Well, new friends who run away. I took this one through my kitchen window with no flash because I didn't want to scare them. This kitty had just spent a good five minutes attacking bugs that live in that stump.
Kitty on the ground by the cactus, kitty on the roof of the shed. These two spend the most time in our backyard. Lots of birds and bugs for them to play with.
I'm not really feeling the love from these guys. They have at least four friends - one of whom we think belongs to our landlord. So I've been putting out food to try and lure it back. That'll be a neat trick. Fingers crossed that it works!
Ok, so Bubble is only 10, but she's a force to be reckoned with all on her own and so I count her. Also she's wise beyond her years. Trust me on this one.
I'm not sure why the sky looks pink here. It was overcast and gray. Very gray. We had bright balloons and a trampoline, though, so nothing was going to keep us from enjoying ourselves. (I was inspired to use balloons when I saw these. If only our day wasn't so cloudy.)
Next morning balloons.
Valentine's day cupcakes. They were red velvet and yummy.
It's called "It's not me, It's You" and it's got a Parental Advisory stamp on it...because Lily likes dropping f-bombs. Consider yourself warned. (BTW - I do, too, every now and again. They have a satisfying way of leaving your mouth and making a statement.) Also, in the interest of full disclosure - the whole thing is streaming on her myspace page.
And...go.
Track 1: Everyone's At It. Social Commentary with a poppy soundtrack. Love it. This one I already want to sing along to. Great line:
I'm not trying to say that I'm smelling of roses/ but when will we tire of putting shit up our noses?"
And then the chorus kicks in and she singing about being honest about our various addictions - we're all on mood altering drugs - self-prescribed and otherwise...so we might as well just admit it and go about fixing the problem. And yes, I still want to sing along. As soon as I learn the words, I will. Another good lyric:
So your daughter's depressed/ We'll get her straight on the Prozac/ But little do you know/ She already takes crack
And I still want to sing along.
Track 2: The Fear. I love this song. I've loved it since Stereogum leaked it. And then the video. And I love it. More social commentary - this time about the lifestyles of the young, famous, and poorly guided. Great lyric:
And I don't know what's right and what's real anymore/ And I don't know what I'm meant to feel anymore/ And when do you think it will all become clear/ 'Cuz I'm being taken over by the fear/
Ok, that was the chorus. Of course it's great.
Also great:
And I am a weapon of massive consumption/ But it's not my fault/ It's how I'm programmed to function/
And yes, I sing along. I'm so enamoured with it, I've actually practically memorized it. And now I own the cd and it's on my ipod. Watch out, world. :-) Also, it's fun to dance around to.
Track 3: Not Fair..the first of many breakup songs on this album. Lily sure does seem to like these. This one is about how great this guy is OUTSIDE of the bedroom and then once they get..um..intimate...it's all over. It's got a great old-western rhythm section...it's like she conscripted a jug band to service. And then remixed it without losing the jug and the banjo. It's AWESOME.
Great lyric:
Well I lie here in the wet patch/ In the middle of the bed/ I'm felin' pretty damn hard-done-by/ I spent ages giving head/
(I warned you. Parental advisory)
You might be scandalized by her forthrightness, but if you're of a certain age and you've had any kind of a long-term intimacy then you can relate. At least a little bit.
Oh...and it's not a guitar solo, it's a banjo/fiddle solo and it makes me want to slap my knee and dance around like a freak. This is a great cardio album. I also feel that it's a given I want to sing along. As soon as I know the words. For reals.
Track 3: 22. This one has a story...about a girl who's aged past 22 and is still out partying and apparently the world thinks her life is over until her Prince Charming comes along and saves her. Ah...more social commentary. And it's peppy. Oh, and her job makes her cry because she wants a boyfriend but all she gets is one night stands. No completely stand out lyrics, yet...the chorus is catchy, though. This has a piano break. I dig it.
Track 4: I Could Say: Opens with a nice little piano intro...and another breakup song! Opening lyric:
I could say that I'll always be here for you/ But that would be a lie/ And quite a pointless thing to do/
I know that feeling. This one is more "traditional" pop - strings in the back ground and a fairly straightforward melody. I like it. It's about moving on from a bad relationship and liking yourself even though the relationship was total crap. It's more ballady, which isn't always my style, but it's up-tempo enough that I don't see myself hitting skip (also because I can relate to the lyric...I call him The Big Stick I Removed From My Ass when I'm not feeling very generous) and I still want to sing along. And dance, because it's how I do. I see many a teenager singing along to this one. It might make a permanent spot on the break-up cd's I like to handout. Like Smile did.
