BANGERZ

You and me both. I was blasting it on the way home. People need to listen to the first single with fresh ears. It's not a party anthem, the first lyric of the chorus is "we can't stop" and the melancholy vocal undermines those who would assert that it's all hedonism and no regret.

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Love Adore You, Drive, Someone Else, and both singles.

I'm just excited for her followup album, "Mash", so I can have them both.

It's ironic. She's wasted and exhausted.

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Well maybe the song works better (in the way Namo describes) when you're not looking at the video, audio only.

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Updated On: 10/8/13 at 08:58 PM

It's an okay album. I wish she'd stop "rapping," though. It's embarrassing.


I'm just excited for her followup album, "Mash", so I can have them both.
Aaaaaand I'm dead.

Updated On: 10/8/13 at 09:08 PM

It is so nice to have this album so I can finally say that "Party in the USA" was a great song. Sorry, I did not want to stick my neck out there.

The video is so aggressive, edgy, and weird that I could see why 'We Can't Stop' is taken at face value but it's so superfluous. It's not like the Fiona Apple 'Criminal' video where I could leave with the impression Fiona Apple was doing that at some point in her life or did not feel like such a stretch. I thought the controversy was that video with the twerking had everybody reacting, 'Oh, please, that is so not her'.

I don't know all the song titles because I listened to it streaming, although I bought the cd today. There's a song towards the end that's straight ahead rap that's the worst. Other than that, they're strong songs.

Also, why would people watch videos to listen to a song? Listen to music, don't let visuals pollute the experience until you know the songs well. However, there's a long tradition in pop of exposing the contradictions in life. Think of those bright sunny Carpenters melodies with those tragically sad lyrics. Images of partying contrast what the words are really saying.

Other good albums came out today too, Sleigh Bells' "Bitter Rivals" (NOISY!) and Glasser's "Interiors" (dreamy).

Oh, and last week Haim's "Days Are Gone." I love when there's new cool music by women coming out so regularly. Oh yeah, Lorde too!

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Updated On: 10/8/13 at 10:57 PM

It's decent. There are moments where I feel like she's come along as a vocalist, and then there are others where her lack of technique is more obvious. Sometimes, it's in the same song, like in "F.U." (my favorite on the album btw).

I don't plan on spending money on the album, but I enjoy the two singles and "Adore You."

I am more looking forward to Katy Perry's new album, and I hope some of you will give that one a chance too.

The Sleigh Bells album is great.

And I like Miley much more than I thought I would. (Adore, 4X4, and On My Own are on repeat).

I'm also looking forward to Katy Perry.

Some more new releases I'm loving this week:

The Fratellis have regrouped and put out another great rock treat.

The CGBG sdtk is a great collection of punk rock.

The week's Biggest Loser award goes to Paris Hilton whose new single sounds like every other dance track on the radio. Completely devoid of any personality, just like her.

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YWIW, I love that! Thanks (I hadn't seen it).