I prefer the second album. After hearing “Ways to be Wicked” I bought the debut and wanted to love it, but was underwhelmed. The production was poor and most of the songs were weak. But I kept an eye on them and – despite the label issues and lineup changes – bought the follow-up when it came out. It still gets played chez Firefly. I love Maria M’s debut. But it promised so much and, for the most part, her career failed to deliver on her talent.
I also prefer Shelter to the first album. ‘Dixie Storms’ is one of the great songs, imho. Also love the first solo album, which got a 10/10 rating in NME at a time when I used to think such things were important.
If you like the second Lone Justice album, give the second MM solo album a go – very similar in feel. The third solo LP is great, too, although a lot less cheerful.
I bought the rest of her solo albums in hope of a return to form, but never play them.
The second is ‘You Gotta Sin to Get Saved’ and is a band effort with similar arrangement/production to Shelter. I much prefer it to the 10/10 first solo album, so that must make it 11/10.
It’s a puzzle really. There was no such entity as Lone Justice by the time they made the first album, although you can get the early demos on a compilation CD; the two official LPs have completely different band lineups and quite a few ringers, and the second MM solo LP is probably closest to a Lone Justice ‘real’ album where they all play on all the songs.
I think the first solo album is the one for me; anyone who can write a lyric like this – A heart that’s worn and weathered should know better than to fight, but I wore mine like a weapon, laid out love like a crime – well, that’s a rare grasp of proper poetry right there.
Also the alarm bells ring when you look at the credits for the first LJ album, where someone is credited for percussion in the mixing credits… there must have been some struggles making that record…
They were never underrated at Harkonnen Towers, a great band especially playing live. Did you know that Marie McKee is the half-sister of Love’s Bryan MacLean.
Oo…had completely forgotten about them! Thanks! I had a mate who was always banging on about them and I haven’t listened for donkey’s years….that’s my listening sorted tomorrow….
Uncle Wheaty says
This is marvellous
Rufus T Firefly says
I prefer the second album. After hearing “Ways to be Wicked” I bought the debut and wanted to love it, but was underwhelmed. The production was poor and most of the songs were weak. But I kept an eye on them and – despite the label issues and lineup changes – bought the follow-up when it came out. It still gets played chez Firefly. I love Maria M’s debut. But it promised so much and, for the most part, her career failed to deliver on her talent.
davebigpicture says
I really like the first album but you correctly picked out a track by Mike Campbell and Tom Petty as a stand out track rather than one of their own.
Black Type says
I also prefer Shelter to the first album. ‘Dixie Storms’ is one of the great songs, imho. Also love the first solo album, which got a 10/10 rating in NME at a time when I used to think such things were important.
fentonsteve says
If you like the second Lone Justice album, give the second MM solo album a go – very similar in feel. The third solo LP is great, too, although a lot less cheerful.
I bought the rest of her solo albums in hope of a return to form, but never play them.
Chrisf says
I love the “Life is Sweet” – is that the second or third solo album ?
davebigpicture says
3rd. I picked up a mint 2nd hand copy CD recently for about £4.
The Live From Hi Fidelity podcast was quite good although the Susannah Hoffs one was better.
https://player.fm/series/live-from-high-fidelity/live-from-high-fidelity-29-maria-mckee
fentonsteve says
The second is ‘You Gotta Sin to Get Saved’ and is a band effort with similar arrangement/production to Shelter. I much prefer it to the 10/10 first solo album, so that must make it 11/10.
davebigpicture says
Just played it after many years and I’d agree with you. The first album is good but lacks the edge of the second although you can see the progression.
Mavis Diles says
It’s a puzzle really. There was no such entity as Lone Justice by the time they made the first album, although you can get the early demos on a compilation CD; the two official LPs have completely different band lineups and quite a few ringers, and the second MM solo LP is probably closest to a Lone Justice ‘real’ album where they all play on all the songs.
I think the first solo album is the one for me; anyone who can write a lyric like this – A heart that’s worn and weathered should know better than to fight, but I wore mine like a weapon, laid out love like a crime – well, that’s a rare grasp of proper poetry right there.
Mavis Diles says
Also the alarm bells ring when you look at the credits for the first LJ album, where someone is credited for percussion in the mixing credits… there must have been some struggles making that record…
Baron Harkonnen says
They were never underrated at Harkonnen Towers, a great band especially playing live. Did you know that Marie McKee is the half-sister of Love’s Bryan MacLean.
Rufus T Firefly says
Yes.
NigelT says
Oo…had completely forgotten about them! Thanks! I had a mate who was always banging on about them and I haven’t listened for donkey’s years….that’s my listening sorted tomorrow….
Sour Crout says
Stop the world. A band Uncle Wheaty and I both like. Something not right here 🙂
Uncle Wheaty says
Synergy at last!
Let’s celebrate with something else you probably hate…
Sour Crout says
You know me too well,Uncle