Milo Greene - ‘Milo Greene’ + Bulleit Old Fashioned
Ingredients: 2 ounces Bulleit bourbon, 3 dashes Angostura bitters, 1 sugar cube (1/2 teaspoon loose sugar), splash of water or club soda, orange peel.
Mixing Instructions: Place the sugar, bitters, orange peel and water in a shaker. Crush the ingredients with a muddler, spoon, pistol barrel, etc. Fill the shaker half-way with ice and pour in the bourbon. Shake thoroughly and strain into an ice-filled old fashioned glass with an extra slice of orange peel for garnish.
Notes: The initial Siren-like cry in “What’s the Matter”, the opening track of Milo Greene’s debut album, offers a flashing glimpse into the DNA of this L.A.-based quintet. At first listen the sound is indistinguishable from that of a train whistle, or steam ship coming into port. Soon, however, one realizes they are listening to the haunting, but beautiful voice of Marlana Sheetz. It’s industry cliche to describe one’s voice as an instrument, but in the case of Sheetz and the rest of Milo Greene it’s true. The effortless harmonizing of the four gifted vocalists is the centerpiece of their sound, a delicate smoke floating over a water of cinematic instrumentation.
Milo Greene is an invented character, not a member of the band. While likely not their original intent, the fictional British gentlemen is one of the group’s biggest assets, providing a collective identity that in turn frees up each of the members from ever feeling like they have to control the sound or creative process. It’s this polished wholeness that makes songs like “1957” “Cutty Love” and “Autumn Tree” levitate. Mix yourself a Bulleit old-fashioned (a variation with extra ice and orange enjoyed by the band @ the Haberdasher in Mobile, AL) and let this album take you away.