The last two years must have felt like a whirlwind for Marina Diamandis. Only signed to Neon Gold Records in October 2008, she has since been named the runner-up in the BBC’s Sound Of 2010 critics poll and had her singles remixed by some of the biggest names in the game.
Of course some may argue that this has all been down to good timing, one-woman bands seem to have made a huge revival of late. However the singles that Marina put out during 2009 suggest that she has something different to offer than what Florence + The Machine and Little Boots are serving up. “I Am Not A Robot”, “Obsessions” and “Mowgli’s Road” instantly established themselves as pop music’s highlights of 2009. After the well received release of 3 EPs, there has been much anticipation surrounding her full debut album, “The Family Jewels”.
Despite the surprisingly varied singles, “The Family Jewels” is a consistent album of seemingly disparate songs, it jumps from theatrical pop on one track to a heartfelt ballad on another. I think the main divider of opinions on this album will be Marina’s voice itself. The overt enunciation of her lyrics may get on people’s nerves after a while, but then again it’s a quirky style which some people may come to love.
The album itself is a superb effort though, the impressive production value combined with her unique vocals really does make you realise how different Marina is to anyone else out there at the moment. Marina has definitely established herself as a mainstay on the scene; the only challenge that awaits her now is longevity.
01. Are You Satisfied? – 03:19)
02. Shampain (03:10) *
03. I Am Not A Robot 04:37)*
04. Girls (03:26) *
05. Mowgli’s Road (04:10)*
06. Obsessions (03:38) *
07. Hollywood (03:49)
08. The Outsider (03:15)
09. Hermit the Frog (03:34)
10. Oh No! (02:58) *
11. Rootless (03:27)
12. Numb (04:14)
13. Guilty (03:40)
Marina & The Diamonds – Shampain
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Marina & The Diamonds – Girls
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Marina & The Diamonds – Oh No!
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