James Miles
Seven Of Swords
© 2004 James Miles
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Acoustic, autumnal, melancholy, rainy music with hints of elliott smith, nick drake, and chris bell
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In 2004 James Miles released his second solo cd, entitled "Seven of Swords." The album is a 9 song collection of dark-melodic acoustic songsmithing. An album filled with songs of wistful feelings and lost love. Good for rainy days and quiet evenings. It includes Miles' cover of Elliott Smith's unreleased gem "Hanging Out with Me."
James Miles is a Phoenix, Arizona, based performer and songwriter. His previous album, "Soul to Keep" was named one of Get Out Magazine's top ten local cds of 2003.
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Java Monthly, No. 114, May 2004
After logging a couple of years in local pop supergroup The Heartgraves, singer/songwriter/guitarist James Miles has returned to his solo career. Seven of Swords is the follow-up to 2002's Soul to Keep but differs greatly in feel to that effort. Soul was painted with the broad brush strokes of many musical styles--country, pop, jazz, rock--and featured the sound of a full band, even though Miles played nearly all the instruments himself. Swords cuts his music back to the essential elements of voice and guitar and is quite insular in tone as the artist wrestles with his demons. The jauntiest track on the album is a cover of an unreleased Elliott Smith song--a fantastic take on "Hanging Out With Me"--so that should give you an idea of its downbeat nature. That said, Miles is too good a writer to be overshadowed by an acknowledged influence and his songs here, like Smith's, shine unflinchingly light on the dark corners of human emotion and his own psyche. Meanwhile, Miles' beautiful and airy guitar work is the perfect foil to sentiments such as "Hooray, your shipwreck floated in" and "I'm crossing town with my head held down." Somber but far from somnambulant, Seven of Swords is simultaneously serene and severe--a masterful combination. More info is available at www.gotojames.com. --Phillip Black
reviews
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absolute burrito
author: samsonThis does not suck. In fact it is good.
James Miles Rocks
author: Mark MasonJames Miles is so super cool he makes me jellous! Great vocals, guitar, and most importantly song-writing. Buy this record now!
SO GREAT!
author: LydiaThe music is so well written, and the music compliments the lyrics very well. I love listening to it on my lunch break at work, it feels really good to listen to. You should buy it, you won't be dissapointed.
Great songwriting and guitar work!
author: JoelThis album is full of great guitar work and excellent songs. Jim has a great sense of songwriting and Seven of Swords is it's own little masterpiece!!!
Defies typical Singer/Songwriter conventions
author: Dylan TravisIt is hard not to be skeptical towards another "guy with a guitar," but James Miles somehow manages to break the stereotypical singer/songwriter mold, taking the acoustic sound in interesting and beautiful new directions. The obvious comparison is the late Elliott Smith, and while Miles is gifted with a similar sense of melody and structure, he utilizes them in a refreshingly unique fashion. An excellent, well-rounded album from an artist definitely worth keeping an eye out for.
Aural love
author: BaileyThis is definitely the best album I've heard since Elliott Smith released "Figure 8". James Miles is one of those rare artists that makes your remember music is an art form. His lyrics are honest and thoughtful, and capture those things you've been trying to say for years but never knew how. The entire album forces you to listen to it at least three times: once to appreciate the excellent melodic guitar work, another time to enjoy Mr. Miles' outstanding vocal qualities, and a third time to revel in the simple honesty of the lyrics. Even then, be assured that three times isn't enough.
Do You Want To Be The Only One Without It?
author: Pointy McPointBeautiful, thirst-quenching music is beginning to trickle out of the cracks of the dry desert wasteland modern music has become. "Seven of Swords" by James Miles is one of the trickles of which I speak. He is poetic without trying, his lyrics paint a detailed picture without being too flowery, he is honest without reaching. When you're listening to his music, you don't feel like he's striking a pose for you, but that he's opened up his head and let his thoughts flow freely for you. His genuineness is unmistakable and it keeps you there with him through the entire listen. Give this one a spin for sure.
Excellent and Addictive - BUY THIS ONE!!
author: tashaEvery song is excellent (rare these days). Wake up to it, let it be a good friend at work, let it be a tonic while you're stuck in traffic in your car, let it be a sensual delight at night. The guitar work is bright and moody. James' voice is haunting and gorgeous. And if all that wasn't enough, there's even a damn fine Elliott cover. Beware, this cd is highly addictive - if you listen once, you might be able to stop. Listen twice and you'll be hooked. Listen 4 times in a row like I did the first time, and you'll be in a state of blissful addiction.
A breath of fresh air in a world of dull music.
author: Matt HecklerJames Miles 'Seven of Swords' album is a beautiful, entrancing effort from start to finish. It has something that most acoustic solo acts can't claim that they have and it's really hard to put my finger on what exactly it is, but he's got it. There's not a dull moment and the entire effort is consistent, which is hard to come by. He shows his influences proudly but not to the point where he doesn't have a sound of his own, he certainly does, and I'm tempted to call this out as possibly one of the top albums of the year, and that's not a friendly exaggeration. If you find yourself appreciating Elliott Smith, Bob Dylan, Nick Drake, Simon & Garfunkel, or even the quieter moments of the Beatles, you can appreciate 'Seven of Swords', and even if you don't appreciate those, this could tug on your music-loving heart strings.
great little piece of songwriting...
author: markThis is a great cd that my buddy jim made. People who like the folky guitar plucking of elliott smith would love this cd. Now buy it.