Posts Tagged: martha wainwright

2008 / 4 stars / adele / june is for women / reviews — No Comments
8
Jun 09

19 (2008) by Adele

adele 19

Adele
19
2008, XL/Columbia Records
pop soul
4

Considering that Adele won the Grammys for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for “Chasing Pavements,” reviewing 19 seems almost trite. But this month’s theme focuses on the female voice, and I really think Adele fits the bill as one of the most unique female vocalists today. While she’s been compared to Amy Winehouse and the more recent Duffy, Adele stands out for her age and her phrasing. Winehouse and Duffy are far more traditional in their vocalizations, seemingly copying past talents like Etta James without actually varying their techniques, while Adele has a blatant pop sensibility in her voice. As a debut album, 19 definitely deserved its due praise, but something about this album sounds unfinished. I’d like to see something unexpected from her – with her voice, it’s sure to blow us all away.

“Hometown Glory,” “Daydreamer,” “Chasing Pavements.”
myspace, last.fm
Star’s Heart, Martha Wainwright’s I Know You’re Married…

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2006 / 4 stars / jenny lewis / reviews / the watson twins — No Comments
11
Dec 08

Rabbit Fur Coat (2006) by Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins

Genre: folk, indie country
Rating: ½
“Rabbit Fur Coat,” “Rise Up With Fists!,” “Melt Your Heart,” and “Born Secular.”
jenny lewis myspace
Aimee Mann’s Lost In Space, Martha Wainwright’s I Know You’re Married…

In her first solo album, Jenny Lewis reveals a side of herself and her voice that is completely missed in Rilo Kiley. While she retains the country tinge that seems to follow her wherever she goes, this album is a story told of her own life and in her own way. Sometimes the lyrics lead the listener down confusing paths, and other times it brings the listener to a dream-like standstill. Lewis’s ear for hooks still shows itself time and time again, as does her sardonic view on life. Nothing in this album is trite, though it veers dangerously close sometimes. And while it may sound weary, you’ll end with a happy sigh.

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2008 / 4 stars / martha wainwright / reviews — No Comments
21
Sep 08

I Know You’re Married But I’ve Got Feelings Too (2008) by Martha Wainwright

Genre: folk, pop
Rating:
Check Out: “Coming Tonight,” “Jimi,” “Love Is A Stranger,” and “So Many Friends.”
album website

If you’ve heard the single “Set The Fire To The Third Bar” by Snow Patrol, you’ve heard Martha Wainwright (that single is how I first heard of her, actually). As the sister of Rufus Wainwright and the daughter of Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, it’s to be expected that Wainwright has some measure of musical talent in her. And that she does, in spades.

The first noticeable aspect about this album and Wainwright herself is her voice. All at once playful and serious, she has the amazing capacity to sound like Stevie Nicks at one moment and a Muppet the next. Lyrically, she is honest to a fault (yes, it’s possible), which makes each of her songs a unique snapshot into her own life.

Stylistically, Wainwright has some Dylan-like moments and more common ‘modern folk’ moments. Unlike Amy Millan, however, Wainwright seems to know that her voice would never survive the attempt of complete imitation, so she just sings the way she likes. Honestly, it’s pretty hard not to be charmed when along for the ride.

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