Marlena
Marlena Shaw · 1972
40 min · 9 tracks · soul
Soulful vocals blend with lush orchestration, creating a rich tapestry of emotion and introspection throughout the album.
Top tracks — play these first
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Save the Children — This track serves as a powerful anthem addressing societal issues, showcasing Shaw's vocal prowess and emotional delivery.
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What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life — A standout ballad that highlights Shaw's ability to convey vulnerability, it captures the essence of longing and uncertainty beautifully.
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Runnin’ Out of Fools — This song exemplifies Shaw's soulful style, combining heartfelt lyrics with an engaging melody that invites listeners into her emotional landscape.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends soulful vocals with orchestration and social themes, creating a solid yet familiar sound.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a slow ballad that features orchestral strings, setting a reflective tone for the first half.
- Tracks like 'Save the Children' incorporate a strong rhythmic groove alongside socially conscious lyrics, contrasting with more introspective pieces.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- poignant reflections on love
- soulful vocal delivery shines
- for quiet evenings
- intimate moments of connection
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of high-energy tracks
- prefer upbeat party vibes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1972, 'Marlena' marked Marlena Shaw's third studio album following her successful work with Cadet Records. At this point, she was beginning to establish herself as a significant figure in the soul genre, building on her previous albums while exploring deeper, more personal themes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Roberta Flack· Bill Withers· Nina Simone
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Save the Children
The chorus shifts to a collective call, urging unity and action against societal injustices.
This structural choice emphasizes community over individuality, drawing listeners into a shared responsibility for change.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life 5:09
- 2 Somewhere 3:30
- 3 Runnin’ Out of Fools 4:45
- 4 So Far Away 4:00
- 5 I’m Gonna Find Out 3:50
- 6 Save the Children 4:10
- 7 You Must Believe in Spring 4:32
- 8 Wipe Away the Evil 5:10
- 9 Things Don’t Never Go My Way 4:55
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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