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Marianne Faithfull - Before The Poison PDF
05 August 2005
Marianne Faithfull

Before The Poison - (Anti)

Marianne Faithfull's recent sexually-oriented "Kissin' Time" album might have made you more than a little uncomfortable, since it was a bit like listening to your grandmother brag about her various sexual escapades. (Granny, keep it to yourself, please!) "Before The Poison" is a whole lot easier on the ears, however, since Faithfull has collaborated with folks like Nick Cave and PJ Harvey in order to delve into the darker sides of love. The combination of her gravelly voice, matched with some mighty fine and morbid songwriting and arranging from her darkly clad, younger friends, makes for a winning cross-generational match.

Strangely enough, the normally more upbeat Damon Albarn (of Blur) contributes "Last Song," which bemoans the fading beauty of planet earth's environment. Sample lines: "We saw the green fields turn into homes/Such lovely homes." The most fascinating track here, though, is one called "Desperanto." It contains big guitar, generous organ and - dare I say it? - a rapped vocal by Faithfull. It also has a nearly soulful vocal chorus singing "Everybody loves my baby." Another notable entry here is the closer, "City of Quartz," which incorporates spooky toy piano as well as a string section. It's beautiful, actually, and retains a fairytale-like quality. And that (child friendliness) a rarity on any Faithful album.

Faithfull will never win any American Idol vocalizing contests for what she calls singing. But when she's surrounded by so many undeniably creative people, as she is here, it's abundantly clear that this woman has picked her poisons well.

8.0