The Four-Cornered Fight (or is it?)

With the hype surrounding new female talent I thought it might be interesting to compare the quality of four album releases and pick a winner in a four-cornered shoot-out. Ellie Goulding is the new singer/songwriter of the moment along with the marginally lesser hyped Marina And The Diamonds. Also in the frame is the more established Amy MacDonald and ‘veteran’ Goldfrapp, both of whom have just released new albums.

Ellie Goulding LIGHTS (Polydor)

Ellie Goulding (born Elena Jane Goulding on 30 December 1986) is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist. She rose to fame after topping the BBC Sound of 2010 poll and winning the Critics Choice Award at the 2010 BRIT Awards. After signing to Polydor Records in 2009, Goulding released her first E.P., An Introduction to Ellie Goulding, followed by her debut full-length studio album, LIGHTS, in 2010.

Having seen Goulding playing live on TV and hearing the top-ranking airplay/chart-topping song ‘Starry Eyed’, I have to say I was initially unimpressed. So, I listened to the new album which opens with ‘Guns And Horses’, a semi-acoustic affair boasting a decent melody, so-so lyrics, a very young and average voice, and all wrapped in overblown production. Not the best start. ‘Starry Eyed’ is just plain awful, but I can understand its selection as first single cut. ‘This Love’ has a darker vibe that sounds a tad interesting, but then a heavy dance vibe appears and it takes a turn for the worst. It ends up being a very ordinary pop song, so could be another single for Radio 1 and the like. By this point I’m wondering just why Goulding was selected by the ‘great and good’ in the BBC’s Sound Of 2010 poll… ‘Under The Sheets’ is the EP song that mainstream execs latched on to and a more pedestrian song you won’t find. ‘The Writer’ opens with an assertive piano passage that sparks interest and I’m rather encouraged as it’s a fairly good tune with a more subtle instrumental arrangement, that is until the orchestra makes an entrance later and plays foul. Ultimately, it’s one of the best songs here. ‘Every Time You Go’ and ‘Wish I Stayed’ lack good melodies and just about everything else.

‘Your Biggest Mistake’ is an apt title, while ‘I’ll Hold My Breath’, with its sweeping orchestral entrance and expressive vocal is another pick of the album. Finally, ‘Salt Skin’ is drowned in production, backing vocals and includes the worst Goulding performance here.

2.5/5

Marina And The Diamonds THE FAMILY JEWELS (Own Label)

Marina Lambrini Diamandis (born 10 October 1985), better known by her stage name Marina and the Diamonds, is a Greek-Welsh singer/songwriter. She rose to fame after reaching number two on the BBC Sound of 2010 poll list, coming second to Ellie Goulding. After releasing one private extended play, Diamandis released her second extended play, THE CROWN JEWELS EP, with help from Neon Gold Records in 2009. Now signed to 679 Recordings, she released her debut full-length studio album, THE FAMILY JEWELS, in 2010. Diamandis will be releasing her third extended play, THE AMERICAN JEWELS EP, on 23 March, 2010.

Her eponymous name “Marina and the Diamonds” consists of Diamandis’ first name and the translation of her surname which means “Diamonds” in Greek. “The Diamonds” refers to Diamandis’ fans but is commonly mistaken for her backing band (similar to Florence and the Machine). She also explains on her MySpace page “I’m Marina. You are the diamonds.”

‘Are You Satisfied’ immediately sparked my interest. Diamandis has a voice which is both solid and distinctive, the song has a pop quirkiness that is appealing, the lyrics are good and production is beautifully judged. Round 1 to Marina And The Diamonds. ‘Shampian’ is just as good and the Hammond touches are clever and effective, while its rockier vibe also works well. ‘I Am Not A Rebel’ reminds me of Regina Spektor with the piano backdrop, although I think Diamandis’s voice offers more bang-for-buck. As in previous songs, there’s a powerful melody and simple but effective lyrics. So far, in every aspect, a much better album than Goulding’s. ‘Mowgli’s Road’ opens with a laugh, a driving beat and a goes on to reveal an artist who is adventurous, and funny with it. Her voice also sets her apart from any new UK female singer/songwriter, and especially in the way which expresses song messages; it’s as though she’s acting out song lyrics and sentiments. ‘Obsessions’ is a contemplative, darker song that builds sonically during its passage, while ‘Hollywood’ is a harder narrative with subtle changes of pace.

‘The Outsider’ is another contemplative song with a wholly original vibe and which verges on the epic. ‘Hermit The Frog’ is a bittersweet love song and the most adventurous song here - outstanding! ‘Oh No!’ comes with driving dance beat and a distinctly punk-pop vibe, while ‘Rootless’ reverts to straight, pleading and epic balladry. ‘Numb’ with its great lyrics, reflective and epic ambience, superb orchestration and an ultra expressive vocal is my pick of this outstanding album. Finally, ‘Guilty’ could not be much darker with its outstanding confessional lyrics, vocal and top musical arrangement of a quite complex song.

This album oozes originality, distinction, quality, diversity and accessible entertainment. How this lady was not picked as the Sound Of 2010 is beyond me. Perhaps the Mercury/Barclaycard Award judges will recognise her more appropriately…

4/5