JJ Heller - Only Love Remains

By Peggy Oliver

Most vocalists craft their pipes and talent through school and church, but songwriting is the essence of this independent recording artist, whose trip to a faraway place and marriage would impact her career - professionally and personally. Meet JJ Heller, who since graduating from college, has laid down three CD’s since 2004 including the latest, Only Love Remains.

Her seasoned voice runs the gamut between a toned down Natalie Merchant and Alanis Morissette. The Lord tugged at Heller through a missionary trip to Africa. Her ministry has grown leaps and bounds since then. The 25-year-old artist balances the Lord’s dominion with a clairvoyant view of the daily Christian walk in her point-on lyrics. It’s been an extremely busy millennium as Heller has opened for Jars of Clay, participated in the music festival Spirit West Coast, and recorded three well-respected projects in the independent music community.

The San Jose Christian College alum connects with a broad age group, but especially to the women who face serious struggles. One song on the new CD (All The Beauty) transpired from a friend’s daughter checking into a highly regarded center for eating disorders, Ramuda Ranch. Heller’s husband, David, completes the songwriting tandem with his arrangements and guitar work.

Electric and acoustic guitar layers plus delightful harmonies decorate Only Love, where all of us are challenged to accept how God made us, not how the world validates us. Always looking for someone to accept us as a work in progress, Love Me sites several examples via troubled humanity: the child whom no one believes, the wife who wants to be more attractive, and the tortured murderer.

Another Thank You song drops references to the hymn Amazing Grace: “For coming down from heaven to save a wretch like me.”

All The Beauty (Kati’s Story) documents a personal battle between inner and outer beauty: “And I will try to see the value that You place on me, And You say I’m worthy.” The usually soothing musical atmosphere also turns up a notch reflecting the subject matter. The relationship between father and daughter is the catalyst for Make Believe, from the teenage father departing the family to the daughter reuniting in later years. Warm accordion emphasis matches the engaging storyline.

Children, one of God’s many miracles, are serenaded on “Lullaby”, backed by dainty guitar strums and Heller’s poignant delivery.

“It’s time to count my blessings, Forget about my savings account for a while.” “When I Leave” takes stock in where our treasures should lie. Once again, a classic Gospel treasure, this time “I’ll Fly Away”, gets the honors for the closing lines.

Everything Is Changing addresses fighting fears and doubts as to where the Lord’s leading us in society: “Can you tell me where I belong?” This track has radio all over it with punchy hooks and friendly melody.

Questions regarding redemption are conveyed via On My Own as lost hope can be found: “What I’ve done is done, And yet when I look in your eyes I am overcome.” Dense keyboard tracks shadow Garden Variety, with all of God’s people earnestly searching for peace in a fallen world. The title track sheds our prideful self into total humility and peeling sinful intentions: “Please kill the liar, kill the thief in me.”

Many heavy-hitters on the contemporary Christian scene comprise the backing band under Jars of Clay production guru Mitch Dane’s pseudo-acoustic path that weaves accordion, mandolin, banjo, and cello into the mix. Besides David Heller, Ben Shive (Andrew Peterson), Bryan Sutton (The Chieftains), and David Henry (Over The Rhine), and others, provide complimentary musicianship that never overwhelms JJ Heller’s insightful vocal approach. Artists like Switchfoot and Caedmon’s Call sometimes provide lyrical evaluation of our lives and how Christ plays a valuable role. Unquestionably, Heller can be added to that list.

Visit www.jjheller.com for more details and purchasing Heller’s full length CD’s: Songs That I Know and Only Love Remains, plus the Collection of Thoughts EP.