Broken English

I get that this album has a good backstory, but for the most part, it sounds like older music dressed up in new wave clothes. The production is very 80s even though it came out in 1979, so that's quite an innovative feat. But more like bad overproduced 80s mainstream rock music than minimal synth or jagged post-punk. The last track was a jump scare - I can't tell if that is in a good or bad way.

Can we please stop recording the girlfriends of famous rock and rollers and calling it music? Just because he thinks you’re hot doesn’t mean you have talent. Anyways one of the songs on this album was good but the final track was garbage so that’s the lasting impression for me.

Not one for me - few decent sounding tracks but very little that grabbed me.

Definitely in my personal top 100 with "Broken English", and very listenable complementary tunes.

I had to look at the date this came out as I thought it was a 90's album. Way ahead of her time. Some songs are great, some are just ok. Overall, I thought it was a decent album.

Strange, not terrible, but not really my vibe.

Has such a distinct early 80s sound which is crazy given the state of the london music scene in 1979. in saying that it’s not the most impressive thing i’ve ever heard. i would maybe go back to one or two songs.

Fiz um esforço pra escutar e tentar gostar mas não teve jeito.. não é de todo ruim, mas pra mim, um disco bem descartável.

never has a single album made instantly 'get' an artist as much as this one.

Surprisingly raw, I love the production, even if I'm not that into her vocals.

Doesn’t, like, seem to be a “singer” or “musician” or “artist”.

Not my cup of tea. Can't picture revisiting this one.

Can hear the influence she had on PJ Harvey and Courtney Love

I go back and forth on this one. On one hand, I really appreciate what's going on here musically, and it sounds very 80's despite this being in '79. So musically this seems ahead of its time. But her vocals reeeeeally aren't working with me on the first listen. I'll settle for a 3. Maybe they grow on you.

There's a good album in there I think but I can't get past the 80s goth synth sound to get to the songs and voice. That might be my issue but it is what it is.

This album rocks. I didn't know about Marianne at all, what a story. "Witches' Song" and "Ballad of Lucy Jordan" are stand outs.

She was oh so very good

It’s alright.

An usher for the 80's sound that was soon to come. I can imagine Faithfull's influence on Kate Bush, Bonnie Tyler, and other distinct experimental pop stars. While not to my particular tastes, I can understand the love and adoration for this record.

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

I understand the singificant of this album for Marianne, but this was just generally a miss for me. I couldn't warm up to her voice and generally found the music underwhelming. Generally good lyrics though.

There are a lot of really good albums like this one. There are a lot of really bad albums like this one. There are a lot of really interesting albums like this one. There are a lot of really boring albums like this one. There are a lot of albums that I’ve heard like this one. There are a lot of albums that I haven’t heard like this one. What I can conclude is that this is definitely an album and that’s what it will always be.

First song tricked me into thinking I was gonna love this. A bunch of middling tracks follow, and then I liked the last two again. So I'd call this a mixed bag.

Faithfull's tryout for The Memory Remains 18 years later. But seriously, this is heartbreaking: "After ending her relationship with Mick Jagger in 1970 and losing custody of her son, Faithfull suffered from heroin addiction and lived on the streets of London. Severe laryngitis and drug abuse during this period permanently altered Faithfull's voice, leaving it cracked and lower in pitch."

I like it in moments but this is far more interesting backstory than listening experience.

I had heard her name, but I didn’t know she started in the 60s and dated Mick Jagger. I am really wondering why I don’t hear of her more along with the likes of Joni Mitchell and Carly Simon. Her music seems to have been popular enough. Love her voice, but heartbreaking that it was due to drugs and alcohol. Need to check out her earlier stuff. Good music, great lyrics. Great album, this.

The ballad of Lucy Jordan: the song playing while Thelma and Louise make their epic feminist plunge off the cliff!! My college roommate’s and I watched that movie countless times during our freshman year - so that song feels synonymous with that time in my life. It’s also the reason I bought the soundtrack. It wasn’t until the era of streaming that I finally dug further into Faithfull, loving her Cyndi Lauper-esque tone I was suprised to learn she predated Lauper. I had assumed she was a late 80’s era singer. Standouts also include the punk “why’d you do it” and the album opener, “broken English” which reflects on the Baader-Meinhof terrorism of the Red Army Faction of 1979 - when this album came out. I also read about her bio and learned that after ending her relationship with Mick Jagger in 1970 and losing custody of her son, Faithfull suffered from heroin addiction and lived on the streets of London. Severe laryngitis and drug abuse during this period permanently her voice, leaving it cracked and lower in pitch.

