First, this is the Virginia-based Scott Miller, formerly of the V-Roys, not the San Francisco Scott Miller who led Game Theory and the Loud Family (one of my longtime favorites). But apparently quality comes with the "Scott Miller" name, since Thus Always to Tyrants is a fine blend of compelling songwriting, plainspoken rock power, and rooted country storytelling. Miller appears to have learned some good lessons from his work with Steve Earle; like Earle, Miller is stylistically restless but never a dilettante. Every style on this record - from classic rock, dual-guitar workouts like "Across the Line" and "Loving that Girl," garage-rock like the cover of the Brogues' "I Ain't No Miracle Worker," to the power-pop chorus of "Absolution" (courtesy guest band Superdrag) and the traditional, acoustic Appalachian country of "Sarah Dear" and "Highland County Boy" - sounds as lived in as an old pair of jeans. "Absolution" is a particular highlight. The verse sports an aggressive and agitated guitar figure, blaring harmonica (note: it's really hard to get me to like harmonica), and an impassioned vocal that slides effortlessly into a chorus featuring honeyed vocal harmonies and a more relaxed set of rhythms. That mix of sixties-style guitar rock, country honk, and vocal harmony reminds me of eighties California bands like Green on Red or the Long Ryders, and it's perhaps no accident that the Long Ryders' leader, Sid Griffin, traces his own musical lineage back to Gram Parsons, a clear influence here. Miller rocks harder, to his benefit, but like Parsons he's no respecter of musical boundaries. But neither is he a reflexive disrespecter: "Highland County Boy" is written from the perspective of a younger, frail brother who stays home as his older brothers fight the Civil War. Without waving either flag, Miller simply tries to understand what it feels like to be left behind...and to survive while those who went die. Perhaps Miller's background - he studied both Russian/Soviet history and American history at college - helps him see what's common on both sides, or perhaps it's his own family history: Northern father, Southern mother. Not that Miller's a saint: his characters fight, drink, have romantic troubles, and stay up all night only to shout (in the title of another song) "Goddamn the Sun." Miller's formed a new band, the Commonwealth, and I'm guessing these songs will sound even better live.

Artist
Album Title
Song Title