She's Marina, We're The Diamonds, And That Was The Rate [Finalized]

Maki

Maki

əʊæ said:
to the copper-coloured production
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Yes, my fellow synesthesian, I also envision light brown/copper colours when listening to "Can't Pin Me Down".
əʊæ said:
When younger, I was extremely sensitive to being told “Look what all those kids can do and you can’t!” I felt paralysed with shame and angry that family would even compare me to people that were nothing like me.
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True! Maybe we are soulmates after all? But I don't get those sayings get to me as much, because I know we're all different and that's how it's meant to be.


I knew "The Outsider" wouldn't last long, given that it was getting called for a while, which is a shame. For some reason, I lived in a delusion that it was a fan favorite when it comes to album tracks from "The Family Jewels" and it was a bit shocking to see that it didn't even escape the first ten eliminations in the previous rate. There are several reasons why I assumed that: those synths are brilliant and the melody is extremely catchy and the lyrics are quite relatable. It really sounds like a fan-favorite that never was, which is a pity. At least it's the first song that did significantly better than in the previous rate (in fact, it rises about 6 or 7 places if we only count songs from the 2015 rate).


In short, "Better Than That" should've done... better than that. *cringes*
It's an unexpected exit, especially for a "FROOT" track ("Weeds" still in?). Maybe it's the language barrier, but I never thought that the lyrics were that vile, and I still don't hear it. Also, it's one of my favorite sonic standouts from "FROOT", the 90's alt-rock comparisons are on point and it has a slight 60's/70's rock and country twang to it that is addictive. And the middle-8 grew on me in two or three listens, so we both love it now @əʊæ.

And, while "Superstar" isn't an ideal elimination, I'm completely fine with it because it was my lowest remaining score from the (only four) remaining "LOVE + FEAR" tracks and 7,75 isn't a low score at all. It just sounds too familiar to me in order to enjoy it more (which makes some of those 'it's unique' comments a bit confusing). The melody is good, but as a whole, it's quite forgettable. To be honest, I expected it to leave even earlier, but it got a nice placement.
 
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Phonetics Girl

Phonetics Girl

she/her
~~Ee-yeah- eh- eh, ee-yeah-eh-eh, eh-eh-eh, eh-eh-eh~~

37.
Rysunek-bez-nazwy-1.png


7.62

-7
(+0.05)

Highest: 10x8 (@Sprockrooster, @happiestgirl, @Cundy, @RUNAWAY, @OspreyQueen, @nikkysan, @sfmartin, @Sally_Harper)
Lowest: 4x2 (@imaduck, @Stradiwhovius)
@əʊæ: 5​

Above all, Weeds has some lovely instrumentation. Like an empty can being kicked from wall to wall in an empty room. But still submerged in water somehow. There’s also a vacuum cleaner somewhere in the mix along with a fantastic twinkly guitar, or some shit. I’m not musically educated, please don’t hold this hackneyed description against me too much.


@Sprockrooster (10): "Her vocals combined with that middle-8 guitar are so blissfull here making it a 10 after long deliberation. Yea-eh-eh-ah!" That's my fave part too.

@Miyawakiwi (5): "Want to hit some weeeeeed to see if with that this gets any interesting lmao."
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@abael (8): "Probably the best written track on Froot." I squealed!

@Verandi (8): "I fucking love the melodies here. Yes she repeats the words "weeds" and "hey" a thousand times but somehow I don't hate it." Great melodies, beautiful melodies!

@pop3blow2 (8) acting out here like it hadn't beaten 1/3 of Froots: "Poor Weeds. There’s nothing horrible about it & I actually really like a few of the lyrics (specifcally the one about exes) It just really isn’t very memorable or catchy, per se. It doe further my want for a guitar based Marina rock album, so I’ll bump it to an 8 for that reason."

@DJHazey (9): "Always going to be last place on this album for me, but there's no shame in that. Marina still gives a wonderful vocal performance, despite not being into her particular version of "weeeds" in the chorus the first time I heard it. But the songs flows as perfectly as you'd ever want and even if I never thought I needed a song that pushes a metaphor about weeds, it works for the most part." I agree completely!

@happiestgirl (10): "i actually think this is the most heartbreaking song on Froot - just the statement of her exes being the only ones who know her - such an honest portrayal of the frightening thing about romantic relationships: the connection is so special, the familiarity and vulnerability etc. but then once they break they can never be repaired"
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@imaduck (4): "I think my problem with fruit is that marina just doesn't bother writing choruses for most of this album. There are two many songs on this album whose chorus is just the title repeated over and over." But it only gets to comical levels here. "Like weee-heeeds"? A choice.

