Brothers' Sam and Dan Billen wanted to start a band. So in the summer of 1998, they asked close friend Jared Bowes to help and history was finally made with the inception of The Billions. Well, not yet anyway, but very soon. With two releases under their belt and help from rock legend Kerry Livgren of Kansas fame, Quiet as It's Kept makes three times a pure charm.

To begin, I don't know if there are even words to describe what this album really does. I have never in my life listened to something and had to play the entire song from beginning to end just to get the total, pure feel. If you were keeping score, this would make it one. Going through track by track, as I did, listening to only a snippet of each song made me miss oh, so much! There are about four or five things going on simultaneously where each track might just have to be played over and over only to hear what you missed. "Millions of Miles," the opener, has somewhat of a slow Weezer feel that doesn't jump into the murky depths of cheesy pop like it's predecessor. "Close Your Eyes" is next, and a great song that brings to mind James Taylor or some later Beatles work where "Picture of You" is something Bob Dylan himself wouldn't pass up. "Victorian Shade" sounds much like Sting in his prime as "He Advances" brings to the table the good vibes of a Pink Floyd or Queen. "Hand of Jesus" is the type of song the late George Harrison, God rest his soul, would have probably released where "Cavern" shows a Dylan-esce feel with almost haunting vocal resemblance's to John Lennon. "The Weight of Eternity," the last track and highlight for me brings a little Simon and Garfunkel type vibe. Also, a hidden track at the end makes for a great tune that brings some warm Christmas cheer.

Quiet as It's Kept is more than an album, it's a major motion picture for which numerous listens bring along the question, 'How'd I miss that?' This is an "everything that's great about the 70's" compilation with a dash of some 2000 flavor. If you pass this one up, you are the one missing out. I'd hate to say I told you so. So quit searching, you won't find anybody like this. Say hello to the soon to be billions and billions of The Billion's fans.

- Review date: 12/24/01, written by Blake Garris