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Product Description
Review
This is the year that a lot of female artists, from Laura Marling to Duffy and Adele, will be facing the eternal pop dilemma of what to do on that difficult second album. Few will have it as hard as Scottish singer-songwriter Amy Macdonald, whose 2007 debut This Is the Life sold over three million copies and went to number one in five countries.
A Curious Thing, recorded at Paul Weller’s home studio in Surrey and featuring guest spots from the Modfather, doesn’t sound as though Macdonald is feeling the pressure. It is a bold, grand statement of intent, full of songs of epic sweep that build to undeniable choruses, to be enjoyed by the largest possible audiences.
It sounds bigger and more ‘produced’ than This Is the Life – there is no sense of the girl from Bishopbriggs recoiling from the spotlight. That said, there are a number of tracks here about the perils of fame. Of the dozen songs on A Curious Thing, half concern our celebrity-obsessed culture and the cult of personality that Macdonald has witnessed first-hand since her arrival on the world’s stage. On No Roots she is positive about the rock star milieu: “This life I lead, it’s a curious thing, but I can’t deny the happiness it brings”; but on This Pretty Face she is less charitable: “I don’t care who does her hair / Or what clothes she wears.”
Next Big Thing takes a dim though sympathetic view of reality TV wannabes and An Ordinary Life is a dig at the Z-list celebs she saw flocking round actor Gerard Butler at a party last year. On My Only One she sings, with a weary sigh, “There was time when the whole world was looking at you... They changed their minds from day to night.” Finally, there’s first single Don’t Tell Me That It’s Over –about a pop star she recently saw in full pompous effect.
And yet for all that A Curious Thing doesn’t feel bitter or downbeat. If anything, MacDonald appears to have been energised by her colossal success. The music here is richer and fuller, the hooks more emphatic, and her voice meets it head-on, with a stridency and vigour reminiscent of Dolores O’Riordan, even Sinead O’Connor. Even a title such as Give It All Up, which could have been drenched in defeat, is resilient, even defiant. A triumphant return. --Paul Lester
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Product Description
CD
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
43 of 43 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
What can be said about Amy MacDonald? Probably the most underrated singer/songwriter in the British Isles at the moment. Her first album "This is the life" is an absolutely fantastic record and I cannot recommend it highly enough, every song on that album showcases Amy's unique songwriting ability and when listening to it you forget that she was only 19 when it was released, and I believe that she wrote some songs when only 12 or 13.
She sings about issues and experiences you would expect from someone so much older and while it is easy to get lost in the upbeat melodies of some songs it is perhaps a credit to her writing ability that you can identify with so many of her lyrics. Waiting three years for another record from Amy was easy as This is the life was in my CD player every day and I never tire of listening to it.
So the new album showcases more of Amy's talent and has much the same mix of uptempo and downbeat tunes as was on This is the life. Having only listened to the album 3 times from start to finish I still haven't completely digested all of the lyrics buy already several tunes stand out including My Only One, What Happiness Means To Me, An Ordinary Life and of course Don't tell me That It's Over.
One track that totally blew me away is the bonus track, I won't say what it is just to say that it is without doubt one of the best cover version I've ever heard. It is simply stunning and if proof was ever needed of Amy's beautiful voice and amazing talent then here it is, I think I now prefer this version over the original, it really is that good.
Check out this album, you won't be disappointed 5 stars from me. Well done Amy
She sings about issues and experiences you would expect from someone so much older and while it is easy to get lost in the upbeat melodies of some songs it is perhaps a credit to her writing ability that you can identify with so many of her lyrics. Waiting three years for another record from Amy was easy as This is the life was in my CD player every day and I never tire of listening to it.
So the new album showcases more of Amy's talent and has much the same mix of uptempo and downbeat tunes as was on This is the life. Having only listened to the album 3 times from start to finish I still haven't completely digested all of the lyrics buy already several tunes stand out including My Only One, What Happiness Means To Me, An Ordinary Life and of course Don't tell me That It's Over.
One track that totally blew me away is the bonus track, I won't say what it is just to say that it is without doubt one of the best cover version I've ever heard. It is simply stunning and if proof was ever needed of Amy's beautiful voice and amazing talent then here it is, I think I now prefer this version over the original, it really is that good.
Check out this album, you won't be disappointed 5 stars from me. Well done Amy
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This album does not grab you like 'This is The Life'. Well it wouldn't would it. The first album was a superb first album from someone we had never heard of before. A new sound a new talent. This album is not just more of the same, it is a progression. It takes longer to get into the tracks but when you get there...ohhh bliss. Every track is great. No weak tracks. I even love the LIVE cover of Bruce Springsteen's Dancing in the Dark hidden away at the end (I am also a Springsteen fan). I am so pleased Amy has managed to follow up her brilliant first album with a more mature brilliant second album. What a talent!!!
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Phagan
Format:Audio CD
A Curious Thing (Deluxe Edition)
Absolutely outstanding new album by Amy McDonald. It's often hard to follow a superb first album & I've been disappointed in the past by some artists second albums but not this one!! If you liked the first album you will love this one. The second disc is a live recording of her first concert at barrowlands This is a must for all music lovers, the live second disc is just the icing on the cake. Not to be missed!!!
Absolutely outstanding new album by Amy McDonald. It's often hard to follow a superb first album & I've been disappointed in the past by some artists second albums but not this one!! If you liked the first album you will love this one. The second disc is a live recording of her first concert at barrowlands This is a must for all music lovers, the live second disc is just the icing on the cake. Not to be missed!!!