I guarantee @P'NutButter (9.5) will call us bastards after this elimination: "My instant favourite on the album and I still adore it."

@Subspace88 (6.66) actually gave it 6.66! I'm wheezing, sorry: "Urgh. Sorry, no. “Weeeeeeeeds, like WeeeeEEEEds” still haunts me."

@RUNAWAY (10): "this song is so underrated." It almost made top half of the rate. Little victories, etc.

@babes aloud (8.9): "This does seem like the kind of song that the characters on Weeds would like. (mmmmm Hunter Parish)" Googled Hunter Parish. Not my type, sorry.

@Kenny (8) basically calls it a cute girl: "I like this one. It gets a bit of hate but I don't mind it, it's a very nice addition the album imo."

@OspreyQueen (10): "Absolutely gut-wrenching from the first note to the last. I honestly can’t think of another song that encapsulates that LONGING for someone who’s not in your life anymore. Your every attempt to “get over” them only works for a few days, and then you’re back to remembering cute moments you had and wondering if there’s some way you can still get them back even though deep down you know it’ll never happen. The 90s pop-rock feel adds a dash of bittersweet nostalgia that makes it even more melancholic, and that guitar solo? I don’t think it’s even possible to get through that without shedding a tear or fifty."
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Same gif twice in one post? Who cares, it's worth it.

@sfmartin (10): "I god damn love this song. Its going to be done so wrong. It always is in rates. The second verse is just far too real, it cuts like a knife. The "baaabbyy" is just heartbreaking and then the guitar solo, urgh dissolve me with weed killer Queen." The guitar solo is so The Corrs and maybe I should've scored the song higher just for that.

@Music Is Life (9.5): "Okay so I don’t understand what anyone’s problem with this song might be. The production is amazing, and she sounds great here. Is it the lyrics? Cause they’re not that bad. This is a great song." Personally, the high-pitched chorus is an acquired taste.

Looks like @Vixen (8) has the taste I don't: "I'm just a sucker for that very simple, yet effective, chorus. Can't help it."

As does @Sally_Harper (10): "Brilliant. Her vocals on this are particularly amazing as well."

Here I am, on the same page with @Maki (6,25) again: "I know I'm not in the minority when saying that this is my least favorite song from this album. I mean, there's nothing downright wrong with it, but it just sounds unremarkable and the chorus is underwhelming. Such a shame, because the 'baby' middle-8 is ethereal and that guitar solo is wonderful. Easily the best part of the song. And there is so much potential in the final chorus, but it doesn't take the chance."

@Cutlery (8) somehow manages to bring SOPHIE into this: "A hundred arguments in favor of and against can be made for Weeds, ultimately my reason to stan is the autotune, sometimes subtle and other times not so much, which brings a PC Music-esque flavor to Marina's balladry. "I miss all of my exes / They're the only ones who know me / And god knows that sex is / A way to feel a bit, a little bit less lonely" carries that relatable PUNCH to cement this as an essential on the album."

~~Ee-yeah- eh- eh, ee-yeah-eh-eh, eh-eh-eh, eh-eh-eh~~​
 
Maki

Maki

əʊæ said:
- Weeds is coming for that Froot top 10
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So, that's a thing that happened.

"Weeds" always seemed like the closest that the album comes to a filler track and, as already said, it's my least favorite song from the album. That middle-8 followed by the guitar solo is a definite highlight, but the rest doesn't really do anything to me. The melody in the verses is a bit nothingy. I was certain it was going to be among the first three songs (if not the first song) from "FROOT" to be eliminated, so this is a surprise to me.
It was my lowest score for any song from "FROOT" and therefore is a great elimination.
I love the artwork you've made for it, though!

And I still can't process how "Solitaire" was the first cut from the album. Unforgivable.

The only song that surpassed my expectations more than "Weeds" is "Hypocrates". Looking forward to seeing that go next.
 
P'NutButter

P'NutButter

'Can't Bring Me Down' has grown on me the last few years, it's never been a favourite though.

'Superstar' is definitely one of the strongest from her recent album.

əʊæ said:
I guarantee @P'NutButter (9.5) will call us bastards after this elimination: "My instant favourite on the album and I still adore it."
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I don't think "bastards" is a strong enough word for y'all.

