A New Place for Steve I think of Someplace Different, from 2003, as a breakout album for Steve. His debut effort, Guy Down the Street, contained catchy tunes and great lyrical moments. This second album shows an even broader range of styles and moods. The song structures serve the story-telling more strongly, and the production and pacing are more assured. Producer Brian Beattie once again works magic with his “Tube-o-Sonic Insta-Mirror” system. Solid, tasteful backing by Brian on bass and by Perry Drake, Mark Ambrose, and Seela on drums adds just enough rhythmic thrust. The other backing parts provide cool textures without coming between Steve and the listener. The title track sets the standard for the album. It’s a crowd-pleaser at Steve’s gigs and a kind of anthem for his label, Subatomic Particles for Peace. The song talks about people coming together after a natural disaster with a change in attitude — they begin to love more, fear less, and stop chasing after material goods. Post-Hurricane Katrina, the message is more vital than ever; you just hope that it gets through to more people this time. I ain’t just talking ‘bout the weather or human tragedy I’m trying to get someplace different than we get on the T.V. That place is the realm of the 100th Monkey. If you’re not familiar with this tale, popularized by Ken Keyes, Jr., you can read it on the Internet. The theory is that a spontaneous and mysterious leap of consciousness can occur when a certain population reaches a "critical mass" point. Steve puts forward the possibility of a leap to “someplace different,” a worldwide ethic of peace and love. This song is followed by the haunting “Gone,” one of my personal favorites. This is Steve at his most lyrical on the subject of loving and moving on: It was just a dosey-do here you come, there you go like a hitchhiker’s dream then you’re gone… “Toast” shifts to a more whimsical, jazzy mood as Steve stretches out stylistically, aided by Jonathan Meiburg on banjo. Another personal favorite is “3X Good.” This blues, with three verses perfectly constructed like a musical haiku, can also get jazzy in live performance. “Westernman” has been one of Steve’s most popular songs on the Austin club scene. It’s a biting protest against the greed, consumerism, ecological degradation, and “flimflam fluff” that typify the western world. Steve plays alone on this one, though Brian adds some suitably ominous echo effects. “Inconsideration” is Steve’s longest song on record, clocking in at 5-1/2 minutes. It mines a deep vein of melancholy (“Isn’t it sad/when all of our best times are partly bad?”), yet it ends in affirmation. The style is direct and affecting, backed by Jonathan’s churchlike organ part. “Jesus Song,” similar to “Gone” musically, makes a personal spiritual statement. Since this album came out, Steve has moved on to “someplace different,” so he rarely performs it these days, but it’s still stirring, especially with Jonathan’s banjo behind it. Other highlights include “Love I Can’t Live Without,” Eric Leikam’s gospel-tinged confession of addiction to love, with Craig Ross on guitar and an angelic backing vocal by Seela; “Didn’t You,” a bittersweet ballad with a “live” feel; and “Brown Bag from Florida,” another of Steve’s rarities, with the great line about “a dancing enigma marching in time.” A bonus track on the newly mastered CD, released in early 2006, is an alternate take of “Little Girl,” talking about her dolls, her toys, and her little boys. The original, spookier version moves to the end of the program. Enjoy the place where Steve takes you on this album. The really nice thing is, this won’t be the last time he takes you somewhere new. Greg Martin