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This early September release from a New Jersey band with the name of Laverne & Shirley's hometown contains snapshots of American life gained by making it the way good rock 'n' roll bands do - endless touring with a ferocious live show.
At first listen, this album is not as inventive as The Mercury Seed (last
week) or Scott Fisher (Sept. 14). Nor is it as raw and powerful as
Trashlight Vision's debut (also Sept. 14), but it's a good, American heartland rock 'n' roll record (or CD, in this case). Dylan St. Clark
(guitar/lead vocals) says, "We'll paint the pictures, tell the stories and let the listeners decide." - Ricky Flake
"A phenomenal rock set that's inspired by the
classics, but not beholden to them. Moving from
down-tempo quiet numbers to rousing thumpers,
across Stones-y blues and Springsteen-esque
fists in the air anthems, this album's got it all, a
rock masterpiece for a new generation." - -
“An album that’s as imposing as its title suggests. Borne from the band’s enduring road-warrior reputation, it retains the brash swagger of their three previous efforts. However, it also finds a hint of wistful nostalgia, culled from musical snapshots of people and places they’ve encountered in their journeys.” - -
“Crunchy guitars, great hooks, and an obvious level of confidence make this a fine record.” - -
“No-frills, open-road guitar rock about dreams chased and innocence lost, performed with gutsy emotion and abundant hooks.” - -
“I was completely blown away. The Milwaukees are a rarity in the modern music scene, a genuine rock and roll band. American Anthems is the band's latest, and easily one of the best records of the year. … The must-have CD of 2007.” - -
“A band that blends the artistic vision of early-Nineties Seattle with the raunchy abandon of
the Sunset Strip, and then throws in a hand full of Mississippi mud and a big chunk of Jersey pride. … American Anthems, Vol. 1 stands tall as one of the most ambitious, well-written, and sharply produced products of the American indie underground that you’re likely to hear this – or any – year.” - Jim Testa
“The guitars blaze, and frontman Dylan St. Clark provides some of the best vocal
performances of the year. Hit the road, open your car windows, and turn it up loud.” - -
“There's no doubt this is a band with a lot of heart and a dynamic punch follow-up.” - -
“American Anthems Vol. 1 is complete with songs, both energetic and soothing, taken from
the American songbook. They sound nice and aggressive but brim with truth and mystery, a
paradox that secrets away the rough experience of middle class American life.” - Brian Tucker
Discography
Missile Command (LP)
The Bland Comfort of Life with Lloyd Justin (EP)
This Is A Stickup (LP)
American Anthems vol. 1 (LP - September 2007)
Photos
Bio
A story about the Milwaukees by Chris Ward of Performing Songwriter Magazine:
It was my best friend who first introduced me to The Milwaukees, practically hijacking my CD player as we cruised town. With urgency, he thrust their debut LP, Missile Command, into my hands as if he'd discovered some rare, rock-and-roll pearl in a sea of dried up oysters.
By the end of the first track--the stirring "Drink Soviet Champagne"--my friend flashed an "I told you so" smile, and I had a new favorite band.
Wasting no time, The Milwaukees countered this independent masterpiece by releasing The Bland Comfort of Life with Lloyd Justin EP. Touring the US and Canada in support of Missile Command and Lloyd Justin, their full-throttle, take-no-prisoners rock shows earned them a reputation as one of the most exciting live bands around. Their shows became the blueprint for 2003's This Is A Stickup, (produced by John Agnello known for his work with Dinosaur Jr., Son Volt, and most recently the Hold Steady) which was released in Europe, Canada and Japan. "It's the first great album of the decade," blurbed Friction Ezine. I could hear why.
The boys would ride this buzz to two European tours in 2003 and 2004, headlining packed houses in the UK, Germany, Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg, and hosting epic parties afterwards. They say cries of "Milwaukees rock and roll band number one!" can still be heard as foreign girls try to communicate their feelings to the American rockers.
The only thing unreliable about The Milwaukees' 7500-mile follow-up tour across the US turned out to be their van. And, well, there was that incident in Canada that got them banned for life, but why let a little Canadian jail time stop a well-oiled rock and roll machine?
Today, those lucky enough to catch The Milwaukees at Maxwell's--Hoboken's legendary indie-rock venue where the band plays to sold out crowds will witness a frantic electricity and on-stage spontaneity that raises the bar for would-be arena rockers. Complimented as "Charmingly arrogant" by some, and "hard-working showmen, like the E-Street Band at its zenith" by others--the Milwaukees make music for the masses: engaging, raw and instantly approachable. Influences from the Faces and Elvis Costello to the Who and the Clash permeate, but don't dominate, each unique and raucous performance.
As The Milwaukees prepare to unleash their third proper album in 2007, American Anthems vol. 1, I eagerly join the band's now worldwide fanbase in awaiting the next chapter for the uncompromising boys from Jersey.
And, though the band's sound has evolved considerably since Missile Command, some things remain steadfast.
With this release, we once again await lead singer Dylan St. Clark, an unparalleled vocal freight train whose lyrics cut to the core of American determination and vulnerability.
We await Jeff Nordstedt's unshakable guitar licks, which channel both the stone cold ’70s rock of Thin Lizzy and the melodic persuasion of the Foo Fighters.
We await the sweaty, unstoppable hammering of drummer Patrick Fusco and bassist Donovan Cain as they drive the rhythm forward like a steady sword to the listener's heart.
And, most of all, we wait to see when the rest of America will finally catch up to what we've known all along: The Milwaukees are spearheading the American Rock and Roll revival, and doing it on their own terms.
With a one-of-a-kind sound, a gassed-up van and an unquenchable ambition, the Milwaukees are ready once again. Are you?
As St. Clark sings during "Rock and Roll, Part 3," "We're hoping that you come around."
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