Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 56
 Refreshing New Album. July 3, 2010
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Marina's music is fantastic.
For once, the lyrics actually have meaning and are not stereotypically mainstreamed to have a 'One size fits all' album. The songs on this album can are relatable and you can listen to them in any situation. There are slow songs, dance tracks, upbeat randomness's, but it all follows the same pattern.
I don't usually like EVERY song on an album, but Marina proves that I can.
WE ARE THE DIAMONDS
AMAZING June 28, 2010
D. Hawkins (london)
This album is great, such tallent , if you buy it you wont regret it one bit, you can have hours of fun with this album, she is such a flamboyant, weired (but in a good way),colourful, fun artist, this album ranges through diffrent syles of music, pop, orpera, rock, indie pop, ballard, so it will never get boring, this album as an atmospere and it gets more noticable towards the end, as the ending covers an emotional side of her life, this album is based around modern life, and is also parts of her life, things that have happened, and its based around public image,and the limelight, there is such meaning to all her words in every song, as for the review , i review it as a powerfull album, with a huge meaning to it, but its not too over the top, like other music these days (saying that, im only 17 lol), this album is unique and you wont find another one that is the same , i could say so manny good things about this album , but i dont want to bore people , so i have said all the best bits,
The Best Pop Album Since Parklife June 28, 2010
Mr. J. F. Marshall
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Track to track, this album never falters. From the vocal somersaults of Are You Satisfied, through the ABBA-tastic Shampain, the perfect pop gems of I Am Not A Robot, Girls and Mowgli's Road right through to the final track, you have to go a long way into this album to find a bad song (and when you do it's because the album has finished, you've put the radio on and Pixie Lott is on or something). Truly solid songwriting, stellar vocals, fantastic instrumentation all contribute to the catchiest thing since the bubonic plague.
Marina and the diamonds June 25, 2010
Luke Thrower
0 out of 4 found this review helpful
The family jewels is the debut album of Marina and the Diamonds , she is another british act who is gaining a following and makes some nice chilled pop tunes.
The album features 13 songs with the most famous being Hollywood and Im not a robot , as these have features heavily on the radio. But how does the album as a whole stand up.
===Songs===
1. Are you satisfied
From the off we are shown what Marina is all about , her strong vocals invite you into the album with a nice violin percusion, before a cool drum beat jumps in to raise into a pop tune.
A cool synthesiser hangs around in the background bringing a nice mix of classic and futuristic.
The chorus and verse are quite different as although the verse is slow and deliberating , the chorus raises the roof and pumps out some brilliant mixes.
Marina , we are satisfied with the start 5/5
2. Shampain
A drum and synthesiser brings back memories of queen, as Marina rises above it the verse is a little off and doesn't provide much for the song. However the chorus is very nicely done and definatley has some Madonna influence.
The difficult sequel passes with a 3/5
3. I am not a robot
A simple repeated piano key rings out as Marina mirrors this with a few words , starting the song slowly and a little sombre. It does remind me slightly of the song 1234 by feist with the use of the one key.
This way of playing makes the song very powerful and Marina is actually singing about the difficulty of love and trying to make everyone like you , calling out "guess what im not a robot" , this tune is nicely paced and she holds the tempo in her voice very well, seeing as she puts across a lot of little emotions and slight vocal changes. The song rises slightly at the end with a few triangles and percussion thrown in which takes it to a pleasent finish.
A great song and one of the top radio tracks 5/5
4. Girls
An eerie violin string unsettles us for the next song as Marina laughs and fades into the distance. A drum beat begins to play as well as a hint of electric guitar , Marina begins to sing in her usual slow and talking style. Her voice rises and this song is basically all about about the complaints women have "girls are not meant to fight dirty , look a day past 30" , Its quite a fun song and one of the only ones were Marina is really let loose towards the middle of the song.
Its a good pop song with a fun chorus which will get stuck in your head pretty quickly , 5/5
5. Mowgli's road
Drums , piano and guitar all come at once . A jumpy but usual talking Marina hits an almost country note in the middle of the verse but returns to pop as a the Dr who TARDIS sound plays in the background.
This whole song is a little random , but not necasarily bad. Its a mix of different things but not all of them work. 2/5
6. Obsessions
Back to usual , Marina's beautiful vocals are all that can be heard with that single piano note. This is quite an emotional song and has a nice building tune , its a song about things being difficult between a couple and is a song which seems more suited to Kate nash.
Marina does well with this song but it's not one of the best on the album, 3/5
7. Hollywood
Arguably her strongest track as this is the one that done well in the charts and by plays on the radio. A song all about the falseness of America and its reliance on looks. This is pretty clear with her first few words " American queen is the American dream ".
Synthesisers and piano's are in good supply and the story of the song is told very well through Marina. A strong catchy chorus makes this an awesome tune which wont be forgotten easily. The song has a meaning and a kick to the lyrics , this is really the song that put her into the music spotlight . 5/5
8. The outsider
A speedy and annoyed Marina accompanies a piano and synthesiser in a powerful tune. The chorus and verse have a good tune with a little swearing so maybe not one for the kids to listen to.
Again not a bad tune but not a great one , 3/5.
9. Hermit the frog
A slow Marina shows of those powerful vocals througout this song and a electric piano plays in the background. The lyrics are a bit strange but thats not unusual for Marina and maybe thats what pulls this song down. Their isn't really a story so 2/5
10. Oh no
Clapping hands and an electric sound Marina makes this into a weird mix of vocal and dance music, this song will probably be strong when remixed and placed on a dance/club track. Unfortunatley it doesn't work with both together 2/5. It looks as though its a weak secong half of the album really after Hollywood.
11. Restless
Vocals and a harp ring out as those random but intriguing Marina lyrics roll out , the song doesn't really build too much and again their doesn't seem to be a story or meaning behind the song, in fact its all a bit too dark for her.
Worst song of the album 1/5
12. Numb
A weak sounding Marina shows that maybe at this stage she is getting a little tired , the chorus reaches into an opera style . Trying to fit as many styles in the album is ok for a debut as it leaves space for feedback and a big choice of where to take the next venture.
An ok song but not the best , 3/5
13. Guilty
The curse of restless returns and has chucked its terribile self all over the final song of the album , aother mismatch song both in vocals and music. A sorry end to the album 1/5
===Overall===
Well a great first half and a bad second half, the first seven are pop gold
A musical Diamond. June 13, 2010
Mr. S. Gascoyne (London)
I purchased this album having first come across Marina via Spotify (what a wonderful tool for discovering new music) and occasional radio play of Hollywood.
With so many new acts hitting the airwaves because of the likes of Youtube promotion and the internet generally, one often feels bombarded and overwhelmed with new tracks and names. So much so that decent music often get's lost in a sea of mediocrity and 'wallpaper music'. Not so with Marina and the Diamonds.
Couple her distinctive voice and additively different and inventive song writing, with the fact that she happens to be drop-dead gorgeous, and you have someone who hopefully be more than just a flash in the pan.
Family Jewels is the kind of varied and interesting album which can be listened to again and again without becoming tired or boring - it's currently on week two of it's residence as my in-car CD listening. Lasting through a play and a bit in each direction, without the need to listen to the radio, for over a week is a pretty stern test and one that precious few new albums have survived in the last few years.
Well done Marina. I look forward to hearing more of you.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 56
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