Julie Miller, Broken Things

Far too many country artists are simply depressing in their music. The tales of lost love and the lonely life are often impossible to listen to for long. The depression may soothe you at times, but there’s nowhere to go afterward.

Julie Miller’s songs are different. Her songs are full of depression, lost love, and depravity – but through each runs a thread of hope, a voice saying, “I’ve survived so far, and I can see the end of my trials.” She looks heavenward, and sees meaning in what she goes through. “Someday your tears will turn to diamonds / With a kiss you’ll wake to see / That you’re strong at the broken places / I know someday you’ll go free.” (“Ride the Wind to Me”)

Sonically, the album rides the alt.country line, drifting into folk, gospel, and straight-out rock. Julie’s husband of 17 years, Buddy, brings his considerable talent on the guitar to bear throughout the songs. His playing is occasionally ambient, occasionally dissonant, and always a perfect match to the feel of the song. And if that’s not enough, an all-star cast joins the Millers on this venture – including Emmylou Harris, Phil Madeira, Steve Earle, Victoria Williams, and Patty Griffin.

The title track is easily the best on the album. Written in response to a tragic bombing in Ireland in 1993, “Broken Things” is dedicated to the families of those killed. The song is a prayer, and Julie’s voice is soft and touching as she is joined by Emmylou Harris: “You can have my heart / If you don’t mind broken things … Well I heard that you make all things new / So I give these pieces all to you….”

Unlike most of CCM, with its Gnostic tendencies, Julie Miller thrives in the physical, the intimate, the parts of life that many Christians don’t like to think about. “I need something like morphine, only better/ I need something like a kiss, that lasts forever,” she wails in “I Need You,” as she searches for something more than lovers and money. It’s not the kind of song you’d expect to hear on Christian radio.

“Strange Lover” follows along the same lines: “You come around and it’s a hurricane / You say it’s bad luck, but I know it’s cocaine … Don’t hit on me to put up your bail / You’re better off right there in jail.” These are hard words – but she has something to say and she’s not afraid to say it. Her message will not stop for the prudishness of today’s Christian music scene.

Amidst all of this, her voice shines. It is otherworldly and silvery, faint and thin, yet rising up strong to move you in ways a more traditional voice simply can’t do. It’s innocent and girlish – and then knowing and gritty the next moment. She is joined by her husband’s voice in many of the songs; their voices blend in close harmonies throughout the album, his twang surprisingly appropriate next to her eerie tones.

“Broken Things” shows you Julie Miller’s experiences, breaking your heart and guiding you toward the path of healing. She leads you through scenes of autumn, colorful and forlorn, to roads awash in rain and bleakness, punctuated by a single figure, searching for her lost lover, searching for redemption, hoping in all things.

As you listen, you’ll find yourself alongside her in the landscapes she paints for you – and you won’t want to leave.

Related Links:
  Buy Broken Things at Amazon.com