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Life in a Beautiful Light, the third studio outing from Amy Macdonald, finds the Scottish singer/songwriter applying her refreshingly unhindered brogue to a heartfelt, 12-song set that blends the stadium-baiting wail of fellow countrymen Broken Records and Frightened Rabbit with the safe, middle of the road, adult alternative pop of James Blunt and Brandi Carlile. Things get off to a grand start with the spirited "4th of July," an open-road-ready, horn-laden, four-chord love letter to a weekend fling that's equal parts Springsteen and Tunstall, with a little bit of the Proclaimers tossed in for good measure. Elsewhere, "Slow It Down," Life in a Beautiful Light's first tick in the vocal affectation department, and the U2-cribbed "Across the Nile," a political war cry concerning the Arab Spring uprising, are certainly rousing, but feel a bit calculated. In fact, outside of the aforementioned opener and the lush, string-heavy title cut, it all feels a little bit calculated. Macdonald is so beholden to lyrical and melodic clichés, that it can sometimes feel like she's using a template. She's got talent to spare, but Life in a Beautiful Light, at its essence, is the sound of an artist looking for her own voice amidst the deafening roar of her influences.
© James Christopher Monger /TiVo
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Tim Hutton, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - BOB CLEARMOUNTAIN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Watkins, French Horn, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Lale, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Adam, Producer, Executive Producer - Chris Tombling, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Fields, Engineer, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Ann Lines, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Greg Warren Wilson, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Laura Melhuish, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Leo Payne, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Sue Dench, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Audrey Riley, String Arranger, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Pete Wilkinson, Producer, String Arranger, Programmer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Amy Macdonald, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Steve Cradock, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Simon Hayes, Editor, StudioPersonnel - Shannon Harris, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Stuart Ross, Drums, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Manon Grandjean, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Bissil, French Horn, AssociatedPerformer - Liz Bradley, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Cracknall, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2012 Amy Macdonald Limited
BOB CLEARMOUNTAIN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Seton Daunt, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Adam, Producer, Executive Producer - Joe Fields, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Wilkinson, Producer, Piano, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Amy Macdonald, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Simon Hayes, Editor, StudioPersonnel - Shannon Harris, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Stuart Ross, Drums, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Manon Grandjean, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2012 Amy Macdonald Limited
BOB CLEARMOUNTAIN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Adam, Producer, Executive Producer - Joe Fields, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Wilkinson, Producer, Programmer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Amy Macdonald, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Simon Hayes, Editor, StudioPersonnel - Shannon Harris, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Kulke, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Manon Grandjean, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ben Lyonsmyth, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Embery, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2012 Amy Macdonald Limited
BOB CLEARMOUNTAIN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Seton Daunt, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Adam, Producer, Executive Producer - Joe Fields, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Wilkinson, Producer, Piano, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Amy Macdonald, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Simon Hayes, Editor, StudioPersonnel - Shannon Harris, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Manon Grandjean, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ben Lyonsmyth, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Embery, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2012 Amy Macdonald Limited
Tim Hutton, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - BOB CLEARMOUNTAIN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Watkins, French Horn, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Lale, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Seton Daunt, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Adam, Producer, Executive Producer - Chris Tombling, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Fields, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ann Lines, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Greg Warren Wilson, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Laura Melhuish, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Leo Payne, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Sue Dench, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Audrey Riley, String Arranger, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Pete Wilkinson, Producer, String Arranger, Programmer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Amy Macdonald, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Simon Hayes, Editor, StudioPersonnel - Shannon Harris, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Synergy Vocals, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Stuart Ross, Drums, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Manon Grandjean, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Bissil, French Horn, AssociatedPerformer - Liz Bradley, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Cracknall, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2012 Amy Macdonald Limited
BOB CLEARMOUNTAIN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Seton Daunt, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Adam, Producer, Executive Producer - Joe Fields, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Wilkinson, Producer, Piano, Programmer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Amy Macdonald, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Simon Hayes, Editor, StudioPersonnel - Shannon Harris, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Manon Grandjean, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ben Lyonsmyth, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Embery, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2012 Amy Macdonald Limited
BOB CLEARMOUNTAIN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Adam, Producer, Executive Producer - Joe Fields, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Wilkinson, Producer, Programmer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Amy Macdonald, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Simon Hayes, Editor, StudioPersonnel - Shannon Harris, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Kulke, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Manon Grandjean, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ben Lyonsmyth, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Embery, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2012 Amy Macdonald Limited
Peter Lale, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Adam, Producer, Executive Producer - Chris Tombling, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Fields, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ann Lines, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Greg Warren Wilson, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Laura Melhuish, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Leo Payne, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Sue Dench, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Audrey Riley, String Arranger, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Pete Wilkinson, Producer, Mixer, String Arranger, Programmer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Amy Macdonald, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Simon Hayes, Editor, StudioPersonnel - Shannon Harris, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Manon Grandjean, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ben Lyonsmyth, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Embery, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2012 Amy Macdonald Limited
