MILLIONAIRE
"Paradisiac"
Pias/Shock
2005
If Belgium act Millionaire isn't a name you're familiar with, then it
soon will be. Although relatively unknown to most, the four-piece act
released their debut album as far back as 2001 (Outside The Simian
Flock), and while it received positive feedback from the press,
Millionaire hardly became a household name. The bands luck soon changed
when while supporting Masters Of Reality, when the band's debut found
it's way into the hands of Queens Of The Stone Age's Josh Homme. Taken
by their music, the band soon found themselves getting major exposure on
a nightly basis on tour.
Fast forward a couple of years and the connection between the two acts
continued with Millionaire vocalist/guitarist Tim Vanhamel collaborated
with Homme and Jesse 'The Devil' Hughes in Eagles Of Death Metal, who
released their debut album Peace Love Death Metal in 2004 to critical
acclaim.
Twelve months on, and with the freeing up of schedules, Vanhamel and Millionaire (Who also consist of bassist/vocalist Bas Remans, keyboardist/vocalist Aldo Struyf (Who recorded and toured with Mark Lanegan for 2004's Bubblegum) and drummer Dave Schroyen) re-entered the studio with Homme behind the console (After completing work on Q.O.T.S.A.'s Lullabies To Paralyze) to start work on their second album.
A simple cursory listen through Paradisiac immediately tells you one important fact - Pigeonholing Millionaire's sound is a pointless exercise. Yes, Homme's presence is certainly felt in places, but only in regards to giving the band a meatier sound than the sound appeared on their more pop sounding debut. Millionaire isn't mimicking Q.O.T.S.A., but they certainly rock, if in a strange and unusual way.
The opening tracks I'm On A High (Which is the single) and A Lust Unmatched are huge, thumping hook laden lazy rockers that give the misleading impression that the band are a somewhat experimental stoner rock act (The loops and effects add a different dimension to proceedings), but it's the follow up track For A Maid that really throws a spanner in the works with it's Muse like leanings within the piercing high volumed chorus and edgy rock and roll vibe. The back to basics primitive feel of Streetlife Cherry is a sure candidate for a future single release, while the darker and more tempered atmosphere felt within Rise And Fall and the acoustic Ballad Of Pure Thought affirm a more mature outing the second time around for the group.
Providing a little more heaviness in the guitar stakes, Alpha Male, Love Is A Sickness the creepy (Highlight of the album) We Don't Live There Anymore, the down and dirty grit of Wake Up The Children and the bizarre cut/patched up A Face That Doesn't Fit (Along with the uncredited Nocturn at the end) all audibly stand apart from each other, but somehow manage to fit under the same 'rock' banner without sounding like an incoherent mess of different styles. -themetalforge
Twelve months on, and with the freeing up of schedules, Vanhamel and Millionaire (Who also consist of bassist/vocalist Bas Remans, keyboardist/vocalist Aldo Struyf (Who recorded and toured with Mark Lanegan for 2004's Bubblegum) and drummer Dave Schroyen) re-entered the studio with Homme behind the console (After completing work on Q.O.T.S.A.'s Lullabies To Paralyze) to start work on their second album.
A simple cursory listen through Paradisiac immediately tells you one important fact - Pigeonholing Millionaire's sound is a pointless exercise. Yes, Homme's presence is certainly felt in places, but only in regards to giving the band a meatier sound than the sound appeared on their more pop sounding debut. Millionaire isn't mimicking Q.O.T.S.A., but they certainly rock, if in a strange and unusual way.
The opening tracks I'm On A High (Which is the single) and A Lust Unmatched are huge, thumping hook laden lazy rockers that give the misleading impression that the band are a somewhat experimental stoner rock act (The loops and effects add a different dimension to proceedings), but it's the follow up track For A Maid that really throws a spanner in the works with it's Muse like leanings within the piercing high volumed chorus and edgy rock and roll vibe. The back to basics primitive feel of Streetlife Cherry is a sure candidate for a future single release, while the darker and more tempered atmosphere felt within Rise And Fall and the acoustic Ballad Of Pure Thought affirm a more mature outing the second time around for the group.
Providing a little more heaviness in the guitar stakes, Alpha Male, Love Is A Sickness the creepy (Highlight of the album) We Don't Live There Anymore, the down and dirty grit of Wake Up The Children and the bizarre cut/patched up A Face That Doesn't Fit (Along with the uncredited Nocturn at the end) all audibly stand apart from each other, but somehow manage to fit under the same 'rock' banner without sounding like an incoherent mess of different styles. -themetalforge
'I'm On A High'
grab this masterpiece HERE
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