Customer Reviews

Life Is Sweet

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

One of the other reviewers commented on how successful this album was at annihilating Maria McKee's commercial fortunes. Given the rich roots music repertoire and homey-but-sultry phrasing and vocal tone she had built up with Lone Justice and in her solo career, that's understandable. Why destroy a blueprint that works so beautifully? Well, in this case, it's because the new plan is also preciously valuable.

This album has absolutely zilch to do with anything that Maria had ever done previously in her career. Gone are almost all traces of country or RnB influence. She replaces that with the distorted guitar (played by Maria!) cum orchestral arrangements approach Mick Ronson used on such David Bowie albums as The Man Who Sold the World, Hunky Dory, and Ziggy Stardust, while her lyrical and vocal approach here mirrors the nearly-psychotic confessional fury of Alanis Morisette, or, more accurately, Kurt Cobain, and uses a generally thinner tone in quieter moments than she used earlier in her career. Jarring rhythm shifts and vocal howls. Bracing guitar work. Most of the songs here reflect an obsession with abandonment, betrayal, pain, and multiple personality disorders. Not easy listening by any means! However, for the most part, the album resonates.

A track-by-track assessment:

1) Scarlover (9/10) - An angry whammy-bar riff, growling vocal savagery, and a soaring chorus very highly reminiscent of Bowie's early '70s space-rock shenanigans. Although I'm sure most Maria fans threw things at the stereo in dumbfounded dismay at hearing this, it's very good for what it is. Also, the bridge, with the Little Diva cooing in her "old voice," takes the song over the top.

2) This Perfect Dress (8/10) - One of the quietest songs on the album. The spaghetti western instrumental track and vocal restraint make this the song on this album which most closely resembles her prior career.

3) Absolutely Barking Stars (10/10) - What a great song - Maria croons like a female Chris Isaak in the verses, howls like Alanis at her most desperate in the chorus, and coos the title like Juliana Hatfield. And the fantastic distorted guitar riffs - the great chorus riff stolen from the bridge of "Ziggy Stardust" and the wailing break - that's Miss "Show Me Heaven" rocking out! Wow!!!

4) I'm Not Listening (7/10) - The most abrasive cut on the album, dramatically contrasting the quiet, piano-driven verses with the jaggedly angular choruses, building up to a break in which Maria scream-shouts her guts out like Kurt in "Scentless Apprentice." This one has grown on me over time.

5) Everybody (8/10) - Relentlessly unsyncopated pounding in the verses combined with a remarkably catchy chorus. This is the most radio-ready thing here - it's quite easy to imagine it on mid-90s radio, but of course Geffen Records viewed this album as a piece of manure and had no desire to market it, so.....

6) Smarter (8/10) - Another soaring Bowiesque chorus. Roiling guitar work.

7) What Else You Wanna Know (6/10) - Midtempo, interesting riff.

8) I'm Awake (7/10) - The closest thing to a ballad here. Smooth orchestral texture.

9) Human (6/10) - Another midtempo number with a brooding guitar riff. Maria uses her falsetto to good effect.

10) Carried (4/10) - Yet another midtempo song, bland chorus, by far the most forgettable thing here.

11) Life is Sweet (10/10) - After all the bitterness, anger, anxiety, and anguish of the rest of the tracks, Maria unleashes her valentine to humankind, a moving manifesto of compassion using detailed lyrical snapshots of her objects of affection. (Note: the only misstep in this masterpiece of a song, Maria's favorite in her own catalogue, is "this one is for the girl who says those voices in her head never leave her alone.... you're not crazy." Um, Maria, that would be the very dictionary definition of crazy....) She accompanies herself with subdued, clipped electric strumming while delivering one of her most impassioned vocals in a lullaby half-whisper. This track has a vulnerability reminiscent of Paul Westerburg's desperate romantic confessionals with the Replacements.

