(Broken Stone Records / Green)

EXTRA! EXTRA! Man writes eleven songs while waiting for two minute noodles!

Hot on the heels of his Knife Edge EP, Des Miller has fired out another fine set of country-tinged tunes that alternate between sizzling with life and stewing with contempt. This is in no small part due to his forceful voice, alternating mid-song between a Brian Ferry croon and a much more anguished cry effortlessly. Time, with its droning stream-of-consciousness phrases and sharp jabs of lead guitar, recalls Bob Dylan at his most free-wheeling, if he ever got around to those singing lessons. Further on, the slow-burning atmosphere of the title track feels like marching off to a War you don’t expect to return from, hauntingly ominous whistling and all. Just make sure you don’t listen to album closer 3pm in the comedown hours, the brooding lyrics and mournful guitar and piano layers would even be enough to make those preppy kids from High School Musical reach for the razor blades.

MITCHELL ALEXANDER

Be first to comment on this article

Write Comment
Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Poster's IP addresses are logged.
Name:
Comment:
Code:*