Video: Milo Greene - Don’t You Give Up On Me
For the uninitiated you should check out our intro piece on five-piece Milo Greene and then come back with eyes and ears akimbo to watch their new video.
Premiered over at CoS, the band unveiled their latest video “Don’t Give Up On Me”, which is the fourth in a series that all tell a story if you watch them order, so below we have each of the videos for you in said order, with the newest one at the bottom. All tracks are taken from the band’s self-titled debut.
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Introducing: Milo Greene
The band to be introduced in the next lines has already been featured here twice for their great videos – and they have plenty: both official and live performances. I discovered their music through one of those - a set they played over the rooftop of NPR’s office - and video by video, I fell in love with the one that is at the bottom of this post. Since they released their debut album just a few weeks ago, and as I wanted to talk a little more about their awesome videos, I thought it would be proper to write an Introducing piece over the music of Milo Greene.
Milo Greene could be mistaken for sounding like a one-man act, but in fact, consists of a band of five: Marlana Sheetz, Andrew Heringer, Robbie Arnett, Graham Fink and Curtis Marrero. But then, where does the name Milo Greene came from? In college days, friends Andrew, Marlana and Robbie didn’t have a manager for their individual projects. So, why not create one? Then, “Milo Greene” was virtually born to represent them. When the crew started working together in 2009, they decided it would be proper to pay a tribute to the fake manager, so they formed the band and named it after him, later to be joined by Graham and Curtis. And it fits very well having the figure of Milo to center on, as there’s no lead singer in the band. Each individual takes a part to make what Milo Greene is: a unity.
The group, from California, usually sought isolated places on the West Coast for inspiration. For recording their self-titled debut album - which is really freshly released (July 17th by Chop Shop/Atlantic Records) - they have kept the vibe: the recording sessions with co-producer Ryan Hadlock (who had worked with Ra Ra Riot, Blonde Redhead, The Gossip and The Lumineers) took place in an old barn converted in studio. And this isolation for making music sure reflects a lot in their sounds. Their debut is a whole piece, in the sense that all songs go in the same groove, making a closed cycle. But this doesn’t mean that the album is monotonous; it means it tells a history, which anybody can set their own to. For me, and I believe for some other folks too, it’s something like the sweet escapism to the woods, and while listening, being able to project yourself to some peaceful lands, even though in reality you are surrounded by a concrete jungle. About this roundness of the album, it’s cool to point out that the group is working on a film project that compile all songs, well, the entire album as a movie. It sounds amazing and there’s already a trailer for the film.
“What’s The Matter” opens the album, with a focus over upbeat percussion that reinforces some questionings, with the same intensity that can be found in “Don’t You Give Up On Me”. “Perfectly Aligned” has a chill pace, but also a touch of epicness to the intense choir during its last minute. As well, the power of their choir is at its maximum in “1957” when they sing “Takes me away” mixed with “I’ll go, I’ll go, I’ll go, I…” with such passion that it really takes you away, to fly in emotions. Additionally, in my opinion, the strongest line of this tune is in the context of the song: “My God you tempt my anxious mind”, as it’s sung with such strength that cuts your breath off at this moment. The seamless joint between the lyrics and melodies may be the biggest hit of the album, as the intended emotions can be perfectly felt. In “Take A Step”, singing about to “Take a step / A step into the sea”, it all feels as profound as a dive into the wide open ocean. There are also some short instrumental tracks, such as “Wooden Antlers” which, with its almost 2 minutes, rises perfectly with intricate percussion, recalling a little bit the music made by Local Natives. Also going by some comparisons, in “Autumn Tree” and “Cutty Love” the group brings a sonority close to Fleet Foxes.
Well, by now it’s time to check for yourself the emotions their debut will bring, listening to “1957” and “Take A Step” below. But hey, at the beginning I said I wanted to talk more about their videos, well, I’ve just made a really tiny detour on it… Don’t miss watching this beautiful live session recorded for In The Open Sessions, in a cave!
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Video: Milo Greene - 1957
I love the video for “1957” almost as much as the song itself, Milo Greene keeps on making things feel right. Their self-titled album lands on the 17th, I most definitely will be picking it up.
