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
Pennyblackmusic - Writers and Photographers' Albums of the Year 2024Peter Perrett - In Dreams Begin Responsibilities Interview Part One
Man From Delmonte - Interview
Clive Langer - Interview
Pennyblackmusic - Book of the Year Award 2024
Johnnie Johnstone - Interview
Marianne Faithfull - Reflections
Laura Nyro - Profile
Johny Brown - Corpse Flower
Vinyl Stories - Vinyl 2024
most viewed reviews
current edition
Dorie Jackson - Stupid Says RunRingo Starr - Look Up
Beabadoobee - This is How The World Moves
Pixie Lott - Encino
Dusty Springfield - The BBC Sessions
Unthanks - In Winter
Joan Armatrading - How Did This Happen and What Does It Mean?
Rosie Lowe - Lover, Other
Oïmiakon - Comptoir Des Vanites
Emily Burns - Die Happy
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