In a dark, smoky bar, there is an ocean of chatter. Drinks are poured, consumed by the pint. Empty conversations form their own wave. And above it all, there is a voice where sweet music rises through all the noise.
This was the kind of image that entered my head when I first heard Misty Miller’s music. Simply her voice carries its own atmosphere. Backed by folky instrumentals, it allows for Miller’s voice to shine through and capture one’s attention.
From the first song “River”, you are left in sheer amazement. You find yourself lingering on every note, every word, every song. “River” and “Please” were released as a single on vinyl, and I would wonder that the songs sound even better then - as beautiful as they do on digital! If you just read the lyrics, the images they conjure are mythical but draw upon images of love and life and emotion.
And when you hear Misty Miller sing them - it lets the lyrics take upon a life of their own and her voice makes for a beautiful, hypnotic vessel. This is the kind of music that carries a thousand emotions in each song. Is it dare I say perfect? It is certainly art, as music ought to be.
“How Do I Find What I’m Looking For” is a wonderful song. It carries traces and trails for late 60s and early 70s folk rock and you would expect a song like this to have its roots, perhaps, in Laurel Canyon. Yet, here it is in the 21st century, and the beautiful music of the past reflects from it.
“Where Did You Go” is where the image of a smoky bar becomes the most vivid for me. It must be something in the drums and the rising instrumental when the chorus soars. It is an ode to a stray, wandering lover and it is almost jazz-like interestingly enough. And above it all, what stands out the most is Misty’s voice. She just carries emotion, raw and pure emotion in her voice. And emotional art - it touches, weaves upon the vessels, and without emotion, what is art? It simply could not exist.
It is very much fitting that one of the songs is called “Siren Song” as Misty’s voice is like a siren. It is hypnotic; the lyrics draw upon images of heartbreak and the sea alike along the backdrop of a desire for freedom.
The EP concludes with “This Too Shall Pass”. As much as I enjoy all the songs, this one may be my favorite. Misty’s voice with the emotions it carries is exposed on this song - the lyrics are tinged with heartbreak and emotion dangling from them. It is an intriguing song because parts of it are filled with this haunting heartbreak but there is hope there, too, as the tapestry winds on.
Misty Miller’s River Songs may be my introduction to her music, but I find it to be a wonderful introduction. What passes for music nowadays is not always considered art. But in Misty’s case, her music is both. Emotional art weaved into songs - that is what you will find on River Songs. And if you close your eyes, you can almost smell the smoke, taste the liquor, as the music rises from a stage in a bar.
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