Local rock trio Millenary's latest album, "Feel the Heat" is on fire from the opening drum beats to the very last guitar chord.
Singer and guitarist Sarah Stollack beautifies the simple energetic music with her soft, pleasing vocals. Shawn Doolittle's drums never stop and Tammy Cook's sweet bass notes make the title track, "Feel the Heat," incredibly welcoming.
Clever lyrics, a catchy and consistent guitar riff, coupled with relentless rhythm, helps "Haircut" put a smile on my face throughout the entire song.
"You need a haircut/ That's what you need/ You need a haircut/ Nice and clean."
Much of "Feel the Heat" was recorded and mixed by Jason Lantrip of the local melody machine, the band Calliope.
"She Already Likes You," is my personal favorite track on the album, because of Stollack's friendly vocals and the trio's energetic music.
"Feel the Heat" is an album you can get into right away. There is nothing hidden in it, and the music is right there for your ears to digest.
The album art for this album is impressive, as well. The cover, designed by Latricia Horstman, features a classy drawing of a 1950s nuclear family with an apron-wearing mother, a little boy who looks like Opie, a little girl with pigtails and a checkerboard, and, of course, Dad in his favorite chair lighting his pipe. It's a very familiar setting, both warm and inviting.
The art couldn't fit better with the music. Sweet vocals, sharp lyrics and addictive rhythm - Millenary offers it all. Millenary is a rock band, through and through.
Stollack's happy and outgoing vocals and catchy guitar chords remind me a lot of Veruca Salt and The Breeders.
Solid bass and drums keep the music from being more pop than rock. "Feel the Heat" flows through its 14 tracks in less than 40 minutes. Much of the music sounds similar, but it all sounds like Millenary and nobody else.
"Shut the Door" is the perfect example of what I mean. With the sugary flavor of popular music, but also the bitter edge of rock, Millenary has succeeded in becoming a local favorite for its unique style. The chorus goes a little like this:
"Ask me no questions/ I'll tell you to die/ Shut the door/ Get out of here/ I'm not telling you why."
"Restless" features a hard rocking guitar solo in the key of early rock 'n' roll and gives Cook a chance to showcase her bass playing skills during a drum and bass break. Millenary's sound changes up slightly with Stollack's violin talents on the album's final song "So What Are You Saying?" This tune is slower than the rest, and the violin, and tempo make it beautiful, along with heartfelt lyrics.
"I know exactly what you want to hear/ I'm just choosing not to say it/ In words, inwards/ I see what you see/ So that's what I'll be/ But where's me?"
How lucky we are to have a local band that has so much fun making fun music.
A great opportunity to see Millenary live is June 12 when they open at Lansing's Adado Riverfront Park for national act The Butchies. The show is one of the highlights of Michigan Pride, a festival providing entertainment, a rally and other events in support of the state's lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender communities.
If you liked this, you might also like: The Breeders
Suggested listening: On your way to work or class in the morning - instead of coffee.
