Tim Miller-Adelaide Review

Recorded onto tape, Tim Miller's Adelaide is an example of emotionally- charged, mature songwriting. Produced by Chris Bell (Erykah Badu, Polyphonic Spree, Eagles) and mastered by Adam Ayan (Rolling Stones, Bob Marley, Phish, Ani DiFranco), Adelaide features Tim Miller's honest and soothing voice performing melodic folk rock songs in a style similar to singer/songwriters, James Blunt and Ari Hest. Out Of The Box (2004) established this Dallas based singer/songwriter as an artist with a raw, honest approach and since Miller's music has been licensed by MTV's My Super Sweet 16, Real World, Road Rules, and The Challenge, and Tom Green's film Shred II.

Adelaide is a collection of meaningful, slow-medium folk rock songs. While listening to this album, you get the feeling that any of these songs could easily be in a soundtrack during the turning point of a film. Miller's guitars and vocals blend together effortlessly while the organ and piano perfectly compliment the basic folk rock sound of the album. Instead of keeping with the usual acoustic guitar and piano set-up that most folk rock musicians use, Miller brings in an organ on some songs, which makes the album stand out and creates an overall fuller sound. "Say Hello" is one of the album's faster-paced rock songs that showcase this full organ sound, in addition to a melodic bridge and break down of electric guitar and voice. "Let's Go" and "Another Day in the Life" are two additional solid, medium-tempo rock songs that move the album along nicely with catchy rock guitars and strong vocals. The rest of the album is slower-paced, folk rock ballads, including "Whom Am I," an emotional song with dreamy acoustic guitars, dramatic piano and introspective lyrics. "Man Overboard," another slower-paced rock folk song, features one of the album's most catchy guitar riffs. In "Let us End," Miller sings colorful harmonies, creating a soulful feel that reveals the depth of his vocal abilities. "Four Leaf Clover" brings in the mandolin and steel guitar to give the listener a taste of country. "This Life" features both a catchy piano and keyboard that give the song an ambiance of driving through the country at sunset.

Adelaide is an album of listenable instrumentation and dynamic songwriting. Tim Miller is definitely here to stay and I wouldn't be surprised if very soon we start hearing his songs in more mainstream outlets.

© MuzikReviews.com

Erin Bruno-MuzikReviews.com Contributor

March 30, 2008

Tracks:
01. Say Hello
02. Let's Go
03. Make Believe
04. Who I Am
05. Man Overboard
06. Heaven Only Knows
07. Another Day in the Life
08. Let Us End
09. The Point
10. Adelaide
11. Four Leaf Clover
12. This Life
13. Remember This Day