| Amy Millan is no stranger to catharsis, pulling double duty as a member of New York-by-way-of-Montreal band Stars and Canadian musical collective Broken Social Scene. Her work with those bands, as well as her sweetly distinctive voice and personality, has made her something of an icon to indie rock aficionados.
What a surprise, then, that her solo debut, Honey from the Tombs proves that deep down, she’s a country girl at heart.
Produced by Change of Heart guitarist Ian Blurton, who Millan calls her "rock god," Honey from the Tombs showcases a smaller, more intimate sound than the baroque pop of Stars and the large-scale indie rock of Broken Social Scene. If those bands are the sound of big rock theatre, Millan’s solo debut is a good friend playing acoustic guitar right next to you – something that Millan says is due to the circumstances of the songs’ conception and recording. Guitarist Evan Cranley and keyboardist Chris Seligman from Stars both make guest appearances on the new album.
"It’s just a simple ‘gcd’ for me on my little Martin guitar," Millan says. "It shows the true side of my musical unsophistication. I guess it’s more true to who I am, in a way of being in a bedroom."
Written between 1994 and 2000, the songs on Honey from the Tombs date back to before Millan was a member of Stars or Broken Social Scene. With help from Dan Whitley of Crazy Strings Bluegrass fame, songs such as "He Brings out the Whiskey in Me" and "Losin’ You" manage to make a statement with only the simple use of Millan’s voice and layered acoustic guitars. They have an uplifting feel no matter how sad the subject matter may be.
Showcasing her country side while still retaining her distinctive musical personality, due both to the honesty of her songwriting and the unobtrusive production, the album has more in common with Johnny Cash’s spare sounding American Recordings than with the overproduced twang that defines most modern country.
The record is not without its ambitious moments, however, Millan confessing that she "can’t completely leave the rock behind" in her songwriting. Bringing in Broken Social Scene bandmates Brendan Canning, Charles Spearin and Kevin Drew to help out with the album’s bigger-sounding moments, like "Wayward and Parliament" and "All the Miles," the additional instrumentation doesn’t distract from the album’s intimate nature, a testament to the chemistry between musicians who also happen to be good friends.
In the works for several years, the delay in getting the album finished was due in part to her membership in two hardworking bands. But despite her high-profile commitments, Millan says she’s still going to be playing solo shows behind the record. A true nomad for two years now, Millan is the type of musician whose idea of time off is making more music. This year she has plans to tour and record with Stars, as well as touring with Broken Social Scene and playing solo shows. Such a massive workload would overwhelm most people, but Millan says she wouldn’t have it any other way. She also hints that her next solo album, whenever it may come, might showcase yet another side of her musical personality.
"You have to remember these songs are seven years old. I might be writing an epic rock opera on my next record." |
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