REBECCA ARMENDARIZ
| 8.20.2008
MARTHA WAINWRIGHT, THE EQUALLY talented sister of gay musician Rufus Wainwright, makes some of the most heartfelt and sickeningly honest music in folk-rock today.
The guitarist and vocalist’s second full-length album “I Know You’re Married but I’ve Got Feelings Too” hits on touchy topics — adultery and jealousy, in particular — in her signature warble.
Wainwright opens the album with “Bleeding All Over You,” a track that includes the album’s title in its laments. She sings over delightful strings and up-tempo guitars in her innocent-seeming baby voice. Probably not an advocate of the crime she’s committed by falling in love with a taken man in the lyrics, Martha’s certainly angry at the guy who’s chosen his marriage over their affair.
The theme persists on the second track and first single, “You Cheated Me.” Wainwright’s voice, which can be throaty, emotive and wonderful at times, has a tendency to creep into pinched and squeaked-out territory. And while her anger is attractive and palpable in that Alanis sort of way, her rhyme schemes are sometimes too forced.
Wainwright uses more percussion on “I Know You’re Married” than on her first album, and she’s learned a thing or two about production values. The ominous, layered vocals on “Jesus and Mary” make every minor-keyed song the perfect soundtrack for the coming of a great flood.
MARTHA FINDS HERSELF ON THE BOTTOM of the Wainwright family totem pole, in age, anyway. Rufus, a gay icon for his own wonderful balladeering, is two years older, and her parents are Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, both revered singer-songwriters.
After piggybacking on the success of her brother for many years in interminable opening slots on his tours, Martha was finally able to branch out on her own with the 2005 release of her self-titled debut. She toured with Neko Case and the Swell Season and has, especially with this second release, established herself as a solo artist.
Fans of Rufus may love his occasional frivolity and playfulness, but they only get to see the serious side of sister Martha. When Rufus wanted to sing about his relationship with their dad, he wrote “Want,” a lazy acoustic number. When it was Martha’s turn, she penned “Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole.” Yikes!
The 32-year-old songstress continues with “So Many Friends,” a song she’s been performing live for years. The time she’s taken to perfect it for this release was worth it. Distant pianos punctuate the chorus as Martha’s wail climbs up from the bottom of her belly.
WAINWRIGHT CHANNELS EARLY Sheryl Crow on “The George Song.” Early Crow didn’t know much about painless lyrics, either.
And hey, we’re saying flat out that 14 tracks is too long for a Martha Wainwright album. The lack of prettiness to her voice wears thin, and that much downer is too much, for anyone.
But listeners who persist get rewarded near the end with “See Emily Play,” the album’s best track.
It’s a cover, so Martha doesn’t earn full props for its greatness. But she makes it sweeter, catchier and less trippy than Pink Floyd. She ends on a high note with “Love Is a Stranger,” a song that features — gay gasp! — handclaps, and could be her cheeriest effort ever.
|
