Review by Alanna Eileen

STEVE PARKIN is an APRA-award winning local singer-songwriter formerly of the band AUTOPILOT and super group BASEMENT BIRDS. He has been performing for many years under different guises and has numerous achievements under his belt – such as co-writing for ESKIMO JOE – but this latest release is his solo debut. It’s packed with colourfully melodic pop songs, their radio-friendly accessibility tempered by just enough quirkiness to make ‘Mighty Big Light’ a unique and highly listenable album.

‘Mighty Big Light’ gets underway with ‘Lost Highway’, a predominantly acoustic track featuring beautiful harmonies and electric embellishments. It shares its title with Leon Payne’s famous country standard and the opening line – “It’s another tequila sunrise” – is from The Eagle’s ‘Tequila Sunrise’, giving the song a decidedly timeless feel.

‘Sun Stealer’ follows – a fresh blast of rocky, dramatic pop; it has all the elements of a mainstream hit. This quality is maintained throughout the record, particularly on the hook-laden fourth track ‘You Win When You Lose’. This resplendent slice of soft rock opens with the chorus for a good reason – it’s instantly memorable and catchy; you’ll find yourself singing along.

‘Sad Girls’ comes like a change in mood, a soft piano-laced ballad where Parkin’s voice is given reign to shine. His singing lends every song a dimension of individuality and originality that might otherwise be lacking, highlighting the best parts and never seeming out of place. This is also true of the arrangement: when ‘Sad Girls’ segues into the enjoyably up-tempo ‘City Tonight’, it feels perfectly appropriate.

The production is excellent; there is no doubt that ‘Mighty Big Light’ is a great sounding album. Almost all of the tracks have the potential to be successful singles and each one has the appeal of a classic. But it is Parkin’s song-writing that is the ultimate highlight – this is an artist who clearly knows how to craft flawless pop songs.

‘Turn It Around’ – Parkin’s first single – is the second last on the album, a buoyant mix of guitar, drums and exuberant keys that dose the vocals in a glorious wash of sparkling sound.  The lyrics, too, stand out; Parkin sings of “Heartache and wine/On the eve of destruction”.

‘Starlight’ closes the album and brings it full circle, echoing opener ‘Lost Highway’ with its reference to “Dylan on the AM radio” and its stylish blend of acoustic and electric instrumentation.  It is a more than satisfying close to a collection of songs that mark Steve Parkin as an uncommonly good songwriter. ‘Mighty Big Light’ definitely deserves to be heard.