'The Eyes Have It' - by Dale Newman

'The Eyes Have It' is definately a product of a man who's been close to well known personell for quite a while. The album's opening track, 'She Cried Out', is based on a lot of the same spirit as 'No Son Of Mine'. Opening with a very nice piano sound, later combined with some repeating synth and bass notes before releaving some nice drum rhythms. Then - Dale's voice is introduced, and the song is in a very attractive mid- to up-tempo pace. His own rhythm guitar is further colouring the sound picture. Dale, this song could have been a hit!

Dale Newman wasn't sure if his own voice was carrying enough power. It is. On the second track, 'Depending on Us', he reveals that no overdubs or help from outside is necessary. Again, a mid-tempo tune, but this time probably in minor with very melancolic lyrics. "All the promises witting in the past," sings Dale. The song is a ballad, but 'Depending' has an optimistic "we've got to make it work" in the chorus, and some interesting chord changes. A short, but very listenable tune.

Track 3 is another ballad, called 'I Never Let You Go'. On top of the programmed rhythm section, Dale has put some interesting keyboard and guitar chords which are not far away from what we know so well from Mike's and Tony's works. Here, as on the former track, the ideas are very interesting, but I think the tracks should have been stretched further and been given more room to develop naturally. Track four, 'What Are You Gonna Do', also reveals also some creative ideas. It starts off with tuba, and finds a hymn-like pace for the rest of the song. There's a shadow of Anthony Phillips on this song.

'You Won't be Waiting for Long' is a great song. It's a light and uptempo - almost jazzy - tune. Nice piano chords are stearing this song into several interesting directions. On this song Dale also has given the piece more space - stretching to about 5:30. For many of us, creative and experimental music is associated with longer pieces, even if it has some poppy feel to it. A six minutes song is a lot more than a song lasting for only four minutes - the two minutes open up for more than only another verse or a repetition of a chorus. Genesis has often used these minutes for a keyboard solo or a stop followed by an interesting build-up. 'Tonight, Tonight, Tonight', 'Dreaming While You Sleep' - and 'Anything Now' - have all very interesting interludes which made Genesis albums more than mere pop albums. Dale's 'Waiting for Long' has some of this feeling.

CONCLUSION:
'The Eyes Have It' is an album for all genuine Genesis fans. It's a lot of things happening with the band these days, so it's probably difficult for a "non-member" to get the necessary attention. But, as with most albums from the world of Genesis, Newman's album is not a short-term investment. 'The Eyes' is built on the same fundament that we know so well - quiet intros, mid-tempo verses, and exciting choruses - all swept in by interesting chord changes. The album has great sound, and Newman's voice is rough and heartfelt. I'm sure Dale will make a full album next time - with longer tunes giving more space for his ideas. 'She Cried Out' and 'You Won't be Waiting for Long' are outstanding tracks, and worth your investment alone.

Please go to Dale's Place for further ordering information.