Thus Always to Tyrants

Scott Miller and the Commonwealth, Scott Miller | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 12, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sugarhill
• ASIN: B00005J9YQ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #75,557 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jefferson Would Be Proud, June 18, 2001

By 

Jim English (Barboursville, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Thus Always to Tyrants (Audio CD)

During a recent NPR interview, Scott Miller mentioned the influence of a Thomas Jefferson quote on his own writing. Jefferson said, "I am a revolutionary so my son can be a farmer, so his son can be a poet. "Thus Always to Tyrants" (the state motto for the Commonwealth of Virginia) is a beautiful concept album that explores Miller's own experiences as the poet and his connection to the people and the land that produced him. Perhaps the best way to describe the record is that it is equal parts Revolutionary, Farmer and Poet. Songs such as "Absolution" and "Goddamn the Sun" make good use of crunching electric guitars, unique vocal effects and punk-rock energy. Other numbers, such as "Dear Sarah" and "Highland County Boy" are as organic as the Virginia soil with their supporting fiddle and banjo parts provided by Tim O'Brien and Dirk Powell ("Songs from the Mountain"). "Across the Line," "Mess of this Town," "Daddy Raised a Boy" and "Loving that Girl" are a thinking man's classic rock tunes that feature some familiar guitar chops from the acclaimed Dave Grissom (who appeared on many of the John Cougar Melloncamp records). The album even contains a cover of an obscure rock classic ("Miracle Man") and a hymnal ("Is There Room on the Cross for Me), which solidifies the fact that no musical territory is off-limits to Miller and the Commonwealth. Great songwriting, great performances, great producing (R.S. Field) and a great concept - it all adds up to one of the best records of 2001.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, January 2, 2002

By 

T. C. Ross (Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Thus Always to Tyrants (Audio CD)

I wasn't too sure how this would be when I picked it up, but it just grabs a hold and won't let go. I find myself thinking of Drivin' and Cryin', pre-Green R.E.M., as well as older Southern rock and folk rock. And then there are the two Civil War songs, which are amazingly evocative. Miller's writing is incredible and the playing (both his own and the Commonwealth's) make for a fine package.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Welcome hard driving rock CD, August 16, 2001

By 

B. K. Marler "bkmarler" (Dayton, TN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Thus Always to Tyrants (Audio CD)

Scott Miller's THUS ALWAYS TO TYRANTS is a driving, rocking CD that is welcomed by those of us who grew up on the sport of rock and roll. I love "Made a Mess of this Town" and the histories that harken back to the Civil War. "Dear Sarah" is both haunting and projecting. I'll use it in my eighth grade classes to convey fact and feeling of the Civil War soldiers. But then I love every song on the CD. I'm listening to it every day, all day. I'm buying one now to give a colleague, and every rock music fan I know may be getting it for Christmas! This music transcends all age barriers! Give us more and more and more, to infinity, Scott!