Lily Allen: “Alright Still”
PERFORMER: Lily Allen
THE CD: “Alright Still”
Recommended if you like: Madness, Nellie Mckay, Gorillaz
Lily Allen is one of the first artists to successfully launch a career using MySpace. Under the guidance of her father, Keith Allen, a comedian, actor and musician in the UK (He appeared on “The Young Ones,” acted in “Trainspotting,” and co-wrote songs with New Order), Allen posted many of the songs that make up her first album on her MySpace Page, and her fans helped propel them up the UK singles chart.
Allen’s music is reminiscent of ’80s Ska band, Madness, with a beautiful pop mentality, light reggae touch, and a few modern samples and production techniques on display. She’s still finding her voice, which is light and breezy, with just a touch of accent. Her vocals are well-suited to the music, which is textbook catchy British pop, but als a sweet-and-sour treat for the musical palate.
Despite the lightweight pop musicality, the lyrics are remarkably dark for someone so young (Allen is only 21). F-bombs fly left and right, and among the topics in the songs are all sorts of urban crime, drug use and torturing ex-boyfriends in a variety of ways, from having them beaten by thugs to publicly belittling their sexual abilities. This is not a ‘work-safe’ album. As mean-spirited as many of the songs are, they’re so good that they’re destined to become guilty pleasures for men, and this may be the album of the year for women scorned.
Standout tracks are “Smile,” “LDN,” and “Alfie.” “Smile” is one of the songs about having an ex-lover beaten by thugs, and it’s a pure pop masterpiece: “When I see you cry, it makes me smile.” The video is getting heavy rotation on those music channels that still show music videos. “LDN” is a warts-and-all valentine to London that proclaims “I don’t wanna be anywhere else” while talking about pimps and muggings that she sees while riding around town on her bike. The satire is brilliant. Throughout the disc, the interplay between the dark subject matter and the happy, upbeat music is masterful. I can’t remember doing so many double takes before while listening to an album.
“Alfie” is a song Allen wrote for her brother. It starts out “Oh deary me, my little brother’s in his bedroom smoking weed.” The song seems to be built on a Bonzo Dog Band sample, with tuba, spoons and a bouncy melody that is simply hysterical in juxtaposition to the lyrics. There are many other great tracks on this CD. “Nan, You’re A Window Shopper” is a parody of 50 Cent’s “Window Shopper.” “Friday Night” sounds a lot like The Specials “Ghost Town,” only it’s told from the perspective of a girl getting into a fight.
“Alright Still” is a strong debut with a diverse range of musical influences and Allen’s wicked sense of humor carrying the day. Lily Allen is certainly going to be a talent to watch.
– by Rudy Panucci
