Track Listing

1. Far Away
2. G.P.T.
3. Factory
4. These Flowers
5. Ball and Chain
6. Don't Forget
7. This Life
8. When the Day is Short
9. Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole
10. TV Show
11. The Maker
12. Who Was I Kidding
13. Wither Must I Wander

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #45372 in Music
• Released on: 2005-04-04
• Format: Explicit Lyrics

Amazon.co.uk Review
Martha Wainwright comes from a family that some would call "musical royalty". She is the daughter of Kate McGarrigle and Loudon Wainwright III, and sister of Rufus Wainwright, yet she writes and sings with a style completely her own. After several tours as opener and band-mate for Rufus, and appearances on his albums, Martha made her own bold statement with the release of her EP Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole earlier this year. The EP garnered rave reviews: The Times called it a "tour de force" while The New York Times named it "a gorgeous teaser" to her forthcoming full-length debut. The release of this self-titled debut album takes things to a whole new level. An album of contrasts, Martha Wainwright features tracks filled with raw, fiery, passionate energy alongside unforgettable, hauntingly beautiful ballads. --C Wingbaps

CD Description
Debut studio album from alt-country newcomer Martha Wainwright. After years of providing backing vocals for her brother, Rufus, this first release provides evidence that she is more than capable of standing apart from him. Her passionate acoustic-pop sound has led many to make early comparisons with the likes of Tori Amos and Courtney Love.

Customer Reviews

Enchanting stuff!
I was intrigued to see how Martha would enter the music scene - after her brother's fantastic previous albums. The pressure of expectation and comparison must have been enormous.
Judging by the album, if she's nervous about being such pressure, it doesn't show in the slightest.

Comparisons are mixed - on one hand they couldn't sound any more different if they tried. Martha's folk sensibilities and Rufus's flamboyant arrangements are miles apart. However, both have a fantastic grasp of writing deep and meaningful lyrics without cliche and create interesting and original music - they are both on top of their games. Tales of acceptance, love, death, loss, inadequacies - wonderful stuff if you like that type of stuff (and I DO!!!).

The arrangements and key changes sound really fresh on this album - and it sounds natural and not done to be clever. Martha's voice is also quite distinctive (it has a soft raspy quality), and fits the predominantly folk style of music perfectly.

'Bl**dy Mother Fu**ing A**hole' is reported to be about her relationship with her dad - and it's a stunning spitting rant which is certainly one of the albums highlights, and one of the best "F**k you" songs I've ever heard.

'Whither I Must Wander' is a beautiful traditional folk song, and really shows off a softer, purer sound in Martha's voice.

Other personal highlights are 'TV Show', 'Far Away', 'This Life' and 'These Flowers' - but the whole album is truly wonderful.

An incredible disarming debut, and I can't wait to hear more from her.

Enjoy!

Martha Wainwright - an amazing talent
This album is phenomenal. I was laying flowers at her alter after the second play. She has a raw energy and seduction to her voice that puts her in a different stratosphere to other singer/songwriters. Unlike her brother, Rufus, who tends a little towards twee theatricality, she is powerful and demands attention. She is absolutely sure to shine and potentially to outshine her brother. Awesome.

Exceeded expectations!
I was immediately struck by Martha's voice when I saw her on a TV show recently.

As the sister of Rufus, and daughter of Loudon Wainwright and (my personal favourite) Kate McGarrigle, Martha has a fine musical pedigree but also a lot to live up to. And that she does! Very much a unique voice and talent.

This has hardly been off my CD player since I bought it a week ago, and is showing signs of real longevity. Listening to Martha's voice is a very nice place to be.

I know I should really only give this 4 stars, because it's absolutely clear that this is merely the beginning; Martha has great potential, both as a songwriter and an interpreter. However, as 90% of reviewers give 5* to anything they like, I'm compelled to follow the trend.

Whilst her own compositions are excellent - I like the opener "Far Away" and "Factory", her spine-tingling performance of "Whither I Must Wander" by the classical composer Ralph Vaughan-Williams shows that Martha is much more than just another rock chick.

If you share my liking for Kate and Anna McGarrigle, Eva Cassidy, Kate Rusby, Sandy Denny etc, then please check out Martha Wainwright.