Memphis's Chris Millam's third album enhances his reputation as an artist of real quality. The strength of the songwriting and arrangements and sheer ability of his playing allows him to vary the tempo of his songs to display great variety.
The total likeability of his gentle vocal stands out across songs both fast and slow and holds up incredibly well on the rockier songs. Having said that he bravely opens with an instrumental and adds another at the half way point.
He adds Brass to both of these. The title track is more of a Power Pop affair, whilst Celebrity Now is far more Rock. There also seems a bit of a split style wise. The front half of the album has more Power with songs built on Riffs and great Guitar solos.
These songs are primarily Power Pop, but also edge towards 80s AOR. The Brass is tastefully added to enhance the song rather than take it over. There are also surprise incendiary Guitar solos. She Is Always On My Mind is the best example of this, a great Pop Rock song.
Bad Dream is a fine 80s moody ballad, The restrained second half of the album shows another side to Millam. Let Mr Love You is West Coast Country Rock and Out breaks out into a fantastic Guitar Rock Out.
Thoughts On Hold starts all Americana, but allows a big middle romp and a Classic Rock close. Underwater is splendidly moody Country Pop and Song Of The Summer is a fine storytelling closer that brings the curtain down on a really impressive album.
You can listen to and buy the album here. You can find out more about Chris Millan here.
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