4 stars
Coming second in anything is never easy - knowing you were so close sometimes hurts infinitely more than coming last, where you know you had no chance of winning whatsoever, but Marina Diamandis has proved herself more than worthy of her place in the BBC Sound of 2010 poll, showing she won’t let a little thing like this get in her way of her quest to conquer the charts.
Her debut album, The Family Jewels, is simply incredible - a whirlwind of highly diverse tunes that will have you singing along in no time. Each song is different, from the slow and subtly moving Obsessions to the upbeat, rhythmic beats of Shampain. Diamandis highlights all that’s wrong with today’s shallow and vain society through songs such as Girls, and has fun whilst doing so, with playful lyrics. She is quirky, refreshing and just what today’s clone saturated charts needs.
She has what a lot of so called stars lack: personality. (Take note, Leona Lewis - amzing though your voice may be, it will only get you so far in today’s cutthroat music business.)
Marina and the Diamonds is best likened to marmite: you will either love her unique voice or absolutely loathe. But I am proud to say I love marmite.
If I was going to be picky, the lyrics booklet could have done with a bit more colour, or at least some more interesting shots of Miss Diamandis - it seems lacklustre when compared to her larger than life personality.
