Review Summary: Floccinaucinihilipilification aside, this is an alright album.
Whence contorting my tympanic membrane to honorificabilitudinitatibus, I suddenly experienced the mind-numbing vexation of incessant conflict. On one hand, the songs were well-written and catchy, but on the other hand, my excitement did avast. To be honest, Lily Allen’s vocal style bored me. This does not mean that her personality is boring (many consider her to be quite the shmuck, and also a sleveen colleen). Instead, it denotes the lack of emotion in her performance, and consequently, the listener is never verklempt. This is especially problematic during live performances since she often appears uninterested in singing. Her vocal style is a direct representation of her shallow personality, and while it is commendable to remain true to herself, it ultimately blow’s the potential of the album to brackish smithereens of poppycock.
Often, synthpop artists of this day and age are uninspired, and also horribly identical. Lily Allen, however, has chutzpah and takes the throw-away beats and blatant catchy-factor of synthpop, and still leaves room for growth. As far as experimentation goes, a shtick is prevalent throughout, and that theme is of an old western. Banjos and piano interludes will occasionally pop in, providing a shtickle break from monotony. Also thrown in are bits of ska, polka, and other random influences. True, the narrischkeit could have been implemented more thoroughly and less politely, but it still keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Overall, this album is difficult to simply braze over and then buy plane tickets to Mamungkukumpurangkuntjunya Hill. It includes the cute electronics of synthpop, the pitch-perfect vocal performance of Lily Allen, and even some interesting ideas. It does not matter what mood you are in at the time, because the music will always vang. Once you’ve heard Lily’s vocals layered in this intensely catchy album, you will understand the appeal of it. Although “It’s Not Me, It’s You” may not always do what it sets out to do, there are enough enjoyable moments to make this album worthwhile to listen to on occasion.
Recommended Songs:
- The Fear
- It’s Not Fair
- Go Back To The Start
- Never Gonna Happen
- Fuck You
