CRUISER Review at AOROCK.co.uk

Welcome to AOROCK.co.uk's review of Tony Mills 1st solo album Cruiser:

REVIEW - CRUISER by TONY MILLS (shy)

Tony Mills vocalist with excellent melodic band SHY released Cruiser in  2002 through Z Records. It was a collections of songs that were originally going to be released the year after Misspent Youth. However the offer on the table from MCA wasn't on the table when Tony Mills had pursued other offers in the USA via his management company.  Cruiser is these songs and others Tony had always wanted to get released.

The opening song tells us that Cruiser is a more pop than rock based animal, which is fine as we know what Tony has done with SHY and doing something different is understandable. However this is my review now, not when I heard the album the first time. I was a little disappointed when I first got the album as I didn't know what to expect and wanted a more guitar driven rock album which this isn't. On reflection I was a little hard on the album and this is the subsequent review.

Only Love Knows Why

The first song is a fairly straight forward pop/rock track with Tony Mills delivering clear vocals.It's a reasonable song, but gets a little repetitive towards the end of the song. However its not a bad opening song and introduces the listener to a more popular song orientated album rather than the vocals SHY fans and SIAM fans are used to.

Keep The Faith

The second track opens nicely, the opening vocals soaring into a superb introduction. The song builds well and behind the line "I'll Keep the Faith Alive" superb keyboards add so much quality to this track. The middle song goes into a heavier guitar segment before returning to the Keep the Faith chorus line, with excellent backing vocals.  A track I like , much more than the opening track.

As Sure as the River Runs

As Sure as the River Runs is an even better track than the second track so things are building and Tony Mills sings this one very passionately and the lyrics are uplifting and positive. The chorus carries this song:

"As sure as the river runs to the sea, Some day you'll come running to me, and just like the sea I will be waiting for your river to run to me"

Additionally there is some moody and interesting music in this song, variation from the excellent drum intro, the spiraling keyboards, and the overall impact is the strongest song on the album so far. Great Lyrics, Great music and Great song.

We've Got The Night

We've got the Night is another up tempo song, with the title of the song running as the chorus. This is a well  sung song. The only thing that lets the song down is repetition. The chorus is strong , I just feel it needed a few more lyrics, but still a tuneful and melodic song. But not a highlight of the album. The song's title is pretty self explanatory for it's meaning.

When Two Worlds Collide

This is another stand out track. Superb vocals, music and harmonies. You really feel the emotion of this song, and it is a dramatically sung song.......The opening lyrics and delivery are haunting and captivating.

"There's a dream where you run to me with open arms, Live that Dream, until I open my eyes to the nightmare I am living in..

" The song is then carried on the chorus of "When two worlds collide" with Tony Mills soaring and clear vocals shyning through.

Walking Away from Love

The fourth track is an upbeat song pretty self explained in the title of the song. A simple song which once again showcases Tony Mills vocal talents. It once again has quality keyboards and backing vocals. A passable track, but other than the vocal delivery you expect from Tony Mills, nothing out of the ordinary.

Into the Unknown

I really like the introduction, tingling Keyboards, really effective guitar riff, and the lyrics are low key and the songs builds slowly.

" Blinded through the night , taking me to another world....

"Listen to the voice (can you hear me)......Destiny takes another time...Through space and time......"

 It's a laid back song and it's a song that grew on me.....

Hearts Under Fire

Hearts Under Fire  is a slow/medium paced song with the title being the catch line.  The song is reasonable but not one of my favourites. Tony sings it well enough , and the backing vocals are good, but it is over repetitive. It kind of drifts along and I'm sure a better song got left off. I wonder.

Dressed in Music

For this me this is the outstanding track on the album . I love the guitar work , the lyrics, the delivery and the way the song just works. This for me could and should have been a single. The lyrics are tight, self assured and the song just a good feel vibe, The piano parts are cool and Tony hits top form on this song. It motions along and is lyrically strong.

"I'm at my best when I'm dressed in music... If there ain't no soul in rock n roll, There ain't no notes in music"

Excellent chorus and an instant hit for me. A winner of a tune, sung brilliantly and full of attitude.

Don't Look in the Mirror Much

Don't Look much in the Mirror Much More of a ballad, a slower song, Tony weaves  a tale which turns towards a down mood.  However this is another quality song.

"Don't look in the Mirror much, I don't look in the Mirror much, In fact I Don't Look in the Mirror at all..."

A really good song, well constricted and passionately delivered.

Let  Love Rain Down

Not a bad title - but as it's missing from this album - not a lot to say really!

CRUISER - Overall Summary and Review Rating

Cruiser is a good album. It has the Superb vocals of Tony Mills. However it has some songs that let it down. This is covered a little by the vocal clarity and every song is well sung. The first time I heard it I think I liked 2 songs instantly and I pretty much like an album straight away.

I spent ages once making myself believe I liked Killing The Dragon by Dio, only to concluded I only liked about 3 tracks at most. On the plus side Cruiser has grown on me. When I first listened to it I expected a much more rock/metal based album. It is a good album but I feel Tony Mills can do a lot better. I think the writing could be better, but it is still a more impressive album than many solo artists produce. I have a feeling that Tony Mills next album will be a more together affair. After all these are songs that have been waiting a while to be recorded and Cruiser feels a little disjointed to me. I'm not knocking it....It's a good album, but I prefer Tony's work with SHY by a long way. Dressed in Music is superb and the stand out track for me.

AOROCK RATING(Out of 10) : Songs :    6.5          Production: 7.5               Overall: 7

AOROCK.co.uk - CRUISER page - Tony Mills (Shy/Shy England & Siam vocalist)