Canadian country/Americana singer-songwriter Jen Lane recently released her fifth studio album, This Life of Mine, on February 26th. With her first two releases, Sleepless (1999) and Injection (2002), Lane garnered a lot of attention within the Western Canadian music scene. Sleepless was nominated for a Prairie Music Award when Lane was 16 years old. Her self-titled 2006 album and the 2010 follow-up, For the Night, were both nominated for Western Canadian Music Awards and she received many notable showcases across the country and into the US. I was first introduced to Lane when I was lucky enough to review her duets album with John Antoniuk, Jen & John Duets. Since then, I’ve gone back through her catalogue and I have to say, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed what I’ve heard.
Having previously worked with Vancouver multi-instrumentalist and producer, John MacArthur Ellis, Jen made the last minute call to see if he would be available to produce the new album. Luckily, Ellis cleared his schedule to be part of the project. The next call was to Nick Stecz, who has played drums with Leeroy Stagger for years and was also available. According to Lane, the sessions came together serendipitously and proved to be one of the smoothest, most enjoyable recording experiences Jen has ever had. The record is a culmination of a time in Lane’s personal and creative life. Jen wrote every song, except for “Thirteen”, including the title track.
The album opens with the soft and sweet “Waiting For You”. The track is a sweet reminder from the narrator to their loved one that through the ups and downs, she’ll be there for them. She tells the loved one that she’ll be waiting for them, praying for them, and that she’ll pick them up when they crumble and fall. “Movin’ On” is the second single and fits the theme of the album in that its overarching message to the listener is about perseverance. Jen explains that, “It’s about going through all the highs and lows in life and understanding that the most important thing you can do is to let go and move on. Holding onto things that are painful doesn’t get you anywhere. I know that first hand,” adding that she would rather find inspiration through her tears than just wallow in them.
“1st Day of Spring (In Saskatoon)”is an easy rolling, funny tune poking fun at Saskatoon’s spring time, which evidently is more like extended winter complete with snow on the ground. Half country, half bluegrass, “Shoe” was the first single from the record, and is a foot stomping, rousing tune. “Hollow heart” is a sad heartbreak tune, while “Thirteen” is a nostalgic, sweet little tune about childhood/teen memories, some sweet and some sad.
This Life of Mine concludes with the title track, a track that sounds like more of an internal conversation that you have with yourself, building yourself up and telling yourself to keep going. Obviously a personal, autobiographical song for Lane, the song is all about accepting the life you are given and cherishing it. Jen has made a place for herself within the realms of the country, roots, folk, and Americana genres. This Life of Mine is a strong, solid record, one that carries a statement by an artist who is now comfortable in her own creative skin. She is now able to honestly, sing about the ups and downs of life with passion and depth. I definitely recommend having a listen and keeping an ear out for future released from Lane.
Originally posted here.
