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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Marianne Faithfull had been effectively written off as a one- hit wonder when she reappeared in 1979 to shock everyone with this dark masterpiece. Gone was the bland choirgirl voice of "As Tears Go By", replaced by an instrument that, although ravaged by drink, drugs, and hard living, had gained in expressiveness. The music, which sounded like a synthesizer phalanx hijacked by depressed punks, was perfectly suited to these songs of disillusionment ("Ballad of Lucy Jordan") and loss (the title track). Most powerful was a "Working Class Hero" that matched John Lennon's original sneer for sneer, and an X-rated response to infidelity ("Why D'Ya Do It") that could've been torn from Bill Clinton-inspired headlines. --Ben Edmonds
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
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.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This album astonished listeners when released, and still has the power to shock. The classic sound that ties it to label mates like Grace Jones is still fresh, particularly on the opener and title track, Broken English. The instrumentation is bare and pure, leaving space for Marianne's voice - much changed since her last major outing on record - to enchant and beguile. Her voice is like nothing you've heard, but is all the better for it - like late, late Billie Holliday, though you feel the pain you also feel the experience, and it takes the songs to a different and superior place. A classic slice of the 70s.
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I first heard this album 15 years ago in my late teens and all I could hear was depression.Now in my mid thirties I realise that it is depressing in one sense but it puts into words and music all the feelings and emotions that we all feel at some point. This album is not to be listened to when you are feeling right in the gutter but when you are on the way back up. The Ballad of Lucy Jordan is not only haunting but beautifully orchestrated. Buy this album and try it and ignore the twee music that Marianne produced in the 60's because this is different gravy
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Marianne Faithfull: Broken English
This was a favourite of mine, some great songs and an unearthly chanting performance from La Faithfull. Read more
Published 7 months ago by scribe
CD Broken English
CD arrived in a couple of days, somewhat dissappointed with the sound quality! I have tried the CD in several different units but it would appear that it is the sound quality of... Read more
Published 13 months ago by hat 004
Broken English
Marianne Faithfull is perhaps best known for being Mick Jagger's bird in the 1960s and for her rather famous drug habits as well as the fact that she ended up sleeping rough on the... Read more
Published on 4 Jan 2010 by Buzzword
THE DIVINE MARIANNE FAITHFULL
I ADORE MARIANNE AND THIS WAS A REPLACEMENT OF THE L.P. WHICH I HAD STOLEN FROM ME.
IT IS A BRILLIANT ALBUM FOR ALL M.F. FANS
IT IS A BRILLIANT ALBUM FOR ALL M.F. FANS
Published on 16 Nov 2009 by Miss A. Evans
One of Marianne's top 3 albums!
A TRULY superb album that I rate right up there among her top 3, along with 'A Child's Adventure' & 'Dangerous Aquaintances' - all my personal favourites and 'simillar' in style /... Read more
Published on 20 Oct 2009 by Pagan Ronnie
This little bird
There were a few girl singers in the sixties that I always enjoyed such a Francoise Hardy and Marianne Faithfull. Read more
Published on 8 Aug 2009 by Peter Wade
A blast from the past.
Strictly for the fans of Mary Anne,or for those who want something a bit out-landish.
Published on 14 May 2009 by M. Gillies
Memories
Bought this for my friend on vinyl when he was 37,after listening to the Ballad of Lucy Jordan. He's now 64 and I just couldn't resist updating his collection to include the CD,... Read more
Published on 19 Feb 2009 by Suzinspain
Broken english
I became familiar with this album in my late teens and was going thru a wild time of my life. It is a very depressing album but for some reason I love it, It shouldn,t be listened... Read more
Published on 19 Nov 2004 by kerry
wonderful gritty music
I listened to this many years ago (a taped copy, very naughty) and never thought that it would become one of my most played albums of all time. Read more
Published on 22 Nov 2000
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