Steve Angel Project

You can sense from his upfront, friendly presence that Steve Angel doesn’t ask for much—just a gig and some music appreciators with a good ear for social commentary. It’s the year 2005 and a lot of crazy shit’s been going on. Been living under a rock? Just ask Steve Angel. He’ll give you the big picture in 10 tracks or less. Steve Angel Project releases his second album, Find My Way, with upbeat instrumental pop all about the musings of the human condition in what we call the modern world today.

Angel’s frank and sincere vocals are only the glazed topping on a bevy of honest lyrics that challenge the conventional in a non-threatening and questioning manner and encourage taking on challenges (read: track 3 entitled “Fight”). Not to get you down or anything, reminding you of life’s hardships and the superficiality of the masses and all, but Angel balances out his message with buoyant, guitar-rich, drum-heavy pop à la The Counting Crows or Dave Matthews Band (but less nuevo 90’s hippy). Some rhythms smacking of ska are even picked up in tracks like “The Good Life.” There’s jazzy sax in “Mary-Ann” and mucho tambourine in everything else.

Don’t get me wrong—it’s not all nay-saying about his worldly woes. Angel includes some tracks on just plain appreciation of certain individuals who you can tell mean a great lot to him (“Nobody Loves Me Like You Do”—big giveaway, no?). What’s life without a little gratitude? He hails from Florida, so I suppose all that sun was infused somewhere in his musical influence. Steve Angel Project is big on the college radio circuit as well as in select European countries and music fests everywhere. His conversational tone and casual, down-to-earth approach to instrumental pop make for easy listening and easy enjoyment.
- Sable Yong

You can sense from his upfront, friendly presence that Steve Angel doesn’t ask for much—just a gig and some music appreciators with a good ear for social commentary. It’s the year 2005 and a lot of crazy shit’s been going on. Been living under a rock? Just ask Steve Angel. He’ll give you the big picture in 10 tracks or less. Steve Angel Project releases his second album, Find My Way, with upbeat instrumental pop all about the musings of the human condition in what we call the modern world today.

Angel’s frank and sincere vocals are only the glazed topping on a bevy of honest lyrics that challenge the conventional in a non-threatening and questioning manner and encourage taking on challenges (read: track 3 entitled “Fight”). Not to get you down or anything, reminding you of life’s hardships and the superficiality of the masses and all, but Angel balances out his message with buoyant, guitar-rich, drum-heavy pop à la The Counting Crows or Dave Matthews Band (but less nuevo 90’s hippy). Some rhythms smacking of ska are even picked up in tracks like “The Good Life.” There’s jazzy sax in “Mary-Ann” and mucho tambourine in everything else.

Don’t get me wrong—it’s not all nay-saying about his worldly woes. Angel includes some tracks on just plain appreciation of certain individuals who you can tell mean a great lot to him (“Nobody Loves Me Like You Do”—big giveaway, no?). What’s life without a little gratitude? He hails from Florida, so I suppose all that sun was infused somewhere in his musical influence. Steve Angel Project is big on the college radio circuit as well as in select European countries and music fests everywhere. His conversational tone and casual, down-to-earth approach to instrumental pop make for easy listening and easy enjoyment.
- Sable Yong

What I like most about pop songwriter Steve Angel is that he’s a playful lyricist. Lines kept jumping out at me as I played his debut CD “Hollywood.” Lines like “She’s a lounge doll baby, soda-pop-rocket-trip” who lives in a “sweet velvet planet” (from “Hollywood Venus”). And I love the romance of telling someone, “You’re a song that lives forever” (from “Never Let You Down”). I’m always drawn to the artists who craft their lyrics as well as their music, avoiding clichés.

This is a great pop album, and like most indie artists, Angel likes to wander around the genre map. Several of these tracks have a country feel to them, especially “’Round My World.” “Second Wind” is cool rockabilly. We get some great sax work from Frank Pincente and Marcus Ali that adds a jazzy feel to tracks like “Leave Me Standin’.”

My favorite track for its creativity is “Electric Car.” This one is completely different from the other songs, but it still belongs on this CD. Angel gets gritty here. His electronically altered lead vocal contrasts with the warm harmony of the chorus. This is a 60s-style rock song with a modern, off-center alt rock feel. It works. (The background harmonies are provided by producer Brent Bodrug, who has also worked with Alanis Morissette, and vocalist Kay Sargeant.)

The music is often free-spirited and fun, even when he’s singing about loneliness and isolation. When he’s singing about happiness, the songs turn into celebrations. “Wonderland” is a perfect example. It has a carnival atmosphere. “Spirits are in delight, and we go dancing through the night.” The upbeat feeling prevails in every song. Despite the sad topic, I had to laugh when I heard “Second Wind.” Only Angel could make an evening of a staggering around drunk sound upbeat.

The songs are all tied together by Angel’s conversational style of singing – half-singing, half-talking, earnestly trying to express himself. He chooses his words as carefully as his music. It’s paid off. This is a promising debut.
- Jennifer Layton

What I like most about pop songwriter Steve Angel is that he’s a playful lyricist. Lines kept jumping out at me as I played his debut CD “Hollywood.” Lines like “She’s a lounge doll baby, soda-pop-rocket-trip” who lives in a “sweet velvet planet” (from “Hollywood Venus”). And I love the romance of telling someone, “You’re a song that lives forever” (from “Never Let You Down”). I’m always drawn to the artists who craft their lyrics as well as their music, avoiding clichés.

This is a great pop album, and like most indie artists, Angel likes to wander around the genre map. Several of these tracks have a country feel to them, especially “’Round My World.” “Second Wind” is cool rockabilly. We get some great sax work from Frank Pincente and Marcus Ali that adds a jazzy feel to tracks like “Leave Me Standin’.”

My favorite track for its creativity is “Electric Car.” This one is completely different from the other songs, but it still belongs on this CD. Angel gets gritty here. His electronically altered lead vocal contrasts with the warm harmony of the chorus. This is a 60s-style rock song with a modern, off-center alt rock feel. It works. (The background harmonies are provided by producer Brent Bodrug, who has also worked with Alanis Morissette, and vocalist Kay Sargeant.)

The music is often free-spirited and fun, even when he’s singing about loneliness and isolation. When he’s singing about happiness, the songs turn into celebrations. “Wonderland” is a perfect example. It has a carnival atmosphere. “Spirits are in delight, and we go dancing through the night.” The upbeat feeling prevails in every song. Despite the sad topic, I had to laugh when I heard “Second Wind.” Only Angel could make an evening of a staggering around drunk sound upbeat.

The songs are all tied together by Angel’s conversational style of singing – half-singing, half-talking, earnestly trying to express himself. He chooses his words as carefully as his music. It’s paid off. This is a promising debut.
- Jennifer Layton