The American Scene

Terry Miles certainly has his fingers in many pies on this album. Despite playing most of the instruments and writing all the songs with the exception of a Neil Young cover, Miles delivers one of the more melodic cohesive and engaging albums artists like Joseph Arthur or Eliott Smith still seek. From the opening The Old Masquerade, a song reeking of nostalgia, Miles introduces the listener to a world of scenic vignettes and the road leading through them. A few numbers, particularly the album?s title track, seem rather trivial due to their duration, but the full effects far outweighs the slight problems. The Last Day In The Life Of Grand is a memorable acoustic tune in the same vein as most of the acoustic material on Pink Floyd?s The Wall. Each song suffers somewhat from a lack of completion, as if songs fade out just as they seem to hit their stride. Accompanied by Kelly Haigh on backing vocals, The Last Train Home is the most upbeat number while, at the same time, Clear The Corners and Return To Me are tracks sure to remind most of the California sound of The Beach Boys and Brian Wilson. Far from a party album, but perfect for a rainy Sunday afternoon.