Dedication is a very important word when it comes to the achievement of another word: success. If the debut Ep from Vancouver folk artist Keith William Miller is any indication, he is well on his way. From the hand-stamped CD sleeve to the hand printed insert on seed-infused paper, it’s evident that Keith is a hard-working guy. This point is further proved when it comes to his music.
Folk is a genre umbrella under which such a conglomeration of music resides. This Ep entitled Poetry For The Glass Half Empty is essentially a folk-music grab bag of awesome – there’s variety and it’s all great. Songs range from the bluegrass to quiet acoustic beauty. Ep opener “Murder Mystery” encompasses both of these styles, beginning with the latter and ending with the stompin’ rompin’ first. The five songs are dominated by a sense of melancholy as one might guess, as well as the unexpected presence of the cello. The instrument adds a rich sound layer to almost every song, especially in album closer, “Trees” wherein the cello acts almost as a voice, dueting with Keith as he sings about change and his love of nature. “Whenever I Grow Up” is lyrically filled with both hope and desperation for a fruitful future. The Ep highlight is “The Lonely Cowboy”, an upbeat tune with vocal effects as well as a great beat, great harmonies, and fantastic banjo. I dare you to listen to this one and not tap your foot.
In terms of music, Keith William Miller’s glass is not half-empty. In fact, I’m pretty sure that it’s overflowing and has unlimited refills. If you’re any kind of folk fan, Poetry For The Glass Half Empty would be a wonderful addition to your music library.
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