Listen to The Chairman Dances reconstruct The Death of Samuel Miller
Philly indie-folk outfit The Chairman Dances released their newest album The Death of Samuel Miller last month. It’s a period piece type of album, tracing the life of a fictional character, single-parent Samuel Miller, from 1952 up to 1990. The album is a follow-up last year’s Michael and the Prophetess. Earlier this year, the group released the video for “Dance to the Neighbor’s Stereo”.
There is an undercurrent of fresh energy, starting with the track “Restless”. The sound is vintage, at times only vocal like the “Feast of St. Mary (1955)”. It’s pretty cool how the songs go through the various events in Miller’s life, and reflects the highs and lows of any person’s life. Even without the context, the songs capture universal emotions. The album pops to life on the Beatles-esque, whistle-along tune “Hello, Life (1958).” Ultimately, the album is uplifting, and intricate piece of story-telling, ending on the meditative, light “Daylight”.
Catch Chairman Dances tonight at the World Cafe Live in Wilmington. Get details here.
Listen to “Hello, Life (1958)” below.