Hand Built By Robots - Newton Faulkner

Well, it's my 50th review, so I decided to mark the occasion by doing something a little different - my very first music review! Thanks to all those who have written quality reviews before, and given me ideas of how to proceed! I just hope I can do my chosen artist justice.

I expect by now, at least 80% of the population have heard of Newton Faulkner, haven't they? Handmade guitar, surfydude with dreadlocks, deep soulful voice? No? ...
...a 23 years old (at the time of writing), singer/ songwriter from Surrey. His gorgeous rendition of Massive Attacks Teardrops (which I personally think is brilliant - not as good as the original granted, but still hauntingly beautiful just the same), is mainly responsible for bringing him into the public ear. For me, his track Dream Catch Me was what really drew me to finding more about him, perfectly melodic, romantic, and inspiring - and I soon ... more

Well, it's my 50th review, so I decided to mark the occasion by doing something a little different - my very first music review! Thanks to all those who have written quality reviews before, and given me ideas of how to proceed! I just hope I can do my chosen artist justice.

I expect by now, at least 80% of the population have heard of Newton Faulkner, haven't they? Handmade guitar, surfydude with dreadlocks, deep soulful voice? No? Well let me enlighten you! He is a 23 years old (at the time of writing), singer/ songwriter from Surrey. His gorgeous rendition of Massive Attacks Teardrops (which I personally think is brilliant - not as good as the original granted, but still hauntingly beautiful just the same), is mainly responsible for bringing him into the public ear. For me, his track Dream Catch Me was what really drew me to finding more about him, perfectly melodic, romantic, and inspiring - and I soon downloaded his music. His tracks make me think of sitting around a (safely controlled) fire on a Cornish beach, toasting marshmallows and listening to the waves gently lap on the shore, - I digress, here's my review of the album!

Intro - 0.37

Nice, short guitar piece. Filler. Very short filler, you do kind of wonder why?

2/10

To the light - 2.39

Didn't sound like him to begin with! Speaks really fast on the verse, sounds a little like something I've heard before by a different artist from the 80's. I will update when I remeber who, or please let me know if you know what the heck I'm rambling about. Not one of my favourites, but it's listenable. Although I do prefer to skip!

"Feel like a puppet with a drunken puppeteer, but I'll survive"

5/10

I Need Something - 2.57

This quickly became one of my favourites. I imagine he wrote this before being signed up, he sings about not believing in himself and his struggle to get anywhere. Very melodic & catchy, you can also hear him really use his voice in this track, hitting a few high notes and holding his notes. Not long enough in my opinion, I usually have to repeat!

"I'm scared of failure, so scared of success, guess it'll all work out"

9/10

All I got - 4.67

Catchy. My word of the day! Nice acoustic intro. I do like this, but it's not usually one I skip back to hear again, I think he sounds a little bit nasal in parts. The lyrics again are good, I didn't realise just how good until I really listened to it for this review. Sounds like he's singing to his other half about not rushing in, taking a step back and relaxing so he doesn't mess up again.

"I hope that you find it, if freedom is all that you want. I can see a silver lining; I'll be here time after time"

7/10

Dream Catch Me - 3.57

Stunning. One of the best handwritten songs by any singer/songwriter in the last few years (in my humble opinion!) Okay, so I'm an old romantic, but this is just beautiful. I'm not scared of admitting my love for the more 'common' track- which this one could be classed as, as it's his first one he wrote and recorded that many will recognise. Catchy lyrics, catchy tune, not slow enough to be morose, but lovely enough to be romantic. The emotion in his voice is perfect. I don't think this is actually written with a 'significant other' in mind, but more about his ambitions and dreams.

"See you as a mountain, a fountain, a God, see you as a descant soul in the setting sun, you as the sound, as the silence, as love. I'm yours."

10/10

Feels Like Home - 3.11

Nice, but I wouldn't miss it if it wasn't on the album.

"It feels like home, and it knocks me out, to know it feels like home & I broke out"

5/10

Teardrop - 3.11

Magic. Can't give him full marks though as he didn't write it, but he sings it perfectly. Accompanied just with his guitar and some little bongo drums or something, his voice is strong and soulful. I could listen to this a dozen times over. I don't really get the lyrics, but they sound poet and beautiful. Actually, please don't give me a VU for saying this, but I've just decided I prefer it to Massive Attacks version. Sorry.

