Cuckoo!
Marina Lambrini Diamandis better known by her stage name Marina and the Diamonds, is a Welsh singer-songwriter. Born in Brynmawr and raised in nearby Pandy, she performed for choir productions in her childhood. In 2009, Diamandis came to prominence after being ranked in second place on the Sound of 2010 poll organised by the BBC.
Diamandis' debut studio album The Family Jewels (2010) incorporates indie pop and new wave musical styles, and entered the UK Albums Chart at number five. Its second single "Hollywood" peaked at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart. Her follow-up recordElectra Heart (2012) integrates prominent elements of electropop, and became her first number-one project in the United Kingdom. Its lead single "Primadonna" stands as her highest-charting track in the country after reaching number 11. Diamandis' pop-inspired third studio album Froot (2015) became her third top-ten album in the United Kingdom, and her first top-ten entry on the U.S.Billboard 200.
Diamandis has described herself as an "indie artist with pop goals" and often analyses components of human behaviour in her music. She is additionally recognised for her retro and cartoonish fashion styles.
wikipedia
But you knew all that already didn't you? Welcome to the Diamond Rate, where the PJ collective of Marina's Diamonds will rate her discography and see what comes out on top. The rules are simple, PM the list of tracks below and give each a score between 0-10 while selecting one track to be given the ever important 11, half points are permitted and commentary is encouraged. The voting period will last until midnight US central time Sunday the 26th. Should this timeline be too short I may extend it, however at three albums Marina's discography is hardly a big undertaking.
But let's talk about the music. I fell in love with Marina the second I saw her Hollywood music video on MuuMuuse's blog. I was a junior in high school and the perfect age to fall in love with an album like The Family Jewels. Early in my stages of pop adoration I had fallen for albums that put forth a strong sense of identity, albums like Love. Angel. Music. Baby. and Folklore left me spellbound in their ability to hosts catchy songs that truly put across where the artist was in life when they pressed record; this is where Marina comes in as identity is the common thread that holds her three albums together.
Her debut is the sound of an early 20 something steadfast in her identity and as a result the record is sprawling in it's statements, strong in it's delivery, messy and conflicting in it's ideals and ultimately captivating. She demanded success while lampooning the very industry she wished to conquer, she proudly proclaimed herself to be robotic in her ambition while begging to be seen as human and she laid claim to her destiny while being lost at a fork in the road. Her next step was Electra Heart which had a sonic overhaul to match the new celluloid persona Marina developed and projected archetypes of the American woman onto. Her new identity was hiding behind everything she claimed to despise but also seemingly wanted in on. With her most recent release she clearly seemed relieved to rid herself of the blonde wig and pop star dreams, now she's content in her lack of certainty and finds pleasure not in her former sky high ambitions but in the process of creating. The identity she's put forth has come full circle and made a strong trio of albums that are nothing if not an engaging listen.
Now, let's get on with it shall we? Here's what we are rating:
The Family Jewels
Bonus tracks
Seventeen
Space and the Woods
Electra Heart
Bonus Tracks
How To Be a Heartbreaker
Just Desserts
Evol
Electra Heart
FROOT
Again, voting is open until Sunday the 26th at midnight US Central time.
Let's have fun guys!
Marina Lambrini Diamandis better known by her stage name Marina and the Diamonds, is a Welsh singer-songwriter. Born in Brynmawr and raised in nearby Pandy, she performed for choir productions in her childhood. In 2009, Diamandis came to prominence after being ranked in second place on the Sound of 2010 poll organised by the BBC.
Diamandis' debut studio album The Family Jewels (2010) incorporates indie pop and new wave musical styles, and entered the UK Albums Chart at number five. Its second single "Hollywood" peaked at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart. Her follow-up recordElectra Heart (2012) integrates prominent elements of electropop, and became her first number-one project in the United Kingdom. Its lead single "Primadonna" stands as her highest-charting track in the country after reaching number 11. Diamandis' pop-inspired third studio album Froot (2015) became her third top-ten album in the United Kingdom, and her first top-ten entry on the U.S.Billboard 200.
Diamandis has described herself as an "indie artist with pop goals" and often analyses components of human behaviour in her music. She is additionally recognised for her retro and cartoonish fashion styles.
wikipedia
But you knew all that already didn't you? Welcome to the Diamond Rate, where the PJ collective of Marina's Diamonds will rate her discography and see what comes out on top. The rules are simple, PM the list of tracks below and give each a score between 0-10 while selecting one track to be given the ever important 11, half points are permitted and commentary is encouraged. The voting period will last until midnight US central time Sunday the 26th. Should this timeline be too short I may extend it, however at three albums Marina's discography is hardly a big undertaking.
But let's talk about the music. I fell in love with Marina the second I saw her Hollywood music video on MuuMuuse's blog. I was a junior in high school and the perfect age to fall in love with an album like The Family Jewels. Early in my stages of pop adoration I had fallen for albums that put forth a strong sense of identity, albums like Love. Angel. Music. Baby. and Folklore left me spellbound in their ability to hosts catchy songs that truly put across where the artist was in life when they pressed record; this is where Marina comes in as identity is the common thread that holds her three albums together.
Her debut is the sound of an early 20 something steadfast in her identity and as a result the record is sprawling in it's statements, strong in it's delivery, messy and conflicting in it's ideals and ultimately captivating. She demanded success while lampooning the very industry she wished to conquer, she proudly proclaimed herself to be robotic in her ambition while begging to be seen as human and she laid claim to her destiny while being lost at a fork in the road. Her next step was Electra Heart which had a sonic overhaul to match the new celluloid persona Marina developed and projected archetypes of the American woman onto. Her new identity was hiding behind everything she claimed to despise but also seemingly wanted in on. With her most recent release she clearly seemed relieved to rid herself of the blonde wig and pop star dreams, now she's content in her lack of certainty and finds pleasure not in her former sky high ambitions but in the process of creating. The identity she's put forth has come full circle and made a strong trio of albums that are nothing if not an engaging listen.
Now, let's get on with it shall we? Here's what we are rating:
The Family Jewels
- Are You Satisfied?
- Shampain
- I Am Not a Robot
- Girls
- Mowgli's Road
- Obsessions
- Hollywood
- The Outsider
- Hermit the Frog
- Oh No!
- Rootless
- Numb
- Guilty
- The Family Jewels
Bonus tracks
Seventeen
Space and the Woods
Electra Heart
- Bubblegum Bitch
- Primadonna
- Lies
- Homewrecker
- Starring Role
- The State of Dreaming
- Power & Control
- Living Dead
- Teen Idle
- Valley of the Dolls
- Hypocrates
- Fear and Loathing
- Radioactive
- Sex Yeah
- Lonely Hearts Club
- Buy The Stars
Bonus Tracks
How To Be a Heartbreaker
Just Desserts
Evol
Electra Heart
FROOT
- Happy
- Froot
- I'm A Ruin
- Blue
- Forget
- Gold
- Can't Pin Me Down
- Soltaire
- Better Than That
- Weeds
- Savages
- Immortal
Again, voting is open until Sunday the 26th at midnight US Central time.
Let's have fun guys!
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