Myriad
August 1996: Mike Myers
released his second solo CD, Myriad. This
51 minute disc contains an assortment of intricate
instrumental compositions, full of fire and energy
representing diverse musical styles such as: progressive
rock, jazz, fusion, avant garde, electronic, psychedelic
rock, and advanced rhythmic explorations. Analog synthesis
plays an important role in the compositions represented here
as do odd time and mixed meters. As always, Mike plays all
the instruments (keyboards and percussion).
Myriad also features improved recording
techniques, state of the art electronic musical technology,
and performances on real time percussion that listeners have
grown to expect and enjoy.
Two tracks from this disc, Myriad,
and Youth
In Asia have also
been arranged for percussion ensemble and are currently
available. Both pieces have been played by high schools and
several universities across the country. (See Percussion
Ensemble menu button for more info)
1. Bad Attitudes (7:34)
2. Myriad (5:38) Lo-Fi MP3
3. Moon Germ Strut (4:30) Lo-Fi MP3
4. Real Deal Lucille (5:43)
5. Youth In Asia (7:48) Lo-Fi MP3
6. Pacific Suite (7:30)
7. Interlude 1 (:35)
8. Interlude 2 (1:59)
9. Cosmic Follicles (4:58)
10. Waitin' For The UPS Guy (3:39) Lo-Fi MP3
11. Gentle Moments (5:48)
Here's What The Critics
Said About Myriad
Progression: Fall 1996, Volume 1, 21 - I wish all one-man band projects were this pleasant. Myers' compositions favor an accessible, linear,course heavy on both melody and chops with a crisp, energetic feel. ... it's hard to find fault with such upbeat music, especially when the chops are up to snuff.
Expose': Fall/Winter 1996/97, Issue No. 11 - Solo
projects based on keyboards seem to come a dime a dozen
these days, but what sets Myers apart from others is his
insistence on using real (yes, REAL!) drums, not programmed
percussion and drum machines. Also his melodic sensibilities
are a mite nonstandard, which helps keep the music
interesting the listener guessing. ...Most tunes fall
somewhere in the realm of jazz-rock, often employing odd
time signatures and asymmetrical arrangemens. Over the long
haul this is an album that grabs the attention and gets more
compelling with each successive listen.
Recommended.
Tarkus: December 1996 - This review could have been
really short: Buy this record! There are similarities to ELP
(the symphonic part of the music) combined with virtous
jazzrock like Chick Corea, Tribal Tech, Simon Phillips and
Bill Bruford. ...A beautiful instrumental synth-album - no
guitars, but varied with good samples and percussion sounds.
Excellent sound quality / production. ...Also 7/8
signatures, thrilling harmonies and a warm mood. Even your
wife may like this one! Conclution: Buy this record
today!
CDelight: March 1997:Instrumental one-man
jazzrock/progrock project. The album is dominated by skilful
drumming with a superb production. Keyboards are cheerfully
tuned and sound mainly analog, without exaggerating clinical
soundscapes. Towards the end some superfluous percussive
explorations.
ATROPOS: Spring 1997 (Spain):Mike Myers...
what a beast, what a monster! But, is he a keyboardist or a
percussionist? Because no doubt he is a master of both
disciplines. As a keyboardist, he has direct influences of
Keith Emerson, "Bad Attitudes" 7:34; classic, spacials (he
even dedicates "Cosmic Follicles" 4:58 to Ozric Tentacles).
As a drummer, suffice it to say that "Youth in Asia" 7:48
and "Myriad" 5:38 have been arranged as percussion studies
in the main University schools of his area.
Sounds? Hammond and Moog dominate his musical style with huge keyboard runs and intricate drum and percussion passages. He is no doubt one of my personal discoveries which I like most. He is presently working in his third studio album.
Percussive Arts Socite: Percussive Notes: Winter
1997 I have been a fan of Mike Myers' music and
percussive genius for a long time and I know you will become
one after listening to Myriad. Highly
recommended.
Compact Disc Services: Summer 1997 Catalog
(England):One guy did all of this and, considering
it's on par with the best instrumental output from Emerson,
Lake and Palmer, that's no mean feat. Over 66 minutes of
completely instrumental, original prog rock, based entirely
around synths, samples, keyboards and electronics as lead
passage, layers and textures over a solid percussive
backdrop. Features 12 tracks of mighty strong prog, full of
great rhythms, titanic melodies and totally exquisite
synth/kybd work. Immaculately produced, impeccably played
and composed with intricate, accessibly tracks,
full-sounding, melodic, it is prog with its roots in ELP,
Happy The Man, Camel, etc. semi-classical prog and
beyond.
RecordingOctober 1997: The word awesome
comes to mind. Myriad is a high-energy rock/jazz fusion
instrumental, showcasing Mike's prowess on drums and
everything else. He can compose, orchestrate, and play with
the best. So what's he doing in Mesquite, TX? Check his
website if you want to know.
Recording: ...it's one of the cleanest, best defined recordings we've heard: lots of quirky things popping in and out, yet the listener never loses focus. And the drum sound is excellent, on a par with the virtuoso performance.
Order Myriad
Sonic
Frontiers
In 1992, Mike Myers released his first solo CD, Sonic Frontiers. It features 10 electronic jazz/rock compositions full of odd meters and key changes, performed entirely by Myers on a variety of MIDI keyboards and percussion instruments.
Mike's first solo CD, Sonic Frontiers contains a healthy dose of rhythmically charged instrumental compositions, full of complex meters and key changes which are reminiscent of the progressive rock and jazz fusion movement of the 70's. Myers however, propels his own musical style into the 90's and beyond with compositions which incorporate rock, jazz, classical, minimalism, and other musical forms.
Locked away in the privacy of his
home studio amid an assortment of MIDI keyboards and
percussion equipment, Mike Myers, mild-mannered music
teacher by day, mad-musical-scientist by night,
painstakingly crafts compositions of intricate complexity.
Mike's unique style of performing includes playing all the
instruments himself. With several keyboards, modules, and
percussion instruments, Mike creates an entire "Sonic
Frontier" of sound!
Track List
1. Flagrant Obsessions (3:44)
Lo-Fi
MP3
2. X-91A (5:09) Lo-Fi
MP3
3. Reggae Mama (5:18)
Lo-Fi MP3
4. Rosie's Blues (5:28)
5. Baby Freckles (3:45)
6. Sonic Frontiers (4:02) Lo-Fi
MP3
7. Bossa Puddin' (5:08)
8. Well Alright (6:12)
9. Impression IV (11:27)
10. Land Of Goshin (7:48)
Here's What The Critics
Said About Sonic Frontiers
Percussive Arts Society: ...Mike Myers has a great deal of talent. Every cut on this CD has moments of inspiration.
MJM Audio: Great electronic jazz with real percussion.
Mesquite News: ...Rivals the best 70's fusion bands...
Progression: For the listener who enjoys ...synthesized sound with an experimental flair, Sonic Frontiers is worth a listen.
Experience Music: ...Recorded with painstaking care and exhibiting a subdued confidence that makes the difficult sound effortless and the exotic sound comfortably familiar. Pristine sound, clean graphics, confident performances and creative compositional touches set this apart.
Internet Underground Music Archive (IUMA): Truly musical genius of the 90's. Sit back, relax and enjoy.