It says here on this press release that power pop DNA runs through the veins of singer/songwriter Miles Nielsen, and that may be so seeing as he is the son of Cheap Trick's guitar man Rick Nielsen, but his music takes a different direction to that of his father. Miles and his band The Rusted Hearts make music drenched in Americana and folk yet still retaining ever present pop sensibilities.

Having spent most of his childhood on a tour bus with Cheap Trick, I guess it was inevitable that Miles would take a musical path. With an upbringing and education on the road that many musicians could only dream of, his songwriting skills seemed to have developed naturally and with ease. It seems life on the road has thrown up many tales and life experiences that have influenced his writing and, in turn, this record.

His debut album, 'Miles', was released in 2009 to critical acclaim, and now after two years of touring he is back with 'The Rusted Hearts', the title also the name of the band of musicians that accompany him on this journey. It's an album packed full of songs of life, lost love and regret, journeyman tales for the worn out and the hungover.

It has a rustic charm that warms to the soul, a very live, jammed out in the studio feel, every musical nuance has been carefully and lovingly created. They sound like songs written on the road, honed to perfection in seedy, smoke filled bars throughout the midwest.

The opening strummed, bare chords and lonesome vocals give a heartfelt feel to first track 'Rusted Heart', it sets the scene, a melancholy vibe created from the off. Building nicely to the chorus, Miles's vocal style, a Tom Petty-like drawl, is full of feeling, as is the music created by the band, a perfect accompaniment. A story of lost love and regret, yet it's a joyous, lazy, hazy song that rolls along like a summer breeze, carefree of the world going on around it.

The rest of the album continues in the same direction; 'The Grain' is upbeat, with nice Jellyfish-like backing vocals. 'Dear Kentucky (Your Killing Me)' has a folky Dylan feel to it. The acoustic 'Baby Blue' has Beatles/Tom Petty influences shining through, especially highlighted in the sweet backing harmonies, and is a simple yet purely beautiful song. Lyrically Miles again wears his heart on his sleeve, bare for the world to see, it's an open letter of remorse to whoever Baby Blue may be.

The picked acoustic and melancholic opening to 'The Crown (Reprise)' is quite moving, the song kicks in with the full band but is oh too short. The Springsteen-like storytelling vibe created in 'Cold War' sits well, the most anthemic Miles gets here. If I didn't know any better I would swear it was The Gaslight Anthem in full flow.

'Maria' sets the imagination running, the rustic instrumentation creating scenes in my mind of old-time European bars, where the wine did flow, the men did gamble and the women did much more. The maudlin violin outro plays almost like it was written for a film score.

Clarinet, horns and violins are a few of the many instruments used to great effect throughout the album, giving a worldly musical vibe, but it's the quality of the songwriting that shines through. Lyrically the songs may deal with regret and sorrow, the deeply personal lyrics come from the heart, yet it's strangely upbeat in many ways.

'The Rusted Hearts' is the sound of a band living on the road, comfortable with each other musically and personally. The songs have a timeless feel to them, and repeated listening is truly rewarding.

I don't have a bad word to say about this album, it has a rich quality to it, saturated with chilled melody, it's a perfect Sunday morning hangover cure.
 
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