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Metal
Perspective Review
Newman - "Primitive Soul"
[Chrome Dome Music, 2007]
Tracklist:
01. Heading For Your Heart
02. 15 Minute Revolution
03. Primitive Soul
04. Still Can’t Find The Words
05. Last Flight
06. Falling Like Stone
07. For The Man I Am
08. Cold Day In Hell
09. I Get Torn
10. Rapture
11. Give It All You Got
12. Mystery To Me
The 6th album of the significant brit AOR/MHR musician Steve Newman
seals his self-direction and manifests his qualitative evolution.
"Primitive Soul" is the obvious result of a well-made
material played by an artist who’s in high shape. Newman is
playing all instruments with the assistance of Rob McEwen on drums,
plus the guest appearance of, "The Man With the 1000 Faces",
Tommy Denander on guitar and Dave Parr on keyboards, both of them
appearing in "Cold Day In Hell".
Newman, unexpectedly, decided to unbind himself from a major label,
such as Escape, in order to release his new work all by himself.
And his choice turned out to be truly rewarding for him and the
listeners as well, because the whole sound has a more homemade feeling
that is elevating the songs instead of ruining them. The other noticeable
attribute here is the mixture of traditional hard rock with AOR
elements combined with a modern approach. In any case, we’re
talking about a slight and positively effective change, so don’t
be afraid. Nothing alternative in here, just pure melodic hard rock
harmonies soulfully performed.
The highlights are sufficient as always, and this is no surprise
considering his previous efforts and especially "Heaven Knows"
only one year earlier. Newman has set the stakes high and he is
never disappointing, thanks to his own standards. Songs with superb
quality like "Heading For Your Heart", "Primitive
Soul" or "Falling Like Stone" shine through combining
hook lines, choruses and passionate vocals in the proper way. "For
The Man I Am" is a stand out track with a more AOR touch, while
"Cold Day In Hell" unveils a shiny hard rock style in
the Radioactive’s vein. "I Get Torn" has a lot in
common with Ladder’s Steve Overland sound (there it is the
modern approach I was telling you). "Rapture" and "Still
Can’t Find The Words" are the two grand and essentials
ballads. Last but no least are two songs with a particular touch;
the first is the epilogue track "Mystery To Me" with its
unique sound passages and atmosphere and the second track "15
Minute Revolution" which has some really sharp and sarcastic
lyrics for you to listen. Well, I told you that the highlights are
sufficient!
Finally: an admirable album with every detail given in the right
portion. Newman unreels himself with his every new release. Trust
him and support him
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Newman - Primitive
Soul CD Review
Current mood: refreshed
Category: Music
Newman – Primitive Soul CD review
So wow, this is Steve Newman's 6th release under the moniker Newman,
but pretty much his first where he has ultimately controlled everything
from day one!
If you favour AOR type music ala 80's classic act's Night Ranger,
Jeff Paris, Journey, Van Halen or guitarists style ala Steve Vai
or have just plain followed Mr. Newman's activities since the first
self titled release in 1998 then in theory …., you should
already have this album & the bonus if you pre-ordered it through
the Newman website, then you would've received 3 additional bonus
tracks to these 12 "good 'un's!"
OK so I know Steve as an old friend, I also know how much heart
& soul this guy seriously puts into his work … & I
can tell you, Steve Newman is the genuine article!
You could go so far as to say, why did Escape Music stick with
Steve for 4 albums, if they didn't think he was worth keeping –
i.e. If they didn't think they'd shift any album sales, then I believe
Steve would've parted ways with them a lot sooner than his last
with them, 2006's Heaven Knows.
OK, I said when I reviewed the last album that the opener was the
best opener on a Newman release since One Step Closer. OK, he's
gone & one bettered it!!!
Heading For You Heart starts with a soulful guitar intro, some
people have compared this track & the intro to Giant's Last
Of The Runaways …., perhaps going so far as to say he's ripped
it off. I have to disagree, I own that release, I dug it out &
played it again & again & I can't see or say that it sounds
like Steve has ripped off anything there. How many rock tracks start
with some kind of soulful type guitar intro & then rip into
the main track itself with some tasty licks …., who cares?
