GenQ - For the not so straight individual

Marcia Hines has received some criticism over the last few years for being too nice on Australian Idol, and, at times, I can see where that criticism is coming from, yet I've also believed for quite some time that Marcia sees the positive in everything, and that's what she focuses on.

With the release of her new album, Life, Marcia shows just this. Life is an album that is full of cover versions (and one original track) that all mean something to Marcia, not only because she loves the song, but because they have meaning to her life in general, or particular events in her life. All of these songs aren't just about Marcia's life though, they're about the lives of everyday people as well.

To give some examples, Marcia's first single, the REM classic Everybody Hurts, is a way for her to reflect on the times in her life that upset her, and is the sort of thing that everyone can relate to, that's for sure. A bit further along the cd is the Toni Braxton number 1 hit, Breathe Again, and, as Marcia herself said, "there is an anxiety and disbelief that comes with hearing "I'm not in love with you anymore." You can't eat, and you can't sleep, you can't function, much less breathe." This, again, is a track that I'm sure a lot of listeners can relate to.

For one more example, and the track that almost moved me to tears (which, trust me, takes a lot) is the Mike & The Mechanics classic, The Living Years. For Marcia, this was a track that reflected on the passings of her brother, Dwight, in 1981, and her mother, Esme, in 2003, but, for me, takes me back to the many funerals I've attended in my life, some of whom were just general friends, others were of people who were very dear to me.

With some of these tracks, I had such strong feelings for these songs that I was worried whether Marcia could do them justice or not, but thankfully, she not only did them in her own way, she re-invented them for a newer audience. With all these songs, you can feel the emotion in Marcia's voice, and that is one of the things that makes an artist truly amazing.

So, Marcia, I'd like to thank you for helping me feel my emotions again, and helping me to remember that Everybody Hurts, but I just Imagine The Living Years. For anyone else out there hurting, I'll Stand By You and may God Bless The Child who helps us all to Breathe Again.

Tracklisting:

1. Preface: Listen
2. Chapter 1: Everybody Hurts
3. Chapter 2: All Woman
4. Chapter 3: Imagine
5. Chapter 4: Get Here
6. Chapter 5: Breathe Again
7. Chapter 6: God Bless The Child
8. Chapter 7: I'll Stand By You
9. Chapter 8: You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman
10. Chapter 9: She's Leaving Home
11. Chapter 10: The Living Years
12. Chapter 11: No Ordinary Love
13. Chapter 12: A House Is Not A Home
14. Conclusion: I Am

Life is out now through Liberation Music. For a limited time, you can get a bonus DVD with the album containing a mini-documentary on the making of Life.

For more information on Marcia Hines, visit her Official Website.