Mill Run Band — Pilot Meets Stars
This album reminds me of the time in college when the whole crew and I gathered some 40s, some blunts and headed to Lizard’s Rock to watch the meteor shower. I believe a few of us even brought little hand drums. I was a bit too neurotic to not approach this whole ritual with a bit of cynicism. There is something a bit too — well adjusted — in being able to merely enjoy good friends, cheap beer and the magic of the outdoors and the universe at large without the slightest hint self-consciousness. What this album offers, unashamedly, is the music of these experiences.
This album is the product of one man’s efforts, Michael Golembesky. I feel like I used to know many people who I think he’s like. Sadly, I don’t know many people like him anymore. I wish I did.
I am hard pressed to describe what this album is like musically. I don’t think I’ve heard much like it, but my girlfriend says there are lots of mid-nineties rock albums that sound like it. I think she’s wrong. Golembesky presents 12 songs of Levittown, PA homegrown rock — with some nods to 60s psych and folk. Aside from a few tells of mid-nineties songwriting, recording and production, the album, at least melodically, seems to not be of any era.
He plays almost all the instruments himself and sings on most of the tracks. He is by no means a virtuoso on any one instrument. The drums are recorded almost obscenely thin. His instruments sound mid-range in terms of price. His vocals sound as if they were recorded underwater through three wind screens. I can almost visualize the eight track, knocked around mixing board and duct tape. But who cares?
This is a quietly inspiring and at times transcendent album. It is the work of an uniquely attuned individual coming from a place I’d like to visit. I’m far too neurotic to live there but I have been known to slip into this state every now and then when I think about a lovely girl I used to know.
11 Comments
Am I lost on the freeway again? Where’s the track(s)?
Huh? I have clue how to add audio, if that’s what you’r asking.
.!. great writing – you are a wellspoken individual .!.
will have to hear this one someday
I know this album well–having grown up with Michael, aided him in its production in a small way, and listened to it quite a bit 10 years ago–it is nice to see it has not withered away into obscurity. Rather it has remained fully bloomed (in obscurity).
Just for the record, the eight track had no duct tape on it at the time. The organ and guitar may have.
It is nice to see that someone has even taken a second look at this album. I wrote and recorded it when I was 19. If you have any questions about it, hit me with a email. I would love to make sense of it.
Peace, Michael a.k.a Mill Run Band
Michael thanks for your music this album is GENIALLLLLLLLLL a lot of nights with the record play at me reproductor…….. greyhead spain
http://www.attheriversbottom.com/mill_run_band.htm
…for the complete Mill Run Band archive
Back in ’96 I received an unsolicited tape in the mail. Michael had sent them out to a number of labels that he had found listed somewhere….I think the name Rockadelic caught his imagination and he sent one my way.
From the second I heard the opening song I was in love with the music. I contacted Michael and we struck a deal to put out the “Pilot Meets Stars” LP…He did all the work….the cover art, the production, it was totally his project. And I still listen to it with the same feeling as I had that first day.
And he continued to make great music….quite frankly I haven’t heard anything by Michael that I didn’t like. He’s an extrordianry musician and a good person….and I’m very grateful I got to meet him and spread his music around.
RE-LUANCH SEPTEMBER 2009 This website has yet again gone under another revamping and streamlining process all in an attempt to simplify the access to a vast amount of MP3 audio tracks and videos; all the will making it more user friendly and glitch free. Hopefully we have reached this goal with our latest re-launch of At the Rivers Bottom. Although this is not an actively updated website I will be uploading more audio and video file as they become available after being unearthed from the depths of my studio. There are no new projects or recording planned for the near future, but I’m always open to ideas. I’m looking to turn Buffalo Radio Records into a free internet label possibly in 2010. We will just have to wait and see what the future holds for us.
http://www.attheriversbottom.com/
Mill Run Band is coming out of retirement for a new album. I will keep you updated.
-Mike