Maria Mena Album: “Cause and Effect”

This album is very relaxed.If only in it's stylistic approach. the production is sparse..mostly it's her and piano. And i like that about her album. The content of the lyrics is very depressing and self-loathing. She's been through a lot thanx to her parents and she's not really over it.

Her writing is very clever and fearless, She'll say what you're thinking but too afraid to say.

The songs themselves, the melodies are so good on this album and memorable. All in all it's a melancholy but extremely personal and honest album from Maria.

Pros- I absolutely love this CD. Maria Mena is a force to be reckoned with. Truly. She writes her own music, the instrumentals sound gorgeous, her voice is like wind, her lyrics really draw you in. This album gives me the sense that I'm looking into her diary and reading her deepest secrets and fears. It really is very stunning, and by far one of my favorite CDs. There's only 2 songs on the whole album that I'm not crazy about, and even those are okay. In my opinion, the major gems on the album are: "Power Trip Ballad," "Belly Up," "All This Time," "I'm In Love," and "Self-Fulfilling Prophecy."

Cons- If you're someone who likes happy music and lyrics, then this may not be a good buy for you. This album, out of all others, really stands out the most when it comes to her personal struggles. Many of her songs mention her issues with her parents, her eating disorder, etc. etc. The lyrics are incredible, and there's no doubt that many of the people who can relate to the subjects that she sings about will adore her expression and her amazing ability to vocalize her inner demons, but for those who have a less bleak outlook on life you might find yourself becoming bored, annoyed or depressed (or all three) by her melancholic themes.

I really do hope that even if you think you lean towards the cons and are thinking twice about buying it that you buy it anyway. Even if it's just to listen to, then sell to someone else. It really is a very well done CD, lyrically and instrumentally. This kind of stuff doesn't come out often.

I. Adore This album. It was so worth the purchase. The songs are real, as they often are with her. Deep, a reflection of her heart and mind. So thoughtful, full of flow and her lovely crystalline voice. I absolutely find myself intruiged by her words, the lyrics, the realness of it. You feel like you're in a captivating story, you go beyond your home and into someone else's problems. You see you're not alone. She understands. Pain is worldwide. I actually had a hard day when I got the album. In the dark, her words soothed my wounds as I cried.

My ultimate favorite songs on the album were:

1. Power Trip Ballad- upbeat, follow-long, real.

2. Cause and Effect- powerful, inspiring.

3. Self-Fulfilling Prophecy- saddening, fills you with deep emotion

4. Eyesore- softer, yet strong

Though I give every song on the album above a 7 rating. Don't deprive yourself from this powerful adventure.

First off let me say that I love Maria Mena, I think her music is highly overlooked. I would have given this album a five, but it's taking me a minute to get used to it. What I'm used to hearing from her is big, open instrument filled choruses that sound very epic. And in this particular album she's stripped herself down to just a piano for most of the songs. Don't get me wrong, I think the songs are gorgeous, they're just not par for the course. Eventually I know I'll love it, but right now I'm just warming up to it.