All about the icons of pop culture. Including art, music, TV series, movies and fashion. Queer in nature, straight forward in its approach and classical in an unconventional manner. From review to preview, I'll talk about it, analyze it and celebrate it! Icon Art Marilyn loves pop culture.
An icon is someone who makes an effort. Art makes an effort. Therefore art is an icon. Marilyn Monroe was and is an icon and a work of art as well. Hence Marilyn Monroe and art have a nature in common. Icon - Art - Marilyn is iconic.
Damn! I sure had a “fangover” form last sundays episode of “True Blood”. And it is not solely reasoned in the good parts of the episodes. But lets just focus and get this “Death Is Not The End” episode its deserved review.
The episode starts off with a scene of Sookie calling her death lovers father, and he seems to be quite shocked that his Alcide is dead. Yet, he ensures Sookie that he loved her to bits and pieces. And Sookie stays strong. No crying, nothing. She seems emotionally dead. After what she has been going trough, no surprise. Biggest Moment of the episode however is Jason calling Hoyt in Alaska to tell him that his mom got killed by a vampire. Such sweet memories, however good to know that the makers of True Blood made the effort to put this thing into the script.
After the opening sequence we see Eric and am on a private jet and when Eric decides they have to go to Shrieveport we get tons of great and nicely 80’s style flashbacks of how Eric and Pam got to have “Fangtasia”. I love me some flashbacks like that!
And then Sokkie gets all boring. She talks to Colby and her brother, and Jason goes and tells Kevins wife he is dead. Wasted minutes! Meanwhile Sookie helps Holly remember where she was caught, and Jason has to force Sam to stop to get t Fangtasia without vampires. Oh and Jessica has an eating disorder.. which gets solved by Sookie the very moment it comes up. Well, interesting concept, however soved to soon. The guilt trip has not really worked out. And Sookie tells Jessica, while feeding her, that she is dead already and yet again needs them all to save her friends.
Then we finally get to the real thing again: flashbacks of Eric and Pam! Wellbetter said how Ginger applied at their video store and was totally in love with Eric from the first sight. We also get to see that “Fangtasia” was only Gingers idea, and Pam glamoured the shit out of her to take the ide as hers. Loving it! Cause living for it!
Then there is the big reunion between Pam, Eric and Sookie with Pam still hating Sookie, and Willa being called by Eric and she is pissed. Very pissed! Yet in the end they all go and rescue the peeps from Fangtasia and kill all the Hep-V’s. However Arlene nearly dies, Pam uses a fire extinguisher to save the bar, and the mob idiots get killed in the attack as well. Lots of blood, gore and guts. Loving it. And yet we see that Eric has become slow and a bit weak.
The episode in summary was a lot like: OH my god that is great and Mah! A solid 7,5 out of 10 with a big concern for the end of the season as more episodes remain and there seems to be no main plot in sight. Ye the show could return to its core with focusing on the relationship between people. However Gingers explanation of vampire movies as a possibility to examine the other in human society give a nice hint at the academic possibilities of the series.
Damn! Last nights episode of True Blood certainly has boiled the tempers of some viewers. And not only in a good way. Anyways, here is Icon Art Marilyn’s review of “I Found You”. If you haven't read last episodes review, do so here.
For starters, I don’t get people being angry at True Blood and its storyline. For me the show actually did not jump the cliff, just rather has fallen into its phase of maturing and finally in its saturation phase. All this talking about the show has lost its edge and really gone to big of a scale and too damn easy to look through is really just mourning for more Bill and “Soookie!”. And frankly spoken, I do rather prefer a stir the pot, kill characters off, apocalyptic study in what vamps on a rant would be then having character focused drama infused with a side note of vampirism. Sure the show has some flaws but believe me, it still is better then that “The Wire”. (Yes, I don’t like heat many people call HBO’s best show ever!)
