Sam Billen is a gentleman from Kansas, and one who is a driving force in the remarkable unaccredited talent known as The Billions. When his mother died of cancer, he decided to make a tribute on her behalf, and that homage is Death of A Saint.

To start things off, I have never been much of a connoisseur of piano music. Add piano to a rock album and I eat it up; but I've never had much familiarity with only the ivories. At first listen, I was yearning for lyrics, not just any lyrics, but the lyrics I've grown to love from a band such as The Billions. Initially I was sadly disappointed, but in the end I was sadly pleased. Words would only hinder this album's full capability.

I began this venture jaded, yearning to have the trip end abruptly and in meaningful fashion. But quickly, I wanted it to never cease as I was sucked into Sam Billen's world. Death Of A Saint feels like a journal of a time in a man's life when things were tragic. Starting off slow and bleak, then fast and rocky, but always ending on joy and hope. I began to picture words in my head, staring at blankness and thinking of past events gone awry. Then came hope.

Billen's emotions become mine as I nearly sense the tragedy he is going through. Wrestling with thoughts and questions, and nowhere to go but up to Jesus. This is beautiful music. Thank you, Sam Billen, for letting me walk around in your shoes, even if only for an hour.

Oh how Sam Billen's mother must be looking down, proud.

- Review date: 3/23/02, written by Blake Garris