Analogies: Dave Edmunds (studiomania and general non-esoteric musical orientation, although Newman isn't interested in overpowering anyone), Ray Davies (vaguely but persistently, for both eccentricity and vocal approach), Eno (more precisely, not only for eccentricity and vocal approach but also for style of smarts, although Newman isn't so blatantly avant-garde).
Analogies: Dave Edmunds (studio music and a non-esoteric musical style, though Newman is not interested in overpowering anyone), Ray Davies (eccentricity and vocal approach, vaguely but persistently), Eno (precisely, not only eccentricity and vocal approach but also for his intellectual style, although Newman isn't so blatantly avant-garde).