Steve Wallis - Nothing Stays the Same Way for Long

  by Julie Cruickshank

published: 8 / 11 / 2022

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Review

Australian-born Steve Wallis relocated to Paris in 2014, to continue his journey performing solo his stark, honest songs, accompanying himself on guitar. A lucky break came in 2018 when his song ‘Melbourne Rain’ was featured in the multi-million selling PlayStation game ‘Detroit: Become Human’. Wallis’ peregrinations finally led him to Devon in England to record his debut, ‘Nothing Stays The Same Way For Long’, which, as the title suggests, reflects upon dealing with ever-changing relationships in an uncertain world. Opening song ‘The Loneliest’ sets the tone for the atmosphere of the album: a sparse, melancholy piece which combines guitar and piano to beguiling effect. ‘Mary’ continues the mood through guitar and languorous harmonica to create a sense of disconnect; “Walking around taking up space on the sidewalk” sings Walsh, “Looking for somebody to throw me a line/I got a trunk with all of my things in it/I got a bed on the floor of my best friend”. ‘Amsterdam’ is notable for beautiful, intricate guitar fingerpicking, and poetic lines such as “sunlight tangled in your hair”. ‘Her Name’ incorporates desultory piano and harmonica. The jaunty ‘Blue-eyed Annie’ injects a vein of humour: “Blue-eyed Annie oh Lord you’re pretty/ But I think your boyfriend wants to hit me/If you keep lookin’ at me like that”. ‘Waiting For Someday’ regrets time passing, lovely slide guitar rippling through like a distant echo. ‘Starting Tomorrow’ takes a wry look at attempts to get out of a rut and change old habits: “Every morning I wake up and say/Starting tomorrow.” The closing title track employs anthemic vocal harmonies to intensify this resigned, mournful lament to ever-shifting time: “We get older all at once/Before you notice it’s all gone/Time is slick like oil/It melts away like snow.” Recorded and mixed by Joe Boon, the album was mastered by Doug Van Sloun in Omaha, Nebraska. ‘Nothing Stays The Same Way For Long’ is a beautiful, accomplished debut, setting the bar high for Steve Wallis.

Track Listing:-

1 The Loneliest
2 Mary
3 Amsterdam
4 Her Name
5 The Wolf
6 Blue-Eyed Annie
7 Waiting For Someday
8 Little Pearls of Water
9 Now I Don't
10 Starting Tomorrow
11 Nothing Stays The Same Way For Long

Band Links:-

https://www.stevewallismusic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/stevewallismu

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