Customer Reviews

Martha Wainwright, 6-Song EP

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a more than worthy debut from yet another brilliant Wainwright. After crawling out from under the headphones long enough to wipe the drool and tears away, I feel it is a duty to encourage everyone to take at least one listen to this great woman. Just when I thought I was about to hear another dull pouty muzak kitten, out comes this VOICE - leaping into my ears like a giant Natalie Merchant and Maria Muldaur morph. Martha wrote all the songs, which combine the most playful elements of rock, pop and folk with just a twinkle of cabaret. There is no sameness here, each song has it's own distinctive edge. Just about every instrument is played - guitars(many kinds), strings, piano, drums, clarinet, even melotron - but nothing is ever heavy handed. There are some mesmerising harmonies tucked inside all of these the memorable melodies. "Laurel and Hardy", apparently an ode to sibling Rufus, is so charming and deceivingly sweet, you may be forced to dab away a joyful tear or two yourself. So do yourself and your friends a favor and buy this before she's signed to a big chessey label and possibly forced to resign some of her originality in favor of dull pouty kittenish success.

I first saw Martha live in London, when she appeared half way through a gig by her brother Rufus. She looked tiny, bird like even, and reminiscent of a young Suzanne Vega. And then she opened her mouth, and the whole room was entranced. I had an epiphany, and went home her biggest fan! A few months later, I happened to be in New York, and saw her own solo gig. She played songs off this release, and the hauntingly gorgeous Year of the Dragon (on the McGarrigle Hour, another fine record I would highly recommend.) Martha is one of those rare things - a song writer's writer - whose melodies are so natural, you feel like the songs have been there for years, and lyrics that transcend the usual angry young woman hyperbole that her contemporaries suffer from so badly. Songs like "You've Got A Way" hint at a maturity way beyond her years, and an honesty few are brave enough to display. Well anyway,when you hear it, you'll realise it's just a beautiful and poignant record, and hopefully the first of many more to come.

When I saw Martha perform live for the first time, I was awestruck and developed this big crush on her, even though I'm straight. :) It's hard to describe a voice and persona so unique, but I'll try. Contradictions abound. The voice is smooth, then husky, cooing then yelping with surprising passion. She dresses in skirts and heels, but her hair is wild and her face bare of makeup. I think she's easily as good as Rufus, and a much more passionate live performer than he is. Her acoustic picking guitar style is also very much her own. All in all, this album doesn't show just how great Martha is, but that's only because she rules! Check it out!

Martha's roots are important, to be sure. But it's clear from songs like G.P.T that she is reaching deeper into the well than straight folk or even 'straight' pop. She is also miles ahead of other female singer/songwriter types, displaying more worldliness and genuine sentiment than any Jewel or Sarah Mclaughlin has ever done - we get a sense from this album of real, not simulated experience.It is difficult to believe that a 23 year old could infuse such a broad vocabulary of musics into her very first album She stands equal to Billie Holliday, Chrissie Hynde and even Janis (see her perform).Here is an unsigned and very young artist who writes like a veteran of both music and the world. Buy one immediately.

Disregard the negative criticisms here, folks. I've seen Martha perform live on many occasions (even with Rufus) and I jump at any opportunity to see her perform. Her music is lovely, wispy, ethereal, very hard to pin down. You can't rightfully compare her to her dad, mom, or Rufus. She stands alone, and her music is extremely powerful. MARTHA ROX! GET THIS DISC!

When I saw Martha perform live for the first time, I was awestruck and developed this big crush on her, even though I'm straight. :) It's hard to describe a voice and persona so unique, but I'll try. Contradictions abound. The voice is smooth, then husky, cooing then yelping with surprising passion. She dresses in skirts and heels, but her hair is wild and her face bare of makeup. I think she's easily as good as Rufus, and a much more passionate live performer than he is. Her acoustic picking guitar style is also very much her own. All in all, this album doesn't show just how great Martha is, but that's only because she rules! Check it out!

I saw Martha at the Great American Music hall in San Francisco she was the opening act for her father, Lowdon Wainwright III. I had actually gone to the show just to see her, her song on the Mcgaragle hour cd was the best in the bunch. I look forward to more from this talented and poetic singer.

I heard "Lolita," the first track on the CD, and I had to call the radio station to find out who it was. I can't wait to hear the other five tracks. Beautiful harmonies and melody... poetic.

The harmonies on this album are awesome; the music instantly draws you in

That such an album exsists! If someone says they dont like it,there nuts