CHRIS MILLS – HEAVY YEARS:2000-2010
(Ernest Jenning Record Co.) – June 7, 2011
At this point, much ink has been spilled decrying critically acclaimed songwriter Chris
Mills' seemingly perpetual commercial obscurity as has been used to laud his complex
and ever evolving body of work, so we won't bother doing that here. Let's just cut to the
chase, shall we?
With the release of the decade encompassing retrospective Heavy Years: 2000-2010
(Ernest Jenning Record Company) long time fans have a new opportunity to trace Mills'
evolution from Chicago alt-country refugee to an astute purveyor of orchestral pop and
true American song-craft, while the uninitiated may quite possibly be on the verge of
discovering their favorite new songwriting voice.
Heavy Years: 2000-2010 collects tracks from Mills' last four studio albums (Kiss It
Goodbye, The Silver Line, The Wall to Wall Sessions, and Living in the Aftermath), as
well as two completely new collaborations with producer Alap Momin (DJ Oktopus of
Dalek). By combining recent material with tracks from out of print gems, this collection
gives testament to Mills' consistent ability to wrap savvy commentary and emotional
realism into mini-studio masterpieces. At turns slyly romantic and heartbreakingly cleareyed, Mills' songs are packed with enough winks and asides to let the listener know that even though things seem tragic, at least they're not alone.
Emerging from the Chicago roots rock renaissance of the late 90's, and quickly signed to
dearly departed indie Sugar Free Records, Mills rose to local prominence through
collaborations with Mekons Jon Langford and Sally Timms, and on bills with acts like
Steve Earle, Wilco, Neko Case, My Morning Jacket et. al. But while many would find
comfort solely mining the rich soil of Americana music en vogue at the time, Mills was
never completely at home within the genres somewhat narrow confines - perhaps first
evidenced on tracks like "Signal/Noise", the closing number on 2000's Kiss It Goodbye,
a post-modern homage to Phil Spector's wall of sound masterminded by producer Brian
Deck (Modest Mouse, Josh Ritter, Califone, Iron and Wine).
Over the course of the next decade Mills would travel constantly throughout the United
States and Europe, developing a loyal following and touring with artists including Ben
Folds, Andrew Bird, Califone, Bishop Allen, The Handsome Family, and Lucero.
Heavy Years: 2000-2010 draws from the four albums he created during this period, and
documents how Mills' evolving production and musical ideas kept pace with his
constantly developing song writing acumen.
Highlights include: the aforementioned "Signal/Noise"; "Suicide Note", one of a number
of gorgeous vocal collaborations with singer Kelly Hogan (Jackob Dylan, Neko Case);
the visceral "Atom Smashers" from 2008's Living in the Aftermath; and "You Are My
Favorite Song", a love-letter to music-as-metaphor from Mills' critically acclaimed 'fully
orchestral, live to 2-track' Wall to Wall Sessions.
Finally settling in Brooklyn, NY, Mills is currently working on songs for his next project,
tentatively titled, The Soldier Is The Castle.
PRESS –
"His hidden elegance lies in the twist of lovesick metaphor, the wistful chord, the
revisionist take on the slamming door" –NME
" 'Nightmare at 20,000 Feet' is a gem of pop grandeur that showcases Mills' emotional
vocal delivery." – Chicago Sun Times
" Over the last few years (Mills) has quietly assembled an immensely impressive
catalogue. His songs are literate, funny and endearingly hangdog …" - The
Independent, UK
"…a thoroughly confident declaration of independence from an artist finally, fully
realizing his remarkable talents as a singer, songwriter and performer." –No Depression on The Silver Line
For additional information on Chris Mills, please contact:
Canvas Media
Brendan Bourke
387 Franklin Ave. #104 • Brooklyn, NY • 11238
Tel. 718 483 8006 • Fax. 416 203 2208 • canvasmedia.ca
E-mail: press@canvasmedia.ca
