Customer Reviews

Upside Downside

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Thus Always to Tyrants," Scott Miller's solo debut after leaving The V-Roys, was one of the best albums of 2001 (and its cover using the Virginia state seal earned him a cease and desist letter from state lawyers with too much taxpayer-funded free time on their hands). With "Upside/Downside," Miller proves that record was no fluke with a typical mix of songs that are loud (rocking) and not so loud (folkie) and just plain fun (a disposable homage to Booker T & the MGs.)

There's nothing as grinning as the opening line to the last album's "I Won't Go With You:" " Man, this beer is colder than the shoulder you would give me if I were to tell you the truth." But there are lines that come close, especially in "Second Chance": "I don't want to fight. Sometimes I'm always right. I'd love to change it, but you know I can't so I need a second chance."

It's typically smartass Miller, a William & Mary graduate who is as wise and funny about his Virginia heritage as any writer around -- on page or on disc.

Musically, Upside/Downside careens from straight ahead rock ("It Didn't Take Too Long") to bluesy rock ("Pull Your Load" to folk storytelling ("Amtrak Crescent" and "Ciderville Saturday Night," both featuring Tim O'Brien's mandolin). The Commonwealth returns as his backing band on most cuts and Patty Griffin stops by to lend her ethereal vocals to "Angels Dwell" and "The Way."

Like the first record, Miller explores finding your way as a Southerner in the modern world. "I'm headed out to find what it is that makes a man want to come home," he sings in "The Way. "I've had enough off the way I was. Seems like it's time to learn the way."

Overall, it's a typically precocious record, one that offers bits of musical tapas for country, rock or folk fans.

Scott Miller & the Commonwealth follow up their excellent debut album, "Thus Always to Tyrants," with another excellent album full of worthwhile songs. Miller has become the master of the three minute song, and the 12 tracks on "Upside Downside" clock in at a tidy 36 minutes in total. The "Upside" includes a number of burning rockers, with "It Didn't Take Too Long," "The Way" and the mostly instrumental "Chill, Relax, Now" being the highlights. The following "Downside' is softer and more accoustic, and is highlighted by the story song "Amtrack Crescent," the Patty Griffin duet "Angels Dwell," and the World War Two memories of "Red Ball Express."

The album's only downside is that it fails to expand substantially on anything Miller has done earlier in his career. The rocking tracks sound a lot like his old band The V-Roys, and "Red Ball Express" merely continues in the same historical storytelling vein as "Highland County Boy" and "Dear Sarah" from his Commonwealth debut. Nevertheless, "Upside Downside" is still a strong album from a very talented songwriter who very much deserves a bigger audience.

"It Didn't Take Too Long" for me to realize this is an excellent record. With a tip of the cap to Chuck Berry, the record is off and running. "Chill, Relax, Now" could be the next sports anthem played at every halftime, time-out and 7th inning stretch in big-league parks around the country. "Red Ball Express," Miller's first song about WWII, marks him as possibly the best war songwriter since Johnny Horton. "For Jack Tymon," with nothing but guitar and vocals is simply beautiful. Very few writers could cover such territory on one record and make it work. Somehow, Scott Miller finds "The Way."

This album is an excellent followup to "Thus Always to Tyrants". The songs are strong, performances are great, and the lightweight production allows them to really shine. It includes a good mix of rockers like the Chuck Berry-esque "It Didn't Take Too Long" and the presumably at least semiautobiographical "Raised by the Graves" to mellower cuts like the touching "For Jack Tymon", which was dedicated to a friend's newborn son, and "Angels Dwell". Then there's the rollicking bluegrassy "Ciderville Saturday Night", the nearly instrumental Tequila-esque "Chill, Relax, Now", and the historical "Red Ball Express".

If any of this sounds interesting, take a chance on this album. You're not likely to be disappointed. Of course, if you're already a fan, this is a must-have. ASAP.

This guy is amazing! The upside/downside album is a very unique and very entertaining collection that will be stuck in your head for weeks. I also HIGHLY recommend going to his next show in your area. It'll be the best show you'll see all year. I recently went to one in Hattisburg, MS and watched as everyone was mesmerized by the talent that Scott has. Buy this CD, you'll never ever regret it.

Scott Miller and The Commonwealth deliver...AGAIN. Great mix of music, much of it biographical, and each song speaks to everyday folk. He delivers the same passion in his live performances. See him if you can. Scott takes you from rock and roll in songs like "It Didn't Take too Long," to ballads like "Amtrak Crescent," and into Appalachia with "Ciderville Saturday Night." The depth of his song writing puts him on par with the likes of Bob Seger and Pete Seeger. He performs with passion. The breadth of his talent makes one wonder what corporate radio station, with their canned playlists, will find a spot for him. Do yourself a favor and turn off the radio and listen to this CD and his earlier "Thus Always to Tyrants."

This is a great album. The "upside" is more upbeat and plugged in; it reminds me of the V-Roys a lot. The "downside" is slower and more acoustic (but not totally), much like Scott's solo shows. Very solid songs, all around. I prefer "the downside" a little more than "the upside," but the mix is nice. If you liked the V-Roys or Scott's "Thus Always to Tyrants" at all, you will surely love this album. And if you're not familiar with them, then the mix on songs on this album makes it more accessible than ever. Buy it now!

scott keeps getting better and better. from his college days when even his commentary on frat boys and bowheads was inspired and musically excellent, his lyrics, phrasing and guitar playing keep improving with every effort. looking forward to the next one!

What an album. I've listened to Scott Miller since he was with the V-Roys, a very good short lived band you should check out if you haven't, and I was blown away by what a great album this is. At a Christmas party, we put this CD on and listened to it. And after it was finished, we hit play again. A great album that I can't say enough about.

Miller seems to be all over the place, but if you followed his former band the V-roys this shouldn't suprise. They've touched on folk, country, rock, and bluegrass on their first two albums. I talked to Scott Miller at a show in Birmingham, AL (where he said during a show, "ain't no ham like the Birmingham" which he re-inforces on the new disk; sorry i digress) a few years back and asked him if he considered himself in the same genre as Son Volt, Whiskeytown, Jayhawks, Wilco, etc. He responded, "never heard of them." And that brings me full circle to my point. While he has the rootrocks sound, it's not the music's purpose. He blends his roots to combine a sound that brings out what he and the Commonwealth see as "good music." Don't put a label on this CD and just know that you will be hit from all directions, with various sounds. And this has what I seem to be rarely able to find, heart.