the album starts off with the title track, “habit”. this album version is a slow moving alternative song with elements of country music. it’s certainly a nice take on the song, but nothing compares to the glorious remixes by tracy young, mike bordes, and klubjumpers that hit the clubs back in 2010! this song was destined to be a club banger, and while i am happy to hear the original version, it leaves no impression after hearing those mixes. the next track is “let the rain” which sets a lovely mood of sitting at home on a rainy day with a cup of tea. margo’s voice and its delicious vibrato are enough to make you drift away to another world. next up is a second take on “between us”, which originally appeared on her debut album and was one of my favorites. the two versions are very similar with the new one having more of a country feel and being slightly more upbeat. the original version is still my version of choice however.
things really start to pick up with the next track, “get back”! this was the other track that was treated to a full remix package. however, unlike “habit”, this one truly shines in its original version! it’s an 80’s disco-influenced jam that will be playing over and over in your head. the production is flawless and margo’s sassy delivery makes it my favorite track on the album. another second take is next, with “i saw you (again and again)”, a new version of “i saw you” from the debut. she beats the original this time, with a fun new version that had me forgetting what the original sounded like. continuing the streak of hits is “i’ll give my heart”, a happy love song that anyone can enjoy. the last re-interpretation is next with “couldn’t be more wrong”, but this one falls short. what tries to be an acoustic chill-out jam, turns into an acoustic dragged-out mess. the only saving grace is margo’s unfailing vocals, which she interestingly whispers at parts. the next track, ”saturn returns”, almost fades into the previous one with just the chorus keeping it from being a complete snoozer.
margo can’t seem to disappoint for too long, because the next track is something completely new for her! “pla$tic karma”, as it is stylized on the back of the cd sleeve, is a lyrical gem about materialism and love and how the two things don’t mix well. it’s groovy to say the least! “roses” is somewhat blunt with the opening lyrics “roses are red/violets are blue/this is a song about me and you.” it makes heavy use of violins and harmonicas for a country feel more apparent than any other track on the album. it’s not exactly what i’ve come to hope for from margo, but luckily the last 3 tracks put things right back on track! “10 reasons” sounds like a deleted track from the first album and has a fun hook while “you’ll be coming back” is sultry and sexy with latin elements. the album closer, “she’s not there” is a radio-friendly rock song that ends the album on a high note.
like any album, “habit” has its ups and downs. some of margo’s experimenting with sounds doesn’t exactly work out like she probably hoped it would. however, that only adds to the charm of this collection of songs. throughout the whole thing, hit or miss, margo’s personality shines through during each and every second. there is a track to channel whatever mood you may be in, which is a rare quality for an album and i have already found this one to be just as special to me as her first. to sum things up, listening to this album is sure to become an insatiable “habit” – it has for me!
here are some
links to purchase "habit"!
and here are some
links to margo around the web!
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