How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Not applicable
Value for Money
Good
Advantages:
Feel good factor
Disadvantages:
not much to pick at
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
I bought this album on the strength of one song - the title track "this is the life", before this song flooded the airwaves of BBC Radio 2 i had never heard of Amy Macdonald, i am now happy that i have.
This album is jam packed with celtic folk/pop and a refreshing feel good factor, despite some of the more serious lyrical content. Amy is a 19 year old with a lot to say her songs comment on social trends and the media influence. "Footballers Wife" voices annoyance at the Celebrity wife dominating the press for being married to a famous footballer - "she thinks she's some kind of star, yes you know who you are, I don't think so" . "Youth of today" strikes out at the inherited lack of respect shown to the younger generations. These songs show Amy can provide a powerful message and is willing and able to speak her mind.
Stand out songs for me include "mr Rock and Roll", "This is the life" and "Poison Prince", incidently the first three tracks on the album. They all have a catchy rythem and singable chorus (sometimes it can be a mouthful). All this combined and you cant help nodding your head in time.
Later in the album we come accross "Barrowland Ballroom" which sounds like Amy's desire to "make it" in the music world, you can imagine her standing in the ballrooms watching band after band aspiring to be on that stage.
This wouldnt be a usual choice for me i just couldnt get "this is the life" out of my head. Im sure she would appeal to fans of KT Tunstall and Katie Melua or anyone who likes a feel good acoustic pop song.
I have had this in my car for 2 weeks now and yes it is loosing its appeal slightly but i do tend to listen to things to death. I have however bought tickets for her tour and look forward to hearing what she can do live.
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Good
Cover / Inlay Design and Content
Good
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This Is The Life
Amy MacDonald is that proverbial old head on young shoulders, a Scottish singer-songwriter
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who, despite her tender 19 years, writes songs with the grace, wisdom and proficiency of one with a score more on the clock. As influenced by The Libertines as a...
who, despite her tender 19 years, writes songs with the grace, wisdom and proficiency of one with a score more on the clock. As influenced by The Libertines as a...
who, despite her tender 19 years, writes songs with the grace, wisdom and proficiency of one with a score more on the clock. As influenced by The Libertines as a...
THIS IS THE LIFE
Scottish troubadour Amy MacDonald was a mere 20 years old when her debut, THIS IS THE
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LIFE, was released in 2008. Her youth shows in the feisty spirit and headstrong ambition of the songs (on Let's Start a Band she sings Rolling Stone, here I come), bu...
