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The Family Jewels - Marina and the Diamonds
The Family Jewels Image
Metascore
68 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.7 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 35 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Summary: The Wales-born Greek singer-songwriter releases her debut full-length album.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. The Boston Phoenix
    100
    The likes of Kate Nash and company have flitted through this piano siren/exuberant dance-diva territory, but never mind, because this gorgeous genre starts now.
  2. BBC Music
    60
    The consistently diverting changes in style across the album are fine--the wonky 80s shoulder-pad pop of The Outsider is nothing like anything else here, for example. But over 13 songs of Sparks-voice and many similar staccato piano riffs listeners may feel bludgeoned by Marina and her slightly overbearing presence.
  3. Clash Music
    60
    Marina describes the album as "intricately produced" and that's where the problem lies. Such attention to detail leaves some of the songs feeling pretty sterile and, as a result, it's a frustrating listen.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. iamanicon
    9
    Marina 'Mad Hatter' Diamandis displays brilliant talent, wicked humour and a sense of complete and utter honesty. Her music is real, it's her and it's very much alive.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. LuizCC
    9
    A real pop singer get the charge that Madonna left for someone to catch on. Kylie Minogue got it in "Aphrodite", and now Marina Diamandis deliver this in "The Family Jewels". With powerful vocals, noisy drums, and sticky lyrics, she got the essence for making an intelligent album, popular, but not too popular. "Shampain", "Mowgli's Road", "Hermit The Frog" e "Oh No!" give us one the best pop songs of 2010.… Expand
    • 0 of 1 users said yes
  3. JoelSN
    7
    Marina Diamandis is simply brilliant. She has a very unique voice, she is a great musician and a talented songwriter. "The Family Jewels" her first effort, revolves around the much used topic of fame, but Marina approaches it with a lot of personality. "Are You Satisfied?", "Shampain" or "Mowgli's Road" are atipycal songs, but great songs nonetheless. She also tries some more pop friendly sounds with "Hollywood" and "Oh No!" and she does it very well. It's not a perfect album, it has some flaws, but it is very solid, and more importantly, very intelligent. It is a shame that she didn't make it big, but she wasn't so mainstream after all. I'm sure her next efforts will be, at least, as good as this one. She has it. Highlights: Are You Satisfied?, Hermit The Frog, Oh No!… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 4 User Reviews

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