Chicago singer/songwriter Miller and her acoustic guitar are accompanied by producer Tommy Zender (on just about everything else: guitar, bass, drums, percussion, keyboards, strings, et. al.) on the dozen lovely folk pop tunes that make up her second album. Their arrangements are tight and crisp and Miller?s crystal-clear, emotive vocals will appeal to fans of everyone from new-folkers Sharron Kraus, Bethany Yarrow, and Marissa Nadler to such queens of this familiar territory as Janis Ian, Margo Timmons and Natalie Merchant. Miller adds a bluesy, country swagger to ?Hurricane,? ably abetted by tasty solos form Kara Kulpa (fiddle), Greg Schultz (pedal steel) and Zender?s mandolin. Following this upbeat number, the mood quickly turns tense and dour on ?Danger Danger,? with Ellen O?Hara?s weeping cello and Zender?s tabla supporting Miller?s cautionary tale of the changing times in which we live in, where it?s no longer safe to roam the streets at night.

Miller lets her hair down for some strutting and swaggering to take a stab at a heavier rock sound on ?Rocking Chair.? It?s a commendable attempt at variety, but let?s just say she should stick to the folk-oriented tunes that are more suited to her voice and style, as exemplified by the sweet, lilting, bedtime lullabye ?When I Lay My Love To Bed? that follows. Schultz? pedal steel and Zender?s soft-shoe shuffling drums add a toe-tapping, head-nodding, good-time vibe to the upbeat, optimistic, title track that?ll put an ear-to-ear grin on your face and a warm, cozy feeling in your heart.

Miller and Zender go all Neil Young & Crazy Horse on us with the funky, grungy political statement ?Man With A Gun? and ends on another upbeat note with a song for gays, straights and everyone else who spends their life looking for the ?Light? that to my ear shows a fondness and inspiration of the vintage work of Janis Ian ? and that?s always a good thing. 8/10 -- Jeff Penczak (18 December, 2006)