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Amy Millan
Honey From the Tombs
Arts and Crafts
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Article
written by Matt P
Jul 16, 2006.
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The past year has been a particularly productive one for folky female soloists. We've had excellent albums from Feist, Jenny Lewis and Neko Case among others, and now Amy Millan is stepping out of the supergroups to launch her own solo album.
Honey From the Tombs has much more of a country flavour than any of the aforementioned albums, but still manages to hop genres fairly nimbly. Her voice is also modulated brilliantly throughout, ranging from a wistful falsetto to a deeper and smoother drawl, like a female Bruce Springsteen. The stand out track is the irresistably thumping Skinny Boy, which could be an ode to all things emo, but thankfully is substantially more upbeat. Not far behind is the woozy and sloth-like Wayward and Parliament.
The excitable banjo stuffed Blue In Yr Eye is a brief change of gear in the middle of the album, but despite the chilling appearance of a txtspk title, it fits Millan's vocals well. But the following track, Come Home Loaded Roadie could easily be a country take on Brahms' Lullaby, with its relaxed and languid feel. The last few songs are quintessential low key country, well orchestrated, but with one too many lyrics about drinking too much whiskey.
The real success of this album is that it weaves an overall picture, like few albums do these days: despite Millan hailing from the frozen Canadian wastes (maybe), it conjures dust, ranches, and a drink under the setting sun. With such an unhurried pace, if any album could radiant warmth, it would be this.
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