There's probably hundreds or more, what Newman has here is nothing
short of a very tasty opener. 'Nuff said!
15 Minute Revolution starts very differently from where it ends
up & slowly builds with the story of how the media blows the
big stories about crazy idiots like Saddam or the Waco Wacko(!)
way out of proportion, whilst the individual with genuine life difficulties
gets buried in the small print. "Jeannie's got a gun gonna
start a new revolution. Rebel with a cause just because she can
blow him away. Moving like a cat on a rat across the constitution.
Wooaoh dog has it's day …." Ain't that the truth!
OK, here's the area where I might say Mr. Newman got an influence
from something else, title cut Primitive Soul – IMHO –
kicks in like Van Halen's Panama, even some of the accent's in his
lead work may may you think Eddie VH! It's actually a great title
track that I can't get out of my head …, even after the whole
album is done! Good job Steve, catchy hooklines, no question mate!
Great guitar work throughout, punchy, edgy, yet he still keeps the
basic song structures deeply melodic. Good production work Steve
& vocally on this he's still pushing himself.
Alright, it's Newman ballad time folks, with Still Can't Find The
Words & the verse is almost reminding me of something that I
can't nail …, but in the chorus we hear, "Even though
my heart is breaking, I still stand here hesitating, I know I know,
I still can't find the words." – I want to sing, "I
know I know, This much is true!" Yes, almost, but it's not
by a long way …., Spandau Ballet!
Last Flight misleads you with a very gentle intro, before totally
rocking out with a huge hard rocking track!
Big sounds, guitars & big choruses, very edgy rock track &
check out his solo on this …, awesome stuff!
This album features Steve playing all guitars – Except for
a solo by Tommy Denander on Cold Day In Hell. – all lead vocals,
keyboards – Except on Cold Day In Hell, which feature Dave
Parr - & he shares the backing vocals with Mark Thompson-Smith
(Ex Praying Mantis) & is nobly assisted otherwise on drums by
Rob McEwen who also played on last album Heaven Knows.
Falling Like Stone still follows the AOR track, but has some interesting
changes throughout it, but the vocals are really strong on this
track.
Next track For The Man I Am has a very interesting keyboard driven
atmospheric intro, which pops up through the verses also. Again,
the choruses are vocally very strong indeed. Great harmony guitar
solo on this track by the way!
Cold Day In Hell is next & I love the radio searching for something
to listen to intro.
Steve Newman really seems to be pushing his vocals to raspy sounds
in the verses here & this track is a slow, stomping, moody track
again big the big chanting choruses. Guitar lead duties shared between
Steve & Tommy Denander. Sweet!
Next track I Get Torn has very interesting rhythms to it's intro
& I'd go so far as to say it's slightly reminiscent of a certain
Judie Tzuke in Steve's vocal phrasing in places, a little breathy
but then the chorus is still big. This track may be a little different
for Newman fans, but it shows another, bolder side to Steve's work
I think.
I think Rapture has the breathy / slight raspy vocals in places
but musically I see it very Toto'ish here & there, even hint's
of Augeri period Journey power ballad album type track. Good stuff!
Give It All You've Got is here to get back on the rock track &
is lyrically on track with Juke Box Hero about a young kid guitarist,
musically it's prime time Newman. Great hooklines, very tight, good
catchy chorus, strong vocal lines & killer solo Steve!
Closer here is Mystery To Me, more of those breathy intro vocals
& here & there leads into Strangeways territory & still
Toto'ish in a lot of the music …. Very classy!
Not an out & out rocker to finish with to leave you wanting
more, perhaps running order on the last 2 tracks could've, been
changed & perhaps that killer closing touch to end on.
A pretty damn good album in my books all said & done &
easily worth 4/5.
I seriously encourage those that have not yet checked Newman out
to do so now!
It's independent rock ventures like this that reek of "well
done," "Good job mate," etc, etc, support these better
acts folks,
otherwise there will be many bad also rans & people will be
saying, whatever happen to Newman?
Ah, the people who love this music didn't get behind the act, so
he / she / they, gave up ….
It'll sadly be our loss in the end. Keep on rockin' Steve &
all power to you for a seriously good release!
