Release Date: 22nd February 2010
Format: Album - CD, digital download
Tracklisting:
1. Are You Satisfied? 3:21 2. Shampaign 3:12 3. I Am Not A Robot 3:35 4. Girls 3:29 5. Mowgli's Road 3:13 6. Obsessions 3:30 7. Hollywood 3:26 8. The Outsider 3:17 9. Hermit The Frog 3:36 10. Rootless 3:29 11. Numb 4:17 12. Guilty 3:43 The Family Jewels is essentially Marina's usual unwieldy panache (howls, cackles, and the rest) blended into an altogether more digestable form for the masses. The comparisons to other alternative women in music ("The next Kate Bush"/"2010s Florence") are rife but these really hold little water. As apprehended, The Family Jewels has unquestionably been slaughtered by the popular cookie-cutter. As recently as the beginning of this year the Sugababes and Marina Diamandis would have been polar opposites, yet now they line up rather more closer in respect of changing to fit a mould. Highlights on the album mainly consist of old favourites that Marina's existing fanbase will relish (Mowgli's Road, Obsessions, and Hermit the Frog) but fans will most likely find little other comfort in Marina's offerings, at least on first, second, third (or fourth?..) listen. Numb is an exception, a delicate track that feels susceptible to listen to, it's lyrics betraying a personal vulnerability and wonderful emotion from Marina much akin to what can be found in Obsessions. The popularisation of the new material strikes an off-chord, at least it will to a new listener. The album is an unfortunate clash between trying to be "super pop" and "really indie", as Marina describes the new album, which places it on very unstable ground as far as sales go. Many of the tracks will leave the new listener feeling exhausted having been harangued with Marina's plethora of voices, hoots, laughter and whistles (these happen in quick succession of each other in most tracks). With a certain level of understanding of past releases you can get behind the new popular facade that masks The Family Jewels. On deeper listens, one can uncover lyrical gems that initially charmed me to Marina in the first place - but it remains a question mark. Has it cut the mustard? Perhaps not. But do lend an ear - it is an interesting listen. You can pre-order the album on all major online retailers or via iTunes. Hollywood, the current single, is out now on CD and digital download.
