MARA: It's Who I Am

Mara

It's Who I Am

© 2002 Flying Coaster Records (656613723227)

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Acoustic soul that rocks. Mara's passion is endless on this explosive album, taking you on a journey to everywhere you've been or hope to go.

tracks

1 Don't Let Me Run
2 Blue Guitar Rock Star
3 It's Who I Am
4 Never In Love
5 Busker
6 Roselan
7 When The Damage Is Done
8 Sunflowers & Rain
9 Jamie's Song
10 No Apology
11 Eternally

notes

Mara honors the memory of her Grandmother and the struggles of other family members by donating one dollar from the sale of every album to benefit breast cancer research.

Mara's original acoustic rock with soul showcases classic songwriting sensibility reared on modern pop radio. In 2001, Mara was nominated by the LA Music Awards as 'Best Female Singer/Songwriter' and secured a coveted spot on Music Connection Magazine's 'Hot 100 Unsigned Artists' list. Her songs have been featured in independent film, on national television and on compilation CDs from MP3.com (Mara's song 'Don't Let Me Run' was #1 on their acoustic charts) and GuitarGirls.com.

Mara's debut album on Flying Coaster Records, It's Who I Am, is an upbeat collection of positive songwriting and melodic hooks. The overall theme of finding your place in the world and being comfortable with your own self-image has struck a chord with diverse audiences of all ages.

Mara (pronounced like marathon) is a native New Yorker currently living in Los Angeles while touring colleges, popular clubs, coffeehouses, youth hostels and seasonal festivals as well as private engagements. Her dynamic, soulful vocals and captivating stage presence reflect her musical theater roots and keep her loyal and growing following coming back to her live shows (and bringing friends!) at home and around the world.

Mara jump-started her career playing in the pubs of Scotland for a ravenous following of international travelers and loyal locals who persuaded her to come back for the Edinburgh Festival. Within two months, she was playing five packed nights a week, selling (and signing) all available copies of her acoustic EP, accepting invitations for live radio appearances and enjoying life as a featured performer in the Fringe Festival. Fans who discovered her there have continued to support her music to this day in countries around the world and at home. Mara's music has proven to know no language or cultural barriers.

reviews

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  • On and On
    author: Mike Ostrom

    This CD has been in my car for over a month. It goes on and on, I cant stop it. I have tried, but my finger will not push the eject button- it just wont. It really is an excellent album, very fun, all the songs. When The Damage Is Done and No Apology are the stand out tracks for me currently but like I said ALL the songs are special. Congratulations Mara on freezing my CD player. The CD is stuck in there, like I said I mentally cant get it out and, well, thats OK.

  • WOW ! ! ! I've fallen and I can't get up... this girl floors me! Awesome C
    author: Rich @ Swissboy Records

    This is one of those cd's you will be glad you own. This Cd will make its way to the top of the stack and will be played over and over again. It is high energy, great melodies, and fantastic ideas, all fused together with intense passion and sexual energy that will leave an imprint on your brain you will not soon forget. Re-listen to this cd and you will find you have a new favorite track each time through. This girl is the complete package. I WANT MORE!!!

  • Excellent
    author: Lloyd Morris, IMAG

    I bought the album because I liked the sound clip I heard of "don't let me run". But after listening to the album as a whole, I now find that my favorite track is "when the damage is done",which has some really, really good interplay between the piano, strings, and Mara's vocals. It's followed by "don't let me run", "never in love", and "eternally". The other tracks are also quite good and the album is a definite good buy. Extra points are due for the fact that Mara wrote or co-wrote all of the tracks on the album. I love singer/songwriters who have what it takes to get up and sing their own songs, instead of doing only covers of the work of others!!

  • Hard to believe this is only her first album!
    author: Jonathan Lane

    All I can say is "Wow!" This young singer/songwriter has an incredible career ahead of her. You know how people will compare a new artist to known artists and say, "She sounds like Sheryl Crow or Sarah McLachlan or Jewel"? Well, in a couple of years, when a new female vocalist hits the scene, people will say, "Yeah, she sounds like Mara..." and it'll be a sincere compliment. With a style all her own, an amazing voice, great lyrics, and a range of melodies covering everything from upbeat rock to moody with an edge and from love song to haunting ballad, Mara seems to already have it all together...and she makes it look easy. Add to this a solid and rich range of instruments and a quality produced studio recording, and it's hard to believe this is only her first album. Buy it, 'cause this girl is definitely going places!

