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Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Label: Ernest Jenning Record Company
Sounds Like: Okkerville River, Wilco
Genre: Rock
With the release of the decade encompassing retrospective Heavy Years: 2000-2010 (Ernest Jenning Record Company) long time fans have a new opportunity to trace Mills’ evolution from Chicago alt-country refugee to an astute purveyor of orchestral pop and true American song-craft, while the uninitiated may quite possibly be on the verge of discovering their favorite new songwriting voice.
By combining recent material with tracks from his four most recent albums, this collection gives testament to Mills’ consistent ability to wrap savvy commentary and emotional realism into mini-studio masterpieces. At turns slyly romantic and heartbreakingly cleareyed, Mills’ songs are packed with enough winks and asides to let the listener know that even though things seem tragic, at least they’re not alone.
In late 90’s Chicago, Mills rose to local prominence through collaborations with Mekons Jon Langford and Sally Timms, and on bills with acts like Steve Earle, Wilco, Neko Case, My Morning Jacket et. al. But while many would find comfort solely mining the rich soil of Americana music en vogue at the time, Mills was never completely at home within the genres somewhat narrow confines - perhaps first evidenced on tracks like “Signal/Noise”, the closing number on 2000’s Kiss It Goodbye, a post-modern homage to Phil Spector’s wall of sound masterminded by producer Brian Deck (Modest Mouse, Josh Ritter, Iron and Wine).
Over the next decade Mills would travel constantly throughout the United States and Europe, developing a loyal following and touring with artists including Ben Folds, Andrew Bird, Califone, Bishop Allen, The Handsome Family, and Lucero. Heavy Years: 2000-2010 draws from the four albums he created during this period, and documents how Mills’ evolving production and musical ideas kept pace with his constantly developing song writing acumen.
Currently living in Brooklyn, NY, Mills has just finished mixing his upcoming album, Aexandria, with Grammy-winning mix engineer Rayn Freeland (Joe Henry, Ray LaMontagne, Aimee Mann)
"Chris Mills is the best songwriter we have in Gotham currently.....That said, whether the tracks date from 2011 or a decade previous, those compiled on Heavy Years: 2000-2010 are among some of the best songs you’ll hear. Ever."
Rob Browning - Skyscraper
““Underrated” is very often an inappropriately used word in reviews. Chris Mills however, is definitely underrated, for he too is some kind of musical genius, but you’d never know it from the paucity of critical approval, or indeed sales, that comes his way. The proof of said genius lies in the grooves, or whatever CDs have, of this Best Of set.
All but two tracks are taken from his last four studio albums, and they show a mighty range and a fearsome lyrical talent. Every song would be a standout on lesser albums, whether it’s the power pop of “Atom Smashers” (which namedrops everyone from the Statue of Liberty to Emperor Tojo – which he deftly rhymes with Toto), the brass heavy “A Farewell to Arms”, or the epic “Signal/Noise”.
Mills knows his pop, and marries great hooks and tunes to serious and thoughtful lyrics, as on the wonderful late night lament “Diamond” or the jagged and driving “All You Ever Do”.”
Americana UK
“Chris Mills.....should be a star, and would be if the world would wake up to his talents. He's an ideal example of a genuinely deserving musician, one possessing the hooks, instincts and sheer savvy to share the same stage with Springsteen, Mellencamp, Petty, or for that matter, any of the other populist icons the media has so freely embraced.”
Lee Zimmerman - Blurt Online
“Interviews:
Q&A: Chris Mills And Bird Of Youth's Beth Wawerna On Collaboration, Long-Simmering Songs And Ideas Of Brooklyn
Tonight two Brooklyn-based acts, Chris Mills and Bird Of Youth, will celebrate the release of their new albums at the Rock Shop. Mills is commemorating the release of The Heavy Years: 2000-2010 (Ernest Jenning), which chronicles the past decade of his resplendent, Americana-tinged pop; Bird Of Youth, which began as the project of Beth Wawerna and blossomed into a band, will honor the release of Defender (Jagjaguwar), a sultry, harmony-rich record full of indelible hooks and whip-smart one-liners. Over oysters at Walter Foods, I spoke to Mills and Wawerna (who, full disclosure, are pals of mine) about their influences, what it's like to look back, and the idea that non-New Yorkers have of Brooklyn.”
Maura Johnston - Village Voice
“Over the last few years (Mills) has quietly assembled an immensely impressive
catalogue. His songs are literate, funny and endearingly hangdog …..””
The Independant, UK
“His hidden elegance lies in the twist of lovesick metaphor, the wistful chord, the
revisionist take on the slamming door.
”
NME
“The Silver Line is a thoroughly confident declaration of independence from an artist finally, fully
realizing his remarkable talents as a singer, songwriter and performer
”
No Depression
“‘Nightmare at 20,000 Feet’ is a gem of pop grandeur that showcases Mills’ emotional
vocal delivery.”
”
Chicago Sun Times
