During the summer of 2019, I had the chance to finally see one of my favorite bands in a live setting – the Chromatics. The band toured infrequently, and I purchased my ticket almost immediately after they went on sale. The aura and aesthetic of the band enthralled me – and still does, I must admit. David Lynch vibes abounded – indeed, the band even appeared on Twin Peaks: The Return. To make a short story long, the Chromatics show was a lovely evening. It exceeded even my already lofty expectations. I was able to get great photos of the band – Johnny Jewel, Ruth Radelet, Nat Walker, and the band’s founder – Adam Miller. Adam founded the band as a post-punk / No Wave entity in Seattle in the 90’s – the band I saw that night in Seattle was far removed from their noisy beginnings. I’m glad I went to the show – the band came to a grinding halt just a few years later, with Johnny Jewel on one side of the split and the 3 other members on the other. Rumours abound as to the reason but remain as of yet unconfirmed. Split, solo – an unfamiliar terrain for Adam Miller. And yet, he is releasing some of the best music of his career now.
Illusion Pool is second Adam’s second release as a solo artist and his first with vocals. It is a varied EP that touches on post-punk, a cover of a dark 60’s classic, and instrumental melancholy – even features a reworking of one of my favorite Chromatics songs. All instruments were performed by Adam Miller and Mikal Oor, with guests helping out on songs. Just one more thing – Lol Tolhurst of The Cure features on 2 songs. It makes for an exciting EP that makes the listener long for a full-length album – and hopefully, that will be coming soon.
The title track kicks off the EP. This is the first song that features Lol Tolhurst on drums. It also features vocals by Heidi Saperstein. The sound lies somewhere between shoegaze and post-punk. A sweet spot, truthfully. It features Adam’s lead vocals front and center – a welcome development. Everybody’s Been Burned is a cover of the famous song by The Byrds that was an insight into the dark side of the 60’s. David Crosby’s original was stunning – this version is the equal. Once again Lol Tolhurst is featured. This is the most Cure-sounding song on the EP. Camera is a remake of a Chromatics song. It’s one of my favorite songs ever, and I think I like this version even better than the original. It drops the Italian disco vibes of the original in favor of post-punk emotional resonance. That opening line kills me. “I want to be with you, but sometimes love becomes too real”. Man. Blood On The Moon starts with whispered vocals and sounds somewhat like Adam’s old band. Not a bad thing! This track features vocals and lyrics from Hanna Lew. A heavy atmosphere permeates the song, with an instrumental section towards the end of the song reminding me quite a bit of The Cure. The short album concludes with Vincent – an instrumental tribute to the founder of The Durutti Column. A perfect way to end the album.
You can pick up the album here. I’m looking forward to what comes next from Adam Miller, Mikal Oor, and their collaborators.
Verdict: Darkness Beckons
For Fans of: Chromatics, The Cure, The Sound, The Chameleons, The Durutti Column
Tracks:
- Illusion Pool
- Everybody’s Been Burned
- Camera
- Blood On The Moon
- Vincent