The Lost Millions
The Lost Millions, a four-piece Texan rock band, carries the listener through a blissful journey in the five-track EP collection, Novellas Dantes. In what the band self-describes as “stoner rock” The Lost Millions are more so and the multi-layers of blues rock, psychedelic mixes, thrilling bass lines and brash guitars all together make a rainy day record into a bright spot.
Dreary, as it may be, the tonal qualities being elicited from The Lost Millions is also its biggest achievement.
In the first track “See The Light” the band has strong guitar presence and a stirring bass-line that makes clear headway throughout the tune. It’s a groovy sound and as chill as it is, it’s also mesmerizing. This sleepy track is bittersweet.
The second track, “My Street,” is a gripping rock selection and the EP’s standout. “Maybe you’ll make it after all,” vocalist Matt Westfield sings. His voice is subdued, chill and numbing all together. Westfield seems at home behind the mic, but not overconfident. The vibe of “My Street” is one where the listener feels like their reading someone else diary and that guilt manifests itself into a selfish contentment. All the while, The Lost Millions, strum along and wedge their sound somewhere between The Cars, Weezer, The Replacements and fellow Austinites, Fastball.
“Wisdom of the Mad Priest” follows in line with a quirky, aesthetic veil. The guitar just sings the first few moments, with deep cutting riffs pulling the quick-passionate drums into place. This music bed really kicks and has the most attitude of all the tracks. “Mad at The Sun” reaches far into an alternative rock / punk realm. The echoing and tandem rhythm with Westfield’s voice and guitars is super killer. The guitar swallows this song in a good way and the listener definitely transforms the mood into a falling, drowning feeling.
The final track “Complicated” bumps along like vaping. It’s airy and cool. It’s boastful and the bassline is undeniable. It creeps along with its subtle percussion and long riffs. It’s a great track, but “My Street” and “Mad At the Sun” seem to take the cake in top songs on the EP. Westfield’s vocals are consistently interesting, and while he maintains his range, he does reach a bit further into passionate corners on “Complicated.” Overall, on Novellas Dantes, Westfield stays in his vocal range lane, and rightfully so, positions himself as a solid punk, alt rock front man.
For certain, Novellas Dantes isn’t a one-and-done EP. It’s got a wide selection of sounds and the overall feeling is that it rocks.
Each of the five tracks has game and it’s appreciated that they have their own unique mood. While the lyrics can at times be hard to discern, the music beds and arrangement choices are immeasurably delicious. Eat it up and take it in. Music that grooves the listener, even when the eyes are closed, is music to engulf. The Lost Millions saturate their tracks with clear guitar riffs and successfully take the listener on a blissful high.
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Trace Whittaker
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
8/2019
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