But: back to the review. The episode was pretty intense as it opens with Jason having a sex dream about him and Eric. And boy that got pretty physical! You pretty much could hear the gay gasp around the world and the fapping is next to come. And by the way: shout out to these two straight gentlemen who played this scene so well. And not backed out like a bitch. I’m looking at you, former actor of Jessica’s boyfriend! Anyway, Jason wakes up after that church meeting, and then he Sookie, Alcide (Who, thank god, has more sentences then “I’m the pack master!”), Andy, Jason and Sam seek out that dead girl from last episode, check her ID and head to her town. And boy that town has been eated dra by these vamps.
Sideburn: That damn diary. I mean nice play on showing that Sookies love story is not the reason this all happened, but too cheesy! However, it shows the hopelessness of the situation these people are and were in.
Meanwhile in Fangtasia: One of the hep-V vamps turns out to be the former teacher of Arlene’s and Holly’s kids, the convince her to help them, however she dies of Hep-V the moment the rescue begins. (Bummer!) On another note the Bon temps folks slowly go mad and steal the weapons from the police station cause Sams former mayoral election competitor agitates them. Adelaine gets locked up, Jessica feels it and exposes herself to Andy to save her. (I think we are setting up a healing process here.)
Bummer here: That goddamn victim racism allegation on Andy by a black woman to agitate Kenya. Damn gurrl that is weak and a low shot. Your self esteem went right out of the window, didn’t it?
Yet on another note Tara can be seen by Letti Mae when she is high on V, and Tara is caught in a Jesus meets Adam and Eve thing story. Lemme see how that plays out!
Biggest bummer and best thing ever (kinda): Pam finds Eric in France (THANK GOD FOR PAM!), however he is infected with Hep-V. WHAT the hell? Hep-V and Eric? NO! Yet, totally understandable cause this Eric comes back and saves the day thing, no that would not have worked once more. Yet I am extremely pissed that Pam has not even shad one tear on Tara meeting the true death. Damn. Yet I am hooked as ever before. Come on next week! I wanna see my True Blood!
Picture used under the intent of reviewing. Picture rights remain with owner.
Lets be frankly honest: Tropico was one pretty much awesome, 30 minute long, metaphor for America, in the form of a film / Music video with super 8 optics. You know, the classical banning from paradise and redemption story. It felt like an end to the whole Born To Die thing. A worthy, and very over the top, typical Lana Del Rey, end. And Ultraviolence, as its follow up, opening her new creative endeavor,is kind of not what could have been expected from an artist of Lana's caliber.
Sure you will have noticed by now that this album review is not an album review per se. I have attempted quite a few times to write a review about her new album with a mixed feeling of trashing it, loving it, hating her, loving her and emulating her sadness. However I found it quite difficult to review the album song by song, as my whole expectations and feelings towards her and Ultraviolence felt more of like a need for an overall comment.
When I had a closer look at Tropico a while ago I described her as " Hollywood back in the days, and not big blockbuster L.A." (To read the whole analysis of Tropico and why Lana Del Rey is the most American thing since Coke, click right here!) And I stick with this for sure. However I start to doubt that Lana will ver be only one thing more then old Hollywood. And as well all know old Hollywood was practically doomed from the beginning. It was fake, for apart, alcoholic, drugged up, fake and depressed. The dream factory was woven from nightmarish strings. And I fear that Miss Del Rey is just that and nothing more. Kind of like a one trick pony.
But before you turn on me lat me say that the album has no song that really is not a good song, however I feel that lana has turned darker, and yes that is hard to imagine. The songs sound more chilly, more depressed and somewhat replaceable between each other. She is not able to pick up where she left and bring her best like she did on Summertime Sadness e.g. This vibes she may be giving with this LP might be James Bond like, 70's and 60's inspired, less hip hop influenced and more Curt Cobain goes pop. However I don't see a real development there. I mean I don't expect her to go all Beyonce' or whatever on us, cause that is not her, however the development she made is, for my taste too marginal. The album bares no landmarks for me as you listen trough it and nothing sticks. Maybe this is reasoned within the topics she sings about. Cause sad to say they have not changed since Born To Die: Paradise Edition.
