Amy Millan - Masters Of The Burial

The Broken Social Scene boys aren't the only ones who can have successful solo careers. Although her name may not be as instantly recognizable as Feist's, Amy Millan of BSS and Stars is just as talented. On her second solo album, Masters of the Burial, Millan channels her love of folk and alt-country, throws in a few cover songs (Weeping Tile, Jenny Whiteley, and Death Cab), and employs the help of Stars bandmate, Evan Cranley, and Feist as well. The subtleties in Millan's music is what makes this album more than just another collection of sad songs. For starters, there's a slow trumpet fade on "Bruised Ghosts," intricate guitar picking on "Towers," and hushed orchestration on "Finish Line." Even Millan's cover of Death Cab's "I Will Follow You Into The Dark" isn't half bad, turning the downtrodden original into an upbeat alt-country jam with mandolin and soft percussion bustling amongst slide guitar. Fans of Millan's first solo album, 2006's Honey From The Tombs, will find enjoyment in the nuances of this record and Millan's ability to take simple song structures and draw a great deal of feeling from them.

DOWNLOAD: Amy Millan - Masters of the Burial [Arts & Crafts]
Recommended Tracks: "Bruised Ghosts," "Towers," "Finish Line," "I Will Follow You Into The Dark."