Alun Williams
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Newman
- Primitive Soul
If there was any justice in the world, Steve Newman would be a very
rich man right now. Forget the likes of Guy Chambers and Kathy Dennis,
it's talents such as Steve Newman who represent the real songwriting
talent in this country … the only problem is that from a mainstream
perspective, he chooses to write in a genre that's largely ignored
by the fashion conscious, 'here today, gone by tea break' media
mogul's who manipulate the nation's musical tastes.
Follow up to last years excellent 'Heaven
Knows' opus, 'Primitive Soul' is his sixth
album in ten years, and once again provides some of the best, pure
AOR this country has ever produced. Like it's predecessor, 'Primitive
Soul' is largely Steve's own work, with drums and percussion
again being provided by Rob McEwen.
This time around though, there are a smattering
of guest appearances from the likes of Tommy Denander,
Dave Parr, and Mark Thompson Smith
to add that extra little bit of sparkle. Looking at it from a musical
perspective, Primitive Soul' is probably Steve's
most diverse release to date, the usual emotionally charged ballads
and punchy MHR anthems now sharing the stage with moodier, more
sophisticated numbers - check out the brooding 'Falling
Like Stone'.
Fortunately, the increased diversity hasn't
been achieved at the expense of melodies or hooks, and I'm pleased
to report these are just as strong as ever - witness 'Heading
For Your Heart', 'For The Man I Am', and
'Last Flight' to name but three.
But for me, where Steve has always scored
big is the astuteness of his lyrical observations, and in '15
Minute Revolution' he's penned arguably his most thought
provoking (and damming) yet. Classy, slick, sophisticated, and supremely
addictive, 'Primitive Soul' is the latest in a long line of top
grade releases from this most underrated of artists. (D.Cockett)
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| NEWMAN -
PRIMITIVE SOUL
Reviewed by Don Gibbs
Steve Newman, that quintessential English melodic
rocker, who had an awesome release with “Heaven Knows”,
is back, this time without the backing of the Escape label. Would
this lack of backing prove to be a major sticking point? Who knows?
I know how hard bands fight to get themselves signed to major labels
so that they can get their music heard, so is ‘going it alone’
the right thing for Steve to do? Only time and sales will tell.
I had been looking forward to this release for a long time, since
hearing of its progress at Firefest III last year,
when I was fortunate to speak to Steve after his slightly problematic
set at the pre-show party. I was, and still am, a huge fan of “Heaven
Knows” and felt at the time that Steve had possible
reached a pinnacle and could go no further – so lets press
the play button and jump in with both feet.
The first track “Heading For Your Heart”
starts off with a really slow spine tingling mellow and moody guitar
riff that acts almost like a relaxant before the tempo changes and
the guitar bursts into a rocky, heavily distorted up-tempo beat
which drags you full on into the track proper. With “Heading
For Your Heart” Steve has once again managed to find
an awesome opener, just as he did with “Heaven Knows”,
the right track in the right place to achieve the right effect.
The title track, “Primitive Soul”,
is a rocker from start to finish. Building up from a beaty, almost
tribal beginning, to a real head-banging, toe-tapping chorus that
doesn’t need much before you start singing along. Following
on from this is “Still Cant Find The Words”
which turns the ‘beat dial’ from 10 right back down
to 1 and is a real ‘last dance’ ballad.
As you all know I am not one to break releases down and comment
track by track, I like to look at the bigger picture. So, here is
the bigger picture. This is an impressive release that is filled
with impressive tracks, one of the rare occasions that you can state
that “the sum of the one is equal to the sum of the whole”.
“Primitive Soul” once again highlights
the talents that Mr Newman possess (I call him ‘Mr’
as a sign of respect), especially when you realise that he has done
this all on his own again, all guitars, bass, keyboards and vocals.
The only parts he didn’t do were the drums, and I bet if he
had more time he would give them a go as well. What is plainly obvious,
when you look at Steve Newman’s back catalogue, is that he
keeps getting better and better with each release – even our
illustrious Dougie at hardrockhouse.com felt the need to eat humble
pie when he reviewed “Heaven Knows”
previously. This album follows the trend, and is, in my opinion,
even better than “Heaven Knows”
As I mentioned previously, this release has been done without the
backing of a major label, and if I may be so bold, I do think that
it is noticeable. Gone is the almost urgent nature which is necessary
to meet deadlines set by record labels, the pressure to create and
deliver has gone. This has been replaced by a more personal touch,
you can almost sense the sigh of relief at being able to take time
over writing the songs, and I feel that this shows in the quality
of the songs on this album.
