Friday, October 05, 2007
Des Miller - On The Surface of Solitude Review
Sydney, Australia
It's really easy to write a review for an album of poor quality. One can dismiss it in a few lines. So what do you do when an album that completely includes you from the first listen? You lie down on the floor, in the dark and listen. Listen to the beautifully tragic nature of art. Such an album is Des Miller's debut full-length On The Surface of Solitude.
It is hard to believe this is a debut effort. The sounds and arrangements tend to point to a songwriter with a depth of experience. I feel that a great deal of thought, intent and purpose have gone into the making of this record, and it shows. Care and sincerity seep through the speakers like sun's rays creeping around a corner.
The very opening of the record seems to ooze like slow dripping honey. Borderline On Fire begins with an organ rich in tone and tremolo that sets up the superior quality of the song. The vocals release with a deep beauty and is interweaved by a melodic bass line that plays off both the tone colour and melodic content of Des Miller's baritone vocal. When the band breaks into full swing the track opens up to an indie-pop sensibility that will surely catch the attention of certain radio networks.
There are the tender moments such as 'One and the Same', where voice and guitar intertwine in perfect combination, also of note in this track is the hunting violin drowned in reverb that will send a shiver down the back of those with the coldest of hearts. There are moments of wonderful homage such as Time which owes to the Freewheelin' period of Dylan, right down to its jangly low-fi guitar solo. Then there are minutes of sheer joy for the listener such as the current single 'Knife Edge'. This reminded me of Skeleton Jar period Youth Group but with a more spacious arrangement and production, from the ever brilliant Berkfinger.
The lyrical content of the album revels in romantic imagery. From the naturalistic landscapes in Autumn (I'm Sorry) to the rhythmic rhyming schemes of the title track, Des Miller it would seem, is very well read. The most notable text being my favourite track, Lucy, a meditation on the thoughts of a girl travelling through existence, yields my most loved lyric - time it wounds all heals but the pain remains, close your eyes and make it go away.
So as to sum up I would like to say one thing. It became a real challenge to distil this album into a few simple words. There is simply too much content in this album to write and discuss in this space. You will have to buy it and listen for yourself.
post-script - The album artwork is also worthy of mention. From the fabulous Katherine Brickman at greedy Hen, her canvas' are full of depth, natural beauty and insight. Ohh and one more lyric - the final lines from the closing track 3PM.
'Dreaming of freedom
Screaming for more
Moved by the condition they work on, they work on.'
It's really easy to write a review for an album of poor quality. One can dismiss it in a few lines. So what do you do when an album that completely includes you from the first listen? You lie down on the floor, in the dark and listen. Listen to the beautifully tragic nature of art. Such an album is Des Miller's debut full-length On The Surface of Solitude.
It is hard to believe this is a debut effort. The sounds and arrangements tend to point to a songwriter with a depth of experience. I feel that a great deal of thought, intent and purpose have gone into the making of this record, and it shows. Care and sincerity seep through the speakers like sun's rays creeping around a corner.
The very opening of the record seems to ooze like slow dripping honey. Borderline On Fire begins with an organ rich in tone and tremolo that sets up the superior quality of the song. The vocals release with a deep beauty and is interweaved by a melodic bass line that plays off both the tone colour and melodic content of Des Miller's baritone vocal. When the band breaks into full swing the track opens up to an indie-pop sensibility that will surely catch the attention of certain radio networks.
There are the tender moments such as 'One and the Same', where voice and guitar intertwine in perfect combination, also of note in this track is the hunting violin drowned in reverb that will send a shiver down the back of those with the coldest of hearts. There are moments of wonderful homage such as Time which owes to the Freewheelin' period of Dylan, right down to its jangly low-fi guitar solo. Then there are minutes of sheer joy for the listener such as the current single 'Knife Edge'. This reminded me of Skeleton Jar period Youth Group but with a more spacious arrangement and production, from the ever brilliant Berkfinger.
The lyrical content of the album revels in romantic imagery. From the naturalistic landscapes in Autumn (I'm Sorry) to the rhythmic rhyming schemes of the title track, Des Miller it would seem, is very well read. The most notable text being my favourite track, Lucy, a meditation on the thoughts of a girl travelling through existence, yields my most loved lyric - time it wounds all heals but the pain remains, close your eyes and make it go away.
So as to sum up I would like to say one thing. It became a real challenge to distil this album into a few simple words. There is simply too much content in this album to write and discuss in this space. You will have to buy it and listen for yourself.
post-script - The album artwork is also worthy of mention. From the fabulous Katherine Brickman at greedy Hen, her canvas' are full of depth, natural beauty and insight. Ohh and one more lyric - the final lines from the closing track 3PM.
'Dreaming of freedom
Screaming for more
Moved by the condition they work on, they work on.'
MP3: Des Miller - Lucy
myspace - buy the album
Album launch at the next Sandwich Club - November 2nd
Labels: Des Miller
