Label: Drowned In Sound
Release Date: 12/05/08
Rating:
As with her eponymously titled debut, this record is built first and foremost on its folksy foundations. However, right from the off, the cheekily titled 'I Know You're Married But I've Got Feelings Too' is a much more expansive and ambitious affair, swooping and swirling as it does like some cleverly controlled kite careering over the musical landscape.
Album opener 'Bleeding All Over You', tells the tale of an illicit love affair and it's immediately clear that despite the illustrious musical background, Martha is a star too radiant to be left standing in anyone's shadow. Sounding uncannily like Kate McGarrigle, she appears to view the varying musical styles out there as mere playthings to be bent and twisted into the desired shape, and used as vehicles to carry her (sometimes) neurotic narratives.
On 'You Cheated Me' and 'So Many Friends' she seems to have been listening to that other Kate (she of 'Wuthering Heights' fame), and to equally great effect. Then there's the marvellous 'Niger River', which could look anything on 'Want Two' in the eye and wouldn't feel the need to blink first. It ebbs and flows with a fragile beauty, and benefits from sympathetic orchestral flourishes, giving it more than an echo of Nick Drake at his otherworldly best.
The only song which doesn't quite make the grade is the cover of Pink Floyd's 'See Emily Play'. On a record so abundant in original and worthwhile composition, it simply wasn't necessary to fool around with one of Syd Barrett's cracked ballads (especially if your rendition is saccharine sweet and at odds with the feel on the rest of the record). However when placed in context this is but a small complaint. It appears that Martha Wainwright may just be on the brink of greatness and all that remains to be said is that "I know your brother but you've got talent too".
Bruno Hat
Martha Wainwright Official Site
Martha Wainwright Myspace
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