Customer Reviews

Miracle Mile

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

 

 

Despite being a long-time fan of rock and metal, I was just not prepared for Miracle Mile. I have plenty of other Christian bands in my collection, but this was my first Guardian disc. I was essentially expecting the righteous equivalent of some other mainstream band - Whitecross is to Ratt what Barren Cross is to Iron Maiden is what Guardian is to...you get the idea. Guardian, with their Miracle Mile album, just shattered that expectation. Their unique sound does not follow any one band or even a particular genre. That's not to say they don't have a familiar sound, because there are elements of other bands present. The closest point of comparison would be Mr. Big meets King's X with hints of Giant and Tyketto.

Miracle Mile is a brilliant album in every sense of the word. It's quite well written, holding to a central concept and theme while maintaining the individuality of each song. Each song stands on its own, but taken as a whole they have even more impact. The lyrics are cleverly written as well. Unlike some of their fellow Christian rockers, Guardian does not wear their spirituality on their sleeve or wield their faith like a blunt instrument. The lyrics present a story and some positive themes, but the listener is free to interpret them. It is obviously written by a Christian band, but not in a way that would make the average listener feel uncomfortable. It doesn't hurt that the lyrics are delivered by a truly outstanding vocalist who injects real emotion and energy into his performance.

The music is excellent too. It's probably closer to melodic hard rock than anything else, but it definitely does not take a formulaic approach. While bands like Slaughter and Firehouse were giving us "metal by the numbers" in 1993, Guardian provided a rock & roll album with some metal undertones and a healthy dose of rhythm and blues, as well as some heartfelt lyrics with plenty of conviction. I have to think that if the country hadn't been in the middle of its grunge infatuation, Miracle Mile could have made a major impact. Instead it is probably one of the best albums most people have never heard. Much to my dismay, it took me more than a decade to discover this album.

Miracle Mile is a powerful album, and I recommend it highly. Metal purists will probably want to pass it by, as it is not really an aggressive album, but fans of melodic hard rock, hair metal, AOR, or just plain rock and roll should by all means check this one out. You'll probably find yourself bobbing your head and singing along before you know it!

First off, I'm gonna plug my site here: ...as of now, it's the only up-to-date Guardian site on the net. The band is no more, but their spirit lives on in their music.

With that said, "Miracle Mile" is an astonishing album. It grabs you from the get-go and doesn't look back. Reminiscent of the late 80s early 90s hard rock that defined radio and television, Guardian took this style and made it their own with Jamie Rowe's impressive vocals (outshining IMO the best of the mainstream vocalists like Axl and Bon Jovi) and Tony Palacios' killer guitar playing. Many many bands will stop right here, but Guardian has one of the best bassists and drummers in the industry, completing the band with only 4.

If you're looking to rock out, highlight tracks are "Shoeshine Johnny", "Let It Roll", "Mr. Do Wrong", "Sister Wisdom", "Curiosity Killed the Cat", and "You & I". For the softer side of the band, they have some amazing ballads. "I Found Love", "Sweet Mystery", "The Captain", and "Do You Know What Love Is?" are so spectacular, you'll be leaving all your other ballad-laden albums in their cases. And rightfully so! You may call me a Guardian fanatic, but I just like good music.

I find a reoccuring problem with many fans of a certain band is a lack of variety in their music. I've read many old school rockers ripping on Guardian's newer albums because it doesn't have that arena hard rock sound like they want. Of course, I love the old stuff as well as the new, but to get an idea of where I'm coming from, another one of my favorite bands is Radiohead...a polar opposite of anything Guardian's done (although RH's "The Bends" is listed as a favorite of vocalist Jamie Rowe's albums). As far as rock music goes, I love anything from Jackson Browne, Zeppelin, and Floyd to Radiohead, Plankeye, Bride, Starflyer 59, Wilco, Jim Brickman, Delirious, and Travis. And with that said, Guardian's "Miracle Mile" leaves any other album in the dust, IMO...save Radiohead's "OK Computer" (I really can't decide which I like better).

Enough of that. Get this album. Then get "Fire & Love". Then get "Swing, Swang, Swung". Then open your mind for a new style and get the darker "Buzz" and the alternative sounding "Bottle Rocket". Eat, breath, and sleep Guardian. All your base are belong to us.

I saw this band on a late night Christian video show called Zmusic a few years back with a video from Fire and love and I must say that I was blown away!! I had to go out and get it so I could experience Guardian for myself. I thoroughly enjoyed F&L so when I saw this I had to give it a spin. I would truly put this up against any of the "secular" bands such as Gotthard,Harem Scarem,House of Lords,and TNT. Yes,they are that good.There's not any filler material here as the entire cd has a good flow.Contray to popular belief,Stryper is not the only Melodic Rock band with a positive message.If you don't pick this cd up at these prices on Amazon,it ought to be a sin.

After listening to Guardian's awesome 1990 release "Fire and Love", you may not believe anything Guardian produced after that album could top it. Well, they delivered big time! "Miracle Mile" is an unbelievably powerful album, much like "Fire and Love", but more polished with that same true hard metal sound and great vocals by Jamie Rowe and company. I cannot choose one favorite song from this album, because all 12 tracks are simply awesome. Get this CD, trust me!

Fantastico, fabuloso, excelente, extraordinario!!!!!!!!

El mejor diso de Guardian, Miracle Mile es uno de los más finos discos de la historia del hard rock y el mejor en la historia del rock cristiano.
Canciones como Dr. Jones and the kings of Rhythm, Sister wisdom, Shoeshine Johnny son una fantastica demostración del rock cristiano. La voz de Jamie rowe y las guitarras de Tony palacios hacen una combinación extraordinaria.

Ni siquiera un disco de Stryper me ha gustado tanto.
Estos chicos son una gran bendicion, no cabe duda alguna.

Let the buyer beware of reviews that include statements, like: "You might call me a fanatic . . . " or "This is one of the best albums people have never heard." There are REASONS that you, Dear Reader, have probably never heard of Guardian. Simply put: They are not the best band -- not even the best Christian rock band -- to have come down the pike.

Frankly, I've never understood how it happens that many 80's Heavy Metal bands start out as true "metal" and, then, somehow end up becoming "country-fied," bluesy artists with bandanas and cowboy hats, strumming wooden, non-electric gee-tars. ("Every rose has its thorn"? You started out playing on the L.A. club scene, Brett!) Christian rockers are no different -- as evidenced by Guardian. They started out as a guitar-centric Metal band whose gimmick was wearing armor-and-cape outfits (putting on the "Armor of the Lord"!); they progressed to a more melodic-style Hair Metal sound; and, finally, became a Mr. Big/GnR clone with a "positive" message.

None of the songs on this disk is memorable. All you have to do is go to YouTube to listen to the complete track list placed on there by fans. Jamie Rowe is well-known in the CCM industry. And, granted, there's no denying that he's a talented singer. Unfortunately, it sounds to me like he's channeling too much of GnR's Axl Rose. Tony Palacios is a great guitar shredder . . . but, honestly, many of the songs sound the same to me. Even the "rockers," which are supposed to be up-tempo seem to go at the same speed as the mid-tempo songs.

Personally, I think Guardian's "Fire and Love" is the band's best outing. ("First Watch" is weakened by Paul Cawley's lousy efforts as frontman.) "Miracle Mile" is pretty tame and average: a bland metal/blues rock/funk mishmash that I don't ever see myself interested in. If that's your thing, then buy it. As for me, I'll keep my money.