Customer Reviews

The Family Jewels

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I haven't enjoyed a cd this much since Florence and the Machine's "Lungs" from last year. Marina Diamandis is like a mixture of Regina Spektor, Kate Nash, and Santigold with dare I say it, a little Katy Perry attitude thrown in. But make no mistake, Marina has her own distinct voice and unique interpretation on a genre that is starting to gain in popularity. Marina has till this point received virtually zero recognition in the States, and I sincerely hope with this lp people everywhere will gain an appreciation for this wildly talented artist.

If I had to describe this album in one word-it would simply be fun. From the catchy, intelligent lyrics to the sic beats with an underlying dance vibe, this is an album that will make you smile and probably tap your feet to as well. I really appreciate the inclusion of several different instruments into the music as well, making the music just as intricate and entertaining as her lyrics. The actual music is pretty diverse as well with bubblegum pop, punk, disco glam, and cabaret all making appearances, though all of it falling firmly in the adult pop category. Despite the range of different musical styles, the cd is extremely cohesive in large part to the upbeat tone that pervades every track even the intense emotional tracks like "The Outsider" and "I Am Not a Robot."

Marina has a very interesting voice quality that I suspect could get on some people's nerves especially when she purposefully sings odd lower notes sometimes. However, I love it. I think it's just the right amount of different but still accessible and not too weird. In general though, while not broadway material, it's pleasant and powerful with a tremendous amount of delicious attitude.

Marina has something new and fresh to offer, and if you like good music I would highly recommend this album!

Many people will probably dismiss this album after hearing a track or two. Honestly, I wouldn't blame them, but it would be a shame.

Half the lyrics are deeply-felt and earnest but slightly-comical, like those of generations of college sophomores who think they're the first to experience an intellectual and moral awakening. (Think Avril Lavigne without the attitude or Bono without the poetry.) The other half are mostly just banal. Even the worst songs have the occasional clever turn of phrase, though: "I'm obsessed with the mess that's America" (from Hollywood) has been running through my brain all week. And, in her own defense, Diamandis would probably say (as in I Am Not a Robot) "better to be hated than loved, loved, loved for what you're not".

The music is also in some ways simply standard pop fare, right down to a very hot mix presumably designed to compete with the over-processed garbage that currently infests the airwaves. But at least the elements stuffed into that mix are tasty, from some clever sequencer riffs to an honest-to-goodness string section. In fact, at times the production rises to the level of something between Imogen Heap and one of the better synth-happy 80s acts.

Ultimately, Diamandis is, if not wholly original, too quirky to be pigeonholed. Think Lene Lovich meets Tori Amos, with a pinch of Kate Bush and a dash of Feist. The first song I heard from this album was "I Am Not a Robot", and for me it's the most interesting and charming of the 13 tracks on the UK release. (As I write this, the US release is still months away.) It has something of the same flavor as Yael Naïm's New Soul or Feist's 1234 (certainly a plus in my book), but I think the reason I like it best is that we actually get to hear Diamandis' voice--and its an interesting voice, worth hearing.

So, buy this album or not, but I'd recommend checking out at least "I Am Not a Robot". And I'm looking forward to hearing what Marina & the Diamonds' does next.

Hollywood is one of the catchiest and best songs of 2010. On the strength of that song alone I imported the album from the UK and it is awesome. The only thing that puzzles me has been the singles choices so far. I Am Not A Robot, Mowgli's Road and Oh No are fine songs but for me there are some tracks that I'd have thought would have made much better single choices - Are You Satisfied, The Outsider and, especially, Hermit the Frog. I take four teenage girls carpool to school every day (pity me) and they usually despise my music choices. Marina is the one artist we (nearly) all enjoy. Hermit the Frog could be a massive hit record if they are a representative sample of teen musical tastes today!

There's no one else quite like Marina. Very catchy and upbeat songs indeed and a unique voice. Somehow on Shampain she sounds just like the ABBA girls in the chorus.

Hope to see her in the US in concert before she gets too popular.

