Customer Reviews

Martha Wainwright

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Most of the time when I buy a CD, I listen to it a few times and then put it back on the shelf for weeks or months at a time before I give it another listen. There are occasions, however, when I buy a CD and it really grabs a hold of me. On these rare occasions, I become engrossed, almost addicted to the album. Martha Wainwright's self-titled debut has been one of these occasions.

Because of who her family is, it would be easy to immediately dismiss her as "the sister of Rufas," or "the daughter of Louden and Kate McGarrigle." This would be a mistake, because Martha Wainwright's music is distinctly unique and she is a huge talent in her own right.

Her voice is gorgeous, but not in a traditional sense. Her voice has a soulful, high-pitched, eerie beauty, like nothing I've ever heard before. In her delivery, there is a real sense of emotion and feeling that really connects with the listener. With most albums, when you are done listening, you are done. When you are finished with Martha Wainwright's album, you feel as though you had just been visited by a presence, and that feeling stays with you, long after the CD has ended.

From the opening "Far Away", the listener is immediately swept into the CD. This song is subtle, building up ever so slightly, and is slightly underwhelming, which gives the song the perfect effect. The hauntingly beautiful background vocals add a nice touch. The more upbeat "G.P.T." has an infectious, singsong verse before going into its' soulful chorus. The bluesy morose "Factory" shows a more vulnerable side to Martha Wainwright. "These Flowers" has a kind-of a dream-like lullaby atmosphere. "Ball and Chain," (not a cover of the classic Janis Joplin song) sounds somewhat Janis-Joplin like. It is here that Wainwright lets down all restraints and finally lets all that had been building up inside her explode. "Why does this always happen?" she yells, demanding an answer, yet knowing none will come. The album comes back to earth with the beautiful "Don't forget" a song about lost love. These types of songs are so cliché,' but Wainwright sounds so sincere, and this song feels so lived in, that it's impossible not to be moved. The tongue-in-cheek "This Life," tries to answer the question of whether the monotony of life in general is worth living. The light percussion over the subtle strumming of the acoustic strings creates the perfect backdrop for the song. Although it is asked whether or not suicide is the answer, this seemingly heavy-handed topic does not emotionally drain the listener the way an Alice In Chains song might. It's as though these suicidal ideas are just passing thoughts, not to be taken seriously. The catchy mid-paced "When the day is Short," keeps the momentum going. The brutally honest "Bloody Mother F***ing A** Hole" is one of the album's centerpieces. You'd expect a song with a title like that to sound like Hole or Babes In Toyland, but that's not the case at all. This acoustic song starts out very subtle, building up angst as it rolls along, as though the hurt and resentment inside had been building up a long time and now is being vented out. But when Wainwright delivers the main lines "you bloody mother f***ing A** hole," she sounds more hurt than angry. "I will not pretend, I will not put on a smile, I will not say I'm alight for you, for you, whoever you are." In other words, she is taking a stand, against anyone who would try to supress her, or not let her be herself. The explicit content sounds especially powerful because it comes out of left field. It's really unexpected. It's not like an Eminem album where every-other word is f*** this and f*** that. The bluesy easy-going "TV Show" has an engrossing stream-like lyrical flow. There's an array of strings in the background that are effective, yet subtle. The singsong "Maker" is enchanting, especially when the lush array of background vocals in the chorus kick in. The somber stripped-down acoustic "Who was I kidding" is heavyhearted, yet not overdone. The elegant piano balled "Whiter I Must Wander" is the perfect way to close out the album, ending on a whisper.

Martha Wainwright's debut is a truly wonderful listen, through and through. It's brutally honest, yet not melodramatic, confident, yet never cocky. Martha Wainwright is an amazing and very promising talent. One of the best CDs of 2005.

