Review: Stuart Newman – Single But Defective

I’ve done a few reviews now and I have been mostly positive, for no other reason than I liked what I’ve reviewed. Sadly, this review won’t follow suit.

Writing songs is a craft, it time to get to grips with and like any good art that’s done well, it can draw you in. When it misses the mark it will not. Unfortunately this record falls in the latter category.

It’s clear when you listen to the album what is trying to be accomplished. Think Simon & Garfunkel meets Nirvana’s Polly etc. But these are not only tough acts to follow but tough acts to merge, melodically and lyrically. Many people have tried and only a few have succeeded, Elliot Smith for example has done some great work.

Although clear what is meant, it falls outside the margin of error. To me, it can’t make up its mind what it is. It is fundamentally an acoustic singer/songwriter album but there are some songs that sound like they don’t belong.
When dealing with melancholy, lyrical content is key. However, the content doesn’t carry the resonance that’s needed. Moreover, a song like 51st State has a political edge that doesn’t quite ring true.

The sad, down tempo vocals that accompany music in this genre can be overdone and the constant muffled vocals on this record does make it a bit linear.

At the end of the day, he’s spread himself a little thin, mixing too many styles and trying to incorporate too many elements. Saying that, making thirteen tacks is hard to do, he has a voice made for this genre and he is an interesting guitar player at times. He’s had a lot of MySpace hits and has made rotation on Radio 6. These are no small victories. Moreover, song writing is an ongoing process. Like most things in life, music is as much about potential as it is about instant success. There is a real chance that he can get inside that margin of error and make a great record. He doesn’t seem like a musician whose love of music will ever waiver and you cannot question his vision.

Self-Released on 27th September, visit Stuart’s MySpace for release details.

Nicolas Rainmaker