Rating: RRRR
Label: AOR Heaven
Review By: Alan Holloway
Not to be confused with the other Steve Newman, this is
brand new album from one of the UKs more interesting melodic rock exports. It’s
been five long years since the deservedly well received ‘Under Southern Skies’,
and like that album ‘The Elegance Machine’ showcases a man who obviously takes
a lot of care over his output.
Thankfully bereft of a mood setting (translation: boring)
opening piece, ‘The Elegance Machine’ wastes no time in setting it’s stall as a
wee paced, melodic album with ‘The Suit (Skyscraper)’, a glorious opener that
will delight any Newman fan, all the better for being followed by the catchy
title track. For me, though, the album truly comes alive seven tracks in with ‘Prayer
For Apollo’, a great song with smart lyrics and an irresistible hook. This is
partnered with ‘She Walks In Silence’, a heavily emotional song about spousal
abuse that nonetheless has a great hook. Whilst there’s certainly nothing wrong
with the rest of the songs, these two are the ones I come back to the most,
lyrically and melodically. ‘One Good Reason’ follows them, and has the honour
of being the bounciest track on the disc, and a highly infectious one at that.
Steve Newman isn’t one of those people who you see on
magazine covers or doing a nationwide support tour. What he does is make some
very good AOR albums that demonstrate a real knack for melody and lyrics. If
you get the chance to see one of his occasional live performances I suggest you
take advantage, and while you’re at it go and get ‘The Elegance Machine’,
because it just may be his best work yet.
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