by Steven Douglas LoseyThe Newsboys' ninth studio release is a conglomeration of rock, praise & worship, and power pop with more sharp hooks then a tackle box. The disc features a bevy of A-list studio vets. Christian pioneer Steve Taylor aided in lyrics and handled production. The release was mixed by Tom Lord-Alge (Collective Soul, blink-182, Dave Matthews Band) and mastering was done by Bob Ludwig of Bowie and Creed fame. Thrive is testimony to a band that has been Christian stalwarts for over ten years. Cuts like "Million Pieces" and "Thrive" are typical of the Top 40 gems that vocalist Peter Furler has written over the years. Each cut offers lyrical adoration and musical production that excels. As a band the Newsboys seemed to have matured over their past few releases. Musically the individual members fill their niches quite nicely, evidenced by cuts like the melancholy "It Is You." A Newsboys disc wouldn't be complete without straightforward rockers and tongue-in-cheek lyrical expressions, and "Cornelius" and "Lord (I Don't Know)" serve both counts. Thrive is a disc that utilizes the talents of some of the industry's best that is mixed with serviceable songs and significant performances that truly sparkle in substance and sound.