Newsboys' Michael Tait and Duncan Phillips Talk Purpose Behind 'Hallelujah For the Cross' [VIDEO]

Newsboys

Christian rock band the Newsboys just released their first hymns album Hallelujah For the Cross, and lead singer Michael Tait and drummer Duncan Phillips spoke about why they made the record.

"I grew up in a baptist church. My dad was a pastor in D.C. As kids we sang hymns like 'Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus', 'I Surrender All'..." Tait said to NewReleaseTuesday, "Hymns are such a powerful songs and stories and struggles of people in the desperate throws of life."

In order to give them the "Newsboys twist" the band updated the sound, and even experimented with an a cappella track.

"The depth of lyrical content, ok the music might not be what kids listen to today, but what we wanted to do was bring that feeling of legacy of this faith to this generation. That's what those lyrics do, they go deep," Phillips shared.

Duncan said people are digging deeper into faith, so hymns are sort of something people can get into because of authenticity inside of them. It is something familiar because prior generation's parents, grandparents, and great grandparents listened to and were touched by hymns.

Watch the full interview below:

Some of the album's other tracks are: "Jesus Paid It All," "Holy, Holy, Holy," "It Is Well," and "All Creatures Of Our God And King." The album also features a new arrangement of classic Newsboys songs "Where You Belong" with "Turn Your Eyes."

TRACK LISTING:
1. Hallelujah For The Cross
2. Jesus Paid It All
3. I Surrender All
4. What A Friend We Have In Jesus
5. His Eye is on the Sparrow
6. Where You Belong/Turn Your Eyes
7. Holy Holy Holy
8. It Is Well
9. All Hail The Power Of Jesus Name
10. All Creatures Of Our God And King

The Newsboys embarked on their 35 city 'We Believe' tour with Family Force 5 and 7eventh Time Down. The tour will be benefiting the Feed the Children organization along the way.

They have already released a video for their title track, which can be seen below: