Album review: NEWMAN – Siren

AOR Heaven

Amazingly this is the tenth studio album by Newman, which is basically Steve Newman plus long time drummer Rob McEwen. However this album features some guests in the shape of guitarists Shaun Bessant on ‘When It Comes To Love and Robert Säll (W.E.T.) on ‘Feel Her Again’. Songwriting wise Pete Newdeck (Eden’s Curse/Tainted Nation) and Nick Workman (Vega) lend a hand on a few songs, as well as adding backing vocals.

I am always surprised Newman hasn’t become a bigger name yet and hopefully this album can change that. It is certainly a heavier album, with more emphasis on the guitars and big drum sound – check out ‘Had Enough’ for proof. Opener ‘Scar Of Love’ rocks big time and is a classic Newman tune with its big riff and massive hook filled chorus.

For the quieter moments, the piano led ‘The Foolish One’ hits the spot nicely and ‘Arcadia’ which reminded me of John Payne-era Asia. The chorus again is immense, layered vocals and tinkly keys, perfect for that melodic rock musical fix. The title track has a hint of Def Leppard about it, mainly in the intro and the vocal arrangements, a great headphone listen.

Steve Newman has never done a duff album and this is easily amongst his best. Buy your copy and crank it up in the summer sun!

****1/2

Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)