Once again, Steve has moved the bar up another few notches and
laid down an album of unquestionable quality, an album that will
stay on the MP3 player for a long time (at least until his next
release) and is a MUST BUY for all melodic rock fans.
I wanted to give this release top
marks, but if I did that then Steve may feel he could rest on his
laurels, and that would not be good enough I’m afraid. We
want and need more of this quality from our British rockers, and
with some more inspiration he could get even better (if that is
possible!) So, bearing that in mind I feel justified in giving “Primitive
Soul” a well deserved 9.8/10 and
my unconditional recommendation to buy this release. My main contender
for album of the year so far. Well done Steve.
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| Newman -
Heaven Knows
Escape Music
Rating - 9/10
Review Dougie
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Steve Newman has released four albums previously to this and Heaven
Knows is his fourth release on the Escape label. In the past I’ve
heard several tracks by Newman and I’ve always thought good
songs, good guitar work, needs a better singer. However after this
album I would like custard with that large slice of humble pie I'm
about to eat.
Newman's voice has improved beyond all recognition on Heaven Knows.
He now comes across as an excellent blend of john Wetton and Terry
Brock which is perhaps no coincidence as several of the songs bear
similarities to tracks by Brock's erstwhile band Strangeways. Heartland,
albeit a slightly heavier version, also springs to mind when listening
to Newman thus giving the album a very British AOR feel.
Having said all that of course the album opener, title track 'Heaven
Knows' comes over all Aldo Nova circa the Blood On The Bricks' opus.
A great up-tempo opener a the rocking vein is continued with second
track 'Higher' which has a great guitar riff that really drives
the song along. 'Ain't Gonna Cry Forever' though is the first of
the tracks with the Strangeways feel about it, keyboards driving
the song along and guitars overlaid to perfection. After the Giant-esque
'Move On' the Strangeways connection continues with 'The Way You
Love Me', a mid tempo power ballad featuring huge vocals throughout.
The ballads continue with ''Learning To Live', a true power ballad
and a song that builds and builds throughout its course
Next Up, 'The Circle', Is one of the standout tracks IMO on this
album with a chorus that worms it way into your skull and will not
get out. I've had this song going through my head all bloody week
- good job it’s a great track then. 'This Time' on the other
hand is groover of a song, very similar in style to the Robert Hart
fronted Distance and features another chant along chorus.
'Never Meant To Fall In Love is yet another excellent song and
one that both grooves and rocks all at the same time, appealing
to all AOR fans. However changing the style somewhat is 'Wait',
a song that has an almost jazz feel to the guitar, the change of
style certainly helps to keep the album interesting at a point were
it may have got a bit samey. 'Sport Of Kings' is the only co-write
on the album, with Anders Rydholm from Grand illusion/The Code,
and is a slightly darker feeling track. 'On Any Other Sunday', which
is dedicated to the victims of the Tsunami that hit south east Asia
just over a year ago, is an acoustic ballad that rounds off the
album in fine style. Don’t take my word for it though, head
over to www.escape-muisc.com and download this track and have a
listen for yourself!
As you can tell I like Heaven Knows has proved to be an album that
I like rather a lot. It must be said thought that it not the most
original record you will ever hear. All the songs prove to be strong,
with little 'filler' about any of the tracks. Arguably the best
British AOR album I’ve heard this year.
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NEWMAN
Heaven Knows
© 2006 Escape Music (ESM130)
AOR/melodic rock
studio album
12 tracks - TT 56:02
release date: May 19, 2006
http://www.escape-music.com
Do you remember my review of Newman’s “Sign
Of The Times” album, released by Escape Music in 2003?
I called it Steve’s best album to that date and many of you
must have thought the same as the album was voted 17th best of that
year in our infamous annual poll.
