There are bands out there doing the whole 1970s thing a lot better than bumbling retards like Jack White could ever hope. That means no clumsy, forced guitar riffs and horrible color scheme gimmicks; it's all about rocking out in the summer sun. Ethan Miller has been at this for some time, whether playing guitar in Comets on Fire or fronting Howlin Rain. Magnificent Fiend, which will be released this coming March, is about as authentic an album of this sort can be.
While heavily endebted to groups such as The Band, it never seems forced. "Nomads" floats by in a lazy feel-good fashion, with pronounced bass and groovin' drums underlying chilled-out vocals and electric piano. Magnificent Fiend ends with "Riverboat," which gradually builds into an orgy of piano, synths, anthemic vocals and fuzz guitar jams. This album isn't necessarily one that I'll always be in the mood for, but it is definitely worth a casual listen on a bright, warm day.
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