Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson

Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson (Say Hey)

By Rebecca Shore
Published: July 11th, 2008 | 9:00am

On Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson’s MySpace page, a fan that calls himself “adam.” writes, "I am actually excited about music again. Thank you!" Says another, "You sing explosions." For a musician who, in his own words, “squandered much of his initial momentum and potential promise in an alcoholic haze and series of shambling performances,” such lofty one-liners must be pleasantly reaffirming.

That conviction that Robinson “sings explosions” is not far from the truth. The first track, "Buriedfed" — a folksy epic exploring death — starts lightly with a guitar and Robinson’s soulful voice and ignites, with less than a minute left, into a tidal wave of guitars. "Woodfriend" is a driving rock song with a distinctive classic sound that calls to mind Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. At the other end of the spectrum, the penultimate song "Above the Sun," he and a chorus of accompanying voices draw out lyrics like pulled taffy; the song's conclusion is beautiful and ambient, a melding of singular piano keys, cello notes, and what sound like church organs. Did I mention that Robinson possesses a range of musicality?

Songs are assembled like a meticulously arranged mix tape — tracks go out with a bang and new ones intro quietly and melodically, proof that Robinson can croon the blues and rock the hell out. The production on the tracks is strongly reminiscent of TV On the Radio, which might have a morsel to do with the fact that their vocalist, Kyp Malone, had a part in the album (not to mention Chris Taylor, Daniel Rossen, and Chris Bear of Brooklyn-based indie rock quartet Grizzly Bear). But you’re wrong if you think it’s the friends in high places that will get the guy with four names to make yet another one for himself; this album gives the distinct impression that Robinson doesn't make music simply because he can, or because he wants to, but rather because he needs to. Regardless of what the artist himself says, it would take more than a truckload of Jameson to hide songwriting talent like this beneath an alcoholic haze.

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