By Gary Wien
originally published: 01/01/2005

If you're looking for something a little different than the usual stuff being played on the radio, check out David Steele's "Underneath The Ice" on City Canyon Records.

Steele, an English songwriter, has come up with a CD reminiscient of classic bands from the 80s like U2, The Alarm and even The Police. In fact, much of the disc reminds me of the more experimental songs that U2 used to put out as B-sides to their singles.

There's a nice blend of straight up rock tracks and soft ballads all held together with Steele's distinctive voice. Steele uses wonderful orchestration to create moods during his slower songs and even gets a bit funky during some of the upbeat tracks. Unlike many eighties-influenced artists, Steele uses synthesizers but doesn't let technology overshadow his guitar and piano performances.

My favorite tracks off the disc include Disappear, Bethleham, Underneath The Ice, and Rise Up.

Go to the official website of City Canyons for more information on David Steele, listen to tracks, or to find out purchase information.

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Gary Wien has been covering the arts since 2001 and has had work published with Jersey Arts, Upstage Magazine, Elmore Magazine, Princeton Magazine, Backstreets and other publications. He is a three-time winner of the Asbury Music Award for Top Music Journalist and the author of Beyond the Palace (the first book on the history of rock and roll in Asbury Park) and Are You Listening? The Top 100 Albums of 2001-2010 by New Jersey Artists. In addition, he runs New Jersey Stage and the online radio station The Penguin Rocks. He can be contacted at gary@newjerseystage.com.

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