I'm not given to gushing, but this album is great. Marina arrives by way of Kate Bush's strangest (and IMHO best) album, The Dreaming. I believe Marina when she says she was unaware of most people she has been compared to, including Kate. She's not copying the sound, after all, but it's the same wellspring of weirdness. She chirps, and on "Mowgli's Road" (my favorite of the lot) she actually cukoos. She wails, and belts out some tunes ("Hollywood"). She makes perfect sense out of seeming contradiction when she pleadingly asked for understanding that "I Am Not a Robot" but on "Oh No!" confesses that she knows exactly why she walks and talks like a machine. I also love "Shampain," even with it's painful misspelling. The music tends towards banged-out chords and big drums, but all quite tuneful and melodic. If the vocals were AutoTuned, it doesn't sound like it. There's real warmth here. All in all, there's a lot to love.

I have listened to Marina since her debuts. I appreciate her vulnerability and her ability to dramatically express the various tragedies and comedies of life through her music. Marina is fastly rising to the top. She is brilliant and creative to the core. Multiple talents and class ooze out of each song. I have delighted in the poetry, and the common threads developing through the sequence of presentation. Even though I am 30 years her senior, I find that I have been swept into the emotion that each song evicts. I won't even venture to guess who she sounds like, as I am not familiar with much of today's pop music. My entire family enjoys her music, because she is creative and genuine to the core. May she rise to the top and stay there for a very long time! She is most delightful and insightful.

I have been listening to her for well over a year already, got hooked on obsessions. Been patiently waiting for her first album and although it's been released in the UK it has yet to be released here in America. Let me just tell you now she is beyond brilliant. I have had her entire album on repeat from her Myspace since it was released. I cannot wait to actually have a physical copy of it. Some of my favorite songs are Hollywood, Obsessions, I Am Not a Robot, Mowgli's Road, Guilty, Shampain, Are You Satisified, and Oh No. Honestly though the entire album is good. You won't regret purchasing it oh and incase you were wondering she sounds just as amazing or possibly more live. Saw her at SXSW this past March and I can honestly say it was the best and most genuine concert ever! Only bad thing is that her song Seventeen is not on this album.

I am awfully surprised that there aren't more reviews for this insanely talented woman. I didn't think it was possible to listen to one album and feel like I've been taken from the past to the future in one sitting. This album has a very 80's feel with a hint of something yet to come that she's bringing about.

The only reason I rated this a 4 and not a 5 is because I feel like the last half of the album is just a tad weaker than the first half after 'Hollywood' ends. I must say I find that song to be extremely ballsy of her and most enjoyable. It's a guilty pleasure. I certainly hope when she tours the USA she opens with that one. I feel like she's on to something most people just aren't cute or talented enough to get away with :).

Marina has a talent for writing as well, my favorite song on the album is definitely "I Am Not A Robot". It's very vulnerable and mighty at the same time, while her voice has both masculine and feminine tones to it. I adore her hypnotic lyrics "you are so magnetic, you pick up all the pins".

I wouldn't want to compare her to anyone else, especially vocally, but some of her songs are slightly reminiscent of other artists. For instance "Rootless" and "Mowgli's Road" are reminiscent of Imogen Heap and Sia, while "Girls" and "Outsiders" have the sass of Katy Perry and Lily Allen, although I prefer Marina's voice.

Marina may have had many influences for this album, but she still manages to standout and be unparalleled.

I just love this record. I am not really into bubblegum pop yet somehow Marina has me sold. She has the most beautiful, haunting, incredible voice and on top of that, her music is fun and catchy at times and other times deep and emotional. It is refreshing to see a young pop star actually write her own music and write about her obsession and motivation to succeed and not go on and on about sex, drugs and superficial relationships. This girl has attitude, a point of view and tremendous talent - I expect amazing music from her in the future. I hope she releases a live concert on DVD...I would love to watch her perform live.

I'm not a big fan of pop music, but this is VERY impressive for a first album!
Imagine, a young woman who can really sing and knows how to write a song with a hook (13 songs, to be exact !).
Buy this one.

My friend recently told me about Marina & the Diamonds and I am in love with her! Her songs are so catchy. My favorite songs off the album are Are You Satisfied, Hollywood, and I Am Not A Robot, but all of her songs are great. I have been listening to this album non stop since finding out about her. She deserves to be huge. She is so much better than most of the music on the radio today. Buy this album, especially if you like Kate Nash or Florence + the Machine, you will not regret it.