On the other hand it seems good to know she stays true to herself and so indie. Yet again her absolutely no desire to be a pop princess thing and her low attitude now only translates into boring and to be honest, the album sometimes seems like recorded whilst still half asleep. Not to mentioned that some tracks remind me of these songs off her that are online and officially unreleased.
And on another note, that I don't want to tickle too much, as I am not quite informed enough o speak eloquently, Lana's romanticization of death, her obsessions with club 27 and that "I don't think Feminism is an interesting concept." line don't shed her in such a good light. Okay I get it: club 27 and death re romantic topics and they are mystery covered all over, however there is a limit of overall sadness. And that feminism line. If its true or not, I don't know. However she is pretty stupid to say so, as her whole life is feminism influenced and basically funded. As without feminism she would be nowhere where she is now.
In closure I can say that Lana's Ultraviolence still is a beautiful listen, yet a boring one in a sense. The facet of colors is not the biggest one and the variety of lyric topics is limited. Yet the whole thing is worth listening to. It is up to the listener what to make of it, but please Lana, don't be so stupid and deny feminism its interest or even its impact. Educate yourself goddammit!
It has been a while since Britney Spears has released a new album. But now she did it again and put out her latest project "Britney Jean". She marketed the album as the most personal album of hers up to date. Well, lets see if this glimpse at the "real" Britney really is what she promises us.
The cover is very clear and kept simple... Almost too simple. Just her and a neon sign that says Britney jean in a red heart. Well, that s not what I a would call very creative but I guess it is supposed to show simplicity and honesty of Britney.(And actually I want to say that every intern could have created this picture. Give a fan a picture of her, photoshop and a little time and they will come up with a way more striking cover! Well, alegedly!) BUT: honest is what the cover definitely is not. Look at her! I mean it is pretty but actually it is the most photoshopped picture I have seen in a while! (Allegedly!) Let me give you some tips Brit. If you want to make this album to be closer to your fans, to be their friend, to be their supporter and their idol at the same time then make the whole recepie less photoshop and more of the real you. Please! You are beautiful without tons of photoshop! (And some wrinkles and other natural characteristics of beeing 30 somethig ish are normal, and if necessary can be covered with something called make-up.) Anyways, lets get back to the real buisness and focs on what an album actually is about: the music of it. ""Britney Jean" comes along with 14 songs on the delxe version, but only 11 or so in the standart one. Damn, that is a short album!
Lets get to the songs in detail and haopefully not find something to really wrip into shreds, because I already have the feeling that there might be some things And thereby I mean a shitload of stuff!) to criticize. Because Britney has been husteling along in the industry for about 15 years or so now, and I always had the feeling that she was more of a ventriloquist puppet for managers and stuff then she actually was in absolute control of her artictic output. (Nevertheless we have been seeing some amazing performances, heard somegood songs and could sing along a ton of Brit songs!)
#1 - Alien
The albums starts off with this interestingly titled mid tempo pop song. The choice to name it Alien gives certain expectations that somehowwont be easy to fullfill. Although the song has some magic to it in its charming hook and the mesmerizing qualities autonune has put out of Britneys voice. (Lets face the music here: Autotne comes in different categories. There is a bit, there is some centimeters and there is shitloads.And this is somewhere between shitloads and centimeters! #SorryBoutIt) The song, on long distance, fails a bit to deliver the goodies, but still it is a nice one. So I will be good and give it a 7/10.
#2 - Work Bitch
Oh yes, the old hustle for something game. As many others have pointed out I have to admit that the topic is old and others might have worked it out better. If you want a depth analysis of it just click here and read all about it. But just then I also have to admit that I listen tto it sometimes and in the club I have requested it once. So I will be nice again and make it a 7/10.
#3 - Perfume
Okay, right now I already get the feeling that Britney has it with generic titles that create expectations. but this one is better at delivering the goods for it. As the fist ballad of the album "Perfume" delives some good vocals from Britney. The chorus on the other hand I am split about. One half finds it repetitive and stupidly boring to make perfume about marking territory the ther hal is hopelessly singing along and liking the idea. A torn 6/10.
