, but never really got into their music. But when they stepped onto stage, I instantly connected to their music. So, I was super excited to stream this album free, here on NRT. The first track, "One True God", instantly brought my mind back to Winter Jam. It took me back, to the feeling of a room of 20,000+ believers, all singing along to, "You are the one, true, God..". Just gave me chills. The 2nd track, "Love is the Medicine", was also sung at the Winter Jam concert I attended. Again, it brought my back. As the song starts, with the "Oh's", I remember the entire croud singing along. SO COOL! The next track is "The Same God", and I really enjoyed it. The next, was "The Way Your Smile", featuring Dove Award artist of the year, Francesca Battistelli. I LOVED this song! Russ Lee, and Francesca's voices sound awesome together. Then the following songs, "This World is Ours to Love", and "Strong City" I really loved. I really love the next track, "Why Worry". The lyrics are awesome. Then onto "Between the Cross and Crown", was a really awesome, strong song. Then the last two, "Move" and "The Reason" were both fantastic. I LOVED this album over all - A must-have, for sure. ;) (I'm getting it next time I go to Lifeway. :P Hahaha.) Newsong's best work, in my opinion. Highly recommended!
Excellent CD| Posted May 21, 2011
I have been a fan of Newsong for a long time. From "Can't Keep A Good Man Down" to "Sheltering Tree" their music has touched me and drawn me to a closer relationship with God. Their new CD One True God does not disappoint.
From the opening song ( One True God ) to the final song,this CD is great.I did not find any of the 10 songs to be bad. The title song is great .I look for this song to be a big hit. The Same God also should make a big splash on CCM radio stations.
Russ Lee,one of my favorite male singerd.is back with the band.He sings great on "Love Is The Medicine","Why Worry ?", "Move" , and "The Reason" .
My favorite song on this CD is "Between The Cross and Crown ". This song will move you. I have not heard a song this powerful and moving in a long time.
My friends and I have heard this CD on NRT several times this week. We are very grateful to Kevin for allowing us to hear great music for free. This is the best CD I have heard so far this year. My thanks to Newsong for making such a grat CD.
Awesome| Posted May 19, 2011
I'm so glad they put out a new album. They are a great group, strong, powerful message and great songs. awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Outstanding| Posted May 18, 2011
This is truly an outstanding collection of music from Newsong that is well crafted and worshipful from beginning to end. There is a lot of variety and different musical textures to keep things from getting tedious our boring and all of the songs are well produced and performed. I am thankful to have the opportunity to listen to this release this week on NRT.
Tapestry of textures| Posted May 18, 2011
Very solid Newsong CD! Typical for this band, many textures of music combine for a pleasing tapestry of sound. You get the Rock/pop, Motown, playful sounds with highlights on One True God and You Are The Reason (first and last tracks). You get the rock solid message and challenge that Newsong has always been known for. Well worth looking into.
One True God| Posted May 17, 2011
I have seen Newsong on the WinterJam Tour and they are awesome. I have been waiting for this album to come out. I got the EP at WJ and have enjoyed listening to it. The whole album is GREAT. I cannot wait to get the whole album. Great job guys. God bless you always!
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