Album Name: Marked for Madness
Artist: Michelle Young
Year/Label: 2001 / Naosha Records
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Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell
Michelle Young’s second album is a masterpiece.
Her previous solo record came after a long and interesting career in bands like Glass Hammer and American Flyer. On that record Young established a lush, imaginative sound that she has developed fully here.
She crafts a style compromised of progressive rock,jazz, folk and pop. Her sensual voice carries echoes of Kate Bush and Tori Amos but has its own timbre.
The title track is progressive rock at its finest with great use of instruments and a haunting sense of doom. “A Lively Toast” is a quirky, yet poignant song that reminds me of Kate Bush’s Lionheart album.
“Dancing on the Head of a pin” builds slowly towards a spiralling crescendo.
The theatrical “Mystery Man Summoned” is achingly lovely and shows Young’s voice performing impressive feats.
Young and her musicians dont do anything less than inspired work here.
“Marked for Madness” is a fantastic , imaginative record. It is highly recommnded for all lovers of great music.
Posted on March 15, 2002
Track Listing
Listen to track samples
1. Marked for Madness
2. A Lively Toast
3. Spider’s Thread
4. Hope:Realization
5. First Light
6. Dancing On The Head Of A Pin
7. Demons
8. Hope:The Darkest Hour
9. Melissa’s Demise
10. The Right Of Passage
11. Hope:Encouragement
12. Mystery Man Summoned
13. Pull The Wool
14. Walk In The Light
15. Toujours Ensemble