Hand Built By Robots Review

Release Date: Jul 23, 2007
Label: Ugly Truth
Genres: Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
Number Of Tracks: 17
2007 debut album from the young singer/songwriter making waves on both sides of the pond with his melodic and mesmerizing approach to his craft.

Sound:	7.7
Lyrics:	8
Impression:	7.3
Overall rating:	7.7
Users rating:	9.1
Comments:	17

overall: 9

Featured review by: priceless_twirp, on march 25, 2008

Sound: I first heard about this album from Jo Wiley’s sexy voiced and appraising TV advert about 6 months ago and I thought “Well who can refuse that?” So I didn’t. I bought it on my next trip out, got it home, banged it on my computer and listened to it for a bit. I got bored very quickly… and left it gathering hard drive dust for a few months. Then, a few weeks back, I came across it again and was completely blown away. I don’t know what changed about my sensibilities or mood at the time but I now think him to be one of the most beautiful and clever singer/songwriter’s there are. There is not only the obvious single material in “Dream Catch Me” is to be had here. Beautiful little hidden gems such as “Gone in the Morning,” which is deep syncopated voice “incredible” (an in-joke there, for listeners of the album), and “UFO,” which uses a Theremin for crying out loud, which don’t make such an obvious poppy statement, but when you really listen you can sit back and think “wow…he knows what he’s doing!” From his huge, sweeping songs to his snappy little numbers, the diversity from such a narrow origin, of a single acoustic guitar, is staggering. Not to mention the playing. Using finger picking, cross picking, classical picking, most types of picking really, popping a snare and bass beat on his guitar body, tapping all at the same time, in the same song. Enough said really. See him live for this! The one thing I would say was bad about the album is the few points at which it becomes slightly introspective and loses momentum a bit, namely with “Sitar-Y Thing” and “Lullaby” (forgivable seeing as it’s the final track). // 9

Lyrics and Singing: From watching his live performances it is clear that many of his songs do have a meaning behind them lyrically. He loves the concept of dreams, the whole album possessing this quality of an invented reality, even making his few political statements (too much fighting, not enough peace/love etc.) he does it in a notably surreal way (e.g. what would and alien think if he saw this planet) which makes for some wondrous listening throughout. What’s more is that the quality of the singing is just beautiful, every word is obvious and defined and the harmonies are just amazing. It may be the case that it’s all a bit too weird for you but just open your mind to the oddness before shooing it. // 9

Impression: Most people would make “The Jack Johnson Comparison” I won’t. I won’t simply because there isn’t one. Not to Jack Johnson, not to most people. For one thing he beats JJ’s summer afternoon drowsy rubbish off the radar, with his all year round, all round brilliance. For another, he is certainly one of the more uniquely styled player/singer/songwriter’s you’re likely to hear, with no one else quite like him. He’s like a Frankenstein’s Monster of the reasons music is good. // 9

overall: 8

Reviewed by: mikespread88, on january 08, 2008

Sound: Although I aren't an avid Acoustic listener, Newton Faulkner has a brilliant sound. Everything sounds very precise and clean, the songs Gone In The Morning, Dream Catch Me and I Need Something really standing out to me. I saw him at Middlesbrough Music Live a while ago and really enjoyed his performance. // 8

Lyrics and Singing: Again, Newton's lyrics make you want to join in singing. He touches on subjects from love to loss of self-belief and being who you want to be. Although you hear the occasional reference to say an Anal probe in UFO, or living inside a zoo, he still carries the song with great vocals and a very happy mood. His voices matches the acoustic guitar sound and the beat perfectly, giving a greater impression of the entire album on how well produced this is. // 8

Impression: I've heard Jack Johnson before and thought he was good, but Newton has a much better sound and his songs touch upon things that relate to every day life and how certain things make you feel. My favourite song is Gone In The Morning, but as previously said, I enjoyed Dream Catch Me and I Need Something, and To The Light to some extent. I think I would enjoy this album as much now as I will in say ten years. // 8

overall: 6

Reviewed by: Sos-viper, on october 29, 2007

Sound: My first impresion of newton faulkner was wow what a great solo artist. I orignally heard his song dream catch me on the hits. I thought this was a good song which thn lead to me getting the album. the album is a very acoustic album, with every track featuring some magnificent chord structures from newton. The songs genres must be pop no questions about that. A lot of the songs are very happy and joyful. As you can see by Newton's guitar playing he is a very talented guitarist, and as a lover of rock music aswell as many other genres, I sat listening to the album hopeing for some form of guitar solo. Obviously soloing is not for Newton Faulkner. // 6

Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics to all the tracks are happy lyrics all about love and togetherness really. He has a few lines in there that have massive potential whilst others are just a repeat of something you heard earlier in the album. Newton plays guitar and sings at the same time but this does nto effect his voice. Newton poses a great tone to his voice which I think most music lvoers would apreciate. // 7

Impression: This album was a rther good album, poses a few brilliant tracks, nad some repetitive accoustic drones. the albums best two tracks would be the ones that have been released as singles 'Dream Catch Me' and 'All I Got'. overall if you like a nice tunefull catchy song this album is definately for you otherwise you may find hope in other artists. // 5

Comments

[Hennah]

please see him live. you wont understand how brilliant this guy is till you do.

[nicodimus]

agreed, absolutly incredible live

[Big Al]

gona see him in 2 weeks or so in glasgow, cannot wait

[Toms' anominous]

you marked him down because there was no guitar solo?
guitar solo's should only be there if it suits the music not just to entertain young boys *sigh*.

[Sos-viper]

yes but with such a guitar talent surely, he can put a solo in a song that really deserves it ?

[edibledevilboy]

he supported my friends band not too long ago... he rose to fame quick... yeah - amazing artist, he deserves MUCH higher marks than what this tits given him...

[wiggyisgreat]

Bit of a harsh review... Really good album in my opinion.

[lukeedelston]

It seems that the reviewer is purposely giving low marks just because there isn't a solo. Very good...

[Focker777]

dude..my last name is Faulkner too..haha..thats ****in crazy..

[Grohl152]

You know, if you are gonna right such crap, you should really learn English first...

[widsabix]

totally agree with hennah. i saw him in glasgow n he was unbelievable, just a different class live. shit review by the way..

[Gwynnell]

1. The review isn't of him live
2. One mention of the word solo and all this

Seriously people, if democrocy hasn't taught you anything, people can have opinions differant to yours and they are just as valid.

peace and all that

x

[franksciante]

i like the album alot! although some arrangements don't do his live versions justice e.g. teardrop, dream catch me.

despite that its a good pop album.

[CaptainStephan]

Like priceless i too didn't really get into this at first.But i thought i'd give it another chance and i was utterly gobsmacked. Love it. totally brilliant. Not everyday that my wife and I agree on music!

[crusherclement]

I have to agree with CaptainStephan and Priceless. I put it on my computer and got bored of it halfway through. About a year later I listened to it again and love it. Definitely one of those albums that with every listen, you hear something new.

[wildchild6660]

Saw him on the tonight show playing "Dream catch me". Totally awesome, even better than the music video.

[wildchild6660]

By the way, he is NOT better than Jack Johnson. Needs to work on consistency through the album.