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Album Details

• Artist: Vinny Miller
• Album: On The Block
• Label: 4AD
• Year of Release: 2004
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2004-08-20

Vinny Miller is a bit of an enigma. He has released a couple songs as Starry Smooth Hound but as Vinny Miller this is his first output. It is quite amazing considering that he has been signed to 4AD for 5 years. On The Block was a very difficult listen and due to one song, "Bogeyeater" I almost didn't even review it. It is the most hideous song I have ever heard. There is no structure to it and Vinny Miller is completely singing out of key. It's a damn scary song. There are a couple others that are like this as well but that is the one that stands out in my mind, giving me musical nightmares for years to come. On the other side of the equation are his gentle offerings like "Bagged and Tagged", which are ever so gentle in their delivery that they won me over. "Breaking Our of Your Arms" is the opening song and it sounds like it could be a Pete Yorn demo. So Miller feels compelled to throw the two styles on one album. If I would suggest something to him it would be to keep the Starry Smooth Hound monicker and release the heartfelt gentle music as that, releasing the angry experimental stuff as a different name. I think he would reach so many more people that way. As it is, he will offend people who like the bedroom inspired music with the loud obnoxious music and vice-versa. Sound interesting? Check out his website for more information.

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