#4 - It Should Be Easy feat. Will.I.Am
Hold my hair please! I hate that everyone needs to work with Will.I.Am. I hate his sound, it is so damn signature like and so damn generic. The song starts off nicely, but in the end is just a rip off of Work Bitch and "Scream And Shout" mixed. The use of autotune to make it electronic might be interesting, but my ears are actually hurting after the third listen of it. So 5/10 is nice, and would have been one less if it was not for some catchy parts of the song.
After three books about Katniss Everdeen have taken the world by storm, even though there are several similarities in the general idea to "Battle Royale", Lionsgate has decided to film the books. After the first one, "The Hunger Games", fans were craving for more....
And now, finally, we got what we all were desperately waiting for: "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire". And let me tell you that the critics and the audiences have not fooled us, the movie is as good as its reputation. And they really let us have it! The promotional efforts have been rollig all over us in the last few months and the tease was constant. Here, on Icon Art Marilyn, I have dished about the fashion seen in the trailers and posters as soon as they were out and I was so pleased with wat the visuals provided.
Making Francis Lawrence, director of Lady Gaga's epic video for "Bad Romance" and Will Smith movie "I Am Legend", seemed the perfect choice right from the beginning, as he is known for his clear edge cutting visuals that incorporate this mad dark undertone and give a feeling of contaigion, supression, pain and lifelessness. The visuals are definitely more clear and very much darker then those of the first movie. Well, that should be the result of the up high budget and the buzz the first movie has created. Diving right into it, let me reassure you that the first third of the movie is depressing and re-creates absolutely the feeling of life in danger, a life in constant threat of beeing killed off. The second thirs shows the growing discompfort of Katniss with her situation as the third part shows the actual Quater Quell. Katniss is no longer the same girl. She is darker, broken and her expertise on life is a different one. The moment President Snow pays visit to the Victors Village of District 12 Katniss gets the idea that she never will be out the range of fire. Death is on her feet and just waits to jump up the ladder. During the Victors Tour Katniss and Peeta grow a little closer together, allthough there is no real fire in it... well from Peetas side there is. And constantly on Katniss is her good friend and kind of lover Gale.
As soon as the cameras are on they are trying their best and sadly they half fail as the Districts are very hard on them. But I dont want to spoil the stryline for the ones that havent read the book yet. But i can give you the following: The movie is very realistic and true to the book. What really gets me going is that the fashion is overwhelming, the character play is extraordinarily good, the sets are mindblowing and the dialgues are sharp, edgy and stay close to the characters we all love. Everything in this movie shows the Capitols desire for blood, their agression and their very excellence in the art of killing, their miss-valuation of life in general, their absolute disgust over individuality and the cold agression presented gives you shivers. Jennifer Lawrence gives us her all and we feel with her, her agony and her absolute devastation. We feela long Peeta and his real undying love for Katniss. We feel along Haymitch, starting to feel again, after drinking himself to death as a result to cope with him beeing a victor as well. And, my absolute favorite, Effie Trinket. We see her develope and questioning the reality of the world she lives in. She hesitates to reap her victors names as the reaping for the 75th Hunger Games is in process. She tries to fight for them, and she even tells them that they deserve way better. I like that they show that she has a developement.
Basically the movie has too much to talk about, and when the DVD is out I will probably give you a reading of all the things going on in this fantastic movie. But what really left the mark on me is that the movie gives us a clear understanding of what a dystopian, supressive, totalitarian and inhuman nation does to people, how violence affects peoples lives and their psychology, their longing for freedom and the perversion of life in such a system. I am very much impressed by how this was brought across the screen to us as viewers.
The only thing I regret is that we have to waint another year for the next movie, and two years to see the final movie. But, and you can believe me, I will still burn for this movie! Cause it is iconic!
