Product Description

'Hand Built By Robots' is the debut from Surrey-based funk-folkster Newton Faulkner. Taking his cue sonically from actssuch as Jack Johnson and James Morrison, the album is a collection of slow-burning good-time classics-in-the-making, and is sure to appeal to fans of the aformentioned artists, aswell as some of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers more introspective moments. Includes the single 'Dream Catch Me'.

Track Listing

1. ) Intro
2. ) To The Light
3. ) I Need Something
4. ) All I Got
5. ) Dream Catch Me
6. ) Feels Like Home
7. ) Teardrop
8. ) Gone In The Morning
9. ) Sitar-y Thing
10. ) Uncomfortably Slow
11. ) Straight Towards The Sun
12. ) People Should Smile More
13. ) She's Got The Time
14. ) UFO
15. ) Face (Her)
16. ) Aging Superhero
17. ) Lullaby

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #58 in Music
• Released on: 2007-07-30
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
Newton Faulkner has toured with Paulo Nutini and James Morrison. You hear this fact far more often than you have to--it might have made sense to expose his palatable acoustic tinkerings to those massive audiences, but that association leaves too simplistic an impression. He specialises in partially progressive, free-willed folk-pop that is on one hand too cosy and warm for mass consumption--there's only so much space around the beach campfire--but on the other it's so accessible, so infectious, so feel-good that how could it not be headed for every other car stereo in the country, windows rolled down (weather permitting). It's not cutting edge by any stretch of the imagination; he constantly reminds of the acoustic balladry of 90s soft-metal bands Extreme and Mr Big (or at least the songs "More than Words" and "To Be with You") via modern day peers like Ben Harper, but Newton Faulkner comes with a fertile imagination and an enjoyably flexible range to dress that foundation up. His gravelly cover of Massive Attack's "Teardrop" is notable and Jack Johnson's a good reference for the percussive plucking of tunes like "Gone in the Morning", "To the Light" and "Feels Like Home". There are very few 17-track albums that couldn't be improved by losing six tracks, but the consistency on Hand Built by Robots is admirable and hints at a long term talent. --James Berry

Observer Music Monthly April 2007
`Newton ripples with sunshine...his croon stretches out of brilliantly picked cascading guitar..definitely on its way to a radio near you.'

Music Week 14th May 2007
'...interest in Faulkner is fast approaching critical mass.'

Customer Reviews

Nice one
Close your eyes, sing along and be transported into a variety of emotions. By listening you join a journey of expressing and exploring your greatest frustrations, convictions and thoughts. Newton Faulker sings a summer breeze into the polluted Hollywood music scene and gives us room to breathe through his soulful and whimsical tunes. Its comfort music, soothing for the soul and easy on the ears. Few 17 track CDs can capture your interest from start to finish but this one certainly tries. You know straight from the intro that the camp fire has been brought straight to you and by the final track 'lullaby', faulker has sung you into a peace that few musicians can nowdays.

If you decide against it you've missed out, its a rare find on todays scene. :)

Home Grown Can Be Good Too
The first time I heard this lad the great Leo Kottke came to mind.

Forty years his senior, his many recordings place muscular yet
refined guitar technique centre stage, whether as the main course
or supporting his rich but sometimes wayward baritone.

Mr Faulkner is likewise a robust technician whose percussive guitar style
supports a fine voice and songwriting of distinction.
His lyrics workmanlike; his melodies memorable.

'I Need Something'; 'Dream Catch Me' ; 'Gone In The Morning'; uptempo,
densely rhythmic and with a cool eye for a killer hook.

'Uncomfortably Slow'; 'Straight Towards The Sun'; 'Lullaby' and the tiny
but beautiful interlude 'Face (Her)' demonstrate an innate capacity
for tenderness and reflection.

The production is sympathetic and uncluttered.
There's nothing here that shouldn't be.

This classy debut points to a bright and boyant future.

Sheer brilliance.
After hearing a fleeting line or two of his cover of Massive Attack's Teardrop, I went out to buy this album and I'm extremely glad I did. His voice, technical skill, clever lyrics and brilliant melodies all factor in to making this a perfectly flowing album. Not my usual style at all, but I can't help but fall in love with this masterpiece - if you're looking for something that you can really listen to and chill out to, then this is definitely the album for you.