As much as can be made of her genetic predisposition to brilliance, I only know of her parents' work through a couple of songs each. So, all I can base this review on is the absolute brilliance of the album. This is a recording that will stop you dead in your tracks, from beauty to rage to both simultaneously, and done flawlessly. Martha's vocal range is astonishing (I haven't been jolted by a voice so much since I was a kid and heard Kate Bush for the first time) and the songs and arrangements are so tight, so moving, it really takes you to a whole other place. Totally accessible, yet highly unpredictable. And while the McGarrigle voice and Wainwright edge are there, you also can feel the weary beauty of an artist like Lisa Germano or the ravaged nobility of Marianne Faithfull in the mix as well. Just to speculate, imagine the children of immense musical genius a tragically destructive relationship with someone like Joseph Arthur might bring. It would stagger the mind. If you like music and like your music with passion and intelligence, you MUST buy this .

As I write this review "[B.M.F.A]" plays on ... again. In addition to being one the best of the best songs in this album -both lyrically and musically- this potentially controversial tune can lead you to appreciate everything that's great about Martha Wainwright's full-length debut.
To begin, it shows the impressive dramatic range she can reach wit her voice, managing to be authentically vulnerable, sincerely outraged and hopeful to reach, perhaps, who the song's about -which from reading some recent reviews may be her father Loudon, whom she has dedicated this song to in concerts. Vocal talents that are also powerfully displayed in many other songs, specially in the beautiful Pop and wrenching lyrics of "Factory," the longing of "Far Away," and the honesty of "TV Show."
In no way less important to what makes this music so moving are, of course the lyrics -penned by her except for "Whither I Must Wander"- which can go from raw confessions (No idea how it feels to be on your own / In your own home / With the f***ing phone / And the mother of gloom / In your bedroom / Standing over your head / With her hand in your head). Or her wondering in "Wild Flowers" that "they are like those children / who go off to school and don't come back / and I am like their mother / waiting around about to crack," yet accepting that "these wild flowers are coming up wild."
Praise must be given too to the arrangements and production -she co-produced- which are rather fitting for what Martha has to say, knowing when to remain understated or propel her voice further.
All in all, this is a marvelous album. The work of a young woman with nothing to apologize for and the strong intention to make war or to make peace with us, depending on what she needs to say. Caressing or jolting us as it's needed for us to listen closely.
Much is being said about her predisposition for talent, given her family's musical might -whether you think of father Loudon, her mother Anna McGarrigle, or her bro Rufus. I'm convinced that the abundant greatness in her songs is hers to claim. She's more her own voice that an extension of their genes. Her talent, the pretty and painful sides of it, is her gift and, clearly her mission to share.

I'm proud to say that I have an extremely large libary of eclectic music - from underground hip-hop, to alternative country, to electronica ...and I can say without reservation that this is one of the most amazing albums in my collection. Very rarely do I listen to an album the first time and champion it as one of my favorites - but that is precisely what happened with this album.

To the people who are considering purchasing this album: It's difficult to explain what kind of genre Martha's music falls into. It has elements of country, but it's not country; it has elements of pop, but it's not pop; it has elements of rock, but I wouldnt call it rock... you get the picture. I can tell you that if you enjoy Neko Case, Feist, The Arcade Fire, Wilco, and Regina Spektor (among others), then you'll absolutely love this album. The production and songwriting is phenomenal from beginning to end.

Please do yourself a favor and buy this album, I promise you won't be disappointed. Then do us all a favor and have your friends tell their friends about this album. Martha's here and she's going to be here for a while.

On the cover of this, her debut album, Martha Wainwright wears a look of resolve and determination as if to say "whatever it takes, my music will be heard... but only on my terms". Upon listening it becomes clear very quickly she has not only the voice but also the songs to back up this confidence.

If I didn't know any better, I'd have just as easily guessed this was from 1978 than 2005, sharing as it does a real kinship in sound to (then) emerging singers like Chrissie Hynde, Debbie Harry and in particular Kate Bush. Like Bush's debut 'The Kick Inside', arrangements here swoon and soar, choruses surprise and there's an almost frightening level of intensity at times, which makes for riveting listening throughout. It's also an album that's unafraid to tackle difficult subject matter, though for me, much of it is simply about attempting to transcend life's limitations.

