Marina & The Diamonds

Fri., Sept. 3, 8 p.m., $18-$26, with Young the Giant, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.

by K. Ross Hoffman

[ art-pop ]

So yeah: Yet another entrant in the U.K. quirk-pop princess parade (q.v. Lily through Florence, et al.; the dubious heirs of U.K. quirk-pop queen Kate Bush), who hearkens to piano-pounding pixie-mavericks like Tori and Regina without quite mustering the former's innate gravitas or the latter's insouciant charm. Also, Marina Diamandis has a habit of singing in a hammy, lip-twisted, sometimes faux-operatic wail that makes her dime-store feminism and pseudo-deep social commentary (sample rallying cries: "Guess what, I am not a robot!"; "American dream is the American queen") feel as overwrought as they are clunky, and awkwardly affected to boot. But, you know, melodies ... plenty of 'em, strong enough to make The Family Jewels (Chop Shop) a borderline compulsive listen. Plus, a genuinely fun, sub-Gaga fashion sense. And a willingness to trick out some of her best tracks as glitzy synth-pop barnstormers (check "Shampain.") Did I mention the melodies? Aw, shine on, you kerrrazy diamonds.