After two very different sounding snippets of her song "Venus" have been released, Gaga furthser teased her fans by tweeting three different possible covers or the single: all photographed by Steven Klein.
And we should start off the whole thing about "Venus" with the covers. As one can see: all of them are daring and different, and do not continue the white look of the cover from "Applause" and "Do What U Want". And I have to say that I really enjoy the dark side Gaga brings to the covers. In cover number one we have her with a scorpion on her face, and clearly this is a reference to Marina Abramovic an her portrait with a scorpion. She channels the version with closed eyes. What is to be mentioned her is the wound she has under her arm. Question is: has the scorpio cut her, and is this to be understood metaphorically? Cover number two is, if I am not wrong, a bat, which is beautifully lit an set in pose. Actually it is my favorite cover. I don't know why, but the composition is somewhat magnificient and daring in a dark and haunted way. Cover number three is Gaga, once more in the nude, with a tacco (?) in her mouth, which could be a reference to a meat eating plant. I don't know, but still it is fascinating. The fourth cover is the one that is displayed on Gaga's VEVO channel. There she channels Marina again, but this time her eyes are open and her face, including the scorpion is lit in green and purple. Either a very Warholian colour blocking or a remeniscence of the rainbow. Anyways: It looks great!
Now lets get to the song. The beginning is very dark techno club anthem like, and then adds a throbbing beat after a few seconds. Her voice jumps from high pitched singing to her dark voice saying the word "Venus". As she turns into her singing voice we get the Gaga we know, and very soon the sog jumpes into a twisty dark electronic pop song with all the classical twisted Gaga-ness to it, including some wierd, but absolutely genious sounds. The song in whole is building up all the time and is kind of unpredictable, which i actually prefer. The overall sound is dark and new, but definitely not radio unfriendly. But it is a more experimental sound then "Do What U Want" - fine with me, since the experimental Gaga is the one i am madly in love with. Lyrically the song contains a high number of references to planets, roman gods, love and sex. If "Applause" was her Botticelli piece then "Venus" is her reference to the roman goddess and all the myths around her. But lets have a closer look at what Gaga sings:
In verse one Gaga gives us all sorts of space, renaissance and mythica refrences: "Rocket #9 take off to the planet // To the planet // Venus // Aphrodite lady seashell bikini // Garden panty //
Venus //Let's blast off to a new dimension // In your bedroom //
Venus // Aphrodite lady seashell bikini // Get with me //
Venus" - That gives me some feeling of her "Applause" video and VMA's performance. Remember that seashell bikini? If not, have a look to the left! Before the chorus Gaga sings: "I can’t help the way I’m feeling // Goddess of love please take me to your leader // I can’t help I keep on dancin' //Goddess of Love! // Goddess of Love" - Uhh, I am getting the naughty vibes here. Go sexy Gaga! And as the chorus hits there is no wondering what: "When you touch me I die // Just a little inside // I wonder if this could be love // This could be love // Cuz you’re out of this world // Galaxy, space and time // I wonder if this could be love" could mean. So far we have references to Venus as a planet, the diety Venus and space travel. Verse two does not let us down, concerning the reference scale. "Have an oyster, baby // It’s Aphrod-isy // Act sleazy // Venus // Worship to the land // A girl from the planet // To the planet //
Venus" - Okay we have oysters here, with the mention of them being an aphrodisiac, and somewhere on the road here I get the feeling that this on eis going to be an erotic but hell of a lot disturbing music video! And Gaga even recounts most of the solar systes planets in the bridge, with a great reference to the fame her gorgeous ass has gotten over time. And I have to say that my "Do What U Want" Review supports that ass!
All together the song is experimental and sounds new in the realm of Gaga's music. So I am going to give it a great 9/10. The point missing only is due to the fact that one point the song could set its peak. But still, the eferences she makes in it, all the sexual innuendos and the double entendres make "Venus" my space age, renaissance insired sex trip to the deep universe. And what is nnot to love about that?
