It must be difficult for any artist to release their sophomore album knowing that it could make or break the career that they have so viciously fought for, but I think that Marina Lambrini Diamandis, or as she's better known Marina and the Diamonds, has succeeded where others have failed with second album, Electra Heart. Not only does she deliver the goods, but she brings them with personality, conviction and a genuine sense of tongue-in-cheek fun.
The first song, Radioactive, hardly set the clubbing or pop world alight, and for many hardcore fans it was a disappointment. Fast forward 6 months and Primadonna smashed that negativity altogether. It reminded us how talented Marina is as an artist and of her uncanny ability, which she showcased on debut album The Family Jewels, to draw us into a song with her actress-like delivery.
Generally the songs are based on a dance-pop sound, but it is fantastically different to what’s out there at the moment, being fresh and classy sounding. It's perfectly produced and vocally ahead of the game, especially where most contemporary Divas (Rihanna and Katy Perry) are concerned. Highlights are Primadona, Lies, Homewrecker and Staring Role. There are a few fillers too, Bubblegum Bitch being an example, and they do deflate the album slightly.
Overall though, Marina has succeeded in making an album of meaningful, evocative songs that should rightfully make her a universal superstar! Sure, as many have said before, she may be an acquired taste, but trust me she’ll take you to places you never thought you’d go, so I recommend you give her a listen.
From the exceptional, clean and at times frantic production to Marina's sensual contralto, this is an album much to be admired. Electra Heart is what dance music should be; fun, frivolous, touching, sometimes totally out there, but most importantly – real. There’s no denying that this album is amazingly enjoyable!
Rating:A
by Stuey
Radioactive:
Primadonna:
Homewrecker:
The State Of Dreaming:
Thanks so much for taking the time to do this for the site, stuey! I have to agree with you, despite my initial fears,Electra Heart is pretty great!
ReplyDeleteDude, no, thank you seriously!
ReplyDeleteI was soooo happy to be offered the chance to draw something up for my fav site! Was a pleasure! Also thanks for tidying up the grammar a wee bit there (damn that lush wine lol)
Seriously though thanks a million I really enjoyed the challenge! Drop me an email anytime you would like a help with anything else on the site dudester....(remember once the 'Dark Side' vid drops thats mine hehehe :)
@DD /Stuey "The State of dreaming" video is actually Homewrecker again.
ReplyDeleteAside from that...Girl sounds like she can sing and has individuality but musically this is fantastically boring. Of course, it's dance music, not sit and listen music but that sort of leaves that individuality a bit wasted. And for dance music it seems to lack the kind of hook needed to make it big.
Yep I am going to use the term again and say...would love to hear what this singer would come up with if she'd try her hand at "real" music. ;)
I totally get what your saying, there have been a lot of mixed reviews out there, it seems to be a conflicting marmite situation lol The reason I graded it so highly was on the calibur of her vocal, her writing and her effort to carve out a niche in a cluttered dance scene (and to have done it so well) but thats my personal opinion. I do think there are some good hooks on a lot of the tracks but its more the character that hooked me, its just genuinely fun!
ReplyDeleteIf you have not listened to her stuff before check out her debut material 'The Family Jewels', it was of a more indie pop sound, quite left side but pretty solid and melodic too. Here is some to check out :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_oMD6-6q5Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr-SqRWImmI&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwfCjYv7gVQ&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vHi83LTQjU&feature=relmfu
Thanks for the links Stuey! I will check those out.
ReplyDeleteI can agree with that A as far as vocals and lyrics and personality go. Just not the music. I am not inclined to giving A's for effort to anybody over 5 or a bit older if they are family. ;D
Kudos on the review btw. I know that is no easy feat to write a good review.
Thanks dude, very much appreciated!
ReplyDeleteI am a bit of a softie, dont wanna go too rough on the divas hehe I wouldn't normally be as generous but I guess as DD said it took me by surprise, its not often I can listen to an album right through and happily without having to skip tracks or think 'thats yawnsome' lol
I know I noticed that, I just wrote the review and mailed it to DD hopefully he can throw in 'The State of Dreaming' and maybe if he could find her next single 'Power and Control' too, that would be awesome ;)
Stuey . Listened to those vids from her first album. Now THAT is what I would call an artist. I can totally see the Kate Bush influence but never does it sound like an attempt to imitate. Totally individual! Deceptively poppy but actually has real substance. Great stuff all in all. Like her videos as well.
ReplyDeleteProblem is, after having heard that first album stuff, I'd be even less inclined to give an A to this new stuff.
Again thanks for the links, think I just found a new favorite to add to my list.:)
I'm not a dude btw. You can call me Dudette. ;D
ReplyDeleteGlad to be of service, its defo another great album! Maybe if I hadn't bought the deluxe album (which has a couple of fabtastic tracks) it mighta got less, but I would still grade them both A.
ReplyDeleteThe frustrating thing about the debut was it was shockingly marketed, Marina herself said she felt they didn't support her enough! Which is irritating I could name a list of incredible albums that never made it because of bad managment!