Eh. 1.75

bold and gritty and shocking. i love women especially women with something to say.

Voz particular, sus interpretaciones se salen de la casilla de lo habitual aunque hay algunas que calzan justo en el molde de lo mainstream en este momento Empezó de menos a más a mi parecer La canción más alabada del álbum es la que menos me gustó definitivamente Tiene talento y aprecié la creatividad, simplemente no es mi tipo

This was good. The john lennon cover was something. But overall very enjoyable

The cover of Working Class Hero is really good.

I enjoyed it fine but I wasn’t crazy about it. Her lyrics were the best part for me. I like how explicit they are in their intent; there’s really no beating around the bush with her. But the music itself wasn’t super compelling to me. I’ve long loved the closing track but in the context of the rest of the album it didn’t sound as evocative as it does against other music in a playlist. *Fav tracks: Why’d Ya Do It; Guilt*

Gear: ZMF Bokeh Closed Artwork: 🚬👄👤 Production: 🎛️🥧☺️ Music: 😏🤨🥲 Rating: 🗣️🗣️(🗣️)/5

Parts of this I like a lot on second listen. Pretty visceral lyrics in the last song. Brain Drain and Guilt are both very good songs. The former sounds a lot like Swamp by Talking Heads. Enjoy the funk. Pretty good. 7/10

An interesting listen with songs featuring unique instrumentation. Why’d You Do It is raunchy as hell!

Damn this was good!

This was painful. Someone please put this woman out of her misery (and us, too).

(I know this recording predates her success but it’s as…) If a tired, old Cyndi Lauper who can’t hit all her notes any more made an album. This is not good music. All the songs sound the same. Another whiff on the 1001 list.

The is an interesting collection of genres here …. too bad they all had to be interpreted by Mary Ann Faithful.

Marianne Faithfull has been through the wringer , and now after listening to this so have we.

listened to this on full last year in 2025 a few days after marianne passed away, banger after banger. may her soul rest in peace

Was expecting smokey lounge tunes and that's what I got

Aggressively fine Don't really care for her voice much, honestly. Kinda grating. I take it back, this is some cringe trash.

𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩 has a dark, worn-down atmosphere that suits the material well, but Marianne Faithfull’s voice never quite works for me. I understand why its roughness is such a defining part of the album, yet her delivery often feels too flat and limited to keep me engaged. The production is much more interesting, with its cold new-wave edge and electronic touches giving the songs some tension. Unfortunately, I keep wishing the vocals had the same range and movement. A distinctive record, but one where the voice at the centre is also the main reason I struggle with it.

What a fascinating person Marianne Faithfull was. And this is a very good record. Some of the arrangements are, well, very 1979 and not quite my thing, I mostly forgot about them while listening to every word she sang.

Okay album, not a fan of the vocals. Middle of the road and forgettable. 3/5

Was not a fan at all. I like the idea and wish I had liked the music better!

Album #289 Marianne Faithfull: Broken English This is one of the more interesting albums that this list has introduced me to. This almost feels like a sort of proto-Kate Bush, and I can see how it is very influential. It’s also pretty impressive for a 60s artist to adapt so well to the new wave/ post-punk sound, which is a transition that many failed to manage. There are quite a few tracks on this album where I’m fully invested and bought in on the sound; however, there are just as many where I’m left cold and quite bored. I think with albums that try to be dissonant, they sometimes start to become so distant that they lose the listener, and that certainly happened to me a few times on this one. Still a pretty interesting listen with some definite highlights, though perhaps an album more revered for its influence than its quality. Best Songs: Why’d Ya Do It?, The Ballad of Lucy Jordan, Broken English Worst Song: What’s The Hurry Score out of 10: 7

Favorite Track: Working Class Hero

It wasn't my taste, but I can see how she was an inspiration to numerous artists who followed.

This is the woman that *sang* that horrible part in that horrible Metallica song. I wasn't expecting much, nor did this album deliver much.

Pretty good album. I don’t think it’s groundbreaking or anything, but it’s a solid album.

Honestly this album simply didn’t compel me at all

Pretty good album. Probably won’t revisit but enjoyed the listen.

Had it's moments! but probably not something I would revisit.

