British singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Steve Newman has been producing great melodic rock for over twenty years now. This his 11th album is no exception – indeed it might just be up there with his best, and it comes just before the revamped ‘Burn’ that he’s also a part of release their new album in November.
Opening with the punchy ‘Fear of Flying’, one of the best here, this is an album that keeps on giving – it’s full of great musicianship, solid tunes and great performances. The best of a tight field may well be that opener or the spirited ‘Don’t Wake the Lion’. There’s plenty of competition though – ‘Can’t Stop Loving You’ is a great mid-tempo tour de force with a great beat and some great harmonies.
Those tracks are followed closely be the likes of ‘High Tonight (Aerial)’ which feature a great double solo – keys then guitar, its more expansive feel sets it a little aside. There’s also the pacier, uplifting ‘You Don’t Know Me’; and the similarly paced and equally cool ‘Life to Remember’ both of which are huge.
Add to that the sweeping melodic hit of ‘Vertigo’; the AOR bliss of ‘Always Strangers’ and the wonderfully constructed ‘Nothing Left’ and you have an album to remember and to savor.