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Miller, Rick: Falling Through Rainbows
With a tuneful guitar intro that would make David Gilmour proud, Rick Miler begins "The Journey" that is Falling Through Rainbows". This opening is one of the bright spots on an album that is entertaining but ultimately a disc that will be brought out for those times when you need a tranquilizer and the bottle is empty. It is a very soothing disc and relaxing but very one dimensional in the feel of the music and at times very depressing in its lyrical content.
Miller was clearly schooled in the 70's progressive rock scene. You could call this a meshing of Pink Floyd meets The Moody Blues with just a dash of Gordon Lightfoot thrown in. Sometimes this blending works very well as on the song "Rose Coloured Halls" where he gives you a soundscape that is an ideal backdrop for the dreary picture he is painting.
Dreary is a very good term for much of this disc. Miller seems to have a very pessimistic view on life and it really shows through with songs such as the last one I mentioned which is followed by the very R.E.M. sounding "Everything Dies" and then the equally gloomy "Thoughts Of Suicide" and "Your Ghost Tonight". As I listen to this on the day that we received our first snowfall and the heaviness of winter starts to set in, this album and a good cup of hot chocolate seem to go hand in hand with the depressing turn of the weather.
It is an album of contrast. Very relaxing musically but still keeping things upbeat, then he tells these tales of woe that makes you wonder if the guy is being treated for clinical depression. The album has been enjoyable I do have to say that. He is a very fine musician and has a very good sense of pop/progressive music. I just wish that he would maybe find someone with a little better outlook on life to write his lyrics!
Track listing:
1. The Journey
2. The Fortunate One
3. Rose Coloured Halls
4. Everything Dies
5. Thoughts Of Suicide
6. Spanish Sun
7. Your Ghost Tonight
8. The Days Of Hieronymus
9. This Heart Of Mine
Added: February 28th 2010
Reviewer: Scott Ward
Score:  
Related Link: Artist's Myspace Page
Hits: 2483
Language: english
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| » SoT Staff Roundtable Reviews: |
Miller, Rick: Falling Through Rainbows
Posted by Jon Neudorf, SoT Staff Writer on 2010-02-28 22:18:57
My Score:
Rick Miller is a Canadian artist who has been around for a number of years. His debut album, Starsong, was released in 1984. His new album, Falling Through Rainbows, was released in 2009 on the Unicorn Digital label. On his new album, Miller has a number of guest musicians including Sara Young (flute), Mateusz Swobodo (cello), Kane Miller (guitars, violin) and Will S (percussion). Miller provides vocals, keyboards, guitars, Mellotron and bass.
Miller lists Genesis, Pink Floyd, Alan Parsons and early Moody Blues as influences and upon hearing this the first time, bits and pieces of those artists comes through in Miller's music. The music has a soothing dream-like quality and flows quite beautifully from track to track. There are no tricky time changes or complicated musicianship. Instead, Miller clearly focuses on songwriting and the emphasis is placed on melody and not instrumental virtuosity.
The songs are mostly mellow, slow tempo affairs, with keys used to fill in the background, giving these songs a wistful quality with just the right amount of atmosphere. Miller provides excellent guitar throughout with some cutting lead work ala Gilmour. His vocals are also a highlight as his voice seems to be cut from the same cloth as Justin Hayward and David Gilmour, very soothing, tuneful and melodic.
Some of the album's highlights include the mellow, progressive folk sounds of "Rose Coloured Halls" where The Moody Blues influence comes shining through and the melodic "This Heart of Mine" where lovely lead and background vocals and biting lead guitar had this reviewer quite impressed.
Although the songs keep a similar slow pace and Miller's music is not the most original I have heard, I never found this a boring listen, mostly because its so darn melodic and at just over forty-six minutes, the music sounds fresh and vibrant, never having a chance to wear out its welcome.
If melodic mellow sounds is what you seek in the vein of the aforementioned bands, I urge you to check out Falling Through Rainbows. It should give you plenty to enjoy.
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