Michael Mills Band - Stand Up (Album Review)

Honest, roots driven rock and roll with every single American music flavoring. That is how one might describe the Michael Mills Band. Their first full length album comes out March 20th via Sony/Orchard Music. This is the kind of music that was once prominently played on American mainstream rock stations before the grunge apocalypse and the free music downloads era. Technology has dulled the senses of music fans across genres and has made music like Stand Up seem nostalgic and at the same time revolutionary. I mean, here is a band who can play their instruments proficiently. Thankfully there is a radio underground of sorts that occupies frequencies on the lower end of the FM dial near your local NPR affiliate.

The album comes out of the gate with the title track, "Stand Up". Led by a driving acoustic guitar and an affirmative refrain and chorus, the track is an instant singable, dance floor romp  infused with simple, honest rock and roll sensibilities. Band leader Michael Mills is the lead vocalist who also plays guitar along with band mate Jesse Godoy who handles lead guitar and helps write the songs. Mark Weiss plays the Hammond B3, Scot Campbell mans the bass and Ron Ravicchio keeps the beat behind the drum kit. Track two, "Feel It" oozes with soul, a beautiful slower melody adorned with soothing harmony vocals. "Real Good Thing" is a traditional blues number which showcases some amazing guitar work from Godoy. It's bluesy acoustic slide playing at it's finest. "One More Alone" shifts again to a cool opening back beat coupled with an infectious guitar lick. Mills commands the microphone with his seasoned, confident delivery.

"I'm Not Sorry" is a slow blues burner that again features Godoy, who drains all kinds of emotion from his guitar. Again Mills delivers a show stopping lead vocal. "My New Woman" combines all of the aforementioned elements into a hybrid swampy blues meets southern soul tune that is one of the album's high points. There's even an amazing harmonica break that intermingles with the acoustic slide. "My Baby Drives" continues the perfect run of Americana soaked in slide guitars and harps with Mills singing his butt off even when the instruments go silent.  The blues are clearly the biggest influence on this music but there are pop and rock sensibilities that make these tracks far more listenable than your average mundane blues outing.

"Big Black Car"  reminds me of the classic blues track "Shaky Ground". It has a huge guitar hook, and some soulful vocals and a wonderful saxophone solo. "Love Is Ahead of Me" slows things down. A graceful, soulful track featuring mostly unplugged instruments along with a sunny blend of vocals that seem to rain down from all directions. This album truly has something for everyone. The blues get cranked up again on " I Know", with it's blistering, yet sophisticated clean guitar introduction. The song then settles into a groove where Mills is singing alongside horns and lead guitar fills. Definitely another highlight on this record.

"You Can't Hide" takes a left turn away from a traditional blues sound to a more straight ahead rocker. Kinda like Secret Agent Man finds his blues mojo. "Chasing These Blues" is track number 12 and the band finishes on a rockin' note with guitars blazing. A stubborn guitar riff that eventually breaks into a very creative and complimentary solo. This is jam band terrain for live shows. In fact the whole album is the kind of music that can be recreated for a live audience, the kind of folks who appreciate real music played to near perfection. The Michael Mills Band have recorded some excellent blues based rock and roll for the new decade. Lets hope and pray this the beginning of a revival that inspires others to follow in their footsteps.

Album rating 9.6