Shine: The Hits

Eight releases, 14 No. 1 radio hits, top reputation as a live act--not bad work if you can get it. That's what the Newsboys have accomplished in 14 years, and the scope and breadth of their success is documented well on this 17-track hits collection. In songs like "Shine," "Take Me to Your Leader," "Spirit Thing," and "Step Up to the Microphone," the Newsboys magically melded a modern pop beat with a strong, spirit-filled message. The end results were endearing radio hits that sounded fresh, vibrant, and nonapologetic for their religious zeal. And that explains why these lads from Australia garner such a buzz in the Christian pop world. The Newsboys never met a pop hook they didn't like, a fact all too apparent when listening to this collection. But they do it so well. Longtime Newsboys fans will appreciate the remake of "God Is Not a Secret," featuring a blistering rap from DC Talk's Toby McKeehan. Three new tracks--"Joy," "Praises," and "Who?"--give listeners a hint of what's to come. --Michael Lyttle