Another three years have gone since the release of that glorious
album, but the follow-up has now finally hit the streets and it’s
called after its wonderful opening track “Heaven
Knows”. The new album counts twelve tracks in total,
of which ten were written by Steve Newman and two are co-writings:
“Learning To Live” (Steve
Newman/Ian Fergusson) and “Sport Of
Kings” (Steve Newman/Anders Rydholm, ex-Grand Illusion).
Recorded in his home studio in Sussex (known as The Blue Room) with
only some help of drummer and percussion player Rob McEwen, I’m
happy to say that “Heaven Knows” is another excellent
studio album of Mr Newman, which is completely along the lines of
its predecessor. Personal highlights for the moment are the above-mentioned
opener “Heaven Knows” (featuring
some … heavenly vocals!), “Ain’t
Gonna Cry Forever”, “Learning
To Live” (excellent ballad) and “Never
Meant To Fall In Love”. With this fifth release, Steve
Newman confirms his status as one of the UK’s best AOR artists
ever. I know many good albums have been released this year so far,
but I’m pretty confident this one will end up in the top-20
of this year’s poll. Let’s wait and see…
Chris Lambert (Rockreport.be)
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NEWMAN
: HEAVEN KNOWS
Escape Music 2006
Songs: 95%
Sound: 90%
Overall : 93%
Englishman Steve Newman returns in quick time for album number 5.
I have always enjoyed Newman's albums and without doubt each one
has been that little bit better than the one before.The last album
Sign Of The Modern Times was his best to date and left him with
a lot of work to do to match or surpass it. Steve made a slight
change of tact for this album. Everything except for the thumping
drum beats are from Steve. A truly hands on effort this, with keyboards,
guitars, bass and vocals all coming from the man himself. I'm not
sure who mixed this album; whether it was Steve or someone else,
but whoever is responsible did a cracking job at ensuring all the
instruments get equal room to breathe and be heard clearly. The
sound is classic melodic rock with that 80s influence snapping at
its heals, but is in no way dated or routine. I'm pleased to say
that Newman has eclipsed himself again and Heaven Knows is easily
his best album to date.
The stars of this record – the songs themselves. These are
the best set of songs to make a Newman record yet and are the most
instant also. Normally I require a little time to grow into Steve's
records, but on this occasion I only needed a second spin to be
sold on the contents.
Track By Track:
Heaven Knows is a cracking uptempo
melodic rocker to get things underway, with a smooth chorus giving
way to a lush chorus mixing keyboards with guitars and harmony vocals.
Higher is a little more subtle, yet
features a harder edge guitar riff and the chorus comes in two parts
and is classic Newman.
Aint Gonna Cry Forever is possibly
the best Newman song ever! What a killer chorus! I just love it
to death and think it is an example of the very best classic British
AOR can offer.
Move On is a little heavier and has
a certain groove. It changes the pace of the album to date but still
features another great chorus.
The mid-tempo ballad The Way You Love Me
is another great example of how simple and familiar melodic rock
can still be so effective when done with passion and quality.
Following the mid-tempo ballad is this slower power ballad. Learning
To Live again features a monster chorus and again is one
of Steve's best ballads.
The Circle picks the tempo up again
to how the album opened. And yet again - another strong chorus.
This Time has a big groove to it and
some nice guitar parts. Not as strong a chorus here, but not close
to being a filler either.
Wait takes a few listens to get to
know and works well at this point of the album.
Never Meant To Fall In Love is a uptempo
melodic rocker with a groovy verse and a straight AOR chorus.
Sport Of Kings is a heavier and darker
track that shows another side of Newman. A good chorus gets better
with each listen.
On Any Other Sunday is a tribute to
the victims of the 2005 Tsunami. This acoustic ballad closes the
album on a strong, yet sentimental note.
The Bottom Line
Well, this ain't brain surgery. Stylistically, there's noting here
that won't have already been heard before somewhere and this is
not an album that pushes ay musical boundaries.
What it is though, is a very fine example of classic style, 80s
influenced British melodic rock and in my opinion, Steve Newman's
best and most consistent.
