Ok, Martin finally got some press! Thanks, in no small part, to Eric Tanby a reader who felt moved to write to Mojo bemoaning a lack of mention of great English artists like our Martin. Mojo promised to write a review when Attic came out and they duly did. Shame they couldn't have found someone who knew a bit about the subject, or even bothered to look him up on the net or something, but otherwise we are pretty pleased with these reviews. Q amazed us with a review, so that nasty woman must have gone. If you spot any anywhere else, please email them in to paul@martinnewell.co.uk
MARTIN NEWELL - "RADIO AUTUMN ATTIC"
(NEW RELEASE APRIL 2002)
(CHERRY RED CDB RED 206) Erstwhile "most
published poet" in the UK and regular muse contributor to THE
INDEPENDENT,
Martin Newell is already well established in literary and critical
circles, but remains something of a marginal figure musically. A
ludicrous
state of affairs, really, because to write off Newell's music as
peripheral is a grave error. The merest exposure to Cherry Red's previous
"Wayward Genius" collection is enough to whet the most jaded appetites
and
new studio album "Radio Autumn Attic" follows through: another unmissable
salvo from the man railing against music's "well-serious brigade." Not
that there's anything remotely shabby or jokey about the crafting of
NEWELL'S songs. Indeed, "Radio Autumn Attic" presents a dozen - yes! -
quintessentially English examples of fine, intuitive pop song writing,
topped off with NEWELL'S witty and slightly laconic vocals. Having
actually operated in and around the music scene for nigh on twenty years
(sometimes with the legendary CLEANERS FROM VENUS), it's no surprise
Martin has previously worked with the likes of XTC'S ANDY PARTRIDGE as
songs like opener "The Duchess Of Leylandia" have a similar flair for
narrative lyrics, winning harmonies, BEATLE-esque arrangements and quirky
subject matters. Actually, MARTIN NEWELL definitely requires to be viewed
in the great tradition of English songwriting also propagated by
Partridge, Luke Haines and certainly Robyn Hitchcock. The man he
(superficially) resembles most to this writer, especially in the ability
both men have in creating all kinds of weird 'n' wonderful shapes out of
classic guitar pop. "Radio Autumn Attic" displays this knack in very
generous proportions. He can do linear: witness both "Beat Street" and
"Life As A Broken Doll". These possess a very special janglesome quality,
with spangly guitars and vocals transmitted straight from Heaven above.
But he does so much more, too. Linked by some amusing (and Python-style)
European radio excerpts, "A Woman And Some Whisky" and "World Of The
Stars" are both fabulous. The former is a smouldering, semi-acoustic (and
hilarious) tribute to John Drake (the hero from "Danger Man" cult TV
fans)
replete with Turkish-style guitar solo, whilst "World Of The Stars"
recalls The Auteurs' fascination with the seamier elements of showbiz on
their great "New Wave" album. Yet Martin Newell really excels when his
imagination extends into piano-led ballad territory, with "Sailing To
America". Its yearning, moving and nostalgic without ever becoming
mawkish, a trick that the ensuing "When We Were A Thing" pulls off
brilliantly as well. The only marginally disappointing aspect of "Radio
Autumn Attic" is the rather slight nature of the closing "Beer Elves" and
"Prende Mi", though I suspect this latter at least is designed purely as
a
postscript. Besides, it doesn't end there, as to finish you're regaled by
Martin's spoken word extracts from his new book "THIS LITTLE ZIGGY": the
most magnificent stories of beer, piss and Glam Rock in East Anglia
you're
ever likely to encounter. I josh you not. Until the next instalment,
then,
godspeed you new Essex renaissance man! (8/10) (TIM
PEACOCK)
This review appears on the Whisperin & Hollerin website. Many thanks to that good organ. http://www.whisperinandhollerin.com/positive_newell.htm |
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