Album Review

Jen Bye – Jen Bye

• 3rd Feb 2008

Uber Alles California! Jen Bye (JB) is a godsend with the voice of an impish cherub with a tiny chip on her shoulder. She plays piano and guitar with an ease that astounds and perfectly suits her calm vocals.

Invincible: JB is an opinionated Lisa Loeb lookalike of a woman reflecting on her crazy environment that is her life… apparently. Delivering her conflicting tales of loathing and loving, her trial and triumph enduring soul is exposed with a syrupy smugness not heard since our dear old Alanis Morissette (who coincidentally (?) swears like a sailor too) hit the scene. The music is executed well, albeit restrained by its programmed boundaries. All in all, this is a great track that some how deceives the listener into unfairly stereotyping JB as an opinionated woman…

Tomorrow: Immediately showing us JB’s versatility, this bluesy old time lounge jazz track echoes any Norah Jones vibe, owing for the distinctly different and far less unique vocal that I now realise resounds Kristen Hersh or perhaps The Sundays lead singer Harriet Wheeler. Nevertheless, it’s still an undeniably wonderful voice that’s heard amidst a sensitive and emotive track.

Arse: Not ass, arse, that’s right arse! Odd for an American, maybe, but then they’ve always loved our British terminology haven’t they?! Enough… Throwing Muses (TM) worthy, this track about ‘pulling’ is driven along nicely with raucous guitar and urgent drums that suitably carry a biting vocal and ‘Bright Yellow Gun’ spirit, that great song about, well, the same thing really. No damage done here, it’s a nice delivery of something perhaps a little too predictable.

Mexico: There’s more of a pronounced, shaped vocal delivery here that resounds AM more and more the more you listen. Thankfully, the more emotive (and sometimes whiney) singing and epic soft rock sound distract wonderfully enough to please. The track seems a little directionless and seemingly becomes repetitive before its time. Great sounds not shaped poorly, just below par-ly.

San Francisco: Continuing with the same style vocal, this track is instantly stronger, accessible and well paced track engages the listener with its simplistic composition that succeeds with its ‘not trying to be clever’ self. This is a real triumph that optimizes the JB sound, away from any cynicism. Vonda Shepherd fans should enjoy this whole lot too.

Anyone: Expertly capturing the TM sound once again, JB offers up a safe track that, aside from the enticing lyrics, offers nothing new on yet another quality track.

Heaven: A finely balanced and sweetly delivered up-tempo track that brims with a much welcomed optimism and cheeriness brings this EPK to a close, leaving behind it an urgent wanting for more.

So there you have it, a fantastic set of songs that resound oh so many great bands and female vocalists before her that it’s practically impossible to find anything disappointing amidst her music. Bravo JB!