DAVID STEELE: Underneath the Ice

David Steele

Underneath the Ice

© 2004 City Canyons Records (881017000227)

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Thoughtful lyrics, stunning vocals and songs that swing from darkly magical to soaring.

tracks

1 Wings to Fly
2 Disappear
3 Bethlehem
4 Come to Dance?
5 Ghost
6 Hypnotised
7 Underneath the Ice
8 Rise Up
9 Words and Rhythm
10 Rolling River
11 I Cannot Breathe
12 Blind

notes

City Canyons Records, an independent label based in Manhattan proudly introduces UK rocker, David Steele's debut album UNDERNEATH THE ICE. Steele comes from a part of England-the village of Brill- that inspired "Lord of the Rings" writer Tolkien, and Steele's lyrics are, indeed, at times darkly magical. But that's only part of the talented young Englishman's story. While his tunes can be intense and haunting, as epitomized by "Words and Rhythm" they can also thrillingly soar as does, for example, "Rise Up". Whatever their mood, Steele's sophisticated self-penned songs are firmly rooted in reality, reflecting the hopes, the despair, the yearning in all of us. And even at their darkest, Steele's music is never chilly. His remarkable voice is warm and intimate-somewhere between Sting and Bono-and wherever he takes you with his music, he's with you every step of the way. That music, featuring Steele's own superb guitar work, is distinctive, utterly his own, but if one were forced to make comparisons, one could put him somewhere between Coldplay and David Grey and be in the ballpark.

reviews

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  • Still Great after all of these years!!
    author: Eric "Sarge" Smith AKA Eric "Smidi" Smith

    Hello David Steele! Surprise!!!! It's Me "Eric "Sarge" Smith now Eric "Smidi" Smith your former Bass Guitarist for our band "Bon Ton" from RAF Wethersfield UK back in 1987!!! Anyway, I'm luv'in your new CD "Underneath The Ice" Your Great musical talent is still there after all these years! Many Congrats!!! I am still into the music business as well! I'm located in Las Vegas and retired from the US Air Force since 2001. Hit me up! I would luv to chat with you again Mate! Cheers! SMIDI

  • Big New Talent!
    author: Waylond Digges, Roots Music Report

    A truly unique sound has caught my ear. David Steele is a big new talent hailing from England with the power of his music behind him. UNDERNEATH THE ICE is his new album and it is definitely going to make it's mark with huge rock and roll rhythms mixed with a little funk, phenomenal vocals, and a trace of psychedelic depth. The lyrical content is pure, and the musical composition varies in all of the right ways to keep your ears jumping in anticipation. This album will be a huge asset to the audiophile community!

  • Majestic beauty!
    author: Matt Greenwald, Urban Tulsa Weekly

    Songs like "Rise Up" and "Words and Rhythm" reveal David's flair for subdued pieces that gradually build into big, bold anthems, with lyrical ideas that celebrate the triumph of the human spirit and the raw joy of existence. All of this music taken together paints a clear image of Steele's musical persona: a singer/songwriter of the glaciers, if you will, big and burly in the name of majestic beauty. Citing Tolkien's Lord of the Rings as one of his key influences, the English-born Steele is steering his rock’n’roll roots toward a more mythical destination...

  • Majestic beauty!
    author: Matt Greenwald, Urban Tulsa Weekly

    Songs like "Rise Up" and "Words and Rhythm" reveal David's flair for subdued pieces that gradually build into big, bold anthems, with lyrical ideas that celebrate the triumph of the human spirit and the raw joy of existence. All of this music taken together paints a clear image of Steele's musical persona: a singer/songwriter of the glaciers, if you will, big and burly in the name of majestic beauty. Citing Tolkien's Lord of the Rings as one of his key influences, the English-born Steele is steering his rock’n’roll roots toward a more mythical destination...

  • Distinctive voice, wonderful orchestrations!
    author: Gary Wien, Upstage Magazine

    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.

  • Mystery and evocative enchantment
    author: The Village Idiot, Kirsti Singer

    This U.K. rocker achieves in UNDERNEATH THE ICE delicate, adult-contemporary, pop-rock sounds with a similarity to Sting's world-inspired, soulful, spiritual sounds....One of the most unique elements about David is that he comes from the village of Brill, the same locale that inspired the fantasy-laden box office smash "Lord of the Rings". David seems to capture the same mystery and evocative enchantment in his songwriting.

  • Multi-Leveled Brilliance!
    author: Naomi de Bruyn, Linear Reflections

    David Steele is a gifted man, be it his guitar work, his vocals, or his wonderful song writing.... Steele’s brilliance is multi-levelled....He can reach the listener on many emotional levels, penetrating whatever firewalls have been built around them with nothing more than his voice. “Rise Up” is a good example of that, kindling a surge of hope and bringing the sun’s warmth....UNDERNEATH THE ICE" is a CD for all occasions - combining modern folk with light alternative rock styles, performed by an artist who is able to span the genres and bring them together in a harmony to delight the senses! David Steele is this Millennium’s answer to solo acts like Sting and Rod Stewart; he will reach the heights of fame and stay there if he keeps working like this!

