TRACK LIST:
1. Correct to the Core 11:35
2. That Inward Eye Part 1 2:22
3. Belief in the Machine 2:02
4. The Land and the Sea 2:11
5. The Need to Believe 5:39
6. Prelude to the Trial 4:32
7. Binary Breakdown 3:28
8. That Inward Eye Part 2 3:28
9. Media Gods 4:22
10. The Trial 9:55
11. Bonus Track 1:32
LINE UP :
Rick Miller - vocals, instruments
with:
Sarah Young - flute
Mateusz Swoboda - cello
Barry Haggarty - guitars
Will - drums, percussion
Prolusion.
Canadian artist Rick Miller has been a mainstay of the progressive rock scene for several decades, steadily creating and releasing new material that by and large stick to his very specific variety of progressive rock. Miller has more than one dozen albums to his name at this point, of which several have appeared in the last few years. "Belief in the Machine" dates back to 2020, as one of two albums he released that year, and was released through German label Progressive Promotion Records.
Analysis.
Dark and atmospheric laden progressive rock is the field that Miller has specialized in, and he is a master of constructing musical landscapes that combine elements from ambient music, world music and a generally appealing variety of atmospheric laden progressive rock.
"Belief in the Machine" is one more production where he showcase his skills in creating alluring landscapes with a built in tension created by subtle elements rather than dramatic effects and stark contrasts, soft and smooth landscapes floating and flowing by but without ever becoming monotone or uninteresting. Managing to accomplish that is a much more challenging task than what most people would expect.
Some folk music and world music details are added here and there, expanding the scope of the album quite nicely, and a few romantic pastoral passages have managed to find their way into this production too. The more lighthearted and light toned spirit of these sequences being an efficient contrast to the rest of the material at hand. The occasional use of orchestral textures and string instruments is another addition that works well as a contrasting feature, albeit a subtle one, and an expansion that also adds a little bit of a sacral touch at times.
The meat of this album as most other of Miller's solo productions are the darker tones parts though. With Miller's soft and careful vocals a soothing and appropriate presence, adding a very careful bite to his voice on select occasions, within arrangements that for me and many other listeners comes with an instant association to Gilmour era Pink Floyd. The floating keyboard textures and frequent use of acoustic and careful electric guitar details in landscapes with a welcoming but also dark and mournful vibe does tend to make many people think of Pink Floyd in something of a Pavlovian manner. Such associations are given a bit of an emphasis due to the liberal use of flowing, blues-tinged elegant guitar solo runs, executed in a manner that does have more than a little bit of David Gilmour to them in terms of overall sound and feel.
What separates Miller's material from the ones that gave Gilmour-era Floyd a substantial commercial success is that Miller's landscapes tend to be just a bit darker, but also manage to stay put in such darker surroundings without becoming depressive or disheartening. One might say that they mirror the subtle darkness most people have as a part of their personality, and that it is rewarding and enriching for the soul to have such moods and atmospheres mirrored back at you on occasion.
Conclusion.
The landscapes explored by Rick Miller may be regarded by some as derivative creations, for reasons already detailed. But for quite a few people, myself included, Miller's musical universe is a well thought out and well considered journey into approachable and inviting soundscapes that reflect a darkness that is recognizable, and presents it as a natural, organic and non-threatening part of who we are as people. Beyond this perhaps more philosophical side note, those who tend to treasure smooth, soft and inviting landscapes of flowing and alluring darkness without threatening tangents but with a liberal amount of subtle mesmerizing details will find plenty to enjoy here. Careful and elegant material, featuring many elements with a similar mood, mode and spirit as the more approachable material of a band such as Pink Floyd.
Progmessor: January 2023
The Rating Room
