The Chairman Dances artfully tell the story of The Death of Samuel Miller

Following up last year’s Michael and the Prophetess, local art rock group The Chairman Dances have continued with their story-telling affinity on their recent release, The Death of Samuel Miller. Based around the formative and unforgotten memories of a dying old man, this album is a bold tale that finds beauty in a life lived and strength in the fact that life goes on.

Opening up the album, vocalist/guitarist Eric Krewson describes the restlessness of the man who finds himself entering the final stages of life amidst the ones he loves. Singing “We both ask, how long will I put you through this?” as the bass plays a killer line and the synth gives some texture, Krewson continues into some sweet melodies and comes to a conclusion that finds solace in that other person. He exclaims, “My baby finds me restless at night and brings me back to bed / She speaks in quiet tones and smiles / but I feel her drifting away / I know the effort it takes / I see the signs in her face and I know I’m far too late” as the horns slowly blast.

“Worth Writing Home About (1952)” comes with a livened-up guitar tone, a quirky synthesizer line, and the begging question: “Is there something worth writing home about, someplace worth calling home?.” The song continues into a huge wall of big band horns and blaring guitar before Miller finds “someplace worth calling home.” “Benediction” is a more somber, but very powerful track that comes alive with piano and violin as the old man finds himself strangely baffled:

My daughter comes to visit me with a new boy she’s been seeing / He wears a grin up on his face just like I used to / You’re the spitting image of a teenage me / Your mother’s palms sweating in the July heat / Did you come for benediction? / Because you’re the ones blessed / I’m helpless

“Brother, My Brother (1960) confronts memories of losing a brother, the music blows up with horns and Krewson belts out “O Absalom / poor Absalom / who hung between heaven and earth? / My brother chose the latter to hang himself upon / I came home to find you pressed against the floor / And I tried hard to forgive you for the life you left us!” before going into a grueling guitar solo that is accompanied by ever-softening backing instruments. The final song, “Daylight,” ends on a high note, as Kreswson sings “I hear a call and I see the kids who sing on all through the day, a light not meant to fade /  Like an old coin used up and tossed from some balcony, I am not / The light does not fade / The light does not give.”

The Chairman Dances are skilled storytellers, and The Death of Samuel Miller is another example of that. Their sound does not dwell in any one place for too long, and the contrasting guitar solos and huge horns make for some very interesting dynamics. With the added themes of life and death all teased out into an engaging story by the nostalgia-inducing voice of Eric Krewson, this is an album that pulls you in more track by track, and listen by listen. Definitely for any fan of Philly sounds or things that break the indie rock mold.

The Death of Samuel Miller was recorded and mixed by Joe Reinhart at The Headroom and mastered by Ryan Schwabe at Maniac Mansion. Stream/download it on bandcamp.

Catch The Chairman Dances opening for Liam Finn at World Cafe Live this Wednesday 7/9. Find all ages, $15 tickets here.

Image courtesy of the artist.