Newman remains one of the unsung heroes of British AOR and melodic rock. With an impressively long career spanning over a dozen albums—fifteen to be precise (yes, I had to look it up)—the band is a true testament to longevity and tenacity.
The group is the eponymous creation of multi-instrumentalist Steve Newman, who handles guitars, keyboards, and vocals. Their style echoes the melodic moments of Shy mixed with a touch of Dare, alongside a certain pomp reminiscent of Toto and Survivor. The songs themselves are highly enjoyable and accessible. Despite a primarily mid-tempo pace, the intricate orchestrations keep the listener thoroughly engaged.
However, Newman’s vocals slightly lower the bar; while competent and on-key, they lack the majestic range and soaring harmonies needed to make tracks like “Your Next Move” sound massive. This is a shame, as there is plenty to love here: the strong opener “Beat of the Same Drum”, the cinematic “Midnight Conversations”, the dynamic “Always Love You”, and the anthemic “Time and a Place”. Additionally, the hook-laden “Rewind” and the ballad “When You Lie” boast some of the album’s best choruses.
Ultimately, the record is held back by a DIY mentality—delegating the vocals to a dedicated frontman could have delivered the powerhouse performances these songs desperately deserve. While most genre fans might overlook this release, it is both a pity but also entirely understandable.
