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Toronto singer/songwriter Amy Millan has done/is doing time in three bands (ex-16 Tons, currently with Broken Social Scene and Stars) while working on her first solo album, Honey From the Tombs. Given that Millan’s been toiling away at this for eight years, some of the songs date back to her 16 Tons days or earlier. With Honey, Millan pursues a rootsier, more Country perspective while keeping true to the lush, Indie Pop reputation she’s cultivated, particularly with the orchestrated Pop magnificence of Stars. Millan inhabits a fairly broad range of styles within her Roots/Country parameters, from the bare bones acoustic beauty of “Losin’ You” to the noisy Americana anthem “Skinny Boy” to the Gospel/Bluegrass/Pop hybrid “Ruby II.” Millan’s songs portray an equally broad emotional spectrum, much like John Prine, whose work runs from genuine sadness to his patented heartache-with-a-smirk. Comparisons to Neko Case are probably inevitable and appropriate — multi-banded Canadian Alt.Country chanteuse with extraordinary solo skills. It’s a fair assessment; both Case and Millan are singular talents with amazing track records and bright futures. (Brian Baker) Grade: A-
This article appears in Aug 23-29, 2006.