Martha Wainwright
Martha Wainwright
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No doubt about it, Martha Wainwright shares some talented genes with her mom, Kate McGarrigle, her dad Loudon and brother Rufus. But while Martha has been a vital supporting component of Rufus’ band for a while now, she’s no slouch in the songwriting department. While working firmly in a folk-rock milieu, Wainwright’s got bite, little lyrical barbs tucked into her pretty songs. “These Flowers” is a portrait of middle-aged malaise, about a mother envying the freedom of her children, while another song–with a title too extreme for much radio mention–goes the opposite direction in the subtlety department even if, musically, it’s very much of a piece with the rest of the album. It’s coffeehouse music for when the grounds run out and everyone turns to hard liquor.
Best track: “The Maker,” a wistful waltz recorded with brother Rufus on background vocals.
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Edited by Curt Wagner ([email protected]) and Chris Courtney ([email protected])