Copious Notes

Review: Newsboys, In the Hands of God

Out of the weirdness that has been the Newsboys of recent months comes a new album — a new album with the old guy on lead vocals. Or is he the old guy, or just the singer who will no longer travel with the group? It’s a murky picture, but what we do know is the Aussie group has released its first album since frontman Peter Furler announced he would not be touring with the band anymore and former dc talk member Michael Tait took over the mike.

In the Hands of God was recorded before that, and it is unmistakably Newsboys in sound and tone. You get the feel of an act wanting to take one last sweep through its current state before everything changes, such as the late-90s humor in The Way we Roll and the more recent worshipful nature of the title track. Problem is it all sounds like classic Newsboys, but nothing is quite as compelling as the best of the band’s catalog. Maybe it was time for a change.

Review: Sarah Reeves, Sweet Sweet Sound

Sarah Reeves could have titled her debut album “Getting to Know You,” if she didn’t have a nice little title tune to bing off of. Her short debut — maybe EP most accurately describes this offering — is a sextet of nice personal songs co-written by Reeves that leave a strong impression of a young woman very devoted to worship and looking for direction in how to use her gifts.

While none of the tunes are terribly distinctive or instant classics, the 19-year-old Alabamian had a pretty cool opportunity to write with longtime hitmakers Ed Cash and Matt Brownlee. And the voice we hear is young, earnest and full of hope. With Sweet Sweet Sound, we can say we’ve been introduced to Sarah Reeves, and we hope to hear more from her.

Ichthus tick-tock: Time is running out on two things you can act on with Ichthus.

1. The latest ticket-price increase is being held off until May 22. So, until then, full weekend tickets are $98, single-day tickets are $53, single evening tickets are $56 and children ages 7-10 are $57 for the weekend and $37 for a day. After the 22nd, the weekend adult tickets pop up to $108 and all other tickets increase too. You can order tickets at the festival website or by calling (859) 858-3001. Ichthus is also advertising payment plans for tickets.

2. There are only a few days left in voting for the Ascenxion Scout Competition. The Top 5 acts will be on the Deep End Stage the first day of the festival, and the top act, as chosen by judges during those performances, will get to play Ichthus’ Main Stage July 12 and the Deep End July 13.

The 8 Kentucky acts in the 13-band competition are:

Versailles’ Eyesuponus

Paintsville’s 7:13

Owingsville’s Crosslife

Paintsville’s Battlelion

Bradfordsville’s Allison Stafford

Alexandria’s The Lee Roessler Band

Wilmore’s The Shane Tracy Project

Lexington’s Too Many Drummers

Voting ends May 15.