Essie Jain - We Made This Ourselves
by Maarten Schiethart
published: 19 / 3 / 2008
Label:
Leaf Label
Format: CD
intro
Bittersweet, but excellent debut album which reflects on relationships having gone badly wrong from London-raised, but now New York-based solo artist, Essie Jain
Originally released on Brooklyn's Ba Da Bing Records, London-raised solo musician Essie Jain's debut is now released outside of North America via The Leaf Label which is rapidly becoming the trademark of an excellent taste in music. Sadly enough, an LP release is not(yet) in the can, unlike many other previous Leaf Label releases, even though this concise ten track album very neatly fits such a format. Although nowadays she resides in the Big Apple there's absolutely nothing nuyorican about her either. Her pristine Sandy Dennis inspired vocals remain ever so British. Sarcastic wit, notwithstanding the friendly and polite drain of thoughts, builds the theme for what ultimately is a reflection on relationships gone dire and sour. As she put words eloquently and wrote music so gracefully, the listener automatically chooses to side with Essie Jain. Essie teamed up with guitarist Patrick Glynn, whilst Jim White of The Dirty Three helped her along at a later stage, yet 'We Made This Ourselves' reflects her private thoughts and songs only. I must admit that I felt a little puzzled by the album title. Essie Jain's debut album is highly personal. Her performance is rather exquisite and showcases a neat flow of songs, that rely both on anxiety as well as on maturity. Essie Jain's background, which would stem from a musical family, is of tremendous help here. Almost each time, she would find the right note to go with her 'Songs Of Love And Hate'. Almost.
Track Listing:-
1 Glory2 Haze
3 Sailor
4 Talking
5 Indefinable
6 Disgrace
7 Give
8 Understand
9 Loaded
10 No Mistake
Label Links:-
http://www.theleaflabel.com/en/index.phphttps://www.facebook.com/theleaflabel
https://twitter.com/theleaflabel
https://www.youtube.com/user/theleaflabel
https://plus.google.com/109098497483046618790
reviews |
The Inbetween (2008) |
Confident and optimistic-sounding second album from gorgeous-voiced New York-based singer-songwriter Essie Jain, which has been re-released in an European edition with two extra tracks |
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
most viewed reviews
current edition
Marika Hackman - Big SighSerious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning Dew
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart