Kim Hill has taken the broken pieces of her life and spun them into roots rock gold on "Broken Things," her new release from 33rd Street Records, releasing Sept. 26th.
There are many special things about Kim Hill, Christian music's answer to Melissa Etheridge. Just a few of them include her honesty, her authentic rock chops, her gritty vocals, and on "Broken Things," her willingness to tap some of Christian Music's premiere songwriters for a strong list of compelling real-life songs. Hill actually co-wrote five of the album's eleven tracks, the theme of brokenness ringing with truth throughout. Contributors include Mark Lee (Third Day), Marc Byrd, Margaret Becker, Rodney Clawson, Chad Cates, Jill Phillips and Andy Gullahorn, and Kate Miner, whose gorgeous piano ballad "Just the Same" closes the project beautifully. It's a stellar list of talent, its collective wattage shining mightily on "Broken Things."
The album has a classic rock feel to it, and its simple production values wisely let the music alone to weave its considerable charms. Hill believes that "we all have some sort of brokenness in our lives and when we learn to embrace it, to be honest about it, we emerge more whole." She has mined the pain of her past to inform and enrich these songs addressing issues of shame, judgment, healing and grace. Modern rocker "You Don't Run Away" is Kim's acoustic reply to the loneliness and judgment that can be experienced in the church by "outsiders," and insiders too. Her low vocals lay down highways of truth through the lovely strings of "Run Away" and the very personal "Blame Somebody Else." Her own heart-wringer "Wide" movingly expresses the burdens of shame in a legalistic culture, but the folk-rocker "A Million Pieces" joyously cuts loose with the only Grace that heals: "She's finally seen the light/ that He loves broken things/ So let all the pieces fall/ and see what that freedom brings." Her gritty vocals overflow with the freedom of her own healing.
This is the 13th album from survivor Kim Hill, and one with something for every listener. Don't miss "Broken Things."
