Search - The Montgomery Cliffs :: Millennium: A Pop Opera

Great combination of musical styles & excellent songwriting!

Bill Jones (wigout6@juno.com) | Baltimore, Maryland | 09/10/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Greg Colburn and his RPM USA label have put out a gem. It is a "concept album," which some may find challenging, but it's a really fine collection of songs that could just as easily have been a Broadway musical as a rock/pop album. The production (by the band) and performances on this album are top-notch. It's a step up (and away) from Andiamo!, the band's very fine debut. The album is expertly mastered by Dutch Nachodsky, who has done great work with Splitsville in recent years.Joey Salvia (lead vox, bass, keyboards) and bandmates Wayne Kurz (guitars) and Dennis Carollo (drums) sound as tight as a group that's been around for years, while telling a tale that developed in Salvia's head less than a year ago. The playing is varied throughout and many different styles are used on the album, with lots of pure pop, some angry punk, echoes of Rush power chords, Styx-ish acoustic guitar, and Elvis Costello-influenced vocals. A children's choir even appears on one track!Although the album opens with an uncertain picture of the Earth and its future (2000 Years), it has a happy ending (Follow Your Bliss). Along the way we get a number of straight-ahead pop rockers that would work on any album, concept or not. For me, the highlights are the garage rockin' sounds on 1964 and Serve You, Salvia's delicate piano on the heartbreaking Worlds Away, and the melodic popcraft of Only, which is clearly destined for heavy rotation. These songs fit very nicely into their live set, which you should check out if you get a chance. I expect that this album will get The Montgomery Cliffs a lot of attention..."

This new album proves the wide range of The 'Cliffs talent-

christian tully | Huntington, NY | 03/13/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was working the door at a club when I first heard these guys and as soon as they took the stage in their slick suits I knew they meant business. But I didn't know how much until they started playing! I was blown away by their soaring jams and killer melodies. Their positive playful attitudes were refreshing and connected with the crowd instantly. I bought their album as soon as they left the stage. I was psyched to hear that the ballsy, energetic show was captured on their disk. And even though they told me that the disk was made on a low budget, the sound quality was great. Their DIY and no excuses attitude furthered my alleigance to these warm and extremely friendly cats! This new album is a great leap in style and vision that most up and coming bands wouldn't have the balls to release. Whereas 'Andiamo' was tongue in cheek and had more of a 'party' feel, 'Millenium' is more experimental and the lyrics are poignant and touching. But don't get me wrong, this ain't no wussy new-age sap-fest. This album is on par with The Who's Tommy and Quadrophenia. If my review doesn't convince you, listen for them on 92.7 WLIR and/or call up the station and ask/demand to hear it! These guys are gonna put the Long Island music scene (back) on the map."