Andrew McNeice (Melodicrock.com)
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NEWMAN
Sign Of The Modern Times
© 2003 Escape Music (ESM090)
AOR
studio album
11 tracks - TT 53:00
release date: August 1, 2003
http://www.escape-music.com After
a couple of less important Escape Music releases (such as the ones
of Laudamus and Pain And Passion), here’s finally an album
that I’ve been waiting for a long, long time. Already recorded
between May and September of last year and produced by Steve Newman
and the great Pete Coleman, here’s Newman’s best album
to this date, called “Sign Of The Modern
Times”. We had to wait three years for it, but it was
surely worth the long wait. With the exception of “Watching
You” – co-written by Steve Newman and Ian Fergusson
– all tracks have been written by Steve Newman himself and,
believe me, there’s more than one gem among them. People who
don’t know this man, would expect he’s hailing from
America, but as a matter of fact he’s from the UK and in my
humble opinion one of the best (still) dealing with AOR/melodic
rock. Choose any random track and let you overwhelm by the great
lead and backing vocals, the catchy hooks, the powerful guitar riffs
and the impressive keyboards combined with the great melodies. And
on top of all that, there’s a great balance between the ballads
and the more up-tempo tracks. I won’t mention any songs as
all of them are of an extreme high quality and executed in a perfect
way. This is not only a milestone for Steve Newman and Escape Music,
it’s also a big, big contender for the best album of this
year. You’re a fool if you miss out on this one…
Chris Lambert
(Rock Report) |
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NEWMAN
Sign Of The Modern Times
Escape Music
92%
Steve Newman
returns with his first album for 3 years – if you don't include
the shelved Butterfly Tattoo album.
Joining Steve is Pete Jupp and Mike
Brooks, with producer Peter Coleman
adding his input.
Pleasingly, despite the 3 year absence, Newman returns, picking
up where he left off – with some notable improvements.
First of all the songwriting has matured further. There is more
emphasis on a memorable hook and stronger choruses. There is also
another dimension to the performance.
The album is same pure melodic rock with touches of English AOR
that the previous album shave offered, but has added attraction
of a tougher and more direct approach as the album as a whole is
more guitar driven.
Keyboards are given their usual prominent role in the mix, but the
heavier guitar tone and Steve's strong vocals are what drive the
record.
The urgency of the opening track Save Me Tonight
is evident. A verse-bridge-chorus setup is always popular and the
hooks within this track make it one of Newman's best.
Following that is arguably the best track of Newman's career. Last
Known Survivors is precisely why fans buy these kinds of
records - moody verse, solid guitar riff, a change of pace for the
bridge then a big feel-good chorus. Great stuff!
Elsewhere on the album Masquerade is
a great moody mid-tempo track, You Should
Be Gone and Heart V Desire are
both classy examples of the melodic rock genre and the ballad Watching
You is a classic slice of British AOR.
The Bottom Line
This is definitely Newman's best album to date and will please fans
of British melodic rock and AOR and fans of the more traditional
80's style of melodic music.
Great performances all round are enhanced by a crisp and even production.
The only way I can see Newman getting better is if every chorus
was as strong as the opening two tracks – then he would be
unbeatable.
Andrew McNeice
(Melodicrock.com) |
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NEWMAN
'Dance in the fire'
(ESCAPE MUSIC(Advance Copy)
Isn't it fun when an album catches you unawares
blowing you completley away- well that's what 'Dance
In The Fire' did for me. This album is beyond what I was
expecting, each song on this twelve track moster perfectly marries
melodic rock and pure AOR just how you love it, rich harmonies,
orgasamic vocals and a production that any other other British rock
band would kill for. Yes UK based singer/songwriter Steve
Newman has outdone himself with his third studio album.
Vocally Newman reminds me of David
Coverdale, especially on the opening duo of 'Every
Moment' and 'Jealousy'. The
former is pure melodic rock, check out the gorgeous keyboard playing
and the equally stunning guitar work, the latter mixes Magnum
with Whitesnake, check out the pompy
keyboards and majestic chorus, excellent.
We also get to hear a couple of nice power ballads, 'Anything
At All' is totally gorgeous boasting comparisons to Stan
Bush and Def Leppard, whilst
the guitar playing reminds me of Eric Johnson,
it's got that pop/metal feel of the late 80's and would have been
a big hit. The second of the ballads is called 'Angel',
this song is built around an uptempo chorus a'la Nightranger,
Bad English. Newman's voice is huge
and this song is quite possibly the ballad of the year.
