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The Family Jewels Image
Metascore
68

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

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 443 Ratings

  • Summary: The Wales-born Greek singer-songwriter releases her debut full-length album.

Top Track

Oh No!
Don't do love, don't do friends I'm only after success Don't need a relationship I'll never soften my grip Don't want cash, don't want card Want it... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 21
  2. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. 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. An album with a distinct dual personality, Marina’s dazzling ‘The Family Jewels’ pitches the confident, MTV Awards-headlining superstar of our dreams against a more self-deprecating girl-next-door Marina who’s dead set on Supertramping and vamping her way out of her fug.
  3. The Family Jewels is a record that is creatively ubiquitous and aggressive, traits that make this album not unlike Amy Winehouse's Back to Black or maybe even Liz Phair's Exile in Guyville.
  4. Although there is definitely musical colour here, Marina’s vocal delivery and attitude has a tendency to overshadow the music, which is often melodically inventive, but we are rarely given the chance to realise this.
  5. 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.
  6. Averegeness abounds from budding UK starlet.
  7. Uncut
    40
    All round it makes for a slightly uncomfortable listen. [Apr 2010, p.90]

See all 21 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 46
  2. Negative: 1 out of 46
  1. Aug 28, 2014
    10
    Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect.Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. This is the perfection in form of an album. Expand
  2. Nov 9, 2022
    10
    Perfectttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt
  3. Sep 12, 2016
    10
    10/10 - Antigo testamento define. Não há como pular nenhuma música já que tudo flui suavemente, desde a new wave "Are You Satisfied?" ao10/10 - Antigo testamento define. Não há como pular nenhuma música já que tudo flui suavemente, desde a new wave "Are You Satisfied?" ao ambiente melodramático de "Rootless". Sem dúvidas um dos melhores discos dos anos 2010. Expand
  4. Jul 14, 2017
    10
    Marina's debut album is quirky and catchy and quite honestly one of the best debut albums of all time. While many critics have deemed herMarina's debut album is quirky and catchy and quite honestly one of the best debut albums of all time. While many critics have deemed her singing on this album annoying, I consider the singing on the album wonderful and unique. The lyrics are sharp and the songs are all beautifully individualistic, making the whole album an addictively enthralling experience from beginning to end. Expand
  5. Oct 2, 2011
    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 DiamandisA 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
  6. Dec 14, 2022
    8
    My personal favorite album from the dazzling Marina. This debut album shows off her strong personality and creativity through eccentric, zanyMy personal favorite album from the dazzling Marina. This debut album shows off her strong personality and creativity through eccentric, zany songs mixed in with "mental" relatable undertones. Marina herself once described this album as a "schizophrenic pop record". While somewhat offensive, this is exactly what this album feels like. From upbeat songs like "Oh No!" and "Shampain", to more vulnerable tracks like "I Am Not A Robot" and "Numb", and then to deranged tracks like "The Outsider" and "Guilty", you're surely in for a ride when listening to this jewel. Expand
  7. Jun 6, 2017
    1
    This woman has a VERY creepy and tuneless voice. I can;t seem to wrap my head around this critical acclaim. Very overrated and veryThis woman has a VERY creepy and tuneless voice. I can;t seem to wrap my head around this critical acclaim. Very overrated and very disappointing. Oh No is just about bearable. Expand

See all 46 User Reviews