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Product Description
Product Description
Amy MacDonald is that proverbial old head on young shoulders, a Scottish singer-songwriter who writes songs with the grace and wisdom. Influenced by The Libertines and more traditional folk, the eleven songs on This is the Life combine a traditional, acoustic folk-rock sound with a youthful spirit and self-assured lyrics that veer between the observational and the confessional.
Review
Singer/ songwriter/ guitarist Amy Macdonald may still be a teenager but it’s hard to believe her music will ever appeal to her peers. Like Joss Stone, Macdonald has an old voice on her young shoulders. That’s not to say you should dismiss This Is The Life if you’re under 40, but you will need a more mature ear to relate to Amy’s folk-styled storytelling, grown-up vocal and country-influenced guitar.
The young Glaswegian may be currently heralded as 'the new Katie Melua' but there’s something more Cranberries-esque to her warbling. This is highlighted on her debut LP’s first track, “Mr Rock & Roll”- a radio-friendly, sing-a-long jig, full of Celtic campfire nostalgia. Moving on to the album title track, lyrically Macdonald comes across like a wise 39-year-old as opposed to a naïve 19-year-old, leading you to question the authenticity of her delivery. In other words, the words and tone feel somewhat forced.
Gripes aside, there are some gleaming gems to be discovered on this 11-tracker. “Let’s Start A Band” hears a Mexican cowboy intro makes way for Amy to unleash her emotive tones and brilliant lyrics: 'Give me a stage and I’ll be your rock ‘n roll Queen/ Your 20th Century cover of a magazine/ Rolling Stone, here I come/ Watch out everyone…'. Further notables include the upbeat, brass-heavy roller, “Barrowland Ballroom” and the melodic “A Wish For Something More”- which allows Macdonald to work her vocal to its full range while highlighting her razor-sharp guitar wizardry. The star of the show though has to be down-tempo number “Footballer’s Wife” on which Amy mocks today’s tabloid-fuelled society. --Elle J Small
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
44 of 44 people found the following review helpful
By P. Wyeth
Format:Audio CD
My CD collection is littered with albums that I buy on the strength of 1 track and never listen to again. And so one sunny day I purchased Amy McDonald's 'This is the Life' after hearing track 1 'Mr Rock & Roll' on the radio. Of course being the first track I assumed that I would listen to it over and over again thinking what utter tosh the rest was.... WRONG!
By the time you have listen to the first three tracks, `Mr Rock & Roll, the brilliant title track 'This is the Life' and 'Poison Prince' you are hooked. This album is like a drug you just can't get enough of. Every tune is simply brilliant and the production seems to be near perfect, if not perfect. The album works on so many different levels - if you want a good tune and nothing else it delivers, if you want excellent lyrics - it delivers and if you are looking for exquisite vocal then Amy delivers again.
I don't actually anything about Amy McDonald other than she is a master at her craft.
If ever there was just one album to own then this may well be it. 5 stars seems not enough.
By the time you have listen to the first three tracks, `Mr Rock & Roll, the brilliant title track 'This is the Life' and 'Poison Prince' you are hooked. This album is like a drug you just can't get enough of. Every tune is simply brilliant and the production seems to be near perfect, if not perfect. The album works on so many different levels - if you want a good tune and nothing else it delivers, if you want excellent lyrics - it delivers and if you are looking for exquisite vocal then Amy delivers again.
I don't actually anything about Amy McDonald other than she is a master at her craft.
If ever there was just one album to own then this may well be it. 5 stars seems not enough.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Andy
Format:Audio CD
Many of these songs have an excellent use of rhythm, beat and bass to create very catchy pop rock, yet retaining the simplicity of singer/songwriter style folk music. My roots are in 70s/80 rock music and yet I really love this.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Sally
Format:Audio CD
After discovering Amy on the social networking site myspace I have watched her grow and grow into the now famous solo artist she deserves to be. All the tracks are very good and are on a loop in my CD player. Highlights are the fantastic upbeat "Mr Rock and Roll" and "Poison Prince." There is a nice mix of different tunes from the jolly "A Wish For Something More" and it slows down for tracks such as "Footballer's Wife." Overall a great first album and a sign of many things to come, I would definetely recommend this.
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4.1 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
I liked it
I thought it was a great first album. We perform Mr Rock and roll and this is the life at every gig we do and it is always a winner. Read more
Published 17 days ago by Ivan Pennell
4.0 out of 5 stars
This is the life.... Amy MacDonald
Good album by an accomplished female artist. I like the style of the lyrics, Ishould have bought the album ages ago.
Published 1 month ago by Mr. A. P. Stott
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lovely album
One of her best albums, I have bought it for a number of people who have all enjoyed it too.
Published 1 month ago by mcah
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cool
Ive always liked amy macdonald and her cool style of music. Now I have the CD im even more thrilled that I can listen to her whenever I want
Published 1 month ago by mel
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great album
She's got a wonderful voice and this is a brilliant album, one of my favourites I bought last year. Excellent
Published 2 months ago by Cattsuk
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great buy
This really is a brilliant album... loved every track ... will be buying more by this artist in the near future
Published 2 months ago by Mrs Theresa M Kelly
5.0 out of 5 stars
she,s lovely
We love Amy, lovely talented girl bought this for my sister in law for her bithdayshe loves it! i already have it,
Published 2 months ago by yorkiegirl
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great album
The amazing Ms Macdonald has produced a great album but the download sound quality is very poor. I think I need to buy the CD.
Published 3 months ago by Robin Hooper
5.0 out of 5 stars
rock'n'roll
QUESTO E' UN ALBUM CHE FIN DAL PRIMO ASCOLTO TI FA INNAMORARE DI SONORITA' UN PO RETRO' ESTREMAMENTE FOLK E ROCK'N'ROLL VOCE FEMMINILE CALDA RIF CHE ENTRANO IN TESTA FACENDOTI... Read more
Published 3 months ago by roberto scappini
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great music
I haven't stopped listening to it since I bought it. Although some of the songs sound a bit the same, it's great for listening and great as background music.
Published 3 months ago by Janni
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