Track 6: Back to the Start. This is a little techno-poppy ditty...about sisters? Oh yeah - opening lyric:
When we were growing up you always looked like/ You were having such fun/ You always were and you always will be/ The Taller and the prettier one/
But instead of continuing on with the jealous/hate she's apologizing and wanting to start over and have a real relationship. I'm getting a Kylie Minogue vibe off of this, but there might be someone more appropriate to compare her to. Maybe not. Oh yeah, this is about sisters:
But I've found it's so entertaining/ Messing round with your head/
Totally danceable, and sing along-able. It's fun. I love that every song sounds slightly different but it's still distinctly Lily Allen. ooo - she's promising to put the words into action. Cool.
Track 7: Never Going to Happen....sounds Italian? Is this a POLKA? It's a breakup polka song. People are clapping. There are accordians. And awesome lyric:
Believe me when I tell you/ I never want to see you again/
And I love it. Ooooo....she's calling him up for one-night-stands. This is greatness. This is my new favorite album and there's still 5 songs to go. Woot! You can't see it, but I'm dancing in my chair. This feels like a drinking song. When you hear it (because you will) you'll understand.
Track 8: F*** You. Aw...this sounds like something Billy Joel might have done...ok not anymore. She's telling off racists and haters. Awesome. Awesome lyric:
You're just some racist/ Who can't tie my laces/ Your point of view is midieval/
More poppy social commentary. I love it. And the chorus is fun to sing, too:
Fuck you/ Fuck you very very much/ 'Cuz we hate what you do/ And we hate your whole crew/ So please don't stay in touch/
oooo....and now they're playing with her voice so she sounds like a smurf. Awesome. Love. This is a good one for those days. You know the ones.
Track 9: Who'd Have Known: hm...ballad...boring conversation...sneaking off to the bedroom...pretending to sleep...and snuggling and chatting...I'm not being pulled in. Hm...she's not clear on their relationship. It's cute and poppy but I'm not feeling it....oh, she no longer feels alone. That's nice. Why is it that when people get all happy and lovey their music starts to lose it's flavor? Don't get me wrong, I'm happy that you're happy, and I'm not bitter because I'm happy, too, but come on...love doesn't have to be sappy and lame. Love has fireworks, you know. Although there's a market for sap. Their has to be. Look at how well Twilight's doing. I might skip this one if it pops up when I'm driving. Distinctly not a driving song.
Track 10: Chinese: I think she's high. Is that a harpsachord? And a drum kit...on a synthesizer...and it's still slow and melodic...not not digging it...oh good, it's picked up. Still sappy. Hm. The lyrics are nice, she's describing my life...except we don't have a dog. We've had a lot of chinese recently. It's also not grabbing me. They can't all be winners.
Track 11: Him: Again? Really. Hm, she's speculating about God. That would be the titular "Him." Good lyric:
And Come election time/ I wonder who he'd vote for/
Interesting. Social commentary with a religious bent and a synthesized harmony. ooo....
Do you think his favorite type of human is caucasion?
Still ballady, but I'm more interested in the lyrics. Not a good driving song, though. And now there's a little country guitar there...and some weird psychadelic stuff... Interesting....this will need a second listen before I form a concrete opinion.
Track 12: He Wasn't There: ooo - it sounds like an old phonograph is playing. It's one of those songs that makes me want lemonade. Aw, she's singing about lost love. Sad. It's a little more peppy, though, and we know I like that. Or something...she's calling him her hero in disguise...hm...interesting. This is one I would grab Husband and dance with around the kitchen while singing to him. See? Love songs need not be overly sappy and drippy. Ok...I think it's that the relationship isn't perfect but it's working and they love each other and that's wonderful. And the instrumentation is interesting and fun, too. Word.
Overall: worth your money. For reals. I am a little disappointed that her cover of Womanizer didn't make it on there, but what can you do.
And because I do love it - here is the CLEAN version of the Fear video:
And a bunch of carrots:
And ended with a pitcher of Orange Juice:
(recipe)
