Customer Reviews

Asianblue

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Emm Gryner has been my favourite female artist for a long time now. 'Asianblue' is Emm's newest release filled with pop rock anthems. Though more pop driven then her other albums, it still gives off amazing energy and it still has classic Emm lyrics and piano. A great CD for the car or when you're hanging out outside in the backyard.

01 Symphonic : the album opens beautifully with this fast paced song

02 Beautiful Things : the single, amazing hook and melody

03 Northern Holiday : was my favourite song when I first got the album, still amazing though no longer my favourite song on the CD

04 Free : the lyrics hit home, a beautifully written song about wanting to be free

05 Young Rebel : this song has great lyrics

06 Siamese Star : a slower song but nonetheless a great song to listen to whatever your mood

07 Lonestar : one of my favourites, really catchy and a great tune

08 Christopher : very slow, amazing heartfelt lyrics and piano is superb

09 Divine Like You : it's got a different tune and I like it

10 East Coast Angel : my favourite song, I just love the melody and lyrics

11 Green Goodnight : slow, sad, beautiful. The true Emm.

If you want to listen to good music, buy this CD!

After 2001's stripped-down covers disc, Girl Versions, who would've guessed that Emm Gryner would return with the pop masterpiece that is her seventh album, Asianblue. Opening track, "Symphonic," begins with the song's primary piano line filtered to sound as if it were coming through an older radio almost as a nod to the simpler sound she's left behind. Veteran producer Wally Gagel (Eels, Folk Implosion, Rolling Stones) does a nice job in making the disc sound well crafted while staying away from the pitfalls of overproduction. "Free" is a time signature away from sounding at home on the clubfloor while "Young Rebel" begins with an ethnic slant that would make Shakira jealous. After all is said and done however the disc's closing track, "Green Goodnight," returns Emm to the simpler piano and vocals on which most of her fans became accustomed. Asianblue shows that radio-friendly pop can be made successfully on one's own terms without outside interference.

Back in 1998 when she released 'Public' and had her only real radio hit 'Summerlong' she was starting to get a bit of attention. But when she got dropped from her record label and had to become an indie artist, exposure became more difficult. This is partly good as she has become a role model of sorts for aspiring indie artists, but at the same time it is a shame that she is not better known. She could have a level of fame similar to Tori Amos, not huge but certainly a known name.

Asian Blue is perhaps her strongest work to date(Public and Science Fair are pretty solid too) with a variety of sounds and musical styles incorporated into the record. Solid from start to finish, there isn't a bad track on the album. Asian Blue and Emm Gryner are true hidden gems in Canadian music. Go check out this album, you won't be disappointed. I would give it at least 4 stars, heck make it 5, this woman needs some exposure!

Ok, she's from my hometown (but I left there 20 odd years ago).
This is one of the most amazing albums I own. 100% listenable (how many albums can you say that about!), unique and very well produced.
I discovered Emm when I was home for a week and she did some local show. I was highly impressed and immediately bought the CD (from her mom I think!). I don't have any other of her CDs.
Her voice is sweet and magical and the music is rich and varied.
Buy this. Buy it now.

Somebody please tell me why this young woman is not a big star yet, in Canada or elsewhere. It's rare in pop music to find an artist who gets consistently better after each album (Bjork is the only other female singer that comes to mind).
While this isn't my favourite Emm Gryner album (Public was awesome) it is a perfect portrait of an gifted musician growing into her own skin. The intricate weave of complex instrumentation to vocals shows she's an even better songwriter than a singer. Thankfully she retains her love of the cello as a pop instrument, though I REALLY, REALLY WISH she'd break out the electric guitar more often for more rockin'out tunes like in Public (let's hope she's reading this).
My one (very minor) criticism of the album is her nascent use of electronic/DJ rhythms. Emm the songwriter should have given them a little more thought before employing them in one or two of her tracks.
But all in all, I think anybody who enjoys excellence in popular music should buy this CD.

Asianblue, Emm Gryner's 5th release, 4th independent, is a soaring accomplishment in melody and heartfelt honest lyrics.

11 astonishing tracks each out doing the last!

Symphonic, Beautiful Things, Northern Holiday, Free, and Young Rebel, all feel like a happy walk down a peaceful neighborhood street with the sun shinning down. These songs start the record with a smile.

Siamese Star's amazing intro is what carries the beautiful ballad from a happy walk to a soothing slumber as the records transitional song.

Lone Star, Christopher, Divine Like You, East Coast Angel and Green Goodnight close the album so well, wrapping up the listening experience in a way that makes you want to tear it open again like that first present on Christmas morning.

Asianblue is a top ten 2002 album for sure!

I cannot promote Emm Gryner enough. Sheer talent has propelled her and I am bewildered why her songs aren't given more airplay. Her songs are beautifully crafted and on her latest album, "Asianblue", she incorporates techno beats on top of her excellent piano and vocal skills. Her lyrics are very catchy, her melodies highly emotional. In fact, it was this very album that got me through a very disappointing break-up.

My favourites on this album are Symphonic, Beautiful Things, Lonestar, Christopher, and East Coast Angel, although I love all of them. While there are techno dance beats on some of the songs, Emm has many songs that are happily reminiscent of her previous delicate songs with just her voice and the piano. She is an artist that never ceases to excite me with her music. As I said in another review, Emm Gryner is Canada's "Hidden" Gem. I can't wait until her next album!!!!

For those of you already familiar with Emm, this album needs no introduction. Unfortunately, her popularity hasn't nearly managed to keep pace with her significant talent, and she is virtually unknown in the States. (you can't find her ablums in stores ANYWHERE down there... believe me, I've looked) That's only fitting, as her career thus far hasn't exactly been a smooth ride. No matter what though, through the lows of getting dropped by her record company, to forming her own Dead Daisy Records label, and to the highs of touring with David Bowie she has persevered magnificently, and presents us with another excellent album.
On "Asian Blue", her third release of completely original material, Emm provides 11 upbeat tracks and continues to demonstrate her growth as an artist. The lyrics are well written and delivered, and backed up by catchy music that will leave you be humming for days. There is no filler material on this album, but some clear standouts/personal favorites include the opener "Symphonic", "Northern Holiday", "Lonestar", and "East Coast Angel". As always, the best instrument is Emm's voice, which just gets better with each album and is used to beautiful effect on "Asian Blue".
All told, this is a great time and disc to become aquainted with Emm's work. Don't let her relative obscurity fool you. She's one of the best kept secrets in pop music, and a welcome breath of fresh air from the norm.

Emm is a music lover's musician. She combines a variety of musical styles with compelling and thought provoking lyrics. Top this off with her powerful vocal range and you have a CD that grips you from the first track to the last and begs you to play it again.

After a disappointing encounter with her record company, it would have been easy for Emm to pack in her musical career. Her response! Produce her own albums under her own record label and keep on going. "Northern Holiday" reflects Emm's unwillingness to be a victim and to continue to pursue her career. "Symphonic" and "East Coast Angel" - assuming they are somewhat autobiographical - reflect the impact of loves in her life and even then when things don't turn out exactly as planned, Emm continues to be in control of her life and refuses to be a victim. Through her music, Emm is a role model in how to approach and live life.

An empowering, thought provoking and highly entertaining collection of music. If there is one CD to own, this is it.

this girl makes me proud to be a Canadian! This girl can sing but most of all...she can WRITE. Emm's flawless writing and beautiful songs have definitely captured me. Emm's albums will NEVER disappoint you!