3.65/5

Some hits, some misses. Might be better on a re-listen. The Ballad of Lucy Jordan is amaaazing though, such a good song. Why D'ya Do It was also a good track. Her voice is weird but I like it.

This one shook me up a bit, especially reading the story of the album and that she struggled with drug addiction and was homeless in London before recording it, an experience which permanently altered her voice, and you can here it cracking in the album, which really makes all her life experiences hit home, and the music is raw and emotional...damn. I just keep thinking about it.

This was pretty good and also her background is crazy.

The working class hero cover out of nowhere was a fun twist

Not bad. Kinda liked

Never had heard of her, but actually wasn’t too bad. Some good stuff some stuff but overall pretty good

With no context just listening to the record, why? MF could never really sing, and this is faux new wave pop. And from the fav reviews on here it's well liked. What do I know. Know I struggled to get through it. Read the context after listening, and why does that justify a need to hear?? Glad to hear she got out of the gutter, but aristocratic upbringing with all the choices, opportunities and life style associated telling tales of working class struggles and a cover of WCH, just about takes it down to 1 Star

It took me a bit to get used to her voice but then I think it really worked with what she was singing. I’m not usually a big synth fan but I enjoyed it here for the most part, and I thought the rest of the instrumentation was great. Really enjoyed her cover of Working Class Hero. Fav song: Working Class Hero Least fav: Witches’ Song

The cover is about the only thing I like about the album. The instrumentals are fine as well but I just couldn’t get behind the vocals. Specific rating -2.8 Fav song - broken English Least fav- why’d ya do it

It wasn't what I was expecting at all- I think the first song especially really threw me. But I enjoyed her voice once I'd had some time to warm up to it- I wasn't a big fan of the synths though, I think they make it feel a bit too of its time. The last two songs were my favourites but I can't tell if that was just because of how much her voice had grown on me compared to the start. Favourite song: Working Class Hero Least: Broken English

Some of the faux-New Wave sonics on this record are decent but the thin songwriting and trying-too-hard lyrics torpedo the whole thing. Not helping at all are Faithfull's snappin', cracklin' and poppin' vocals which are a chore to listen to.

It's pretty forward thinking— for its time. It's dated, but it feels like '80s level production of pretty high standards, which is literally ahead of its time. It's got songwriting I appreciate, working to fill your mind with visuals whenever you allow them. It's probably not the best day for me to hear this, it felt a bit like opening recent scars on economic stability and holding people accountable for shit. I'm not sure if that's the album or it's me projecting, but it's hitting hard in an uncomfortable way. Points for the artistry. The music? Eh. I like the Dylan-ness of her style, it works great with her beat up voice. I think she just let the producer go wild and nobody stopped to pin the sound in a direction that pairs with the lyrics all throughout. Great work on both parts, missing direction for me to call it a must listen. Maybe just for historic significance. 3.1/5

8/10… baroque pop / voice / *1979

it was fine

I quite liked this album. however, I did have a question about its place on this list. It felt like a generic late 70's/early 80's style pop album, which is what it is. I did really enjoy the cover of Working Class Hero though

Very rough voice against quite clean synths. Interesting contrast but not always my thing.

Nope

Favourite Songs: Broken English Brain Drain Guilt The Ballad Of Lucy Jordan Working Class Hero Why'd Ya Do It?

despite the score, i really liked the last track. i just found the rest of it a little trite

Have never listened to this artist before, but I liked her voice and sound on this album. Tough history preceding it, but she pulled through, at least for this one.

5: I will happily play this album anytime 4: I may occasionally play this album of my own free will 3: I will happily listen to this if someone plays it in the background 2: I will tolerate this if it is playing in the background 1: I will leave the room if someone plays this in the background

Could not finish a full song on this album. I don’t get the hype nor understand if it’s some revolutionary work. Just again not my cup of tea

Knowing little about Faithful's music beyond Metallica, I went into this not expecting much. But it's very good. Good songs, good band. Her voice is obviously distinct and unique, not the most pleasant sound in the universe, but the songs do not suffer for it.

fleetwood mac if they couldnt sing and the songs sucked and they werent called fleetwood mac and they were blue

I'm bummed I read some of the ratings first. I was roughly aware that Marianne Faithfull was somehow associated with Mick Jagger but I didn't know much beyond that. The voice is certainly rough but I think that's part of the whole recording here. I'm actually glad I listened to this. It wasn't my favorite but it was worth knowing about and I might try a few listens. It feels almost like it's from the wrong time and place.

