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Deluxe Version
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Download @ iTunes | Buy @ Official Store
Super Deluxe Version
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Has it really only been 2 years since A Curious Thing was released? Apparently so, but now, after taking a year out, Scottish singer/songwriter Amy Macdonald is back with her third studio album, Life In A Beautiful Light
The album opens with sounds like to be heard at the American celebration of 4th of July. With background Ahhhhhhh and trumpet fanfares, it a bit more than we’re probably used to, but it still good. Pride comes up next and just has Macdonald’s name written all over it with a familiar sound. Next is Slow It Down (which we reviewed back at the start of May. See the review here). The Furthest Star in some instances gives a nursery rhyme sort of feel to it and at sometimes it does feel as if there are too many lyrics to fit. Still, it’s a nice mid-tempo track.
The Game shows a different side to Amy and how much she’s willing to push her voice now. It does sort of remind us of something that fellow Scots The Proclaimers might sing. Across The Nile was inspired by the Egyptian celebrations and it shimmers with keys, guitar and drums in equal balance. The Days Of Being Young And Free show once again how she’s grown into her voice, this time with some of the lower notes in it.
Left That Body Long Ago comes with Amy’s Glaswegian twang throughout it. We do warn that it’s likely to cause tears, particular if you’re familiar with the ravages of Alzheimer's disease, something that Macdonald was familiar with as her nan suffered with it before her death. From tears and sadness, we head into a bright and uptempo track, that is also the title. Life In A Beautiful Light once again has tinges of the Glaswegian twang on most words. Our only criticism is what the over 1 minute bit of odd sound is at the end of what is a great song.
A song inspired by the Chilean Miners is up next in the form of Human Spirit (see the Slow It Down single review for our view on this track) . The Green and the Blue is reference to the well known rivalry between Glasgow’s two teams, Rangers and Celtic but in certain parts does remind us of Runrig’s Loch Lomand. The aptly named In The End is the generally the last track for the album and is a resounding ending to the album.
Of course, there are other versions of the album. The deluxe version features acoustic versions of Slow It Down, The Furthest Star, The Green and The Blue, Across The Nile and 4th of July. We should stress that these acoustics are just Amy and her guitar and can probably be seen as how Amy heard them when she was writing them. There are also singalong instrumentals for Slow it Down, 4th of July and Pride.
And finally, if you really want to push the boat out, there is the super deluxe version that comes with the standard album, another disc with 19 tracks comprising of acoustic versions of Slow It Down, The Furthest Star, Across The Nile, 4th of July, The Days Of Being Young and Free, The Game and Born To Run plus…..ALL the singalong instrumentals to all the tracks on the album! There’s also a DVD with 5 acoustic performances (4th of July, Pride, Slow It Down, The Furthest Star and The Green and The Blue). Not only that but there is 2 numbered litho artworks and the sheet music for Slow It Down. Not bad for the price to be honest!
There is one final track to talk about and that is an acoustic one called Two Worlds. It’s a hidden track (but we didn’t tell you that…but it wouldn’t be an Amy Macdonald album without one!) We reckon that it’s not going to be to everyone’s taste but it’s a lovely little ballad number.
Looking at the album, it’s probably been a good idea for Macdonald to take the year off. Whilst the album maintains the familiar sound that Macdonald has become known for but at the same time, she’s trying something a little different. She’s written the entire album herself, a rarity these days especially for someone of Amy’s age. But she’s continued to use her tried and tested formula of using life experiences to inspire her songs. As she’s said herself, she has grown into her voice and is willing to try different things now. A fantastic album from a great Scottish artist who deserves more appreciation in the UK like she receives across in Europe.
Rating: 5/5
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