Past Press:
She Magazine Indie Chick Feature, Summer, 2005
A full page feature and interview with Mara is available in the HARD COPY ONLY of She Magazine. The magazine is FREE, so Click Here to visit their website to find out where to pick one up, or how to have one delivered!

Baltimore Out Loud May, 2005
"...the perfect pop music inside spoke to me instantly. First of all, Levi’s voice is a powerful tool, her musicianship is above par, and her songwriting gifts are considerable. A combination such as that has resulted in some of the most original and admirable songs I’ve heard in a long time."

Baltimore Gay Life June, 2005
"From the very first beat, Mara’s passion is evident and you will fall in love with music all over again. She captures the innocence of girly-punk-pop bands such as Go Sailor, the lyrical intensity of Fiona Apple, and the vocal maturity of Sarah MacLachlan. "Hey Mister" is sure to get you out of your seat, with a 60s throwback sound, reminiscent of a Weezer tune. Ms. Levi will easily steal the show at Pride ‘05." Read More!

Interview with the Gayly Oklahoman March, 2005
"Her voice is warm , inviting and blends perfectly with her thunderous arrangements. While many critics liken her to the talents of Alanis Morrissette or Amiee Mann, I found her voice to be more like the angst filled renderings of rock siren Melissa Ferrick. Of course it’s not really fair to compare Levi with anyone. When you think she is similar to the style of Ferrick or Mann, she comes out of nowhere with a guitar lick that is aggressively all her own." Read the whole interview

Connexion February, 2005
"Life’s a Ball is incredibly versatile. At times reminiscent of the Beatles, others of early Queen, and still others of Alanis Morrisette (vocally), this CD is full of musical surprises. Levi’s arrangements make each track an interesting, ever-changing musical experience that completely lacks the usual predictability of pop and folk musical structure. Because of this tendency toward change and movement, Life’s a Ball is difficult to categorize. Sometimes pop, sometimes folk, almost rock, and a little bit country… but always engaging, new and fresh... truly engaging musical effort."
Read more

Planet Out February 17, 2005
"Mara Levi has been described as a "Jewish lesbian folk singer," and while the moniker may cause an involuntary cringe, it's obvious that Levi's tongue is firmly in at least one cheek. She's got talent to spare, but her tunes don't fit easily into any pigeonhole. Her music has its folky elements, mainly in the straight-from-the-heart lyrics and her sincere singing style, but there's a rock and roll edge to her guitar playing and a sharp pop sensibility in her melodies. "
Don't miss the Mara Levi Quiz!

OutSmart Magazine February, 2005
"The album's range from fast-paced rockers to pensive ballads illustrates Levi's musical diversity while never straying from her direct and genuine style."
Read more

Indie-Music.com January 8, 2005
Mara is one of their January Spotlight Artists!
"Multi-talented, with a strong background of musical training, Levi writes all thirteen songs, plays a number of instruments...and is a master arranger...Ending strong, she closes with “I’ve Arrived," unplugged and backed magnificently by her superior crew. She is a folk festival hit waiting to happen, hit right outta the park. "
Read the rest

Frontiers Newsmagazine January 5, 2005
"On her debut, this Northampton, Mass.-based musician doesn't waste any time with smoke and mirrors. She gets right into the thick of it with assured guitar work and complex yet accessible melodies..."
Read the rest of this outstanding review

Out In the Mountains January, 2005
"Life's A Ball, Levi's debut album, is an unqualified success. Combining smooth, Morissette-style vocals with ambitious, complex musical arrangements results in an album you reach for again and again – and enjoy with every listening..."
Read More

Tetu Magazine, FRANCE January, 2005
"...En clair, des chansons qui, tout en etant pop, veulent dire quelque chose. Pari risque, mais plutot reussi..."
Tetu does not publish all of its pages online, so click on the link above to see the review, or click HERE to see Tetu magazine.

The Edge, Boston, December 2, 2004
"Though her vocals are categorically unique, shades of Aimee Mann and Alanis Morrisette break through from time to time. I found this to be true on “Take the Blame”. Levi’s sound on this track is similar to both of these artists with an undeniable lyric message of the ups and downs of a relationship. Though compared to other artists, Levi most certainly stands on her own stylings throughout. "
Read the whole review...

Bay Windows, Boston, November 18, 2004
"This surprisingly talented, openly gay independent singer/songwriter has just released her debut album, aptly titled "Life's a Ball"...One track to pay particular attention to is "So Sorry," a very honest song in which the singer seems to apologize for a love affair gone awry. The lyrics, however, as Levi revealed in a recent interview, are actually about the shame she feels for locking so many feelings away from her mother. "I'm so sorry, and I'm so sad/ And now it's over, and we've been had/Well it's the end, it's the end of a long, long day/ and now all we ever do is say goodnight.""
Read the whole review...

Discovering Artists, September 17, 2004
"Just when you thought smart folk-pop was dead, here comes Mara Levi with her folkster sounds and powerful messages. She's one part Indigo Girls, another part Aimee Mann, and a smidge of Leah Morgan. Her voice can go from plain to soprano, as her earthy guitar rambles on ala folk fingerpicking. In "Take the Blame" she sings, "I will take the blame/ and I will let you have your way/But it should still suffice to say/that it was yours as much as mine, and in the end it's not a sign/ it's just a light along the way." Her lyrics are more poetic than anything else, and she is a songwriter who can craft a poised tune. Some voice layering adds to the acoustic touch. She's going to be a staple in the folk scene." Read it on their website!

The Stonewall Society, September, 2004
Len Rogers
"Everyone knows that first impressions are an important promotional point. My first impression of Mara Levi's "Life's A Ball" was to hit replay. A surprising, catchy and memorable glance into the talents of Mara Levi bring a strong desire for more. Splashy and vivid tunes combine with lyrics which range in scope from introspective to political folk inspired and every place in between. Excellent arrangement, accompaniment, and production make for a complete package..." Read More

The Valley Advocate, March, 2004
Daniel Oppenheimer
"What's most impressive about Life's a Ball , the new CD by [Northampton] resident Mara Levi, is its polish and its range. She's equally enjoyable as a politically minded folkie, a nostalgic crooner, a broken-hearted lover, a girl-power pop star and a wry, introspective mensch." Read More