User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Martha Wainwright
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Martha Wainwright Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 35 Ratings

  • Summary: Daughter of Loudon and sister of Rufus, Martha becomes the third Wainwright to release an album in 2005. This self-titled effort is her full-length debut, following on the heels of her subtly-titled EP "Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole."

Top Track

Whither Must I Wander
Home no more home to me, whither must I wander? Hunger my driver, I go where I must Cold blows the winter wind over hill and heather: Thick drives... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List ยป
Powered by

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    Wainwright's barbed lyrics about love and relationships sound like she scrawled them on a whiskey-soaked night. [22 Apr 2005, p.62]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Under The Radar
    80
    Martha takes the golden era of folk and mixes it with modern thematic flair. [#9]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Slant Magazine
    80
    Martha has proven to be not just a worthy pupil of such domestic tutelage, but a musician of equal caliber.
  4. Q Magazine
    80
    Her voice is a thing of wonder. [Apr 2005, p.123]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. ShakingThrough.net
    76
    Imagining an all-acoustic version of Martha Wainwright hints at the true potential lurking beneath the strings and high-calorie programmatic flourishes that, while undeniably pretty, detract unnecessarily from the eponymous focal point.
  6. No Ripcord
    70
    It shows off a fantastic songwriting talent, if not conveying the live magic.
  7. Paste Magazine
    60
    Some of Brad Albetta's production veers toward generic pop and threatens to bury both Wainwright's distinctive voice and her lyrics. [Apr/May 2005, p.131]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 20 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 28
  3. Negative: 1 out of 28
  1. Robert
    Aug 26, 2006
    10
    One of the most honest singers I've ever heard. Her voice is so soar and beautiful that you can't do anything else exept be moved by it.
  2. susanb
    Jun 6, 2005
    10
    chrissie hynde, patti smith, emmylou harris, lucinda willaims, martha wainwright ....
  4. MPigeon
    Apr 16, 2005
    10
    So Beautiful!
  5. ThePunt
    Sep 21, 2005
    10
    This is, without doubt, the finest album of the year. It is the best album since "Is This It"! Sweet and vulnerable and so goddamn catchy This is, without doubt, the finest album of the year. It is the best album since "Is This It"! Sweet and vulnerable and so goddamn catchy that I hum it all day and play it all night.… Expand
  6. D.B.Sweeney
    Jul 4, 2005
    9
    I haven't stopped listening to this. By far the best of the year so far. While I like the lyrics, some are a bit over the top (I I haven't stopped listening to this. By far the best of the year so far. While I like the lyrics, some are a bit over the top (I don't like Ball & Chain). However the melodies, and especially her voice, are wonderful. I'm sure I'm not the only one that will compair her to Mary Margaret O'Hara (and that's extremely high praise).… Expand
  7. Alex
    Jul 27, 2006
    9
    she totally rocks. she has a fabulously unqiue voice, and her lyrics kick ass. B.M.F.A has to be one of the greatest songs I've heard in she totally rocks. she has a fabulously unqiue voice, and her lyrics kick ass. B.M.F.A has to be one of the greatest songs I've heard in quite some time.… Expand
  8. CherylC
    Jul 23, 2005
    2
    Saw live performance at Massey Hall, July 22. 2005. What I heard was like finger nails on a blackboard. 30 Minutes was pure torture. I looked Saw live performance at Massey Hall, July 22. 2005. What I heard was like finger nails on a blackboard. 30 Minutes was pure torture. I looked around and saw many people wishing they had come late to see the headliner.… Expand

See all 28 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

76
#76 Best Album of 2005
21
#21 Most Shared Album of 2005