The Family Jewels | ||||
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Studio album by Marina and the Diamonds | ||||
Released | 15 February 2010 | |||
Recorded | 2008–09 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 45:35 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer |
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Marina and the Diamonds chronology | ||||
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Singles from The Family Jewels | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Aggregate scores | |
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 68/100 |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
BBC Music | Fairly positive |
Clash | 6/10 |
The Daily Telegraph | |
The Guardian | |
musicOMH | |
NME | 9/10 |
Q | |
Spin | 7/10 |
The Sunday Times | |
The A.V. Club | C |
No Ripcord | |
The New York Times | Fairly positive |
The Independent | Negative |
The Family Jewels is the debut studio album recorded by Welsh singer Marina Diamandis, professionally known as Marina and the Diamonds. It was released on 15 February 2010 by 679 Recordings and Atlantic Records. Diamandis collaborated with several producers including Pascal Gabriel, Liam Howe, Greg Kurstin, Richard "Biff" Stannard, and Starsmith during its recording. She identifies the lyrical themes as "the seduction of commercialism, modern social values, family and female sexuality."
Contemporary music critics gave The Family Jewels fairly positive reviews, with the vocal delivery dividing opinions. The record debuted at number five on the UK Albums Chart with first-week sales of 27,618 copies. The album was eventually certified Gold by the British Phonographic Industry and has sold 195,358 units in the United Kingdom. The Family Jewels performed moderately on international record charts; it peaked at number 138 on the Billboard 200 in the United States.
The Family Jewels was supported by five singles, all of which were supplemented by accompanying music videos. "Mowgli's Road" was released on 13 November 2009, although "Hollywood" became its first charting track after reaching number 12 on the UK Singles Chart. Follow-up singles "I Am Not a Robot", "Oh No!", and "Shampain" respectively peaked at numbers 26, 38, and 141 in the United Kingdom. The record was additionally promoted by Diamandis' headlining The Family Jewels Tour, which visited Australia, Europe and North America from January 2010 through December 2011.