Not An Exit [CD]

It is clear, as already mentioned in much of the music press, that this album is a bit of a surprise packet...as prolific as Miles has been, he's recorded at least 7 or so songs since The Wonder Stuff that i place as comparable to Mission Drive (the worlds best song), but they haven't been given the push they deserve...not at least from where i sit and that will remain a tragedy/gift depending on your thinking...

I remember thinking of 'Hairy On The Inside' that the songs are there but prehaps not flattered by the recording, as too with The Miles Hunt Club...but the best thing about Hunt fans is that they actually listen to music, they hear what's really there and it's one thing that i find wanting in so much new music these days...in his work there has always been such a personal honesty and little ribbon of arrogance that extends through the music and past a daily openness that makes all his songs so identifiable to me, magnified here by brillint recordings/mixing...you'll find it hard to disagree with him at all, to the point where on a song like "Back On The Charm Offensive", you walk away from it cursing everything that's ever been shoved under your nose and into worldwide acceptance...that song stands alone to embarrass any band you'll hear on popular radio in 2007...bar none...

And that's why i love this man's work so much i guess...it's only done for the right reasons...not to be adored but heard by whoever can be bothered...and with that as a reason, with honesty and loyalty to the self as a motive for making an album, it will never be a bad album...

Diamond...

Where did Miles get all these gems from?? This is an album by a man at the top of his game; it's just quality song writing with great hooks, cool melodies and catchy chorus's.

I have had this on a constant loop in my car for the last week. This is the solo album I have been waiting for Miles to make since Vent 414 split. For a long time there during Miles's previous solo albums `Hairy On The Inside' and `The Miles Hunt Club' the songs where good but Miles's famous snarl seemed to be full of bitterness and regret, but `Not An Exit' sees the man clearly enjoying writing songs, these songs have the cutting snarl and the cynicism in abundance but with a spring and confidence in his step not seen since maybe The Stuffies `Never Loved Elvis'. If you are already a fan of Miles Hunt's writing from The Wonder Stuff, Vent 414 and solo you will love this, if you're oblivious to his work and fancy giving it a try you will not be disappointed it's all killers and no fillers from start to finish. I was blown away by The Wonder Stuff's new album last years `Suspended By Stars' but I reckon `Not An Exit' is even better as `Suspended By Stars' had a couple of fillers but `Not An Exit' is quality from start to finish. Pat Colliers mixing is great, Erica's violin is fresh and original and Andres Karu puts in a stellar performance on the drums. If Miles had made this album years ago he would never have had to put The Stuffies back together. When I think about my favourite bands that have split over the years like The Stone Roses and The Pixies none of their respective members have made anything as good as their original bands, don't get me wrong some of Frank Blacks solo stuff is okay, John Squires, Seahorses and first solo record was cool, The Breeders have their moments and Ian Brown makes some wicked records but they ain't The Roses or The Pixies I might be shot for saying this but ` Not An Exit' is as good as if not better than some of the classic Stuffies records.

Track by track

1. Back On The Charm Offensive - Miles is clearly pretty pissed at someone on this one and it rocks, I'd like to know who its directed at. When it gets into the double time bit later on in the song, if the guitar was dirtier it could easily have been on the Vent 414 album.

2. Note To Self - Classic Miles , the violin part reminiscent of Mission Drive

3. Shake Em Down - Dunno why but the riff reminds me of `California Love' by 2Pac and Dr Dre I wanna start singin' `California knows how to Party!!!" at the beginning he he . Great stuff ...love it.

4. Falsified - Nods back to `On The Ropes'. Another great tune.

5. The Cake - One of my favourites. The bastard son of `Golden Green' but with something of a different flavour has a slightly German `oomp pah' drinking song vibe or even one of those tunes they play at Bar mitzvahs or Jewish weddings where the men do that funny Russian sort of dance with there arms crossed squatting on the floor kicking their legs out...do you know what I mean?? Um I dunno why it makes me think of that!! I do love this one though.

6. These Things Remembered (not at all) - A live acoustic version of this first turned up on Miles's live `Interloper' album last year. Miles flexes his pop muscles to great effect. Happy, bouncy, hair waving stuff.

7. The Easy Way (like Californians) - This reminds me of a lot of Miles good tunes, really catchy, the verses remind me of something off of `Eight Legged Groove Machine'. Sounds like he is happy now.

8. Corny But True - Another favourite, nothing like anything Miles has done before sings in a soft vulnerable tone, doesn't even sound like him, the melody, phrasing just very different. Obviously I love it. Wonder who its about??

9. Play Me Music - A slower tune with a nice groove, another personal favourite, Miles mentions the confessor, which I assume is him he has previously mentioned the confessor on his solo stuff.

10. Look My Way - Storms in with a top violin hook like `Mission Drive', but rocks like something off ` Suspended By Stars' ,weaves, winds and sores up and down, love the chugging drums and guitar bit before the last chorus and winds down with just the backing vocals and violins.....cool.

11. You and I - And finally another corker, Miles patented driving acoustic rhythm guitar building up with violin and more nods to `Mission Drive'

12. Untitled Bonus bit - `...make more time for those you wanna spend it with, cut the ties with those you wanna lose....'crying out for a full length song , great ending to a great album.

I don't mean to say it is surprising that miles hunt made a great album but it came out of nowhere. Miles announced he was doing a little acoustic album between wonder stuff albums, I imagined something like hairy on the inside. Instead Not an exit is more like a missing wonder stuff album, what may have been intended as an acoustic album became more featuring contributions from wonder stuff members. It is more upbeat than most of miles' solo work, both musically and lyrically. Highlights include, the cake, these things remembered and falsified. A must buy.