Hand Built by Robots

Released in 2007, Hand Built by Robots served as the commercial peak of the UK's 'acoustic boom,' distinguishing Newton Faulkner from his peers through his unique percussive guitar style. Influenced by Eric Roche and Thomas Leeb, Faulkner utilized the guitar as both a melodic and rhythmic instrument, employing two-handed tapping and body percussion that gave the tracks a full-band feel despite their sparse arrangements. The album was a massive commercial success in the UK, reaching Number 1 on the charts and staying there for two weeks. It is best known for the hit single 'Dream Catch Me' and a celebrated cover of Massive Attack's 'Teardrop,' which showcased his ability to translate electronic textures into organic, hand-played folk. Critics, including those at BBC Music, praised the album for its technical proficiency and 'feel-good' factor, though some noted its leanings toward safe, commercial pop-folk. It remains a definitive document of late-2000s singer-songwriter culture.