To me, Julie Miller is a paradox. Her personality and mannerisms have earned her the affectionate title of "munchkin" in Christian music. She is giggly and, usually, not too serious. Paradoxically, there are times that she will interject some of the most profound statements. To me, this album is another one of those paradoxes. The Millers (Buddy and Julie) have teamed with Dan Posthuma to produce an album that is surprisingly simple, yet very complex.
The setting for the project is similar to her last album, a blend of predominantly acoustic Pop/Folk/Country that brings comparisons with Kim Hill, Sam Phillips, Mark Heard, and possibly Bonnie Raitt to mind. Miller also performs a wonderful remake of the late Heard's "Treasure of the Broken Land."
She begins and ends with tender hymn-like tunes, setting the base for an open look at Julie Miller. Miller, never one to hide anything from the audience, brings more autobiographical material out for all to see. From the confessional "Mercy's Child" to her personal favorite, "Precious to God," Miller again shares her pains, struggles, and personal faith. "Jesus In Your Eyes" is a tender duet with her husband, Buddy, that has the potential to become a wedding classic.
Perhaps the most ironic thing about this album is her controversial song "S.O.S." (Sick Of Sex). This song was rejected by the record company when she wanted to include it on her last album-which created quite a stir. Now, a couple years later, the same record company is using this song as the basis for promoting the album-a flip side to Madonna's Erotica. Go figure! Nevertheless, this rather blatant song could be considered almost a venture into rap for Miller since the verses are hardly sung, they are delivered almost with a rap rhythm. The rest of the song is certainly not rap, though presented with some urgency, it's more of the usual unusual Miller (another paradox?).
The album was recorded in Los Angeles, Nashville, and New York so that she could have her friends join in on the project-adding a long list of talented artists to the album credits. With the tremendous amount of talent, incredible background vocals, and unique sounds (mandolin, accordion, cello, and classic guitars) the complex layers somehow blend into a wonderfully simple sound-quite a paradox. Regardless, it's a wonderful album that continues the overly public Julie Miller self-analysis that I haven't been able to stop listening to.
Similar sounding releases
1993Billy SpragueThe Wind and the Wave
1995Carolyn ArendsI Can Hear You
1996Linnae ReevesLinnae Reeves
1993Wes KingThe Robe
1994Randy StonehillLazarus Heart
1993Kenny MarksAbsolutely Positively