Other songs to check out are the commercial AOR-tastic title track
' Dance In The Fire', 'Call
My Name' and 'Do You Remember',
all feature luxurious FM tinted harmonies
and addictive chorus lines to sing along to, whilst an ozzing of
melodic class can be heard on 'Follow Your
Heart', which plays once again like a mix of Whitesnake
and Shy.
My favorite song of the whole cd is 'Prey'
which I think will suprise many of Newman's fans, it's quite a heavy
song and the keyboards float around the songs melodic grooves, thus
'Prey' come across like Lion and perhaps
Ken Tamplin, an awesome song and one that will be a firm live favourite.
'Not Your Lover' continues in this
style, but is not as heavy as 'Prey'.
'Dangerous' reminds me of Survivor
and FM, this is AOR at it's finest
and the chorus is dead catchy. Finally a mention must also go to
a wonderful song called 'Love Is The Drug'
where once again the Whitesnake and
Shy comparisons coming flowing in,
but it's the
afformentioned 'Prey' which simply kills me everytime I play it
that wins top honours. Melodic rock and AOR albums don't come much
better than this, everything from the production by Heartland's
Chris Ousey to the songwriting and musicanship is perfect,
I guess I'm just biased with this album.
Rating: 9,5/10 Nicky
Baldrian (Strutter Magazine)
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NEWMAN
/ ONE STEP CLOSER
LABEL: ESCAPE MUSIC ESM044
OVERALL: 84%
I must confess that I am yet to hear Newman's debut album.I have
also heard mixed reports about this album, but I am a little puzzled
why.As long as what I describe is your particular thing, you will
not be disappointed by this album. It is a strong piece of AOR &
rock, with an emphasis on more keyboard influenced songs and an
modern, but 80's influenced sound. But the production is with 90's
values, insuring that this does not sound dated in any way. Any
fan of Escape's back catalogue should be pleased to add this to
it. Steve Newman produced this album himself, which he has done
a good job of. His voice is one I can't pigeon hole, so I will just
say that it is quite a deep voice and capable of holding a good
melody.
In typical grand rock style, the album opens with
One Step Closer. This sounds remarkably close to the style
of The Distance. There is a small connection
there - the label and Delwyn Brooks who mixed both records.
Desperate Hours compares a little to
early Survivor - strong vocals and guitar without going over the
top. The songs rolls along comfortably.
Don't Walk Away is one of the album's
standouts and a very good track. A big anthem chorus is the highlight
of this mid paced keyboard filled AOR rocker. I like the instrumental
break also.
Judgement Day is a cool moody mid tempo
track. It the chorus comes and goes from the verse with little addition
to the sound, save for some extra harmony vocals. Great effect.
Should've Been Me opens the ballad
account. This also has a Heartland feel to it, but stands alone
regardless. A mid tempo and mid sized AOR anthem. Some good vocals.
Taboo follows the route of the Harlan
Cage album. Yep, the guys go guitar heavy, and relegate the keyboards
to low in the mix, in this mid tempo hard rocker.
Fire Of Love continues to rock harder
then the rest of the album, but not as intensely as Taboo.
But there is a better chorus and overall melody to this track. A
good anthem-ish tune.
Strongest Heart sees the album continue
to get better and better. This is the only other ballad. Like Should've
Been Me, it is not typical ballad fare, but a slow to mid
paced AOR ballad. Some really good harmonies throughout this.
Strange Animal is an OK track. A mid
paced rock song, the hooks are not quite as prevalent as some of
the other tunes. However, I just love the way the song picks up
tempo at the end. It turns into a real anthem with some blazing
guitars that could have been even better had they kept going.
The Call makes up for that big time.
In fact, this is my pick of the album.
A good pace, strong melodies, a big chorus and plenty of harmonies
make this song.
Joanne ends the album on a high note.
A good solid uptempo melodic pop rocker.
I have been playing this album a lot over the past few weeks and
have to say it is a real grower.
It only adds to the high standard of release Escape have been keeping
to.
And I must say that Escape's packaging has been of equally high
quality. This looks really nice.
So if you are a fan of the label and keyboard filled pop rock albums,
check this out now!
Andrew McNeice (Melodicrock.com)
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