For a man with four names, three of which are usually first names, little is known about Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson. What we do know is that after years of drug and alcohol abuse, self-loathing, and bad decisions, last summer Robinson decided to clean up his act… somewhat. Last June, with the help of TV on the Radio’s Kyp Malone and various Grizzly Bear members (Chris Taylor produced), the 26 year old Brooklynite released his impressive eponymous debut. Filled with raucous ballads and alcohol fueled introspection, the gloomy pop hooks found on the record seemingly came out of nowhere as a pleasant surprise. Apparently others have taken note, mainly the likes of some people over at Saddle Creek records, who have signed Robinson for his latest endeavor Summer of Fear (Oct 20th via Saddle Creek).
Summer of Fear features guest spots from Kyp Malone once again, as well as input from some Grizzly Bear folk as well. Via the press release:
“The summer of 2007 was like that episode of Seinfeld, where everyone decides to do the opposite of what they’re supposed to do,” explains Robinson. “So instead of going home to your girlfriend or whatever at night, you’d just stay at the bar and let someone inappropriate take you home. It was a bad joke at first, like a terrible ’90s movie unfolding before our eyes. It became an awful unravelling. 2002 had it’s revenge … [The Album recalls when] life alternated between darkness and light, and spare bedroom songs blossomed into speaker-popping arrangements of sweeping strings, honking horns, and chords that cut so deeply they’re bound to leave a mark. A biting cross-section of Petty and Dylan, Pavement and Fleetwood Mac, delivering a eulogy to yesterday and the curtain-drawing promise of another day. Not just any day, either; a day Robinson’s determined to seize on an international stage, with a battered guitar by his side and a four-alarm fire in his chest.
That’s a mouthful, but then again, that’s expected from a guy whose name is comparable in length to War and Peace. Robinson plans to spread the “fear” during a four month long US tour to be announced shortly. Should be a jolly old time!