Newman's Own

Perhaps he was saving his edge for "Korean Parents," a scorching piece of satire that attacks generalizations about Asian students who excel at school. In a preemptive strike against any potential backlash (like the one he got, insanely, for "Short People"), Newman issued a video on his label's Web site in which he attempts to defend the song. "I walk the line to see where it's offensive," he tells me. Perhaps, but he clearly relishes poking you in the eye—right before delivering a lovely ballad like "Feels Like Home," which closes out the album.

It's an immensely gratifying CD, one that recalls his early work without mimicking it. "My voice is sort of blues-oriented; it's what I do best. I'm more comfortable singing shuffles and stuff that people won't like," he says. Well, then, since he's so comfortable making people uncomfortable, I ask him, can we perhaps expect his next record to come out before another decade ticks by? Newman faces the piano and strikes a few solemn ecclesiastical chords. "I swear on the health of my children," he intones, "that I will have another album out in two years." Here's hoping he's even more of a curmudgeon in 2010.

© 2008