Miracle Mile

Description

Miracle Mile is the third album by the American hard rock band Guardian, released on Pakaderm Records in 1993, manufactured and distributed by Word. Also manufactured and distributed by Epic, a division of Sony Music. The album was recorded by J.R. McNeely, Doug Beiden, John Elefante, and Dino Elefante at Pakaderm Studios in Los Alamitos, California; August 3 thru December 23, 1992, with the Elefante brothers producing. Mixed by Dino Elefante with Doug Beiden “using the amazing new Eventide Super Turbo Pakaderm Custom Width Enhancer.” All Music Guide stated that “Capturing Guardian’s music at its peak, ‘Miracle Mile’ is one of the finest metal albums of the early ’90s.”

If you look at music, more specifically hard rock & metal, as something that can be appreciated in terms of “color,” many people would argue that this genre has a very limited “palette” of colors. To put it another way, many bands of this ilk simply open up every can of paint within reach, toss them all at the canvas, and hope what dribbles down is something their audience will buy. Not so with Guardian. A much wiser man said “there is nothing new under the sun,” and that’s generally true when it comes to rock ‘n’ roll. But, even though the band draws from many obvious musical influences (just as a painter would glean inspiration from the masters of years past) what emerges on ‘Miracle Mile’ is something which these four talented gentlemen can proudly call their own; a mixture of old “colors” which add up to a brand new hue.

‘Miracle Mile’ is a delight from start to finish. The opening track, «Dr. Jones & The King of Rhythm», fades in on the sound of an old-fashioned string band tuning up, followed by a stagehand whispering “Dr. Jones, Dr. Jones, time to go on now.” You can almost see the grins of the faces of the band as one member says, “ready boys – it’s show time!” Vocalist Jamie Rowe then rears back and wails the album’s signature phrase, “Well I’ve been walking down the miracle mile,” and we’re off and running on a 12-track romp through the best music Guardian’s ever made. You can’t help but compare «Dr. Jones» to Motley Crüe’s «Dr. Feelgood»; this physician, however, knows that true healing power comes from a higher source. Drummer Karl Ney and bassist David Bach lock into a driving stop-time rhythm, while Tony Palacios punctuates the track with a choice rhythm guitar groove and an occasional slashing lead guitar burst. Rowe varies his vocal range to great effect, and his frequent spoken asides are a hoot. «Shoeshine Johnny» is the next character to take center stage. While the stereotypical image of the happy-go-lucky shine artist is frequently invoked in the blues and rock tradition, this “Johnny” dispenses his rag-snapping philosophy with a scriptural twist. A slippery horn chart and a whammy-laden Palacios solo help making this tune one of the album’s stand-outs. Next on this evening’s bill is «Sister Wisdom»; her tale, like many of the songs on ‘Miracle Mile’, is taken form the Old Testament. In this case, the band pulls off a terrific adaptation of several verses out of Proverbs, most notably “Say to wisdom ‘you are my sister,’ and call understanding your intimate friend.” (And don’t let Palacios’ Van Halen-ish solo distract you too much!)

Guardian’s participation in the ‘Portrait of a Spirit’ acoustic praise project seems to have made quite an impact on the band, as no less than three tracks on ‘Miracle Mile’ adapt (at least partially) an “unplugged” approach. «I Found Love» opens with guitars and tambourine alone, before settling into an easy-swaying rhythm. The harmonies are precise and spine-tingling, avoiding the sterility of past Guardian efforts, while Palacios’ lyrical solo is reminiscent of Dickey Betts’ warm tone on many Allman Brothers classics. «Sweet Mystery» may be the biggest surprise for old-line Guardian fans, as its main rhythm section is a string quartet, beautifully orchestrated by Tom Howard. (If Extreme and Queensryche can hit the Top 10 with a string section, why not Guardian?) The third acoustic-influenced track, «The Captain», while sporting a creative mandoline/guitar rhythm arrangement, can’t seem to avoid the lyrical cliches that «Shoeshine Johnny» so neatly side-stepped.

But fear not, Guardian fans – this is a rock band we’re talking about here! Beginning with «Let It Roll», the band reels off four straight rockers. The most impressive of these are «Mr. Do Wrong» and «Curiosity Killed the Cat». As with «The Captain», there’s no trouble guessing who the title character of «Mr. Do Wrong» is. But Guardian pulls the song off the cliche heap through some nifty phrase-turning, such as “Oh how sweet your poison seems” and “Darkness crushed by three small nails”, some buzz-saw soloing and perhaps Rowe’s best vocal. Likewise, «Curiosity Killed the Cat» is rescued by a yowling Palacios solo, a half-time slide guitar bridge and AC/DC-inspired hooks.

For those whose thoughts are turning to love this spring, give a listen to «You & I». I wouldn’t be a bit surprised to hear of it shaking loose the stained glass at more than a few marriage ceremonies this year.

Guardian slots its sole concession to commerce, the obligatory power ballad «Do You Know What Love Is», as the album’s closer. Again though, songwriting smarts and an intelligent arrangement elevate this tune, which along with eight others, was written by at least three band members. On an album laden with highlights, that may be the most impressive aspect about ‘Miracle Mile’. In the best sense of the word, Guardian has crafted a brilliant record. (P.S. – don’t turn off you stereo immediately after you think the last song has ended…) [Bruce A. Brown, CCM, April 1993]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/miracle-mile/124984258)

CD tracklist:

01. Dr. Jones & The Kings Of Rhythm – 5:13
02. Shoeshine Johnny – 4:16
03. Long Way Home – 4:31
04. I Found Love – 5:24
05. Sweet Mystery – 3:58
06. Let It Roll – 4:11
07. Mr. Do Wrong – 5:05
08. Curiosity Killed The Cat – 4:28
09. Sister Wisdom – 4:12
10. The Captain – 4:19
11. You & I – 4:06
12.1 Do You Know What Love Is – 7:27
12.2 Untitled – 2:07

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Pakaderm Records. Track 12 contains a hidden track at 5:19.