Lol sorry I didn't realise, dudette! (loving the re-work of that term there)
Oh yes, I know many an album like that as well. Great music which never got the promotion and media attention it deserved.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks, I think it works. Now here's to hoping I will achieve the attitude deserving the title.
Thanks! Changed!!
ReplyDeletetotally! Just waiting for that video to drop! And thanks for fielding the responses with such vigour! :D
ReplyDeleteNo problem boss! It's like my own lil baby hehe loving it! And thanks to Opie Ever too for the constructive chat and ideas on the subject!
ReplyDeleteI loved this album and agree with the rating given to it.
ReplyDeleteGreat production, interesting lyrics, catchy but not in your face catchy songs and so on.
All and all a great album and a nice way to get Marina into a broader audience without totally alienating her original fan base.
I really wish I had added that last part to the review! I totally agree, thanks for your input Serendipity! :-)
ReplyDeleteAlso I just love the C6 she does in the beginning of "Lies" , it's subtle but nicely done :)
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of "Lies", personally I much prefer this version to the album version....
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hig5uLy2fe0
Excellent review! Music is a bit 'yawnsome' :-D to me but I can't get enough of Homewrecker <333
ReplyDeleteBtw diva if you plan on making a profile on her in the future, her vocal range is Bb2-D6. I'd gladly help with the positives and negatives of her voice, and should have a video on her soon :D
ReplyDeleteWow, drop me an email when you get the video up. Will start a profile. Feel free to let me know your positives/ negatives. I'll work em into the profile!
ReplyDeleteFor positives I'd say it would be that she finds a lot of strength in her lower register and mid-belt. As she is able to scale down into and phrase within her lower register with no signs of effort and the mid-range is capable of producing a large sound (see "Lonely Hearts Club") and a very "punching" sound (see "State of Dreaming")
ReplyDeleteHer head voice is bright and has a light and almost "floating quality to it" (see the beginning of "Lies" (C6 in the background) and around towards the end of "Hermit the Frog" (In the background she does a scale of B5's).
She also is able to transition from chest to head quite well and very quickly.
And she mixes well and produces an even vibrato from B4-D5 and for the most part never sounds like she's singing outside of her range.
For negatives I'd say her sound and vocal style can be a bit of an acquired taste.
And the voice occasionally takes on a more head dominant sound the higher it goes (her E5's in Homewrecker are like 60% head 40%chest) . Also live Marina has gotten a bit wobbly and occasionally gets scratchy (like in her "Starring Role" acoustic, although I think she was sick so I can't really say).
Oh and (at least recently) at times she uses falsetto and sounds very weak.
All in all she actually has a wonderful instrument and overall a pretty good technique.
I'll be sure to email you once I have her video up!
Also I read through your list of suggested vocal profiles and I'm aware of many of those ladies ranges and know the links to a good amount of videos to their ranges and would be willing to send them in a email along with a little pro con about each one of them if that's alright with you.
ReplyDeleteFantastic analysis of her voice there, I couldn't gree more!
ReplyDeleteShe really does shine live, I am drooling at the thought of seeing her live next month!! Really cannot wait!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Lovely review by the way.
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking the time to comment! Very much appreciated!
ReplyDeleteHope You will have a great time Stuey!
ReplyDelete( and if you want to see some more great live singing in a few months, get yourself to Glasgow's 02 ABC Nov 2nd for what Adele calls "by far the best live band I have ever seen" ;D)
Thanks, I am ahead of the game this year with the gigs! Might have to check that out too! Will be sat chomping at the bit on the 18th to book Paramore who are playing here too!! Someone is sending me musical love from somewhere lol
ReplyDeleteDidn't she develop vocal cord damage recently? She even postponed her tour and cancelled a lot of gigs. That explains her wobbly and scratchy performances lately.
ReplyDeleteI loved her song "Primadonna". It's fun and the lyrics and the delivery are entertaining and impressive! However, I just couldn't get into any of her 2 albums..
ReplyDeleteShe has great vocals, great melodies, I like the direction she is heading but I don't think the material is solid. Every song leaves a lot to be desired and after I finished listening to the latest album, I don't even recall most of the songs. Some of the songs even make me cringe. I really want to love her album, but I just can't.
i just started getting into marina & the diamonds and i think she is awesome - primadonna is absolute perfection - but unlike some people i love radioactive
ReplyDeletebut personally i don't really like homewrecker
i think she has a bright future and a great career ahead of her and i absolutely adore the tone of her voice
You are totally right! I have totally grown on every track on both of the albums which is a massive rarity for me!
ReplyDeleteShe totally deserves the shining lights credit for her incredible artistry! She is in it for the long haul :)
Yeh Dude, I heard that! I got the tickets for the gig here luckily because of the delay in her tour. I hope she takes care of that beautiful instrument of hers!
ReplyDeleteI finally finished this album and I thought it was really good! Excellent review, by the way, I agree with pretty much everything you said. This is the kind of pop music that I like to hear. Thanks for introducing me to a great artist!
ReplyDeleteThanks Hannah I really appreciate that (sorry for the late reply)! Love ya x
ReplyDelete