Customer Reviews

Driving a Million

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I bought Driving A Million, I didn't know much about the band except for their name. Some band named Gwenmars was opening for Gary Numan. The first time I listened to the album, it was like deja vu. They reminded me of Suede/The London Suede, Jawbreaker, Kent, The Who, and The Beatles---if not in sound, then at least in feeling. Like Gary Numan's own music, the songs on Driving A Million also evoke images. There is a visual, almost cinematic element to their music. Some of my favorite tracks are Train Song, Neon Tom, and Venus. The whole album is great to listen to from beginning to end. I took a chance and checked out the Gwenmars album. I am very happy I did.

In the era of heavy metal re-hash its about time for Gwen Mars to rear their heads, proving that something good can be released. A wall of guitars that still opens up in the middle to reveal proper song structures, and sweet melodies that leave you humming all day. Kinda Like a filled doughnut- This rocks enough to balance out the sugar coated love feeling i get inside when i'm listening down to what I feel is a damn good album. I'm playing it right beside Love & Rockets, The Jesus & Marychain, Queen Adreena, and Supergrass. Hope that helps!

I bought this BLIND on the recommendation of Amazon reviews, and yeah, I think I would give this 5 stars. When I first got this CD I listened to it once and thought "Ok, that's interesting..." and shelved it for awhile. Then I pulled it out again (it is great NIGHT music!!!) and have been listening to it nonstop ever since! Think early Bowie. And, I hear shades of the Beatles, of 60's Psychedelia, the Doors... The music is an interesting juxtaposition of pop with an edge and rather INNOCENT vocals. A heady mix, once you get used to it, nice tunes, and every song is good!

Bought this one on a whim just looking for something new. I have to say it's a great record front to back. Great song structures, driving guitars & elegant vocals. I'd put it somehere between late Phycedelic Furs, Kula Shaker and The Jam. The only negative I would mention at all is the sound mix. The vocals are fantastic, but they need to be brought out a little more. The are two many points where they seem to be fighting a loosing battle against the rest of the music.

I had never heard of this band until I saw them open for Gary Numan in Cincinnati. I bought the CD after the show and Michael was gracious enough to sign it. Reminded my son of 'Sunny Day Real Estate' but for me it was more of Smashing Pumpkins meets Blur meets Radiohead meets Beatles(Magical Mystery Tour era). Personal fav tune at the moment is "Hurry Up", but ALL the songs are very enjoyable!! So rare these days that every song on an album is worth listening to..... First CD I'vebought in a while that was actually worth the price.

As my mixed playlist drove through five ace songs from this CD once again, and as I looked up for the fiftieth time to see who was playing such nice crunchy guitars, I realized that I hadn't given much thought to where this music came from and what happened to them. Sure, as others point out, they stole everything, an entire band a song, but who doesn't? Shoot, other groups like Coldplay are pure derivative, and I have more songs off "Million" than I do "X&Y" on my playlists.

So, where did they go? Zero Wiki entry, the website is some shopping spam and Google comes up nearly empty. Mike Thrasher is apparently still in the biz as a promoter in Oregon, but still, in terms of profile vs. quality, this has to rank way up there for lack of notice. Heck, it was only 7 years ago, how could you be this solid and be gone? Ah well, past time for a reminder of how good this album was. Check it out.

I bought this CD because I heard "Come Here" as the background music for some fashion show, and I was totally hooked on that song. Then I bought the album and was really surprised how good ALL of the songs really are. It's a sunny mix of bright, smart, melodic, Califonia and Brit pop-rock-electro.

Like the other reviews say, this record is great top to bottom. I haven't heard them on the radio yet, but there's some hits here. She hung the moon is beautiful! Best album I've bought in a while.

Quite simply, this is the best new band I've heard in over a decade! I saw them at Bogart's in Cincinnati, and it was a fantastic show. If you get the chance, go see them! "Driving a Million" is well worth buying in my opinion. A lot of people have been comparing them with other bands, but I think that it's a totally fresh sound. You will enjoy it!!

Dave

i gotta say...these are great top to bottom songs man. no b.s. the artwork is cool too.