After all that verbosity, all you really need to know is this is a beautiful collection of songs by a striking new artist - and if you like her brother Rufus, then odds are you'll like Martha Wainwright too.

This is nothing short of excellence. I am always on the lookout for cool and genius female songwriters, and she has answered the call. She is up there on my list with Patti Smith, Lucinda Williams, Kim Gordon, Cat Power...but there is no comparing, because Martha's voice is like no other, and her songs are vying for a place in the world of songwriting where you hear something that you can't believe hasn't been written before, as it is so beautiful and captivating. Townes Van Zandt has this same effect on me. I am not sure it is likely she will become familiar on the airwaves or ipods, for the very reason that so many geniuses don't make it there - people in the mainstream don't seem to care for music with lyrics that can involve real life difficulties, like thoughts of suicide, or fear of failure. This has been true of bands like Big Star, or Teenage Fanclub, whose songs musically were ideal for a great music experience all could enjoy. Her pop songs are not wimpy, her sad songs are not flippant or too heavy to indulge in, her relationship songs are not cliche or trite. I enjoy it more and more and more, every time I listen, the louder the better. Her voice is a delight in the world, and her writing is reviving my belief that folk music is always relevant, and that women have the grit, nerve, and genius that so many would like to exclude them from in the realms of in rock history. Martha's got it.

I just attended a Madeleine Peyroux concert that had someone named Martha Wainwritht opening for her. I figured I probably wouldn't miss much if I arrived a bit late. It is a good thing I got to the hall on time. MW could easily have been the headliner (no slight at Ms. P). Much of what MW performed is on this CD, which I picked up during the intermission (she stuck around to sign CDs and whatever - a nice touch at a big concert hall). And its wonderful stuff. MW has a great voice, sings with passion, and has a way of totally captivating the listener. Highly recommended performer and CD.

Yes, I'm a fan of Rufus. And yes, that's why I bought this CD. And no, the CD is not much like Rufus's music, but I was totally blown away. I've had this album for well over 6 months, and I'm writing this review now because looking back, I realized this album is my favorite of 2005. And I listen to a lot of music. If you enjoy honest, playful, folky, heartwrenching, beautiful music...then this is for you.

This full-length CD is everything that I imagined it would be. Honestly, Martha's voice positively tugs at this manly man's heartstrings. Her poetic yet relatable lyrics hit a nerve in me like no other contemporary singer-songwriter has been able to do. Ever. I'm usually the kind of guy who lists to rap, hip hop, R&B, and pretty poppy pop music. But my girlfriend exposed me first to Rufus Wainwright and then Martha, and it must be said that they are both musicians in their own right. While Martha's complemented Rufus's voice beautifully on his CDs, it's great to hear her breaking out on her own, and to even hear him backing her up in her song "The Maker". If you're looking for a heartachingly lovely voice with the most amazing range and ability to express emotions you never hear in the music that's on the radio nowadays, purchase this CD--and get one for a friend.

if only this voice were a magic carpet! after having said that, i think i should rephrase. martha wainwright's music IS a magic carpet, and it'll sweep you up, whether you be in your pajamas or out driving to pick up milk under the new moon, and it'll keep you surprisingly safe, while revealing this uncommon and uncensored power, exposing her raw human condition via a seriously different beat. it feels old and wise but also as new as birth itself. the unpredictable and shattered liftings and fallings of her voice will work their way in and before you know it, your state of heart and mind will be altered in a much needed way. i found my way to martha wainwright's music after seeing her stunning performance of The Traitor in the film Leonard Cohen, I'm your Man. You've likely aleady seen it but if not, you'll wanna. I think Martha should prepare herself for her own carpet ride as she is not going to remain our precious secret for long. I been clued in, you've obviously been clued in, and off she goes. And might i add, real music lovers are plentiful out here and we don't need to be catered to with easily packaged songs. We are progressive people searching high and low for unprecedented passion to move us out here in the world, so do your thing Martha and whatever time you want to come for you will soon be underfoot, if it's not already. !!!Can't wait to see a live show!!!