Scott Miller & The Commonwealth: Thus Always To Tyrants (Sugar Hill Records)

Swizzle Stick
August 13, 2001

I still miss the V-Roys. They were one of those bands I stumbled upon almost by accident a few years ago. While I
was in Raleigh one night they were playing at the Brewery, and though I never heard a note of their music beforehand, that evening of scorching rock-n-roll is one I will never forget. Sadly, not too long after that they packed it in after a last hurrah gig on New Year's Eve 1999.

For frontman Scott Miller, the new direction in 2000 included enough successful acoustic gigs to record and release a live disc entitled Are You With Me?. Eventually, he lured several first-rate musicians (later to be dubbed the Commonwealth) into the studio to assist on a new rock record. And the results on Thus Always To Tyrants' are stunning. The disc begins with "Across The Line", a straightforward number that cleverly incorporates hints of Alice Cooper midway through, as Miller howls out in a megaphone-like tone about things such as mother's milk and blood. But, what's most striking about this recording is the diversity of the songs and the strength of Miller's vocals.

While "I Made A Mess Of This Town" and "Yes I Won't" lean on roots rock, Miller steps out from behind the noise for "Dear Sarah" and "Highland County Boy." two consecutive tracks that rely on varied combinations of fiddle, acoustic guitar, harmonica and banjo. John Davis and Don Coffey, Jr. of Knoxville's own Superdrag were recruited to join the Commonwealth for a couple of thunderous numbers "Absolution" and "Goddamn The Sun") that kick things up a notch.

Perhaps the pinnacle is reached on "Daddy Raised A Boy," where Miller delivers the vocals in a manner not unlike Steve Earle. "I was young and hungry when I left home / Hungry just for something to be hungry for / I had to prove that I could make my way / No matter who it hurt or price I paid / I didn't care about nothing else / Only what I had to tell myself / It's looking back I start to understand / My daddy raised a boy and not a man".

Yet, Thus Always To Tyrants' proves this kid is quite a songwriter and still a major force to be reckoned with. His assembling of the incredibly talented Commonwealth is only further affirmation of how good Scott Miller is right now. (Mike Sweeney)