Best studio album since Bloody Buccaneers!
Jessie | USA | 11/11/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Millbrook USA was recorded in New York and released by the long running Dutch band in February of 2003 in Holland. After the dissapointing Paradise In Distress, Millbrook USA is a refreshing return to basics. Just good old classic rock, none of the horns and synths from PID, just the same kind of stuff that you'll find on their greeatest studio album, Bloody Buccaneers which was released in Holland in 1991. Like Bloody Buccaneers, Millbrook USA doesn't really have a bad track on it.
Better Off Dead, Skyscraper Hell Of A Town, and Hammer Of Love are three old hard school rock songs that have quickly become concert favorites among Dutch fans. The excellent opening riff to Skyscraper sounds like AC/DC, and the guitar playing is fantastic. Better Off Dead is a hard rocker about wasting your life being a hooker, and Hammer Of Love features some harmonica playing. I have to say that Hammer Of Love is a good song but is one of those that is better performed live.
The Thief is a slow acoustic, spanish flavored song that was born at the last second when the American fan Dan Lynch's (who was invited by the band to visit and film their studio videos) wife had her car stolen back in Masschusettes. Kingfisher is a threatening rocker about a guy who's drunk on Kingfisher and is hallucinating in the night. Albino Moon, the big hit from the album, is a very catchy, fast paced song with a western flair. The Last frontier Hotel was made in memory of The Who's John Entwistle. It's a beautiful song sung by lead guitarist George Kooymans and I especsially love the choir singing at the end.
All in all, Millbrook USA contains 14 tracks, many of which are now immortal Earring classics. It's truly the band's greatest studio album since 1991, and I highly recommend it alongside Bloody Buccaneers and the awesome live album Last Blast Of The Century. I certainly hope Golden Earring's next studio album is just as good as Millbrook USA."
Back to basics
05/20/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Simply excellent. It must be one of their best. All 13 tracks and the accompanying DVD are simply refreshing. A genuine American sound making me believe that they actually have soul. For Dutch people a rarity and must therefore be considered a plus. This time they got it completely right."
Best in years!
R. Cusick | Norwood, MA United States | 01/30/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For any skeptics: buy this cd! Don't listen to the bad reviews on this page. As long as you buy it knowing you're not getting Moontan or Switch you'll be satisfied with this album. The music has a nice edge to it, and Barry still sounds like he's 20 years old."