  • Thank the Gods...melody and songwriting live!
    author: Dennis Cramer

    "It's Who I Am" is a lovingly crafted collection of songs full of ringing acoustics, rich melodies, and brilliant surprises. "Busker" is the most obvious surprise, in it's moody and rhythmic departure from the tone of the rest of the album, but my favorite surprises are less obvious, involving creative melodic shifts. For example, in "It's Who I Am" the rhythm changes, and allows the melody to drift wistfully into "It's just not you... I'm not so bad..." The album is full of such surprises, Mara readily breaks from the established rhythms and moods of the songs to drop into a lilting melody or to suddenly bounce into unexpected energy. Unfortunately, for Mara, not for us, she is difficult to pigeonhole, this is to her credit, but it will undoubtedly cause her a world of frustrations in today's sub-culture oriented music scene. But if you love melody, solid songwriting, and passionate honesty, her work is bound to please. I am having a difficult time figuring out exactly who her influences are, again, this is to her credit, as she doesn't sound like she is trying to emulate somebody else. She already has her own vision! It is difficult to have a personal vision in a world run by accountants who are always on the look-out for the next copycat. My only wish is for a few more simpler and quieter moments like "Eternally" or "Jamie's Song." Her songs and vocals are strong enough to carry the songs with very little production, but that is not so much a criticism as a matter of personal taste. Just go on doing what you're doing, and I'll keep waiting for the next album...

  • Best New Artist
    author: Adam

    I've been waiting for this CD for a long time. And now that it's finally here, I can say it was well worth the wait. With her powerful and evocative voice, Mara takes us on an incredible journey through life and love. This is a CD you will fall in love with. From highly energetic songs like "It's Who I Am" and "No Apology", to the beautiful and enchanting melody of "Jaime's Song", Mara has shared with us her soul. You can't go wrong here.

  • Songs tell passonate stories accompanied by music that rocks!!
    author: Judy

    My favorite song is It's Who I Am. The words are "amazing" and the music "rocks"! Busker is "haunting". Never In Love has a "pop" melody but the song is definitely serious. Roselon is one "cool" chick. Something "new" for a change. Not the same "cookie-cutter" songs and music. I am "totally" enjoying this new "singer/songwriter"!

  • I cannot stop listening to this one!
    author: Cindy

    This music is just terrific! I cannot remember the last time I bought a CD where I like ALL the songs! Really! Mara's voice is totally incredible, the songs are great, the band is great. This CD is really fun to listen to and it will put you in a great mood--but the music is fresh and lively and a little earthy, not in the least bit "cotton-candy" or mushy gushy sentimental. It's just REALLY good. You must buy this!

  • Finally...some damn good music!
    author: Matthew Zachary

    I'm not a huge fan of today's "test-tube" pop/rock for it has given me zero reasons to continue listening under any and all circumstances. There are simply too many artists regurgitating inbred melodies with unsophisticated and rote lyrics cluttering the arteries of the industry like bad creative cholesterol. The time has come for musical angioplasty. Mara has the ambition, the dedication, the creative juices and, most importantly, the undeniable talent to challenge the status quo. Her ground-breaking sound, unique songwriting style and compelling emotional lyrics speak with truth in a world of uninspiring, "mochafrappaccino" dialogue and "plastic-surgery-PEZ-dispenser" authenticity. Mara has renewed my faith that there is good music to be listened to and that the "Industry" really has no idea what the hell it's doing. Who needs the "Industry" anymore anyway when artists with the drive and courage can make music far superior to anything the Industry's Ronco Pasta Maker can churn out. Sure, if you put up enough billboards and saturate the market with overadvertising and hypermarketing, everyone will eventually buy into something - but where there's quantity, there lacks quality. "It's Who I Am" is a mesmerizing and inspiring journey through one young woman's experiences realizing the truth and beauty of life's numerous precious gifts. Songs like "No Apology" and "Roselan" evoke the purest raw energy one could expect to hear in such compelling style. Softer, more vulnerable tunes such as "Sunflowers & Rain" and "Eternally" showcase Mara's undeniable tangibility with the pain, and truth of love. Her passion is endless and her tracks are unforgettable. I would encourage anyone who appreciates - quite plainly - damn good music to take this album for a spin and to absorb it into your life. You won't regret it and you won't forget it.

  • Mara nails it on "It's Who I Am"
    author: Kenny Mitchell

    Not many artists write songs that you can relate to and are really GOOD SONGS! Mara easily accomplished this on "It's Who I Am", which will be a regular in my CD player. This CD has everything...great songwriting, musicianship, and production. EXCELLENT!

  • THIS CD ROCKS!
    author: Ginger Ramirez

    Mark my words...Mara is up and coming. This CD caught my attention because I saw Mara perform live, and believe me...if you have yet to see her you are depriving yourself. Mara has one of the most powerful voices I have ever heard, and you can identify with her lyrics completely. You know how you buy a CD because you liked one song you heard on the radio and you get it home only to find out that you spent 20 bucks for that one song? This CD is worth every cent you spend on it.

  • Hit or Miss?
    author: Marie

    For sure a Hit!! I have to say this CD is awesome. I can say that there are only a handfull of artists who I find myself in the middle of the day, out of no where, singing their tunes, and Mara for sure is one of them. She has some of the catchest tunes without giving up her elegance in songwriting. Her choice of song order is well thought of. It is strong at first and then gets softer and picks right back up! Mara is something not to be missed. She has an amazing ability to write great songs and she is a wonderful person which comes out in her songs both on her album and live!! This a CD is a must to have in your collection!

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