One of the unfortunate surprises of having my hobby turn into a second career is that, having joined the musiopopcultural complex, I no longer seem to have the time to comment on it. Nevertheless, I’m attempting to dive back in for the good of Ed and you fine readers.
And what better way to start than with Lily Allen? Big in the U.K. this summer, she’s a fresh voice for folks like me who like a good accent but (blasphemy!) never warmed to The Streets. Her album Alright, Still is a pleasure, especially early on. “Smile” is a fun look back at a good-riddance ex. “Knock ’Em Out” a nice dig at the over-friendlies of the bar scene. “LDN” (this entry’s Track You Should Be Listening To Right Now) is an interesting horn-filled homage to London whose full meaning is made clear that is best experienced in YouTube form. And given that most DW readers are coming to terms with our rapidly encroaching adulthoods, “Everything’s Just Wonderful”’s take on mortgages will likely be appreciated.
The album falters later on…too many tough girl songs that end up being way too chav for my taste. (Yes, I’m being classist. In this case I think it’s earned. Confidential to both Lily and the high schools girls who loiter in my ’hood: wearing hoop earrings that big makes you deserving of whatever elitist scorn may come your way, and were you ever to get into the fights you seem to always have the ’tude for, the first thing any assailant would do would be to rip them out of your ears. ’Kay?)
Despite these minor lapses, Alright, Still is more than worth it. Plus, Allen doesn’t yet seem to have really hit the states, so you’ll be the envy of your music snob friends when you spin it at parties.
Her website is here and her Wikipedia entry is here. And yay for pink hair and bunny ears.
