A Million Years

"Sonic and cerebral rock band equipped with guitar driven assaults." - CMJ

We like listening to A Million Years in the morning, because the Brooklyn band gets us out of bed. Their focused, spiraling melodies fall somewhere between driving music and sci-fi theme song, except with a rocking bass. And though they claim they're "stimulated by the intellectualism and sonic experimentation of bands like Radiohead, Spoon and Wilco," we have a feeling their also influenced by the satisfying smack that a snare drum can make when you're feeling really hyper, sexed-up, or pissed off.

The band's pretty new, which means their MySpace song roster is fresh for summer. Listen to it now, before everyone else learns all the words...
--FARAN KRENTCIL - Nylon Magazine

Sometimes it is easy to classify a band within a specific genre such as indie rock or “alternative,” but in doing so, the attention to great songwriting can be lost in the labeling. While the Brooklyn-based four piece A Million Years may wear their indie rock influences on their sleeve, their debut full-length Mischief Maker features 30 minutes of fantastically smart songwriting that injects new life into the genre.

Perhaps Mischief Maker’s most admirable trait is the band’s determination to never allow a dull moment to creep in throughout the album’s nine tracks. “Holy Ghost Town” acts as a perfect introduction to the album, illustrating the band’s love of catchy hooks and massive guitars. The song drives relentlessly forward, with lead vocalist Keith Madden’s smooth melodies soaring over the mix not unlike the stylings of Radiohead's Thom Yorke or Kele Okereke of Bloc Party. After the huge presence of the fantastic opening track, “By Yourself” shows the band having a bit more fun without losing their melodic sensibilities or intelligent progression, while solidifying the idea that these guys are in love with the electric guitar.

“Love is a Room” reveals a more subdued and mysterious personality while including some of the best moments on the album, building upon itself continuously and demonstrating a sense of experimentation rivaling that of any As Tall as Lions record. Tracks such as “Poster Girl” and “Incandescent” spice up the listening experience with drum machines alongside traditional drums, while others such as the closing track “Dirt in the Ground” fully embrace the use of synthesizers to create sonic variations on the indie rock soundscape. Mixed with the raw energy found on tracks like “Holy Ghost Town” and “California Smile,” these uncommon elements flow seamlessly from one song to the next without sounding like anyone other than A Million Years.

Mischief Maker only lasts 30 minutes, but the album is full of so many inspired melodies and memorable hooks that it demands multiple listens to truly appreciate. It is only a matter of time before A Million Years is awarded with a promising record deal and legions of fans who were disappointed by the last Bloc Party album, and the masses would be lucky to have them.

--Jeff VanVickle - Decoy Magazine

Who?

A Million Years are a Brooklyn quartet that formed in 2007. Mischief Maker is their first full-length. The album was produced by Shannon Ferguson of Longwave. The band has toured throughout the east coast and has played in NYC rooms such as Bowery Ballroom, High Line Ballroom, Bowery Electric, The Studio at Webster Hall and The Mercury Lounge. Venerable NYC radio station WRXP recently added the band to their playlists.

How is it?

Tremendous. How can a band this talented be unsigned? Every passing second of Mischief Maker bristles with professionalism, substance and commercial appeal. Like a lovechild of Interpol and As Tall as Lions, Mischief Maker bursts out of the gate with anthemic album opener, "Holy Ghost Town." Melodic, radio-ready and fully rattling, it's the first harbinger that this talented foursome is indeed a quartet of bonafide talents.

From there, it's one veritable hit after the next. Keith Madden's voice is like a siren, rising one minute and lilting the next. Every intonation and utterance is deeply felt, centrifugal and hypnotic. He hangs on to vowels and spits out consonants with so much force, every second is like a blessing. The music itself is dotted with Coldplay-esque melodicism, U2-ish ethereal guitar textures and the supple, soaring vocals of Madden. There's plenty of kinetic drums, splashy bass and old-fashioned rock energy. "By Yourself," is rousing and hopeful, while "Love is a Room," throws in Madden's vocal gymnastics, Nick Webber's guitar muscle, and an air-tight rhythm section.

On the jittery and hip-shaking "Suspicious," the quartet displays their Manhattan swagger and never once disappoints. "Poster Girl," is for all intents and purposes the album's apex as Madden once again goes for the throat and the song's jangly and jingling stab at merriment is blissful, welcome and undeniably infectious. "Fortune," is hushed and lo-fi, giving the group an intimate and earnest moment to take a respite and wade in the austerity of a cinematic organ and gentle acoustic strains.

"California Smile" is propulsive and thick, drawing on Webber's guitar clatter and the muscled work of bassist Andrew Samaha and drummer Andrew Vanette. Penultimate cut, "Incandescent," features a full-scale chorus, layers of Mancunian textures, electric samples and a plaintive French horn. The haunting and funereal closer "Dirt in The Ground," allows the band a chance to offer up soft melancholy, emotional directness and an unabashed sense of whimsy unlike few others currently making music.

