Atlanta-based singer/songwriter Steve Baskin follows up his debut album with Naked. The new record continues down the path that his debut album, I Sometimes Think, began with singer/ songwriter power pop spiced with a bit of Southern fried seasoning, and he has expanded his range with new styles, sounds and themes. While I Sometimes Think largely explored emotions around love and relationships, Naked’s themes run all over the place – love; love gone bad; running; the stress of the office; the Zen of the river; runaways; prostitution; and death.
Steve wrote the majority of the lyrics and music and handled lead vocals and guitars on Naked. He also collaborated on songs with Nashville writer and Little River Band lead guitarist, Rich Herring as well as North Carolinian, Tracy Brown. But perhaps the big surprise on the record is when we find Steve channeling Keith Partridge on his take of the Tony Romeo-penned “I Think I Love You”.
Steve’s band, some of Atlanta’s top musicians, played throughout the record: Alex Slinin (who in addition to his excellent guitar abilities has engineering credits with artists like Eminem and Dr. Dre) handled the lead guitar chores. Joe Randolph played bass. Brian Hudson (Memory Dean) played drums and percussion. Richard “Zoot” Blasingame helped out on vocals, keyboards and organs, accordion, and bari sax. Steve also had album sessions with Pamela Bishop on vocals, Ruben Harris on cello and Mark Van Allen (Sugarland) on steel guitar.
The album was recorded by Jonathan Beckner at Real to Reel Studios and by Steve at his Underground Music Studio. Glenn Matullo, who has worked with such artists as John Mayer, Shawn Mullin and the Indigo Girls, mixed the songs at Orphan Studio. Colin Leonard mastered the record at Glenn Schick Mastering. All of the production was done in Atlanta, Georgia.
In a 2007 article from The Valdosta Daily Times, Steve’s debut album I Sometimes Think was described as “a poppy blend of groove and soul with a nice slice of edge.” In a recent article, the newspaper contends that his new release Naked is both more raw in its emotional impact while more refined in its musicianship and production. This second CD maintains a pop quality fueled with a charging rock attitude. And it’s just some unvarnished great music.”
Not Lame Recordings compared Steve’s debut album with John Mayer, Toad the Wet Sprocket and Duncan Sheik. Creative Loafing said “Power-pop aficionados looking for some new stuff from the deep underground, try out Atlanta-based singer-songwriter Baskin's new effort. All the touchstones are in place: grabby tunes, stacked (but not heavy) guitars, shiny vocal harmonies.” Southern Fried Magazine exclaims that Steve’s “got a great rockin’ sound”. Paste Magazine featured Steve’s song, “How I Feel” on one of its heralded compilation CDs.
Naked is available online at CDBaby.com, iTunes, Amazon.com, at select Southeast record stores and right here at stevebaskin.com.