  • Accomplished debut album!
    author: Westminster Times (UK)

    "Accomplished" is the word to describe the debut album from English singer-songwriter David Steele...which can quickly switch from sombre Jeff Buckley or Starsailor acoustic ballads ("Wings to Fly) to funky pop rock (Disappear").

  • Excellent debut that grows in power with repeated plays!
    author: Record Buyer (UK)

    These twelve songs are well crafted and unfussy arrangements and production help them breathe. The opening "Wings To Fly" powered by guitar, muscular rhythm and organ drone..."Come to Dance? and Hypnotised"...quickly work their way under your skin. All in all UNDERNEATH THE ICE is an excellent debut that grows in power with repeated plays.

  • A voice that exudes deep emotion and warmth!
    author: Mark E. Waterbury, Music Morsels

    England's David Steele makes you think a bit of Bowie and Sting with his voice that exudes both deep emotion and warmth. To back up his vocals David delves deep into his songwriting well, combining modern folk and light alt rock styles with thoughtful instrumentation. From the aptly ethereal ballad "Ghost" to the brooding but inspiring U2ish "Words and Rhythm" this Brit has an infectious style in all aspects of his music.

  • "A Great Listen!"
    author: Charlie Harrelson, EvO:R

    If you are a big fan of Sting, Bono, David Grey and Coldplay you need to add this independent CD release to your collection. UNDERNEATH THE ICE is a great listen from a very talented singer, songwriter and guitarist.

  • Sonic Delights!
    author: Ricky Flake, Biloxi Sun Herald

    David Steele wrote all the songs in UNDERNEATH THE ICE, and some remind us of Paul McCartney's Wings-era work (though generally darker and deeper). The vocals contain none of the whiny mall-punk or overdone melismatics that pass for modern R&B. Highlights for us were the Beatles-ish orchestrations on the title song and others, the fine keyboard work by Jack Pescod and the Average White Band-sounding "Rise Up." Echoes of "The Unforgettable Fire" can be found in "Words and Rhythm," and there are other sonic delights to be found on this album....If you enjoy good singing, good playing and the absence of irritating vocal mannerisms, you'll enjoy David Steele's "Underneath The Ice."

  • Gorgeous pop!
    author: Mike Meginnis, Splendid Magazine

    [“Underneath the Ice” features] sometimes gorgeous pop... flattering Steele's lovely voice. Steele is at his strongest in "Come to Dance". Like most of his cuts, it starts out a little cheesy, but then you hear his voice: he's flirting with the falsetto portion of his range. He pleads with listeners to set him free, while the guitar chords behind him collapse in distorted heaps on the floor. Then he finds some kind of inner strength and suddenly he's telling us not to let "them" change us. At the same time, the guitars cease sounding like they're being crushed. They're free -- and so is Steele. The composition is busy, even schizophrenic, but Steele's suddenly husky, trustworthy vocals marshal the tune into something hummable.

  • Sophisticated songs from driving rock to ballads
    author: The Tiger (Clemson University)

    David Steele"s new release "Underneath the Ice" will be stealing the top spot among other artists of his caliber. A native of the UK, Steele is a writer of sophisticated songs, spanning from driving rock to ballads. Steele"s lyrics are at times whimsical, but that is not the only portion of the talented young Englishman"s story. While his tunes can have tremendous power and haunting sounds, as epitomized by the aptly title 'Ghost,' they can also thrillingly soar as does 'Rise Up.' Whatever their mood, Steele"s self-penned songs are deeply and precisely rooted in reality, reflecting the hopes, despair and yearning within us all. Even at its darkest, Steele"s music is never chilly but is simply on fire. Steele's work is distinctive and utterly his own, but if one were forced to make comparisons, one could put him somewhere between Coldplay and David Gray, and his talent deserves these great comparisons.

  • Enchanting and upbeat CD
    author: Bands Back Stage

    City Canyons Record's "Underneath the Ice" is an enchanting and upbeat CD, which is sure to warm your heart and make you feel the music as it plays. David Steele has a remarkable voice and style. His music is charming and sincere, allowing the listener to drift into the mood of the music. Mr. Steele has such a moving voice, he is sure to reach the listener on many emotional levels. Any musical message this talented rocker conveys, will be heart felt and personal. "Underneath the Ice" is a CD for all occasions, with it's intelligent lyrics that all of us can identify with in our own lives. David Steele's superb guitar work is also featured on this CD, making this enchanting masterpiece, even more the treasured possession.

  • Great rockers, extraordinary vocal talent
    author: J-Sin, Smother.net

    "On this impressive release on indie label City Canyons Records, you'll hear Springsteen-like synth/guitar combos, swingy upbeat percussion, and always-great rockers led by this extraordinary vocal talent, David Steele."

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