Financed via sales of original demo recordings and an enhanced video CD, Scott Miller and The Commonwealth's "For Crying Out Loud" is the band's first album under their own record label F.A.Y. Records. Leader Scott Miller first gained attention as the front man of the alt-country group The V-Roys and after that band split-up, he formed the Commonwealth and has been recording records ever since. "For Crying Out Loud" mixes fun, inspired rockers like "Wildcat Whistle" and the album opening "Cheap Ain't Cheap (For Crying Out Loud)." The latter song is the obvious title track and it transfers the marketing phrase “there’s no such thing as a free lunch” and turns it into a lyric about earning what you get instead of expecting to get handouts or stuff for 'cheap.'
The bluesy "Sin In Indiana" is a fun, barely two minute long story song with inspired instrumental work (slide guitar). The power chords return with "Iron Gate," a country-rocker that discusses a stubborn woman. It's the kind of rock n roll that used to be a staple of Jack Ingram's Texas Country/rock repertoire. "Let You Down" continues the country/rock vibe while "Heart In Harm's Way," with some groovy B3 organ work from producer Michael Webb, mixes the R&B sounds of the Delta with a twangy country vocal.
"Claire Marie" is another song with tempo and this one has a honky tonk Jerry Lee Lewis feel while "Double indemnity" shows off more of Miller's strong study of human nature and society. It's a great song that, in a just world, would find itself rising up the Country radio charts as it is leagues better than many of the songs that have become top hits. Depending on whom you ask you will get multiple answers about what type of music Scott Miller and the Commonwealth make. Some will call it country or rock or Americana or even roots music. You know what I call it "For Crying Out Loud?" It's just "good music." No, check that. It's just "damn good music."
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