Although some ignorant critics will say that folk music is the most barebones style of music you can play, what they aren’t accounting for is the demand placed on the singing element of being a singer/songwriter. Without the right voice to match the tone of a passionate guitar part, there’s no moving forward in a folk song, and Pete Miller definitely has what it takes to bring a quality composition to life. “A Light out There,” his official studio debut, is a good example of what a defined vocalist can do in this genre, and it certainly feels like the start of an incredible campaign on the part of its creator.
The strings echo the emotionality of our singer quite profoundly in this track, and they’re never made to compete with his voice for the lion’s share of the spotlight. “A Light out There” might not have the electrified rock band behind it, but the straight-shooting attitude Miller has as a composer is one that feels sourced as much from the rock n’ roll school as it is from the traditional singer/songwriters of yesteryear. This allows for a balanced sound in more ways than one, and it makes it all the easier for us to appreciate his skills for what they are and potentially could be in the future.
“A Light out There” doesn’t try to appropriate Americana with a lot of over-the-top theatre and dramatic poeticisms, but instead uses the humbleness of its singer and star to shape the rustic backdrop of his words like nothing else could. This is a solid piece of music, don’t get me wrong, but I just don’t know if it would have the same impact it’s going to with Miller at the helm of its release were someone else leading the verses instead of him.
The total lack of additional instrumentation in this mix makes the words Miller is singing to us even more brooding than they would have been, but I will say that he shouldn’t rule out bringing on other musicians for collaboration in a future release. He’s got an overwhelming warmth to his vocal as well as his general philosophy on melodicism, and it could be interesting to hear what another artist of a like mind might be able to draw from his sound as it stands right now. The icons of music never stop growing, and I get the feeling here Miller doesn’t want to slow down anytime soon.
I want to hear more material from this player in the style of “A Light out There,” and as long as he doesn’t corrupt his aesthetics with too much experimentation, his disciplined take on composing is likely to yield him a lot of critical acclaim. Pete Miller doesn’t ask for anything more than our attention in this performance and, using a charm that could definitely become his trademark in the months and years ahead, he wins it with ease. He’s got a long way to go to the mainstream, but this is a heck of a strong start.
Claire Uebelacker