Life Is Sweet (album)
| Life Is Sweet | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | March 26, 1996 | |||
| Genre | Alternative rock | |||
| Length | 50:34 | |||
| Label | Geffen | |||
| Producer | Bruce Brody, Mark Freegard, Maria McKee | |||
| Maria McKee chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
Life Is Sweet is the third album by American singer-songwriter Maria McKee, released in 1996.[2][3]
Critical reception[edit]
Trouser Press wrote that the album "goes straight over the top in a bewildering styleless hodgepodge of bad production ideas, bizarre gimmicks (paraphrasing melodies and rhythm guitar sounds from Ziggy Stardust?), uneven writing and singing so mindlessly zealous in spots that McKee can’t possibly be hearing herself."[4] The Washington Post thought that "McKee's songs are sometimes swamped by the ornate arrangements, but her wide-ranging vocals are consistently expressive."[5]
Track listing[edit]
All songs by Maria McKee, except where noted
- "Scarlover" – 5:16
- "This Perfect Dress" – 4:26
- "Absolutely Barking Stars" – 4:23
- "I'm Not Listening" (Bruce Brody, McKee, David Nolte) – 4:02
- "Everybody" – 4:17
- "Smarter" – 3:13
- "What Else You Wanna Know" – 5:23
- "I'm Awake" – 3:51
- "Human" – 4:17
- "Carried" (McKee, Nolte) – 4:42
- "Life Is Sweet" – 4:06
- "Afterlife" (Brody, McKee) – 2:38
Personnel[edit]
- Maria McKee – guitar, vocals, producer, mixing, arranging
- Bruce Brody – piano, conductor, Hammond organ, Moog synthesizer, producer, mixing, arranging
- Ric Kavin – percussion, drums
- David Nolte – bass guitar, guitar
- Susan Otten – percussion, vocals
- Martin Tillman – orchestra
- Mark Freegard – producer, audio engineer, mixing
- Bob Salcedo – assistant engineer
- John Aguto – mixing assistant
- Mike Baumgartner – mixing assistant
- Bob Ludwig – mastering
- Janet Wolsborn – art direction
- David Mayenfisch – photography
Charts[edit]
| Chart (1996) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[6] | 17 |
| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[7] | 8 |
| Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[8] | 22 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[9] | 81 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[10] | 69 |
References[edit]
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. Review at AllMusic. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "Maria McKee Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- ^ "Maria McKee - Record Collector Magazine".
- ^ "Maria McKee". Trouser Press. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
- ^ "MCKEE'S LONE GLORY". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
- ^ "Maria McKee Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Maria McKee – Life Is Sweet". Hung Medien. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Maria McKee – Life Is Sweet". Hung Medien. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