She has taken us by storm with a song about kissing girs and a good album that followed, then she hit us again with Teenage Dream and completed her image as the cotton candy queen of pop music. And now, as she roared for us we get to hear her musical PRISM.
Katy Perry has given fans an insight into her new album to make them listen to 90 seconds of each song early, but now the thing is released. (In Germany at least!) So let the bitchfest, oh pardon me, I meant review begin! As usual I'll make thi a song by song wlakthrough to give you all the info possible. But first the cover. I would nomminate it for ab award like: "Worst Cover in a While" or "Looks Like A 12 Year Old Did It". I Hate it! Katy, Instagram is not appropriate for an album cover! I wanna see better! But was I actuall suprised? No, not really Katy is no Madonna, no Rihanna and no Gaga!
01. Roar
I think I ranted, bitched and moaned about "Roar" enough and have already reviewed it and the accompanying video here on Icon Art Marilyn. So just check it out here and be sure that the song just got the 5/10 due to its good production. #SorryNotSorry
02. Legendary Lovers
Nice songtitle, actuay makes you expect something. But the beginning sounds like some fucked up journey to India. The song actually is kinda boring and the lovers theme really sets me asleep. There is no boom, or it to the song, allthought the lyrics are kinda good. Nice to know: Cleopatra reference in there. But the ong sound like some verkackte Indie bullshit. A nice 4/10 on the scale.
03. Birthday
The beginning, for me, is a reminder of "Teenage Dream", and actually the whole song has this "Teenage Dream" to it. Actually the song is genereic and not innovative. There is no chance that this song will make it to my list of rememberable songs. But its better than "Legedary Lovers" so imma just be nice and give it a 5/10.
04. Walking On Air
Finally a song that is more of a good one to listen to. It is funkyy and the first song Katy uses her voice well and does not make me want to turn it off immediatly. Also the ealking on air metaphor is a nice one for feeling good, even though the lyrics might not win an award. But actually the song is enjoyable to listen to. 7/10.
05. Unconditionally
Oh, another slow beginning. Well actually that does not really get me for a good start, but lets see. Oh and at the refrain she has already lost me. Anothzer generic sng that possibly could make it into the charts but shows that Perry is zero about artistic depth but rather about chart success. Not with me! 5/10 and I'm beeing nice her. PS: The songs so far sound kinda the same.
06. Dark Horse feat. Juicy J
Have already written about it, and I have to say that this one probably will be my favorite on the whole record, and so far it is the best of the sings. And that is such a sad thing, I mean six songs into the album and I am already worried if it was worth the money to spend. But you can read the review of this ong here and I'll give it an 8/10.
07. This Is How We Do
When has Katy turned into Kesha? I mean hello! This one could be a kesha song. Sad thing about that is that it is not even a good Kesha song. It rather is lyrically OK but from the sound: Please My ears bleed. Could not even bare to listen the whole thing! 3/10, an absolute FAIL!
08. International Smile
Okay that one actually is catchy and is all about travel and how things connect people around the globe. The music is catchy and the lyrics are acceptable. This one is a keeper and worth knowing the lyrics. So I will just be a nice boy and give it a 7/10.
09. Gost
All I can say about this song is boring. Boring, boring boring. Unrelatable, generic aand horribly overproduced. I hate it! Sorry but this one is only a 3/10. And I am being nice again. Why so generic Katy? This one sound like every other song on the record!
10. Love Me
And this one does not make it better. Katy, find other topics then your breakup,, becaus that is sooo over! We want to hear better songs and not always the same! And that I mean lyricwise and soundwse. Because this one is eachangable as well! Andther bad song that is worth nthing in my ears. Depressing to think she is a world start and talented artists are not. A nice 4/10.
11. This Moment
The beginning really sounds interesting and different from the rest of this shitty tracklist called album. And even though the song is overly another pretty boring one that misses the boom, wow and amazing point it is 10 time sbetter than its two preceders. A 6/10.
