SCOTT MILLER & THE COMMONWEALTH
Upside Downside (Sugar Hill)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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This one definitely wins my "most replays before reviewing" award this month. Sometimes that happens because I just can't get a handle on an album. This time, though, it happened for exactly the right reason - it's so damn good I just couldn't take it out of the player.

This is Miller's second release since leaving the V-Roys, and his new road band, The Commonwealth, is every bit as good as you'd want them to be at following Miller through the typical twists and turns of his music, which means being able to handle everything from the Chuck Berry blast of "It Didn't Take Too Long" to the downhome hoedown of "Ciderville Saturday Night." There are chunks of solid Americana-laced rock, introspective ballads, a fine little piece of sixties-style funk and one of the best songs about war ("Red Ball Express") I've ever heard. There's nothing not to like on the disc, and a great deal to love.

With his impressive command of such a wide range of styles and a gift for lyrics that puts him in a league with the best in the business, the future looks mighty bright for Scott Miller. You don't have to wait for the future, though. You can enhance your life significantly by picking this one up and playing it this very day.

Track List:

It Didn't Take Too Long * Raised By The Graves * The Way * Pull Your Load * Second Chance * Chill, Relax, Now * Amtrack Crescent * Angels Dwell * Ciderville Saturday Night * I've Got A Plan * Red Ball Express * For Jack Tymon

© 2003 - Shaun Dale