12) Afterlife (8/10) - "Life is Sweet" erupts into this coda of squalling reverb guitars, sweet strings, tribally pounding tom-toms, and Maria's wailing glossalalia. Other fans have compared this to My Bloody Valentine, which isn't fair to that band's artistry. Most folks assert that the redux of "Life is Sweet"/"Afterlife" on Maria's next album, High Dive, is inferior, but that is, in my opinion, mostly because her vocal on that album until the coda is too restrained and mannered. I think that "Afterlife" is far, far better on High Dive, because it gives a greater centrality to Maria's vocalizing and provides much more convincing instrumental evidence that life is indeed sweet.

What more can I say about this album? that its commercial fortunes were tragically unfair. that Maria fans tend to be far too critical of what is a near-masterpiece just because it doesn't sound like the Maria they first warmed up to. that, although it's not what she'll be remembered for, it's the best thing in her catalogue. that you should write to Geffen and lambast them for deleting it. that you should write to the Little Diva and tell her thank you. Purchase used and enjoy.

Somehow, through the chaos of the record industry in the late 1990's, several artists lost record deals and many great albums suddenly went out of print. My guess this is what happened to Life Is Sweet, Maria McKee's startlingly beautiful album. If you were a Lone Justice fan, forget everything you know about the "Lone Justice sound" before you listen to Life Is Sweet. This collection of songs is a complete departure and shows just how wonderful Maria McKee can be when she's not under the restrictions of record executives who try to mold artists into what they think they should sound like. This album is a record Maria had been wanting to make for years but was afraid to alienate her label and maybe longtime fans. I was shocked and disappointed when I first heard this album. Gradually I became sucked in and started playing the cd over and over and over. Slowly I began to hear all sorts of influences - mainly David Bowie and John Cale. It was as if I was listening to a brand new artist. Since 1996 when it was released, it has been on my list of all time favorite rock and roll records. Life Is Sweet is a daring bold album by an artist that takes her work very seriously. It's no wonder that this album is Maria's favorite of all of her releases and she is extremely proud of it. Her ability to belt out vocally is stronger than ever and she also is beginning to play a mean lead electric guitar She's always been way ahead of her time and wise beyond her years. I played this for a musician friend of mine recently who hadn't heard it before. The first thing she said was how excited Kurt Cobain would be if he heard these songs. I think that says it best. After digesting this cd and really getting to know it, you'll be as baffled as I am when I think that very few people know Maria's music and yet people like Alanis Morrisette are household names. Next to these songs, Morrisette is simply mediocre. Play this album loud and prepare yourself for chills and a jaw-dropping experience.

This disk is about 7 yrs old and still reguarly rotates through my cd players - portable, office or car. I bought it without ever hearing a thing from it - because really, what outlets does someone like Maria McKee have to get her music out to the public?

I had always liked McKee's work in Lone Justice and some of her solo work. Her first two solo albums never seemed to reach the full potential of her Lone Justice work. 'Life Is Sweet' isn't like that. Maria, producing herself, seems to have pulled off what others have not been able to when working with her. I believe she truely found her sound. Technically, she's not a great producer, and that works in her favor.

The opening track, "Scarlover" ranks as one of my favorite songs - ever. That is saying something. But other songs on the album certainly are pretty incredible ("This Perfect Dress", "Absolutely Barking Stars" & "Life Is Sweet").

Some of the songs seem busy and over the top in places ("I'm Awake", "I'm Not Listening"). This is where some subtler production could have worked in her favor, yet somehow works with the over album. The strings on "I'm Not Listening" are reminiscent of Kate Bush's "Under Ice" from 'Hounds of Love' - really really conveying the emotion of the song.

There is definately a theme of duplicity that runs through the entire disk ("Carried", "I'm Not Listening"). And another or parallel theme of 'growing throughout life' is present on the disk.

I find - and as you'll see in some of the other reviews I've written - I seem to really end up liking music which at first seems difficult to listen to. It usually ends up becoming my favorite.

I know this disk is out of print - but it seems available on import. If you can find it used in a 2nd hand store or ebay, etc, I would suggest picking it up and giving it plenty of listens before you might appreciate it.

