Rebel

Artist: John Miles
Label: Polygram Int'l
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Format: Import
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 042282008022
EAN: 0042282008022
ASIN: B00000726F

Release Date: 1987-03-19

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Listmania:

25 **GREATEST** Albums of 1976!!
Pomp Pop Defined
"GREAT ALBUMS KNOWN AND LESS KNOWN"
For The Mood Changes We Have..

Tracks:

Music
Everybody Wants Some More
High Fly
You Have It All
Rebel
When You Lose Someone So Young
Lady of My Life
Pull the Damn Thing Down
Music (Reprise)

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Customer Reviews:

For the unfamiliar..........2005-06-08

I'm inclined to think that most people who come across this album already know a lot about John Miles. I don't--I found a used vinyl copy of this and, to be honest, bought it for the poster that was included of the really awesome cover photo (which hangs on my refrigerator currently, FYI).
It's really only been recently that I actually got around to playing the disc. The thing with Miles on this album--none of the components with which he's working are, in a sense, "original," a great deal of Paul McCartney, Elton John and Stevie Wonder are to be found in Miles' work on this album. The important part is that he takes the sounds and really puts them together in a vastly original way.
With that in mind, this album is really pretty stunning. Miles takes the vaguely glam sound of mainstream Brit-rock in the lagging days before the Sex Pistols, the Clash and their ilk, and turns it up to 11. The overall pomp and circumstance Miles generates on this album gives Emerson, Lake and Palmer a run for their money. In terms of orchestration, this album sounds as good in parts as the Moody Blues' "Days of Future Passed," though more specifically song-oriented. Alan Parsons' production really colors this album, as well, sounding very much like later Alan Parsons Project tracks production-wise.
This is very much one of the "best albums you've never heard" to the US market, and with any luck it'll be rediscovered at some point (I'd be willing to bet in ten years' time we'll be hearing "Music" on some TV commercial or something).
This is a highly reccomended album, but it's difficult to recommend considering the sound is just so lost on the ears of too many music consumers. All things considered, though, it's better than a couple of Wings albums I've heard, so it's worth a shot as a classic piece of 70's British pre-disco and pre-punk rock and roll.

This is the one to get..........2004-11-28

Since "Where Would I Be Without You" is missing from all of the so-called "Best Of's", get the original.

Dated, but ambitious first album........2003-11-21

I had `Music' playing in my head for several weeks after not hearing it for some 20-or-so years. On recently buying the `Rebel' album I find it all sounds pretty dated. John Miles was a major talent, no question there. But under Alan Parson's heavy-handed production, and some slick orchestration by Andrew Powell, what comes off sounds all too familiar to not only the decade (70's) but to various artists of the time. Listen close and you'll hear echoes of Pink Floyd, ELO, David Bowie, The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, etc. So it makes you wonder who is this John Miles guy and what does he really have to offer? That can be answered in 2 outstanding tracks, `Music' and `Rebel'. `Music' is the forgotten classic that shows John Miles as a complete artist. The song structure may be a weird mix of Glam, Progressive and 50's Rock and Roll but there's a flare of originality to it. It became his signature piece without a doubt. `Rebel' is as close to a flat out rocker as Parsons would allow. Miles manages a more aggressive vocal and sound on the track that makes you wish there had been more of it. That's not to say that the rest of the album doesn't rock, it does but in the manner of British radio during the seventies. Solid rock beat with some light orchestration in the background. Actually the strings are really very effective especially on `Highfly', that was the first massive hit for Miles. Unfortunately the album has one major sore point, `Lady Of My Life' is just an embarrassing Stevie Wonder parody. The only other comment that can be made of it is that it obviously inspired many future vocalists. Most notably George Michael. The album ends in true dramatic fashion with the tremendous `Pull The Damn Thing Down'. This frenzied Rock and Roll epic is one of the strongest tracks on the album with major references to David Bowie's `Space Oddity' and `The Man Who Sold The World' albums. It spirals into a reprise of `Music' and provides a great closer to the album. I admit I lost track of John Miles after this album (JP Outrider noted) and after being re-introduced to this lost classic I have to say I probably missed some great work.

REBEL ROCKS.......2003-11-18

This epic album satisfies my music-listening needs perfectly... high-brow arrangements appealing to my refined, regal side, and pounding beats and searing guitar performances to arouse my more base, common-manly instincts.

A real favourite in the Royal Court of King Nicholas, and great music for cruising in the Reliant Scimitar with the Archbishop of Fantaberry.

I hereby award this album 5 stars and John Miles a posthumous KCE. He is dead isn't he?

One of the best concerts ever!.......2000-12-17

I was living in England in the 70's and saw John Miles perform at the Cambridge Corn Exchange. To watch him at the keyboards with a guitar in his lap and singing was an amazing concert experience that I have never forgotten. My friends and I have worn out our albums and the tapes can hardly play anymore. I have traveled to England and attempted to find this CD with no luck. I was so excited to find it here... and to find other admirers of John Miles talent. If you ever have an opportunity to see him...don't miss it!

Music CD:

Music CD

Music CD

Music CD

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