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I loved the first album, and am starting to get into the second one. It is not so immediately catchy, but definitely the Amy McDonald that we love.
There are problems with the 'deluxe' version. The online CD databases confuse it with the first album messing up track libraries, the case is only cardboard, but worst of all, the extra live album is a real disappointment. Amy tries to sing too deep for some reason, making most of the tracks sound ridiculous with the silly voice and distorted words distracting from the music. I don't know what she was trying to do, if the sound engineer was having a joke, she had a throat problem, or even if my CD is faulty. Someone commented that she was trying to sound French, or like Edith Piaf. I'm really not sure what is going on with that live CD.
I would recommend the normal version of A Curious thing, unless you want a laugh.
There are problems with the 'deluxe' version. The online CD databases confuse it with the first album messing up track libraries, the case is only cardboard, but worst of all, the extra live album is a real disappointment. Amy tries to sing too deep for some reason, making most of the tracks sound ridiculous with the silly voice and distorted words distracting from the music. I don't know what she was trying to do, if the sound engineer was having a joke, she had a throat problem, or even if my CD is faulty. Someone commented that she was trying to sound French, or like Edith Piaf. I'm really not sure what is going on with that live CD.
I would recommend the normal version of A Curious thing, unless you want a laugh.
23 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By Rick Deckard
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
What I don't get is why Amy isn't as big in the UK as all the generic talentless females that are around at the moment. Why as a nation do we begrudge talent? (and beauty!) We prefer to have our popstars mime along to headache inducing songs while prancing about in a pair of knickers! What the hell is wrong here!??
Amy is a complete diamond in the rough. She utilises her raw talent to perfection on this followup album. I loved her first and I reckon this one is better. She has matured with her songwriting skills and finds new strength in her voice. I see that someone has criticised the overproduction of the album-but I just don't see that. The songs are simple and perfect.
This album will suit old fans and should also bring in new ones-especially with the more rockier songs-current single "Don't tell me that it's over" and, my personal favourite "The next big thing".
This is a true gem of an album and will not disappoint!
Enjoy!
Amy is a complete diamond in the rough. She utilises her raw talent to perfection on this followup album. I loved her first and I reckon this one is better. She has matured with her songwriting skills and finds new strength in her voice. I see that someone has criticised the overproduction of the album-but I just don't see that. The songs are simple and perfect.
This album will suit old fans and should also bring in new ones-especially with the more rockier songs-current single "Don't tell me that it's over" and, my personal favourite "The next big thing".
This is a true gem of an album and will not disappoint!
Enjoy!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By L. Hastings
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought 2 CD's of Amy McDonald at the same time, "A Curious Life" and "This is the life".
I loved her voice and I thought the songs were pretty good with some being excellent.
The two star rating is for the recording quality otherwise 5 star.
What ruined it for me were the poor quality of the recordings, the music totally drowned out the voice and if you turned the volume up to a normal level to hear the voice it would have annoyed the neighbours too much.
The quality of these recording was quite poor and it's a shame record companies can't put more effort and time into quality instead of profit.
If I could have listened to these recordings before buying them it would have been a no sale.
I passed on my comments to the recording company of the albums and they couldn't even reply. I always wonder if the artist gets to know about customer feedback.
The poor quality of these recording will prevent me from buying her future albums unless she changes to a different label.
I loved her voice and I thought the songs were pretty good with some being excellent.
The two star rating is for the recording quality otherwise 5 star.
What ruined it for me were the poor quality of the recordings, the music totally drowned out the voice and if you turned the volume up to a normal level to hear the voice it would have annoyed the neighbours too much.
The quality of these recording was quite poor and it's a shame record companies can't put more effort and time into quality instead of profit.
If I could have listened to these recordings before buying them it would have been a no sale.
I passed on my comments to the recording company of the albums and they couldn't even reply. I always wonder if the artist gets to know about customer feedback.
The poor quality of these recording will prevent me from buying her future albums unless she changes to a different label.
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4.1 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant!!
If you like Amy Macdonald this album will not disappoint! There is nothing not to love in my opinion. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Robina Sansom
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great to listen to
Amy's voice is quite distinctive and a pleasure to listen, Iv'e been a fan for some time and look forward to her next album
Published 2 months ago by Mr. Michel P. Lempereur
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best of her 3 CD's
I have all 3 CD's of Amy McDonald and this just about beats the first and is more soulful than the third which seems to consist of more military themed songs. Read more
Published 3 months ago by T. A. Gillott
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great album
Amy MacDonald is a joy to listen to, through all her albums. She is a traditional singer/songwriter with a modern twist.
Published 3 months ago by Sancha Lancaster
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Album
I've had it now for over 6 months and still not tired of listening to it. Happy with the purchase
Published 3 months ago by s_p_y
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
Again a wondeful album buy the wonderful Amy. her voice is so scottish & so fab. She will be around for a long time
Published 4 months ago by Mr. J. O' Goan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
I went online to get the song This Pretty Face which I liked when it first came out and though it better value to buy the album. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Malcolm Middlebrook
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fab
I brought this on the strenght of one song I used to hear on the radio - not dissapointed - love it.
She has a great voice
She has a great voice
Published 4 months ago by The Paddocks B&B
5.0 out of 5 stars
easy listening
Great music, the disc itself is a little strange as it has an extra unlisted track at the end after a 45 second gap of silence which
still shows up as track 12 on the CD... Read more
still shows up as track 12 on the CD... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Derek Rogerson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Cd
I had Amy's other cds and decided to get this one as well and not dissapointed.She has a lovely voice.
Published 5 months ago by Ann
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