Reviews

Artist: EmmaJane
Album:Some Dreams Never Die
Label:Self Released
Tracks: 15
Rating: ***+
Contact:   www.myspace.com/emmajanemusic

One of the great things about being a musician now, provided you're not a technophobe, is the opportunities that are open to you. You can write, produce, master, mix, design, press and burn your album without leaving the house and by just using your computer. You don't have to risk ordering stock that can take you weeks or months to sell, you can hand craft every disk, should you desire.
EmmaJane is part of the new breed of artists that plug in and produce and a good job she makes of it to. Yes this is a recording that is rough around the edges. It lacks the odd eq here, the odd bit of spit and polish there. There needs to be some level setting on the songs but essentially it's an album that is both acomplished and entertaining.
It's not entirely a one woman show either. EmmaJane has the confidence in her own material to allow it to be heard mixed in with the odd cover version. I'm talking proper covers as well. Songs that you've probably heard of by artists in a similar position, The Dixie Chicks, Katie Melua, John Lennon, Eva Cassidy and Ray Charles to be precise. It means that EmmaJane's own songs have the standard by which they are set right next to them and they stand up to that test very well.
"Some Dreams Never Die" is an album title that speaks of hope and the songs themselves are generally up lifting and performed with a spirit that gives them character and a personal touch. EmmaJane sounds like she believes in every note and every word she delivers. It's not perfect, it is straight from the heart, it's why pretty is often more sustained than beautiful, it has passion, it has verve.
It's a singer and her guitar but it speaks volumes about both the singer and her belief in where she wants to be. EmmaJane can both pound at her guitar and play with subtlety. It means that each song comes across in it's own space. It really is like she's playing in your living room because the album does sound so studio live. It feels like being sat in a small bar with listening to a talented friend with a guitar. All this release lacks is the beer.
"Some Dreams Never Die" is an album that shows EmmaJane is not only an artist with talent, she's also an artist with potential. Songs like "Guide Me Home" would sit happily in a lot of artists songbooks, performed by their originator gives them that extra spark. EmmaJane has a little to learn about how a studio works, how to compile an album, she already knows how to sing, write and play a guitar. Check out her site. Listen to the songs, try before you buy, but buy.