Anyway, 'Weeds' is by far one of my favourite tracks on FROOT. I love it because it shows off the variation in her vocals, but also how well she emotes in her songs. When she sings "I thought I cut him at the root" she sounds so mournful and about to sob!
 
Phonetics Girl

Phonetics Girl

she/her
"I love Broods, I’ve been listening to them a lot."
12-03-15

36.
emotional-machine.jpg


7.624

NEW ENTRY

Highest: 10x6 (@Miyawakiwi, @əʊæ, @DJHazey, @RUNAWAY, @Oleander, @Vixen)
Lowest: 4x2 (@abael, @SlowGinFizzzz)
​
On an album like Love + Fear a moment of introspection such as Emotional Machine is welcome by me like an oasis in the heart of a desert. In fact, it works best in tandem with Soft To Be Strong, the former reflecting on hardening and shutting off emotions as a coping mechanism and the latter on shedding those reservations. I see Emotional Machine as fan service executed well. It touches upon all the familiar tropes, while providing a bit of sonic variety to the album (G. bless the Nott siblings! Am I the only one dreaming of an extensive collaboration album with Merna full of bops in the vein of Hospitalized and Peach?) I’m crazy about that awkward oddball of a chorus and when the additional vocals come in the at the end
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Whew!


@abael (4): "That chorus intonation was a choice." Yeah, a correct one.

@Sprockrooster (7): "Maybe I am doing the most, but I feel like this is a lyrical continuation of 'I Am Not A Robot' and sadly it has not the range to match that level." Not many songs have, if we're being honest.

@happiestgirl (7): "This would've fit well on FROOT. It's a technically good song, but the chorus gets annoying after a bit" Never experienced that emotion.gif, etc.

@OspreyQueen (7): "I think this one stood out to most people when the album dropped because it has the most interesting production, but give it a few listens at the novelty wears off. A chugging bassline might be gay catnip but it can’t save the weak and repetitive chorus melody, or the fact that Marina sounds like she’s singing “emotional bean”." Chugging bassline couldn't save Believe In Love, though. And what's wrong with Emotional Beans?

@imaduck (7.5) tries for shade, but for me it's just a compliment: "This would fit in on froot."

@sfmartin (8) is tired of retreads: "She's covered this lyrical matter many a time before. A bit been there done that."

@Verandi (8) is left wanting: "It's the most interesting thing here, yes, but I still feel like it doesn't fulfil its full potential."

@Maki (8,25): "Great song, there is something that makes it stand out, perhaps that interesting chorus. The 'ooh, ooh, ooh' parts in the post-choru ae really cool. Like the vast majority of the album, there is that reservedness that doesn't make it shine as much as it could. The middle-8 is worth a mention, in all of its canon singing glory. And the additional lines in the final chorus are a nice inclusion." Right? Also, I like how sparse and cold the production feels.

@Music Is Life (8.5) finds there's something missing: "The chorus bops but there’s not much here grabbing me like some of her other songs."

@pop3blow2 (8.5) is willing to give it further chances: "I want to love this more than I do, but just hasn't fully clicked yet I think. Could be a grower over time from Love & Fear."

@Bangers&Bops (8.5): "This sounds like classic Marina and I’m here for it. This is the best song on the album, by a mile." Voted best on Fear, at least.

@Stradiwhovius (9) is confusion: "I am not a robot" "I'm a machine?" MARINA EXPLAIN."

Like many of us @babes aloud (9.2) doesn't miss a chance to shade the album, while praising the song: "Here's where all of the quality control went this era."

@Kenny (9,5) is kinda stingy: "The one song of the album that I was about to give a 10 too but then I compared it to my other 10s and decided a 9,5 would be more than enough."

@Miyawakiwi (10) is absolutely correct: "Sad this wasn’t a single, certainly a highlight on the álbum."

@DJHazey (10): "Oh yes, I think we have a song Love + Fear haters and apologists can all agree to love. It's easy to see why with the production team put together on this -- it's like an indie "yes please" for those who are far more...hipsterjustice than I am. Me, I'm just over here bopping to the ghost-like qualities of Marina's coos in that chorus. Damn she snapped, huh? Lyrically it does remind me of the times in my life when I have very consciously told myself "Okay, they want to be like this, let's see how they deal with someone who just presses OFF emotionally." I wish we'd love this one a little more, but as it is, we're left with only two tracks off Love midway through the rate. That's sad, huh?


Tomorrow: 11 exodus - 6 voters will be mad and one of them will be very mad at me
(at least there won't be anymore 0s after that)​
 
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