Marianne Faithfull - Broken English
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Free Music Notes for Broken English
Free Music Review: It doesn't get better
Hit: 5 Stars
Marianne Faithfull has got it all; a personal life equalled only by a combination of Shakespeare, Jacquline Susanne, and a musical repetoire more varied and truly exceptional than nearly anyone I can presently think up. This album is, of course, the classic jewel in the crown sort of the thing. It's incredible to me that that these songs aren't as readibly sing-able as their contemporaries. Maybe they're too good for that. As I listen to these songs over and over, I'm struck by the fact that they are all more gutsy than anything played on the radio today and probably more shocking content-wise as well. ('why'd you do it' is so much more eminem than he could ever hope to be; it's nasty AND it's smart!)That's saying something, when most songs of past revolution sound so incredibly cheesy to the moderns.
But I think what may be perhaps the most interesting thing about Miss Faithfull and her fabulous album is the incredibily current sound the music takes on. SOme of the songs, (Lucy Jordan in particular) are so unusual they take on (forgive me) a Madoonnna Ray of Light type currency. And I'm not talking about money. WHat I am talking about, I'm not entirely sure, but I garauntee you this album's beyond great and I Don't doubt that you'll adore it. If you're not a total idiot, of course. but who would think that?
Free Music Review: Naysayers be damned
Hit: 5 Stars
I was shocked to see negative reviews of Marianne's masterpiece. Any true Faithfull fan knows that this is Marianne's masterstroke. The "big fans" who hated this album and loved "20th Century Blues" aren't "big fans." The CD "20th Century Blues" was an effort by Marianne to pay tribute to the legendary Kurt Weill, and was impressive, but not "Broken English."Okay, that aside, this record was a masterstroke. Marianne Faithfull is for people whose tastes are different from that of the mainstream. Her music paints a picture that is sometimes dark, occasionally bright, and always of intense and fabulous interest. "Lucy Jordan" is fabulous. Her version of "Working Class Hero" rivals Lennon's. "Broken English" is intense and arresting. "Witches' Song" is a lost treasure. And "Why D'Ya Do It?" is a vulgar, angry rant that was recorded before Liz Phair & Courtney Love were teething on their first copy of Patti Smith's "Horses." If you want a fascinating work of art, buy "Broken English." You will not be sorry, no matter what the negative critics say.
Free Music Review: Anger and ennui....
Hit: 5 Stars
When Marianne Faithfull's "Broken English" hit these shores, it was a wonderful tonic for those of us weary of the pop banalities of the time (Journey, REO, Cheap Trick to name a few). Her raw, jagged voice is so evocative on this album that even tho it's short by today's standards, you'll feel like you've travelled a minefield.Some of the stand-outs include her rendition of John Lennon's "Working Class Hero" (Lennon reportedly thought her version made his sound wimpy) & the song of ultimate betrayed love "Why D'ya Do It?". "The Ballad of Lucy Jordan" takes us into the head of a suburban housewife who dreams of other lives & Faithfull's voice cracks wonderfully on the chorus, bringing incredible feeling into what could be a trite cliche. "Broken English" is a great Euro-dance tune.
If you're looking for an album to brighten your day, "Broken English" is NOT for you! If you're looking for something to listen to at 1AM after a lovers quarrel, you can't go wrong here!
Free Music Review: Still loving it, after all these years
Hit: 5 Stars
When I first bought this recording, in 79 or 80, it was seldom off my turntable, and lived in my car's tape deck on a continent-wide drive. Then I got it on CD, in the now-impossible-to-get combo with Strange Weather, which cracked one day. Now I have it again. And it's still one of the best recordings (of thousands) that I've ever listened to.
There are many highlights here, and I won't pick favorites, but am particularly amused by her cover of Shel Silverstein's (yes, the kids book author and Playboy cartoonist) Ballad of Lucy Jordan, as dark a reading of a really dark set of lyrics as you will ever find. I love the music (synthesizers and guitars and driving rhythm) and I love the arrangements.
Some years after Broken English I saw Marianne perform live at a club in Toronto. She came on stage in a twinset and a cultured English accent, the living personification of her first "beautiful songbird" incarnation (circa As Tears Go By), plus 20 years or so. Then she sang and it was back to the dark side of the world.
Free Music Review: Multifaceted Masterpiece
Hit: 5 Stars
Although the boundaries have shifted in the decades since this album's release, Broken English has lost none of its trenchant appeal. And despite Courtney Love and many angry grrrl groups using explicit lyrics, Why d'Ya Do It? still sounds fresh, perhaps because it originally was written as a poem by Heathcote Williams. Her version of Lennon's Working Class Hero sounds as sharp as ever, while the brooding title track is still relevant today. On the melodic side, Lucy Jordan has become quite a standard and could easily be considered a country weepie, while Witches Song remains eerie and anthemic. The sound is typical 80's rock with tight musicianship supporting this classic monument to decadence and despair. This is probably her best selling album of all time for all the wrong reasons! The other two works from the same period, A Child's Adventure and Dangerous Acquaintances, are equally excellent and will richly reward the listener. Nevertheless, Broken English stands tall as a masterpiece of broken taboos, subversive poetics and timeless songs.