Brave New World/Celebration Song/Can’t You Hear Your Daddy’s Heartbeat/Got Love ’Cause You Need It/Kow Kow/Seasons/Space Cowboy/LT’s Midnight Dream/My Dark Hour
The third Steve Miller Band album Brave New World features the same familiar mix of blues mixed with psychedelia, but this time without the help of Boz Scaggs. (US:22)
“As the 1960s began, the standard model of throwaway still ruled. But in the middle of the decade musicians began to see themselves as more than just jingle makers. They began to experiment - musicians and bands began to write more involved and longer songs. And an era began, that of the concept album. Bands were given a degree of freedom. But one thing remains clear: without bands like Steve Miller the potential of this genre of rock and pop would not have allowed some critically acclaimed music to emerge. So, although this album suffers a bit, the path the band was treading, was an important one. And, while it isn't for everyone, it is still a great piece of history in the making, flaws and all. Space Cowboy and the title cut are great tunes, even today.”
“The songs on Brave New World combine Miller's signature blues influence and distinctive, almost conversational vocal style with a psychedelic hippie sensibility of peace, love and cosmic adventure. Blues grittiness with soaring triple-tracked harmonies evoking new age hope might seem at odds. But from the eponymous first track's rocket blast-off that segues into futuristic industrial guitar chiming, this album takes you on a challenging interstellar journey with equal parts down-home humour and wistful heaviness.”
“The first release after the departure of Boz Scaggs, and they don't miss a beat, with yet another solid album. Their sound seems to have settled into the mildly hard rock vein. But the commercial production is bordering on irritating, and detracts from what would have been a better LP with a little less zeal in this department.”
“A couple of good tunes here, but nothing to write home about. Space Cowboy is great, and My Dark Hour is also pretty good. Miller provides some soulful vocals at times, and the guitar playing is sporadic at best. All in all, this one falls kind of flat.”
“The songs contained on Brave New World are far complex and diverse and they certainly require more attention.”
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