BOB CLEARMOUNTAIN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Lale, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Seton Daunt, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Adam, Producer, Executive Producer - Chris Tombling, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Fields, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ann Lines, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Greg Warren Wilson, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Laura Melhuish, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Leo Payne, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Sue Dench, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Audrey Riley, String Arranger, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Pete Wilkinson, Producer, String Arranger, Programmer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Amy Macdonald, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Simon Hayes, Editor, StudioPersonnel - Shannon Harris, Percussion, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Kulke, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Manon Grandjean, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ben Lyonsmyth, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Embery, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2012 Amy Macdonald Limited
BOB CLEARMOUNTAIN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Lale, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Seton Daunt, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Adam, Producer, Executive Producer - Chris Tombling, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Fields, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ann Lines, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Greg Warren Wilson, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Laura Melhuish, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Leo Payne, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Sue Dench, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Audrey Riley, String Arranger, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Pete Wilkinson, Producer, String Arranger, Piano, Programmer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Amy Macdonald, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Simon Hayes, Editor, StudioPersonnel - Shannon Harris, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Stuart Ross, Drums, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Manon Grandjean, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Liz Bradley, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2012 Amy Macdonald Limited
BOB CLEARMOUNTAIN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Adam, Producer, Executive Producer - Joe Fields, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Wilkinson, Producer, Piano, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Amy Macdonald, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Simon Hayes, Editor, StudioPersonnel - Shannon Harris, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Stuart Ross, Drums, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Kulke, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Manon Grandjean, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2012 Amy Macdonald Limited
BOB CLEARMOUNTAIN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Seton Daunt, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Adam, Producer, Executive Producer - Joe Fields, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Wilkinson, Producer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Amy Macdonald, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Simon Hayes, Editor, StudioPersonnel - Shannon Harris, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Manon Grandjean, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ben Lyonsmyth, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Embery, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2012 Amy Macdonald Limited
Joe Fields, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Wilkinson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Amy Macdonald, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2012 Amy Macdonald Limited
Joe Fields, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Wilkinson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Amy Macdonald, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2012 Amy Macdonald Limited
Joe Fields, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Wilkinson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Amy Macdonald, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2012 Amy Macdonald Limited
Joe Fields, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Wilkinson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Amy Macdonald, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2012 Amy Macdonald Limited
Joe Fields, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Wilkinson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Amy Macdonald, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2012 Amy Macdonald Limited
BOB CLEARMOUNTAIN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Adam, Producer, Executive Producer - Joe Fields, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Wilkinson, Producer, Programmer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Amy Macdonald, Acoustic Guitar, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Simon Hayes, Editor, StudioPersonnel - Shannon Harris, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Kulke, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Manon Grandjean, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ben Lyonsmyth, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Embery, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2012 Amy Macdonald Limited
Tim Hutton, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - BOB CLEARMOUNTAIN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Watkins, French Horn, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Lale, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Adam, Producer, Executive Producer - Chris Tombling, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Fields, Engineer, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Ann Lines, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Greg Warren Wilson, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Laura Melhuish, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Leo Payne, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Sue Dench, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Audrey Riley, String Arranger, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Pete Wilkinson, Producer, String Arranger, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Amy Macdonald, Acoustic Guitar, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Steve Cradock, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Simon Hayes, Editor, StudioPersonnel - Shannon Harris, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Stuart Ross, Drums, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Kulke, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Manon Grandjean, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Bissil, French Horn, AssociatedPerformer - Liz Bradley, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Cracknall, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2012 Amy Macdonald Limited
BOB CLEARMOUNTAIN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Seton Daunt, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Adam, Producer, Executive Producer - Joe Fields, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Wilkinson, Producer, Piano, Programmer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Amy Macdonald, Acoustic Guitar, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Simon Hayes, Editor, StudioPersonnel - Shannon Harris, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Stuart Ross, Drums, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Manon Grandjean, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2012 Amy Macdonald Limited
Album review
Life in a Beautiful Light, the third studio outing from Amy Macdonald, finds the Scottish singer/songwriter applying her refreshingly unhindered brogue to a heartfelt, 12-song set that blends the stadium-baiting wail of fellow countrymen Broken Records and Frightened Rabbit with the safe, middle of the road, adult alternative pop of James Blunt and Brandi Carlile. Things get off to a grand start with the spirited "4th of July," an open-road-ready, horn-laden, four-chord love letter to a weekend fling that's equal parts Springsteen and Tunstall, with a little bit of the Proclaimers tossed in for good measure. Elsewhere, "Slow It Down," Life in a Beautiful Light's first tick in the vocal affectation department, and the U2-cribbed "Across the Nile," a political war cry concerning the Arab Spring uprising, are certainly rousing, but feel a bit calculated. In fact, outside of the aforementioned opener and the lush, string-heavy title cut, it all feels a little bit calculated. Macdonald is so beholden to lyrical and melodic clichés, that it can sometimes feel like she's using a template. She's got talent to spare, but Life in a Beautiful Light, at its essence, is the sound of an artist looking for her own voice amidst the deafening roar of her influences.
© James Christopher Monger /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 20 track(s)
- Total length: 01:12:30
- Main artists: Amy Macdonald
- Composer: Amy Macdonald
- Label: EMI
- Genre: Pop/Rock Pop
© 2012 Amy Macdonald Limited ℗ 2012 Amy Macdonald Limited
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