This Is The Life

Amy Macdonald

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 19, 2008)
• Original Release Date: August 19, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca U.S.
• ASIN: B0017OLUUC
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (129 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,714 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Folk > Contemporary Folk > Singer-Songwriters

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Amy MacDonald is that proverbial old head on young shoulders, a Scottish singer-songwriter who, despite her tender 19 years, writes songs with the grace, wisdom, and proficiency of one with a score more on the clock. As influenced by the Libertines as by any venerable old folk hand, the eleven songs on This Is the Life combine a traditional, acoustic folk-rock sound with a youthful spirit and self-assured lyrics that veer between the observational and the confessional. "Poison Prince" is a jagged guitar strut dedicated to some Doherty-like bad boy, a song every bit as pathos-laden as the Libertines at their doomed, romantic best with a closing treatise to find "An upbeat song/So we can dance the night away," while "Mr. Rock & Roll" begins as a wryly withering jibe at some perennial party animals, but by the chorus has softened into a subtle, touching tale of human coupling. MacDonald's age doesn't seem to have been an impediment--"Youth of Today," reportedly written when she was 15, is one of the better tracks here, while "Footballer's Wife" is a clear-headed attack on vapid Barbie-doll celebrity that suggests this girl is very much on the right track. "Rolling Stone, here I come, watch out everyone/I'm singing my song," she sings on "Let's Start a Band." Let that be a warning to you. --Louis Pattison

Amy MacDonald Photos

The Boston Globe - James Reed
AMY MACDONALD From Scotland comes Amy MacDonald, a fetching 20-year-old lass with a guitar, a strong will, thick eyeliner, and a voice that snaps you to attention. MacDonald is on the rootsier side of pop - more KT Tunstall than Lily Allen - and the '60s aren't exactly her guiding light. Her songwriting themes are universal, but her perspective is decidedly youthful. "Poison Prince" is a salute to forever-in-trouble rocker Pete Doherty, and MacDonald makes her rock-star ambitions clear on "Let's Start a Band": "Give me a stage and I'll be a rock 'n' roll queen/ Your 20th-century cover of a magazine/ Rolling Stone, here I come/ Watch out, everyone/ I'm singing, I'm singing my song." MacDonald's album, "This Is the Life," will be released stateside in August, but she'll preview her songs April 28 with her debut US performance at cozy Great Scott in Allston. We give her a year before she's headlining the Orpheum.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Exquisitely Talented Amy MacDonald, October 5, 2007

By	P. Marsh "Old Rocker Needing Advil" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The most wonderful things happen when you least expect it. I was absentmindedly listening to an English radio station on the internet and suddenly I was in a happy place thinking that I was hearing a classic Fleetwood Mac or Eagles track. But it dawned on me, I hadn't heard this before. The tune was Mr. Rock and Roll. I totally flipped out, caught the name of the singer and hunted the internet to find out more. My twelve year old daughter came to my rescue got me to YouTube and we watched the video. After that I was hitting the play button again and again like a chimpanzee being rewarded with grapes. I couldn't get the tune out of my head. Then I began to feel uncomfortable. The vocals didn't give it away. Amy MacDonald was nineteen when she recorded This Is the Life. Was this the start of a mid-life crisis? Thankfully, it turned out that the album has resonated with the middle-aged, with apparently many sharing the joy with their kids. Besides Mr. Rock and Roll, the majority of the remaining tracks are just as catchy and melodic, sung with a voice that is rather hard to describe, peaches and grapefruit is about the best I can come up with. The acoustic guitar is addictive.

This is the absolutely the most enjoyable rock or popular music I have experienced in a very long time. Listening to this album certainly is the life.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Album! ... Amazing Musician!, August 14, 2008

By	D. Truong "Duke of New Mexico" (New Mexico) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

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This album was a big surprise to me. I'd never heard of Amy Macdonald before I received this promo Album to review. I receive quite a lot of CDs to review, but this one definitely set itself apart.

Amy has this amazing distinctive Scottish voice... although I have to say that she sounds a bit Irish to me too. The music is a catchy complex layered mix of elements from country, folk, rock, and some modern elements thrown in. It's raw, acoustic, warm, subtle, deep and edgy at the same time. But the most important element it has is heart. Everything about it is amazingly polished... surprising when you take into account her young age. Do not make the mistake of judging her by that...she sings with a maturity way beyond her years. I can't say enough good things about this album. It really is a superb album with each song worth listening to. I hope she gets the attention and radio play she deserves. If I had to describe it in 3 words... it's Catchy, Acoustic, and Amazing!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An all-around good music CD. Folksy, modern, lilting, slightly ethereal at times... I quite enjoyed it!, July 29, 2008

By	Michael Gmirkin (Beaverton, Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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This CD was at times alternatingly lilting and ethereal, folksy, and yet something I could easily see being played in the top 40's list on most modern rock stations.

It's polished, it's great music, and a few of the riffs and melodies immediately remind me of one of my favorite bands, Steeleye Span. From track 1, I was pretty well hooked into this CD. My portable DVD ran out of juice a 3rd of the way through it, so I rushed it back to my room to plug it back in, as I found myself WANTING to hear the rest of it. Not just so I could review it, but to finish experiencing it.

I'm glad to have heard this CD. If you like folksy, modern pop, you'll probably like this CD quite a bit. Maybe it's just me. I think it's generic enough that anyone (older or younger) could probably find something to like on it. It's just all-around good music!

People should probably start requesting this CD be played on their local radio stations. I think it's worthwhile and could easily make top 40 with a few of he songs.

Give it a listen and a few tracks to win you over. You'll see what I mean. I think you'll enjoy it! I'd rate it a definite "Buy!"

Addendum 8-25-08: I was in Borders on the morning of my birthday looking up some books on martial arts, and I heard a great folksy song come on, then I realized it was Amy MacDonald's "This is the Life." Before I completely recognized it my ears had already perked up, and I was humming along. I really do like the songs on this album. They're catchy! Glad to hear some of the album getting air time already!