Secret Life

Marianne Faithfull | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 21, 1995)
• Original Release Date: March 21, 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Island
• ASIN: B000001E7Z
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #159,553 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A DIFFERENT MARIANNE IS ALSO A BRILLIANT MARIANNE, July 26, 2001

By 

Scott T Mc Nally (ORLANDO, Fl USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Secret Life (Audio CD)

Marianne Faithfull is so different from most of the other female singers I listen to. She sings in a low growl, doesn't have much range, but can convey more emotion in her delivery than just about anyone. On "A Secret Life", she displays a more tender side to her voice which is complimented greatly by Angelo Badalamenti's lushly orchestrated compostions. Some may feel it's a bit too mellow, but it's every bit as emotional as anything else I've heard from her over the years. This is a woman who has been to Hell and back more than once and has the voice to prove it, but she never comes off as a victim. She has only been a victim of herself and she has pointed that out in many interviews. For me, the standout track is "She". It's haunting, almost show tune like melody coupled with her lyrics and delivery make for one of the most memorable and sad ballads ever to cross the path of my ears

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Marianne's Chillout Phase, April 3, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Secret Life (Audio CD)

Angelo Badalamenti is known for composing lush and haunting soundscapes that the Twin Peaks soundtrack and Julee Cruise emphasised so effectively in the past.Here his protege is none other than Ms.Faithfull,who gives his work yet another new direction.Combining bittersweet vocals with atmospheric and often gloomy tunes,Sleep,Flaming September,Losing and The Stars Line Up are chillingly beautiful. Marianne's torn voice tells us of despair and regret .The album's only sore point is The Wedding,which sounds rather irrelevant and out of place with the rest of the mood.On She,there's loneliness and self destruction while Bored By Dreams and Love In The Afternoon reconvey the gloom and sombre atmosphere. Overall if you're a fan of the whole Twin Peaks saga,then this album's a must.Just turn out the lights, pour a glass of wine and enjoy.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Think a more mellow "Broken English", November 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Secret Life (Audio CD)

Marianne Faithfull is the goddess of dark music. With her distinctive voice and poetic lyrics, Marianne gives a voice to those who have been silenced. "A Secret Life" explores the dark side, like her 1979 magnum opus "Broken English," but not as in-your-face, and there's nary an expletive. The darkness of this disc is in Angelo Badalamenti's haunting, orchestral arrangements. "Sleep" will give you chills. "Flaming September" is powerful. "She" induces tears. "The Stars Line Up" and "Bored by Dreams" are my favorites. And the lyrics! A sample: "It is safe to walk with me/ Where you can read the sky and stars/Safe to walk upon the sea/In my sleep we can go far" (from "Sleep"). That's not just a song to listen to, that's a song to look at.