12. Double Rainbow
Oh, and yet another shitty generic song. What a surprise. Cant even listen to it for more than 30 seocnds. Just for beeing nice im gonna give 5/10. Im so done! And "One mans trash is man's treasure.", really Katy? More generic speeches that bore the shit out of us! Get some creativty!
13. By The Grace Of God
This son is actually the only good slow song that is worth mentioning. The lyrics are emotion filled and dont sound genereic, but the song is rather depressing than uplifting. But it brightens up a bit, but the transition is horrible. But a 6/10.
Summed up all I can say about PRISM is that I can not, with good conciousness, say that you should go and purchase it. Its overproduced, underwhelming and does not live up to what Katy has actually promoted. The only thing PRISM sets free is the content of my stomach since it is so bad. So not buying the spread of colors! It only has generic points to make and the songs lack artistic depth. One can clearly see thet this album is desiged to sell and make the charts and not a statement of artistic expression, well at least not a very good one. Songs that sound exchangable and overprouced and underthought give the album a rating of 68 of 130. The average score of the songs was 5,2. I love me some Katy , but I so hope that there will be a new album fast and that she will have another style then. So far I'm out!
It has been a long, long, long, long wait till Natalia Kills made her comeback with new music. Perfectionist hit me with a near to perfection and and I was excited for her new Album "Trouble" And now it has been released.
And I have to admit: Im kinda am mixed about the album. But I don't want this to be understood as hate, since it actually is good, but I have some doubts about it. But lets not jump the steps but rather first have a look at the album song by song, to do it the justice it deserves. I mean we have all have waited for it so why not take time to analyze it? The album has 13 songs on it, and the ames of the songs are how I like them to be: bold pop culture genre fuck.
Television
Lets dive right in with the first track "Television". The song contains an intro to it and marks a good beginning. The intro sounds dark-ish and mysterious with that bell in the background and than then song takes it 180°s around. The song is rather fresh and spring like but in my taste has not got the boom point where there is a change. The guitar theme is nice but the break down at the end does not really do the deed for me. But still a good pop song. Im gonna give 7/10.
Problem
The next track "Problem" has been the lead single for Trouble, and Like I have already said, I like it. It is police sirens and rock attitude. But as well it lacks substance that we are used to Natalia's songs from "Perfectionist". The lyrics are all about bad girl, bad stuff in fashionable ways, smeared make up and well dirty nuances. Well bad girl does it for me since the bass is interesting in the mixture with the speaking voice thing. Over all a good, but nit GOOD pop song. 6/10.
Stop Me
Next one on our list is "Stop Me", that had me at the line "Darling, Darling". I like the fast beat and the mixture from bad girl needs help and I can never be stopped attitude mixed with the beat to beat club dance influence. But the song comes a bit short in its positioning on the album. But this one also lacks some depth for me as it seems a bit repetitive. But still a good song, so its a 7/10, bust still not an eight. But that might also be a taste level.
Boys Don't Cry
Love the beginning until the beat comes in. And the lyrics. Not my business. But looking behind it its not that bad. But the rest of the song. Well this one was no keeper for me in my all time fav's of Natalia. Sorry to say so but this one rather is annoying. Still, being objective, I'm gonna give it a solid 5/10 since the production is very good. This one clearly is based on taste. So feel free to have a different opinion! Oh and FYI: Boys do cry. And I like em way more if they do sometimes.
Daddy's Girl
Okay this one is different. it has a kind of old school not so much pop beginning and this, I don't know CUNTry-Taylor-Swift thing to it that I like. I mean I don't like Taylor and her Music but I like a bitch that is like the cutsy one stuff. And Daddy's Girl has it for me with a La-La-La and a smart heiress thing in the lyrics. Basically the tell of rich girl running away from home since she does not get her pony. 7/10, since it not really is Nat's genre, but still a solid, good try.