"Life is sweet, bittersweet, and the days keep rollin' along ..." Where once the absolutely sweet Maria conquered the rough terrains of country-rock, this 1996 foray feasts on feedback, discordant chords and lyrics that at first listen make little sense, all wrapped inside a package of glitter rock that's far rawer than anything the Zig-meister ever released. You gotta love it. What makes this so great is the music itself, which pushes, punches, grabs and kicks with all of the ferocity of Maria's muscular live shows, which have always rocked much, much harder than her studio albums. Lyrically, too, she discards straight ahead explorations of life and love of her previous releases in favor of the scarred lovers, damaged psyches and shattered souls shunted aside by society. In so doing, she's shaped an album that's more than just a rewarding listen. It's a reflection of the jagged, subconscious streams that course through all of us--though we may be loathe to admit it.

This is one of the greatest albums I have ever listened to. Big guitars and sweeping strings create a rich gothic background for that beautiful Voice to fly across. The first five tracks grab you by the scruff of the neck to try to make you understand. The next five hold you close to calm you down. The final pairing of 'Life Is Sweet' and 'Afterlife' is both life-affirming and sonically amazing (reminds me of My Bloody Valentine). If it's sugar coated chart fodder you want, then steer clear of this. It's real music, with real meaning from a true soul. When you listen to it, you'll understand.

In time 'Life Is Sweet' will be regarded as one of the finest rock albums ever released. From the Pixie-ish opener 'Scarlover' to the echoes of My Bloddy Valentine in the title track outro, this record exudes a jagged beauty. Thank you Maria.

Amazing and fantastic!This is how I describe this superb album.
Maria Mc Kee is a real artist,who's not afraid to explore new territories,this album is more experimental,less country-soul than the two firsts ones,but it is so rich musically and vocally speaking.
She mixes sweet melodies with raw noises,pop-cliches with twisted harmonies.Sweet and furious at the same time,it almost sounds like she went back in the fifties with a 22nd century recording studio...
Probably more in the spirit of BOWIE's aladdin sane than Lucinda WILLIAMS'essence,this album reveals a new facet of maria's talent.
Unlike most of contemporary singers and songwriters,her songs and lyrics are deep and full of true emotions.
I'm not saying it was my favorite Maria's album the first I heard it,but it really grew on me.
Like I said before...just amazing!

I am a huge Maria McKee fan (loved her since her Lone Justice days) and this is my favorite of her albums. Admittedly, it took a few listens for me to start loving this one. It does represent a departure from her earlier work. Much of the album shows what I think must be a strong Bowie-Ziggy Stardust influence--one not audible on earlier albums. The songs here are gut-wrenching and thought provoking. The lyrics are amazing--especially on "Absolutely Barking Stars" and "Smarter." This is pure guts and I applaud Maria for making this album.

Maria McKee finally strikes out on her own and finds her place in rock history. This is an album that would make Kurt Cobain proud.
At first listen, I was a little thrown and shocked by this record. But after a few months, the songs quickly creeped under my skin and I still sing them today after 7 years!
This is McKee's masterpiece and if she quit the music business today she should be very proud of this work and feel extremely accomplished.
Every track on the album is so hauntingly beautiful. Beg borrow and steal to find this out of print work of art.

I had no idea who Maria McKee was when I stumbled upon this album. If I had heard Lone Justice they made no impression.

I bought a Geffen sampler and threw it in the CD changer in the car. At some point "Absolutely Barking Stars" turned up on shuffle play and I fell in love with it. I ran to buy the album, and, for the last ten years, it's been in my regular rotation (now on an iPod instead of a CD changer).

This is a powerful album. What attracted me initially was the Ronson-like guitar and the power of the voice. The lyrics are strong and often full of pain. This album is more emotional than any I've heard before.

There aren't any clunkers on this album. Every song is a keeper. Instrumentation ranges from guitar and tamborine to full orchestra, and it all works.

Used copies of this album are available for little money. Take a chance. Buy it.