Watch: Tim Miller -- "Who I Am"

• Nikki, just do a little research on the critic and you will better understand his comments. Few readers appreciate his work as a critic. Many find him rude and obnoxious. He is considered a destructive voice in the local music scene. I have even seen the word "douche" thrown around. Also, the style of music he seems to appreciate the most and finds most creative and compelling(such as Neon Indian) is on the other side of the spectrum as to what Tim is trying to do. But this is what I take issue with: whereas Tim is not modern or complelling because of his same "lovelorn lyrics" and "tired" production we have all heard before, Neon Indian is modern and borderline genius eventhough they are simply rehashing a style of music that was popular 30 years ago and are three years late to this resurgence. And I'm sure he would never criticize the lead singer of Neon Indian for not having vocal "range" despite all the evidence to the contrary. He is that guy we all knew in the college dorm- the music he likes is better merely because it's different, and by liking it he thinks he is the cool guy. He doesn't appreciate music. He only appreciates his ego. At least that's what my research has lead me to conclude.

• I've been a Tim Miller fan for a few years now and Who I Am is one of my favorite songs! I'm just not getting the whole "bland" thing.

• Hey guys- Thanks for all the thoughts/checking out the video etc. Look for the next release Fall 2010. Best, Tim Miller http://www.timmiller.com

• Yes, I'd enjoy seeing that, too.

• "More revealing of his lack of range." Have you listened to any other Tim Miller song? Did you talk to him or his producer about what they were trying to capture in regards to his voice? You may not like his music, which is always subjective, but to say his voice lacks range only shows your lack of objectivity, lack of research, or lack of ability as a critic. Of all the other singer song writers in Dallas that I have listened to both live and recorded, Tim's voice is one of the strongest. So before you pass judgment on his range, I recommend you listen to a few of his songs first or catch one of his shows. Maybe you won't like his sound, but I'm sure you will change your unfounded and uninformed opinion about his voice. But then again, maybe your abilities as a critic lack the range to appreciate different types of voices. I'll do a little more research into your writing before I render that opinion, however. And just wondering: which Dallas singer songwriters you believe are not bland and have great range?

• You said "...everyone's a winner in this game" Just curious what that was in reference to, pete. When you call an act "bland", I'm interested, at times, why you label it that way.

• I really don't see how I brought up <i>any</i> game here, Dave. The only game I see is taking place is the one where commenters ask me to defend criticisms of the town's most bland acts, as if they're the most inventive, interesting things Dallas has. I just don't see the fun in that game...

• Thank you. Appreciate it. You did bring up a game, though, so that's why i asked. It's a fascinating process, really. People create, others critique. If people stop creating, what do the critics have to write about? But if the critics...and they all lived happily ever after.

• Since you asked: It's bland because it drags for four and a half minutes where three and a half were all it needed; because Miller's vocal strain is hardly compelling and more revealing of his lack of range than anything; because we've all heard these same plodding, lovelorn lyrics a million times before (let alone this tired indie-pop arrangement); and because there's absolutely nothing about this song that grabs a listener, compelling him/her to want to actively listen to its contents. Aside from, of course, the video. Certainly, <i>none</i> of this was necessary. But you asked. No games here, Dave. Nor do I have particularly thin skin. It is borderline opaque in places, though, but that's more genetics than anything.

• What game is it that we're playing here, Pete? Is it "the people who can versus the people who critique" game? You seem a bit thin-skinned here. Instead of sarcasm, maybe you could have explained why you think he's bland.

• Ugh.

• Sorry, Dave. You're right. Sometimes I forget that everyone's a winner in this game.

• It's nice that you posted this, pete, but was the first sentence really necessary?

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