The doctors have saved Newton Faulkner’s wrist and career

If you doubt that in future we will have an opportunity to enjoy sincere music coming straight from the heart, then the British singer and songwriter Newton Faulkner’s songs are what you need. Hearing this 24 year old guitar virtuoso masterfully using tapping technique, you will be convinced that it is possible to be kind-hearted, honest with oneself, the world and the audience, feel real love for people and nature. Faulkner’s debut album Hand Built By Robots released in 2007 has received both the critics and the listeners’ warmest welcome, and the latter have been watching the performer’s creative work carefully anticipating some new creations. They did not have to wait too long – this year Newton gives us his sophomore effort Rebuilt By Humans. The record’s title is directly connected to what happened to Faulkner last December: he crashed his wrist slipping on ice, and the doctors had to put a metal plate in it to save both the musician’s hand and career. Of course filled with gratitude Newton just could not leave that unnoticed. The album Rebuilt By Humans has proved to be even better and more touching than its predecessor: the wonderful music once again pleases with its beauty and sincerity, and Newton Faulkner’s vocals are cleared and more soulful.

The emotions sound in voice and guitar on Rebuilt By Humans

Whatever you may say, Newton Faulkner knows for sure how to conquer his listeners, although, judging by everything this has never been his main goal. For the artists of his kind the main thing is expressing oneself, sharing the emotions sounding not only in the voice but also in his favorite guitar with the whole world. There are five special moments, interludes, for that on Rebuilt By Humans, and one of them, Intro, opens this excellent album which gathers together the shades of various styles. The composition Badman pleases with the mixture of rock and funk, its protagonist is a simple guy offering his love to a girl. A romantic ballad I Took It Out On You is filled with sadness and repent, whereas the first single If This Is It, one of the album’s highlights, pleases with a memorable tune and a vivid accompaniment. A beautiful guitar party on the ballad Resin On My Heart Strings combines harmoniously with Newton’s soft vocals making it another successful track on the album, while the joking lyrics of Lipstick Jungle corresponds perfectly to its changeable rhythm close both to country and retro-music refined with tubes. Guitar and vocals make up the basis for Let's Get Together with a contagious chorus, whereas the song First Time proves to be simultaneously the most complicated and the most romantic moment on the record: one can hear the aching despair, hope and soothing memories on it. Another sensual track So Much demonstrates Newton’s best vocals, he has obviously worked on his voice and achieved some amazing results. The album closes on quite an optimistic note I'm Not Giving Up Yet once again uniting sadness and hope in it.

Interesting metaphors, bright imagery and very brave rhymes

It is a great wonder how much material for marvelous music life itself provides talented authors with. Newton Faulkner is a perfect example to follow in this respect. In his incomplete age of 25 this guy already knows what a true love is, as well as breakup and quarrels. We learn about his relationships, the mistakes he has made, how to overcome difficulties from his songs. The singer’s lyrics are first of all good because he tells of what is close to the absolute majority of people with a simple language. At the same time one can come across some interesting metaphors, bright imagery and very brave rhymes in Faulkner’s texts, so it is a complete joy listening to Rebuilt By Humans. The artist’s live performances are even more impressive, it has even happened so that some people who could not get in a concert hall listened to him outside. In general, as it was clear after his debut work, a big future is waiting for Newton Faulkner – if he does not suffer from megalomania and remains the same honest continuing writing his beautiful songs.

Alexandra Zachernovskaya
28.09.2009