Julie Miller

Item: Invisible Girl
Author: Roger Appelinski

Invisible Girl

(1994)

Reviewed by Roger Appelinski

Discogs YouTube

Label Street LevelThe LighthouseMarch 1995

acoustic blues folk singer-songwriter

Many of Julie Miller's past songs have been written about herself, or from her perspective, such as her praise songs. With Invisible Girl, several of the songs are written in the third person, or in a removed first person--speaking for someone else. Miller wrote much of the album--seven of the eleven tracks, and working with her husband, Buddy on one of those.

The project opens with a scaled-down "Nobody's Child," with a pair of guitars, bass, drum and organ creating a bluesy folk feel and Miller's vocals taking the front of the sound. It not only sets much of the musical tone for the project, but also the lyrical framework as well. While "Nobody's Child" and much of the album is written about/to Miller's niece, who is an abused child, the songs go far beyond that--to all "children" who feel small, hurt, and invisible. It affirms "a place where you belong/Where you can rest your soul a while/A Place where you can be a child... Come all you ragged and unshod/Come and be embraced and loved by God."

You could take "Runaway Heart" on several levels, but I view it as a song about Jesus constantly seeking after a girl in "dirty clothes," who doesn't realize her true beauty: "She's so blind that she won't see/Her heart is locked up in jail/and he's got the key/She's got a runaway heart/And he's out to get her back." This track also mixes in more acoustic guitar and harmonica for a lighter folk feel--a prominent sound throughout the album.

"In My Eyes" is a simple, yet lush, downbeat tune that is my favorite on the project. Another that you could take on dual levels, for me the song is written from God's perspective to one of His children as a reminder of how special we are to Him. It was written for one girl in particular, but the appeal goes far beyond that, and the lyrics would be an incredible help to anyone's self esteem. For me, it's a lyrical masterpiece, but one of the highlights is the bridge into third verse and chorus: "Through the eyes of Love/A perfect child is all I see/You'll find your true reflection/When you look at me/So keep my words hide them in your heart/'Cause that's the truth of who you really are/If you should stumble if you should fall/They'll wash you clean just to recall/That in my eyes you shine so bright/You are so beautiful and dressed in white/A precious child a precious child in my eyes."

Miller manages to take a few enjoyable musical detours through the project. "Too Many Troubles" is a simple bluesy track with some BGVs by King Cotton and others. Another highlight is "I Will be With You," with BGVs by Charlie Peacock. The real standout, however, is "The Back of Your Head," written and performed by the Scottish group The Electrics. It's a lighthearted upbeat tune telling of someone misled by someone else.

Miller provides excellent background vocals for herself throughout the project, so it's ironic that on "I Like You" she performs a duet with a voice very similar to hers--Victoria Williams. The song is a light and simple tune--something almost like a lullaby or children's tune.

The musical setting isn't stale or exactly the same as her previous albums--maybe just a little slower and more deliberate--but it hasn't taken any serious turns either. If you like her work, or some pseudo-unplugged/folk-ish music, this is something you might give a shot.