And yet for all its triumphant moments, the very best part about Mischief Maker may be its brevity. In an age when bands and musicians feel compelled to throw in everything but the kitchen sink and stack discs with filler and hissing noise, Mischief Maker is short, sweet and to the point. Never once does it linger, never once does it labor, and never once does it disappoint. It is in many ways, one of 2010's biggest surprises and a most welcome addition from a band criminally under-the-radar. Brooklyn, you've done it again.
- Absolute Punk

Seven nights a week, there are tens, maybe hundreds, of bands playing across New York City. Making noticeable waves can be difficult. A Million Years have done it on the back of sharp, spit-polished songs like "Holy Ghost Town" that scratch a variety comparable itches—the forlorn, idealistic street rocker; the excited, guitar-wielding everyman. That they play like seasoned champs certainly doesn't hurt either. A debut LP called Mischief Maker, produced by Longwave's Shannon Ferguson, is out now. - RCRD LBL

Brooklyn based pop-rock band A Million Years takes no time getting to the point on their album Mischief Maker. In a time where music is filled with stagnant meandering samples and endless amounts of static noise, it is refreshing to see a band that gets straight to the point. A brazen indie-pop sound with a mixture of sharp punk tones, this band takes their flair for theatrical soundscapes and condenses them into controlled bursts of creativity. Album opener “Holy Ghost Town” captures the feeling of an epic battleground that thrusts the listener right into what A Million Years are all about. The sharp bouncing of guitars and mesmerizing drumming, coupled with the wailing vocals of lead vocalist Keith Madden creates an eccentric atmosphere perfect for starting your day. Standout tracks like the slow burn of “Love Is A Room” and the fast paced style of “Suspicious” highlight the different sides of Mischief Maker.
The album as a whole never slows down, always packed with energy. It is hard to know what to make of a band when you can start your waking up to them, and also spend the evening dancing to their breakneck pace and catchy hooks. (Self-released) -Maximilian Specht - Performer Magazine

"an incredible little EP." - Futuresounds from WOXY

Sometimes music just clicks, like Tom Petty or Bloc Party or Blur. It's music that's timeless because it immediately strikes a chord, getting stuck in your head for days at a time. These bands have an ability to write tunes that move millions, and you can't really explain it, but they have staying power because they connect with each and every person that listens.

Young Brooklyn quartet A Million Years is cut from the same cloth, as evidenced by their debut Incandescent EP. It's an early statement from a band that has a lot of life in it, and that's nowhere more than evident than on "By Yourself." The song adroitly veers down a path that is both familiar and new, quickly turning into a perfect summer pop nugget. It's one of the year's best songs.

-Stranded in Stereo (August 2009) - http://strandedinstereo.blogspot.com/

Not in a million years. Shortly. That's how soon the band A Million Years should be recognized in the music industry with some decent buzz.

I recently saw the band open for Longwave in New York City at the Bowery Ballroom, and it was a case where the openers were as good, if not better, than the headliners.

A Million Years have a rock sound similar to that of The Killers before that band exploded with loud fireworks of self-importance. And A Million Years also have the positively catchy quirkiness of a band like Hot Hot Heat before the red in vocalist Steve Bays' hair kind of flamed out.

Personally, another reason to like them is in not only their strive for perfection in their sound, but the promise of songwriting to come. After all, their main contemporary influences are bands that I really admire: Radiohead, Arctic Monkeys, and Spoon.

The addition of guitarist Nick Werber certainly helped the band, with the clean aggression of his lead guitar sound. It goes perfect with the alternative rock voice of Keith Madden. And the combination shows on their Incandescent EP release with standout songs like "Suspicious."

The band states that they are ready to record their next release right now. And listeners can download their Incandescent EP free on their MySpace page at www.myspace.com/amillionyearsmusic.

Review by Pat Prince
- Powerline A.D.

A lot of people turned for opening act and Longwave cohort Keith Madden and his band A Million Years. In a perfectly executed set, A Million Years sound not too different from Longwave and in all the right ways. Throw in a little Britpop and you have the makings of a strong act. Good passionate stuff. - Sonic Parthenon

Opening act A Million Years is on stage and well into their set, after arriving to the what I consider one of NYC’s best venues, the Bowery Ballroom. I saw three full songs and by the end I realized they had a very Bloc Party sound (remember them?) and were a good fit to open for Longwave. They packed the joint for an opening act and a highlight of their set came at the end when Longwave’s drummer, Jason Molina, joined them on stage to help pound out their final song.
- Examiner.com

Brooklyn natives, A Million Years, are making their CMJ debut this year. They earned their stripes gigging all around NYC since ‘07 hawking their uncompromising and infectious brand of indie rock. - Tastes Like Caramel