“Why’d Ya Do It?” What awesome music! So fucking amazing!

A remarkable comeback from one of the most famous people of the sixties after a quite shocking turn of fortunes involving drug addiction, anorexia and homelessness. Gone was the pure convent girl voice and here was a whisky soaked, lived in deeper range. Helped by a new wave production, and Steve Winwood on keyboards, the songs have a world weariness and, in some places, decadence which has more in common with the times. The ballad of Lucy Jordan, despite being a cover, is a very strong track and the rest are all fine but not earth shattering, at this great distance....... Critically and retrospectively lauded after a modest success in 1979.

It is an essential step forward from Punk to New Wave and sets the stage for transitioning to New Romantic.

This record starts out pretty awful, then gets a little bit better, but not by much. Favourite Track(s): Witches' Song Least Favourite Track(s): Broken English, Why'd Ya Do It

Vibe

Fun, but ??1!! 1001??

The music is not bad but most of the songs don't really go anywhere. "Broken English" is a mild electro-funk road and the vocals are just traveling along on cruise control. "Witches' Song" turns down a 70s soft rock road while the vocals continue on cruise control, etc. ("Brain Drain" is too boring to describe.) "Guilt" has a disco bassline and some jazzy guitar and saxophone, like a watered down Steely Dan. The music alternates between these modes. Her voice captures your attention but it grates unpleasantly at times. Not sure how obscure a reference this is but her voice has a quality that reminds me a bit of Kevin Kinney from Drivin N Cryin. The synth flourishes throughout the first song are annoying, but generally the music is OK although most of the songs go on a bit too long. I knew the name Marianne Faithfull before but wasn't really sure if she was an artist, a musician, a celebrity girlfriend... She seems like an interesting person who probably has something to say, but the music doesn't interest me enough to ponder the lyrics very closely. The lyrics of the last song are somewhat interesting in that they present a woman's response to her male partner's infidelity, but the song is narrated from the man's perspective recounting what the woman said to him. I guess it is an interesting way to show the difference between the two perspectives. After reading a bit about her, I went back and listened to her first two albums: a 60s pop album that's not bad but very much of it's time and an album almost entirely comprised of traditional folk songs. I liked the second one better, but they were both enjoyable. This album just sounds like music that would play behind a driving montage on a moody early 80s TV show or movie. Not bad if you're into that vibe, but I don't think this album is that interesting if you aren't already invested in Marianne Faithfull as a person. Essential listen: no Desert island disc: no

699/1001 2026.09.10 🌕🌕🌗🌑🌑

Баба противно поет как скрипучая старая ворона, а обложка красивая

This was kinda interesting with the post-laryngitis vocals, even if the music is not really my jam. Definitely better than some of the new wave stuff on this list. 3.4

Insanely gorgeous album cover and music

I feel bad, but I really didn't care for this. Maybe it's expectations. I've heard the name Marianne Faithfull but didn't realize her music sounded this way. I kinda imagined it more folky? Maybe her earlier stuff is, I'm not sure. This just sounded cheap though. It's great that she was able to battle through a dark time in her life in order to make it, but I didn't really like it.

Awful, not good in the slightest

6/10 - I enjoyed this much more than most 70s albums

Vamos hoy jueves, porque ayer hubo paro de un momento a otro, con Marianne Faithfull, artista que tenía agendada para escuchar a consciencia hace tiempo y ahora salió en el reto. Siempre uno tiende a imantarse con las personas rotas. A empatizar. A querer cobijarlos y ayudarlos a salir de la mala. El disco tiene ése fantasma en toda su duración: la voz quebradiza, los sonidos con cierta melancolía. Muchas gracias y hasta mañana

Что-то неплохое в этом есть, но на этом всё

gostei bastante?? que história de vida tem essa moça hein, puta que pariu retrata a ideia de vício e o buraco bem p caralho, que bom que esse tirou ela do fundo do poço, pq é bem bom

capa lindíssima e bem produzido, btw. tem um aspecto de sujo, sei lá. eh bem um retrato duma viciada em heroína de meia-idade mesmo. doideira a história dela. achei bem bom, na real. bons synths, boas guitarrinhas e a voz eh bem boa. pedradaça demais, boa surpresa esse!!