Search - Julie Miller :: Broken Things

Julie Miller's Hightone debut, Blue Pony, was a critical success based on its winning combination of Miller's superior songwriting, plaintive vocals, and husband Buddy's rockin' production. Broken Things is, if anything, a step up, with nary a weak song in the bunch and guest appearances by Patty Griffin, Victoria Williams, Emmylou Harris, and Steve Earle. Many of its charms are encapsulated in the opener, "Ride the Wind to Me": swinging, solid grooves; twangy harmonies (courtesy of hubby); and a chorus that lifts the heart while it captures the ear. Miller's voice is a study in contrasts: an unforced "little-girl" breathiness combined with a bluesy roughness around the edges. Her obvious foundation in country and mountain music and her ability to add slight twists to her lyrics make ballads like "I Still Cry" and the title song into new classics rather than exercises in "retro." Buddy's time in Harris's Spyboy band has helped him add some of the "ambient-roots" sound of Wrecking Ball to the proceedings. It is all to the good, further enhancing an emotionally resonant record. --Michael Ross