"Love, love isn't fair, love is a doing word, fearless on my breath."

9.9/10

Gone in the Morning - 2.21

Gets a bit of a funny voice for the verse of this track. Okay it's a fun little song and the chorus is nice. I don't really know what he's singing about, maybe the weird dream he had that night and why they have to go? For some reason I do like it and can't help signing along!

"I'm gonna master all kinds of kung foo, I'm gonna live inside a tiny zoo, I'm gonna grow myself a giant afro, when the alarm goes off I just won't go."

6.5/10

Sitar-Y track - 1.19

Pretty but a bit repetitive piece of instrumental filler. If it wasn't so short I'd skip it.

2/10

Uncomfortably slow - 3:30

Sad voice, poignant lyrics. This is probably the second most saddest & slowest song on the album and gives me the feeling of loneliness. Beautiful.

"So don't take my photograph, 'cos I don't want to know how it looks to feel like this. "

7/10

Straight Towards the Sun - 3.38

Right, this IS the saddest & slowest song on the album! Another emotional feeling track

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained, feels like the world has gone insane, we are heading straight towards the sun"

6/10

People Should Smile More - 3.31

By god he's right! Bit of light hearted lyrics about some of the 'wrongs' that happen in the world and how it could be so easily rectified by smiling more. Nice to have a bit more light and upbeat tune after the last two tracks.

7/10

She's Got The Time - 1.21

Quick little interlude, a bit 'bluesy'. I imagine him sat on a wooden porch of a little shack with a couple of friends and a harmonica. No harmonica in it though, bit of a problem in my interpretation there.

"She's got a dime but she don't wanna give it to me"

4/10

U.F.O - 2.35

About a UFO. Funny little line about anal probes and the sitar makes a comeback. That's about it really.

4/10

Face (Her) - .42

Another short instrumental interlude. Melodic, but I couldn't tell one of these interludes from the other. It's probably taken you longer to read this than the track lasts.

1/10

Aging Super Hero - 3.20

Soft, warm, fuzzy. Not at all what I'd imagined from the title. He signs about how he feels so old and broken and alone, although he isn't. Not the most inspiring song, but okay.

The aging super hero in me is tired, 'cos he's lived too fast for too long, and he still longs to be inspired."

6/10

Lullaby - 1.39

Slow, short, gorgeous. For some reason this really strikes a chord with me. Slow piano intro & soft dreamy voice, it really is like a lullaby except it leaves me wanting more and I can't decide if I should feel sad or happy.

"Close your eyes. Get some sleep. It's too late now, to change anything, but it's okay, get some sleep. It's so dark outside, so close your eyes and feel the world turn round. If you're not lost, I guess that makes you found."

Overal Score - 7.5/10

More useful Info

Handbuilt by Robots was released in 2007 by the label Ugly Truth. I downloaded mine from Orange and received tracks 1-17, but have since found out that if you download from i-tunes you get three additional tracks, Full Fat, Dream Catch Me (acoustic) and Teardrop (acoustic). Not having any form of i-pod I've lucked out on that one! There is now another Deluxe album released September 2008, which has an extra track - Alone Again, unfortunately I haven't heard it. The album is classed as rock, although I personally think this is a bit misleading. Although it's not as 'pop' as most tracks in the chart at the moment, I would still class it as easy listening, pop, maybe with a rhythmic rock overtone. I suppose that description is a little long winded!

Personal Opinion

As you may have guessed, I love it. All tracks sound almost acoustic, uncomplicated because of the lack of technical interference. I do find the little interludes a bit annoying as they are so samey and I don't really get the point. I appreciate Newton plays the guitar well himself, but I would still rather hear a full length instrumental piece. His lyrics are beautiful and thought provoking. He doesn't feel need to swear or doctor syllables to make words rhyme. He doesn't offend anyone or use his lyrics to preach. More importantly, most of his songs actually make sense and I can understand every word! After reading his biography it seems he is very popular with people from the South West - shock - that's where I'm from! I find this album very easy to listen to, over and over. And over. I thought I'd try and get an unbiased view from my hubby who has quite a varied taste in music (Guns n Roses to electro pop) and he says, I quote "s'alright, nice I suppose." Praise indeed!

Thankyou for reading! Nicky. 

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