I had a lovely start to my evening visiting
with our friends Spence and Kim and their kids Eloise and Rosalie. Spence also
brought me a copy of Buck Dharma’s 1982 album “Flat Out” on vinyl, which was a
very big deal for me. I reviewed this record almost a year ago back at Disc 1123 where I hoped to one day have a copy in that format.
Maybe the universe was listening, or maybe I
just have great friends. Thanks, Spence!
Disc 1241 is… It’s Not Me, It’s You
Artist:
Lily Allen
Year of Release: 2009
What’s up with the
Cover?
Lily appears to have found the only comfortable way to sit on a giant “L”. My
name also starts with L and I’m pretty sure I need one of these for my living
room. I would not wear that dress, though; you can see from Lily’s pose she’s
struggling to keep it from falling around her waist. For sitting, this L is
rated “pants only”.
How I Came to Know
It: My
wife Sheila introduced me to Lily Allen. She found out about her through an old
coworker and friend of hers.
How It Stacks Up: We have two Lily Allen albums, this one and
2006’s “Alright, Still” (reviewed back at Disc 890). “It’s Not Me, It’s
You” comes in a close second.
Ratings: 4 stars
“It’s Not Me, It’s You” is a record that will smack you in the mouth but do
it with a smile and make you like it. It is sass-laden pure pop, laden with
overwrought production. It is everything I shouldn’t like, but when it is done this
well all is forgiven.
It helps that Lily Allen (with collaborator Greg Kurstin) has written such
an amazing collection of music. These melodies are crazy brilliant, and all
that aforementioned production is employed in the creation of infectious dance beats
that enhance – but never overshadow – the clever production. Even when they go
too far, such as the pseudo-rodeo bridge in “It’s Not Fair” it still doesn’t go too far. It is the musical
equivalent of a bottle of champagne; delightful even where it is bubbling over a
little onto the rug.
Lyrically the record is both smart and smart-assed. Allen is gifted at a
saucy turn of phrase and she sings it with the artful timing of a spoken word
poet. Like Billy Bragg she doesn’t lose her thick English accent when singing,
and the effect makes it feel very street, even though the songs have been
polished until they’re shiny.
Allen sings about a wide gamut of topics, both personal and political,
and often both. “Everyone’s At It” takes
aim at prescription drug culture, and how prevalent substance use (and abuse)
is in our society and how no one talks about it. On “The Fear” she challenges consumerism, and “F*** You,” her song about George W. Bush, is about as pointed as
the title would suggest.
Allen never loses her pointed sense of humour, even when getting
political, and she turns that wit with equal precision on sexual politics. “Not Fair” is a song about a man who is
perfect everywhere except one. Allen’s delivery is upbeat and sugar-sweet but
her message cuts clear and sharp:
“There’s just one thing getting in
the way
When we go up to bed you’re just
no good
It’s such a shame
I look into your eyes and want to
get to know you
And then you make this noise and
its apparent its all over.”
Yikes. “Never Gonna Happen” is
the reverse where Allen sleeps with someone, but clearly doesn’t like him as a person.
Bottom line: the lady’s not for settling for half a package….ahem.
Anyway, near the end of the album she finally gets the man she deserves
on “Chinese,” a sappy little song
about wanting nothing more than a quiet night in with takeout food and the
person you love. This song always reminds me of Alice Cooper’s “You and Me” which also captures the
simple pleasures of doing very little with your favourite person.
My copy of the album is a special edition release that includes a bunch
of acoustic versions, club mixes and bonus materials that push the song count
from a tasteful 12 to a bloated 21. Unlike my recently reviewed Billy Bragg
record, they are all on a single disc as well, meaning unless I am listening
digitally, I’m stuck with all or nothing. It is a shame, because the acoustic songs
in particular are good, showing the good melodic bones in a lot of the tracks
but I wanted the original CD as its own set-piece.
Overall though, this record is a modern pop masterpiece. Pop music can
age quickly, but ten years in “It’s Not Me, It’s You” is still as solid and fresh
as ever.
Best tracks: Everyone’s At it, The Fear, Not Fair, 22, F*** You,
Never Gonna Happen, Chinese
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