Big Life : Big Life

by Justin Gaines
Staff Writer

The latest, and most impressive, offering from the UK melodic rock world comes in the form of Big Life, a collaboration between guitarist/keyboardist/producer Steve Newman (Newman) and vocalist Mark Thompson-Smith (ex-Praying Mantis and The Sweet). The two very talented, albeit lesser known, veterans (with an able assist from Newman drummer Rob McEwen) combined their talents as performers, songwriters and producers for this self-titled debut and the results are, fittingly enough given their record label, a slice of AOR heaven.

Big Life’s debut is one of those albums that immediately reminds you why you love this kind of music in the first place. Big Life knows exactly where the pleasure centers of the melodic rock fan’s brain reside, and these songs aim directly for them. Glorious melodies, lush vocal harmonies, rock songs that balance polish with punch, moving ballads that don’t rely on clichés, tight musicianship, a powerful, heartfelt vocal performance (Thompson-Smith recalls both Steve Overland and the late Brad Delp) and a pristine production job. Big Life has essentially everything you hope to find in an AOR/melodic rock album. You’re pretty well convinced of the album’s greatness by the opening rocker “Dying Day,” and songs like the hook-heavy “Calling,” the almost King’s X-like “At the End of the Rainbow” and the soulful “Leaves” only reinforce that. This is what it sounds like when veteran musicians who really gel get together.

If you’re a fan of polished, classy, old school melodic rock along the lines of Overland, FM, Valentine, Praying Mantis, Atlantic, and of course Journey, you need to get your hands on this one right away. Big Life is about as good as it gets. This looks to be the beginning of a fantastic partnership, so with any luck this won’t be the last we hear from Newman and Thompson-Smith in Big Life.

Genre: AOR, Melodic Rock

Band:
Mark Thompson-Smith (v)
Steve Newman (g) (k) (v)
Rob McEwen (d)

Track Listing:
1. Dying Day
2. Close To You
3. Better Man (Only Your Love)
4. Calling
5. I’ll Still Be Here
6. Feel Alive
7. Deep Water
8. At the End of My Rainbow
9. Leaves
10. Stop in Time
11. Taking Me Down
12. Nothing Without You
13. Hands Across the Water (hidden track)

Label: AOR Heaven

Website: http://www.big-life.co.uk/

Hardrock Haven rating: 8.5/10