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Music for Your Work Week - Lily Allen

Posted on Jan 04, 2007

I first heard of Lily Allen when browsing iTunes and I liked the snippets of a few of her songs that were available...this was back in October I think - she has since been featured as one of the free song of the week picks for her single "Smile". Unfortunately, since I don't buy anything from iTunes anymore for the reason that I hate DRM (try eMusic:) and she doesn't actually have an official US release yet, it is hard to find her "Alright, Still" album at your average store - I did find it at a Best Buy in Miami as an import but I had checked a number of places prior.

Anyway, all this rambling is to say, if you find this album, pick it up. Recently picked by Entertainment Weekly as one of their 10 best albums of the year despite its import only status, this is a great pop album (note: a domestic release is apparently due on January 30th). The songs are all catchy and have great lyrics that are full of wit and attitude (and not the kind of wit that can get old after several listens). I guess the closest comparison to anything I listen to would be to Jem, but Allen is far less mainstream IMHO (for one thing, the album isn't something you can play with the kids or the boss listening :). My faves are "LDN", "Everything's Just Wondeful", "Friday Night" and "Take What You Take" (yeah, I know that is nearly half the album...what can I say). Anyway, if you like the album feel free to let me know in the comments.

Comments

I liked her stuff at first, however here in the UK she's been all over the place for a few months now, it can be overplayed. She's also a bit of a chavvy loudmouth from what I've seen and read, but I'd never take what's in the media as gospel.

Posted By DannyT / Posted on 01/04/2007 at 11:59 AM

Believe it or not she was on the Jools Holland New Years Eve show over in the UK (which was better than getting washed out by gale force winds - but only marginally). Imagine a a studio full of drunk has beens and wanna be's incapable of articulating a new years eve wish more original than "peace on earth".

She was engaging (are those lashes for REAL?!) with a very underpowered voice. Ever listened to a teacher who spoke really quietly? I guess that'd be the best comparison I could provide. Any tracks you'd recommend? Have only heard her live so have no idea how she polishes up in post . . .

Oh, and if anyone knows the whereabouts of her dog, appears it was stolen the other week from "a friends van".

Posted By Peter Bell / Posted on 01/04/2007 at 12:44 PM

Duh - been long day. See the recommendations. Will check them out.

Posted By Peter Bell / Posted on 01/04/2007 at 12:48 PM

This girl is really talented. I love her voice, and her lyrics are witty and insightful - she evokes the lad and slapper culture of the young British wonderfully, despite being from a priviledged background herself (check out the spoken words right at the end of "Knock 'em Out" for her real accent). Of course, that would mean nothing if she couldn't sing and the music sucked.

Posted By monica / Posted on 07/25/2007 at 1:22 AM