Reviewed by Tony Cummings

A new (to me) singer/songwriter who with producer Mark Cunningham deftly puts some rock music edge to the largely acoustic rhythms over a wheezingly expressive voice that occasionally recalls Sting. Songs are a mixed bag ranging from the near-brilliant ("Comin' Back" and "Don't Take Our Smiles Away") to the dull ("Always"). Themes are wide-ranging, from earthy vingettes pinpointing the harsh realities of our modern world ("Bad girl just sittin' there/She's lost her brains and her underwear") and passionate songs of spiritual rebirth ("Need the hand that cradles gently/To liberate from all mankind"). Some songs sound pre-conversion and there's a lack of stylistic coherence (the ribald "Sadie-Sue" with a Faces-type tune doesn't fit). But the best stuff here is passionate, eloquent and hard hitting. Steve's next album could be truly amazing.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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