'summer of fear'

This summer I discovered an interesting artist, one Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson. His name alone makes him sound important. His voice sounds as if he's the lost 3rd singer for TV on the Radio. It doesn't hurt that his self-titled 2008 debut included help from members of indie rockers Grizzly Bear and the excellent Kyp Malone of the aforementioned TV on the Radio. In all the hubbub of enjoying his 2008 debut I failed to notice he was prepping a 2009 followup.

Summer of Fear is that album. So many new indie acts this year have channeled the "sound" of summer. The feel of warmth on your face and the emotion of freedom most summers provide people our age. MBAR captures an entirely different feel. The uncertain pang in your stomach when you're not quite sure what's next. Given economic downfall, political turmoil, and an utter hopelessness across our whole generation its hard not to be afraid.

52% of America's 16-24 age group can't even find a summer job. Or a job at all for that matter. Thousands of college grads left the safety of higher education to simply make the long walk of shame back to their childhood homes. How can we not feel just a little lost and afraid when the "plan" has been revealed as utterly flawed. "I remember being 17. I remember being honest, holy, healthy and clean," screams Miles Benjamin in "Always an Anchor". We're grasping for that belief we had on the cusp of High School graduation but coping with the fact that things aren't quite as secure as we thought they would be.

In our effort to let go of our worries and embrace a sense of freedom, we forgot to search for a voice to remind us of that hidden hurt. Summer of Fear is a series of anthems designed to jar us from our fears and remind us that it's alright to take a step forward no matter how bleak the future may be. Stop hating and fearing and blaming and just realize that life is fucking hard. It always has been and the best people come out of these challenges with something to show for it, a sense of accomplishment and safety only acquired through sweat and tears, and utter fear.

Summer of Fear arrives October 20 on Saddle Creek. Produced by TV on the Radio's Kyp Malone.

Hear the album.
Video for "Buriedfed" from 2007's self-titled debut.