Saturday Night
Okay, Ill make this one quick and short since I have to say that this one stole my hear from the first time. Probably one of Natalias best songs ever. I mean come on the lyrics are tempting, the themes include youth decay and rebellion, violence, shattered future and hope and even innocence. Can you resist? I cant, because it just is like another Saturday Night, only like ten times better, with a mesmerizing sound to it. Make it a 9/10! Best sentence: You don't know what it's like, to be 17 with no place to go.
Devils Don't Fly
Okay, I would say it sounds like her try on hip hop and I must say: Gurrl, no. Not for you, well not at least in this way. This does not really do it for me.I would not even have put it on the album. And what is with the don't stuff? Sorry Nat , but Im not into the beat and the lyrics. Imma be a good bitch and make it 4/10 instead bitching and being unfair giving it only two or so. But this one is the weakest of the album.
Outta Time
Natalia Del Rey, Lana Kills, Natalia Del Kills? I don't know but this one is Natalias Lana Del Rey moment on Trouble and I kinda like it. It is like that story of a small town girl, driving a car along the desert, singing and visiting country bars with truckers. Totally off topic from the rest and lyrically simple but good. A clear summer love like that earns her a good 7/10.
Controversy
Loved it, love it will always love it. Brilliant. This song for me is the second best one of the album and that song that defines, for me, what Natalia Kills is all about. Love the lyrics and the "fucking for McDonalds" part gives me the chills. I mean a pageant princess that pukes rainbows paired with that classical music intro and insulting Becky over the phone? What can you want more? That is 100% media anxiety, our generation drama and a fuck load of awesomeness. A clear 10/10.
Rabbit Hole
To describe Natalia as: "Alice in Wonderland went to a sex shop, is an art student that loves drugs and is bisexual meeting Disney fairytale while eating a burger and drinking champagne" is actually correct, and that song is the perfect example for that. And not only due to the title. My album fav that is a mirror for why Natalia is our pop-bad girl au naturelle and not a cheap Rhianna bad girl. 10/10. No discussion.
Watching You
Somehow reminds me of a Rita Ora song (I believe its Radioactive or so.) but definitely not a copy. A good pop song, but in my opinion to much a "boy is gone I miss him" song. Not a fan of such songs. As well this one seems a bit underwhelming compared to the two barn burners that have preceded it. But imma go ahead and say: 6/10.
Marlboro Lights
Love the title. Really, I am madly in love with it. But when it comes to the actual song I was pretty surprised to find a straight pop ballad. Well I'm not so much into ballads. Also I have to say it lack some depth and specialty. In the ocean of ballads there is better to be found. But still the lyrics are GOOD shit! So: 7/10.
Trouble
The title track, that actually has to stand up to high expectations by its name, is the last one on the album. And I have to say it does lack. It kinda flatlines for me since it is not that bang that such an album should go. And the pressure it has definitely does not do it good. Lyric wise okay, sound wise underwhelming. In whole still good pop but sadly not good enough. 5/10.
In summary Trouble has reached a total of 90 out of possible 130 points (Of a maximum of 10 points reachable by each song.) The album has some highlights that really lets it shine. Rabbit Hole, Controversy and Saturday Night really carry it, but on the long range the album misses many opportunities and at some point really flatlines. And that is really sad. The songs average on 6.9 and I would have expected more. But all in all the album is good since it shows some development, but at some points a step back. Overall good but her debut was better. Lets see what her next album will bring, and hope it won't take that long to come out!
Picture from watchwithkristin on Flickr, under creative commons license.
I freely admit that I have an addiction problem when it comes to True Blood. I had like a little pee coming down my leg from the sheer excitement of a new episode. Bad thing is that, since I live in Germany I have to wait till like 5.A.M. on Monday morning until the new episode of True Blood is downloadable from the I-Tunes Store. But anyway: Here is the promised review of the sixth seasons second episode "The Sun"!
!Spoiler Alert! Episode 1 left us off with a bit of a mixture of a shitty and excited feeling. The whole episode was some sort of a huge over explanation of what happened with Bill and Lillith and everything. but whatever! Episode 2 in my eyes has fully redeemed episode 1. So here is my short, not o short, summary of the story.
