Lift

The Reach | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 17, 2010)
• Original Release Date: May 20, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: The Orchard
• ASIN: B00009R5VF
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,158,250 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

In 1994 in Dallas, TX. Three musicians joined forces to form The Reach. For the next three years, drummer Tommy Watts, bassist Dave Scott, and guitarist/vocalist Craig Miller toured throughout the Southwest, garnering radio play, vigorous CD sales, critical acclaim, and major label interest. The sky seemed the limit for this young alternative trio.

The highlight of this period was the recording of their debut CD Closer with veteran Dallas, TXproducer Keith Rust. Bright spots on the album included the ethereal "Away," the pop ditty "Rules (purebred)," and the creepy title track, "Closer," a musical look into the mind of a stalker. The album received consistent airplay from Dallas area local music programs, as well as national radio play from Baltimore to New Orleans to Atlanta. After putting on strong shows with The Samples and Deep Blue Something, the band had major label interest, lots of new material, and a seemingly bright future. But in the words of VH1's Behind the Music, "That's when it all fell apart."

Personal issues and creative differences caused the band to split in 1997. However, the band’s music continued making waves despite the breakup. The advent of the internet and MP3 has exposed The Reach to boundless new markets, and people seem to be finally catching on to this overlooked band. Since 2000, The Reach has had nearly 40,000 downloads on MP3.com, with new demos like "You," "Mistress," and "All Right," cracking MP3.com's Alternative Top 10.

Now, after an 8 year hiatus, The Reach returns with their second release, the stunning Lift. Drummer Tommy Watts and guitarist/vocalist Craig Miller have reunited, sans Dave Scott, to record a collection of material both old and new, that should put The Reach back on the musical map for good. Miller, now living in New York City, recorded and produced the bulk of the record from his East Village apartment, while drums were recorded by Watts in Dallas. "The strange thing is that the first record sounded more like a studio project, and this new one sounds like a live band on stage. Maybe I’ll move to Australia for the next one," says Miller.

The album contains an eclectic mix of alternative rock tracks, paradoxically opening with a song called "Goodbye," a classic angry break up song, featuring a blistering drum performance from Watts, and Harlem rapper Shakka on ad lib duties. "Show" is a straight up rocker with a radio friendly hook. "Eavesdrop (for Caddy)," is a shimmering piece of melancholy inspired by William Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury, while "All Right," "Throwaway" are showcases for Miller’s lush textured guitar style.

What’s next for The Reach? The band is planning an aggressive marketing plan for Lift, focusing on the internet and college radio. Miller is planning several acoustic performances this summer in New York, and there are tentative plans for a short tour of the Southwest in September.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars overlooked gem, June 14, 2005

By 

Chris Jameson (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lift (Audio CD)

This is a fantastic album I discovered this month. It's got a really dark mood about it like early Cure, but the singer sounds quite a bit like Michael Stipe. I've even heard a rumor that this was a Stipe project that was abandoned and released under a different name. The guitars are lush and echoey but aggressive, think Marty Wilson Piper meets Kim Thayall, and the drummer is fantastic, reminds me of the guy from Interpol. Definitely check this out.

5.0 out of 5 stars review from Amplifier Magazine, September 23, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Lift (Audio CD)

A Texas- Bred duo back in the saddle after an eight-year holiday, the Reach meld guitar-heavy alt-rock and solid pop songcraft. Though singer/guitarist Craig Miller and drummer Tommy Watts recorded their respective parts in different time zones. Lift has the communal feel of a jam session. Miller is a top-rate vocalist, especially in cuts like the acoustic "Self Help," the opening track "Goodbye," which features Harlem rapper Shakka improvising over Watts' relentless double-bass polyrhythms, and the multi-layered, neo-psychedelic "All Right." Ending the disc is "Catchphrase," a blistering arena rock anthem that should pu commercial success within the Reach's grasp.

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Snooze Fest from TX, June 25, 2003

By 

Michael Delozier (Royal Oak, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lift (Audio CD)

Bands like this make me think that very few american bands can offer anything good anymore to the music world. I was told to look into this band. 3 songs in and i was about ready to choke the person who told me about this album.
Why is it boring and a snooze fest? One, the guys vocals are irratating like a Michael Stipe coming off a 3 day meth bender.
The lyrics are just tripe... i cant even put more effort into explaining why they are horrible, just listen to the samples.
They dont have a distinctive or original sound... they sound like every other suburbanite band that wants to make music. Im sure some dippy girl at a club will eat this up and only cause the guy plays guitar and tries to brood over his half heart felt lyrics. Do yourself a favor, stay away from this like a person with a bad case of SARS.