Search - Stew :: Something Deeper Than These Changes

Beautiful and Clever

leahverre | Shoreline, WA United States | 10/23/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is my first introduction to the world of Stew, and I am definitely hooked. My taste in music varies widely, but I tend to go for faster, more electric sounds over all. "Something Deeper Than These Changes" is extremely mellow and accoustic, and I absolutely love it. The lyrics are incredibly clever, such as "Statue Song", and often endearingly sweet, as in "The Sun I Always Wanted". Back up vocalist and co-producer, Heidi, gives a wonderfully light contrast to Stew's rich, deep voice. This album's sound is somewhat simliar to John Cale and Leonard Cohen; however, I really hate to pin him to a particular sound or era. It's the kind of album that goes well with a long car drive in the rain."

Welcome to the Kingdom of...Stew.

Chris Morgan | Palm Desert, CA | 10/17/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Stripped down instrumentation and great songwriting present a chill-out version of TNP. Minimal percussion and slow tempos create an almost ambient vibe to this very personal and sometimes unusually direct collection of songs from Stew. Very satisfying record, one to be LISTENED to and worthy of buying. Complete lyrics included are a nice bonus as is the hidden track (#15) "Lazy Emergency"."

Solid progression from last album

leahverre | 03/09/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Stew continues on the path that started once "Naked Dutch Painter" made it's mark. One noticable difference is that Heidi's background vocals seem to fit in much smoother this time out. Maybe it's because she co-produced this album, or just because I'm getting used to hearing her more prominently in the tracks, either way, I feel this album is her vocal breakthrough. There is an absence, in my opinion, of a track which is a rabble-rouser like "Naked Dutch Painter." Certainly the "Statue Song" is a great 'tribute song' to a piece of art and the song whose title escapes me, which is about modern love and the varying expectations of the two sexes involved. The hidden track is also very good, but I feel that it disappoints on one level, when the song starts with that funky groove bass, I think that it's going to end the album with a punch, but it ends up being more of a shove than anything else, which isn't a complaint, it just doesn't go where I thought it would go. "Le Arteest Cafe" is a great number that I will constantly go back to and marvel at. Alas, I must go so that you can listen to to tracks and not have to read my review any longer. Enjoy"