Dignity - Hilary Duff

...hmm? 9/10

DIGNITY is a fabulous up-tempo dance/pop track with strong beats, synthesised sound effects and an extremely catchy chorus. This is undoubtedly one of the best tracks on the album and has obvious single potential if Hilary is brave enough to release it with such controversial lyrics, criticising her shallow Hollywood peers whose lives revolve around fame and money; "Always with Mr. Right, but then you have a fight, run ...
...next. Tomorrow's paper's coming out so kiss him fast, watch the cameras flash. Where's your dignity? I think you lost it in the Hollywood hills. Where's your dignity? Can't buy respect but you can pick up a bill. Pick it up, pick it up, it's all you got, it's all you got, pick it up, pick it up 'cause money makes your world go round". Harsh words, Duff! Hilary doesn't stop there but also has a go at the celebrity culture as a whole, asking "Why ... more

Hot on the heels of fellow popstar Ashlee Simpson, it seems that Hilary Duff, previously a devotee of the girly pop rock sound, has decided to rid herself of her rock roots. First to go was the rocker boyfriend, Joel Madden, cast off and quickly thrown in to the hands of the ever obliging Nicole Ritchie. Next to follow was a significant change in direction for Hilary's music in which the rock element was all but lost, replaced by a new edgy electro sound. Incongruously, Hilary's appearance, unlike Ashlee's and her new blonde locks, new nose and vanishing waistline, did not reflect this change of sound and rather her transformation went in reverse, taking Hilary from a tanned blonde girl-next-door to a smouldering, vamped up brunette, complete with heavy eyeliner and gothic red lipstick. Ironically, though Hilary's sound, like her look, is more grown up, more meaningful and even somewhat darker, Hilary is no longer the rocker that she appears to be, at least for the most part.

Hilary, perhaps because of her previously pretty girl looks, has often struggled to be taken seriously and is frequently perceived as girly, superficial and somewhat immature, the perfect pop princess, some would say. However, Hilary's music actually cuts a whole lot deeper than your average pop, which is perhaps why Hilary has decided to make this drastic change in her appearance, in a bid to be seen as the serious and intelligent girl that she really is; a girl, in fact, who wrote all but one of the tracks on this quality album which showcases a high degree of creativity, thoughtfulness and sincerity.

For those of you who have heard Hilary's previous musical offerings, you may be expecting more of the same - fun, upbeat, girly pop rock. I certainly was. As a fan of Hilary's previous sound, in fact, I was greatly disappointed on first hearing her new album. However, once I got used to this new sound, and after a couple of listens, I actually now much prefer this album, which provides the depth and maturity that 'Most Wanted' lacks, and it has become one of my top five albums of all time. One of the charms of this album over Hilary's others is the variety of music styles offered. Although I claimed that Hilary's music has lost her rock element, this is not altogether true as there is still evidence of it later in the album, however the previously dominating rock sound has been greatly diluted and it is many tracks in to this album before it is even glimpsed.

I always think of this album as being split in to three sections, reflecting three different sounds. Part one of the album, tracks one to five, showcases Hilary's new electro pop sound; an edgy collection of unusual, grown up tracks that have heavy elements of dance as well as sophisticated pop. This section of the album features what is probably the best track on the entire album, 'Gypsy Woman', as well as the album's first single, 'With Love'. Part two of the album, however, from track six to nine, launches in to a cheesier pop interlude where, although still showcasing mature and significant lyrics, the musical style takes a bit of a nosedive in to the cheesier style that Hilary was previously known for, which, although fun, upbeat and very listenable, does not live up to the superior preceding and following tracks, in my opinion. The last part of the album shows Hilary exploring a much darker sound than anything I have heard from her before, with more reflective tracks, a touch of melancholy here and there and the return, in certain tracks, of Hilary's rock background (I like to think of this as the rock section of the album. This is, of course, comparatively speaking).

Although Hilary's musical style varies wildly throughout this album, one constant on 'Dignity' is the quality of the lyrics. Hilary has moved on from having her songs written for her and from singing about growing up and fancying boys, and the lyrics on this album cut a lot deeper than the traditional lyrics about love frequenting the charts today. Hilary's lyrics are frequently brave and daring, with pops at the likes of Nicole Ritchie and Paris Hilton, consistently thought provoking, and supremely honest and from the heart, including Hilary's thoughts on being stalked and on the woman who had a relationship with her father and tore her family apart. The quality of lyrics is indeed unwavering, and it is difficult to dispute the fact that Hilary has found a talent in song writing and that she has a creative, expressive and interesting way of expressing herself throughout this exceptional album.

STRANGER is the first track on this album and it gets it off to a brilliant start! This track starts with some intriguing, exotic music and strong beats before Hilary's sultry, forlorn sounding vocals begin. This is a slightly moody, melancholy track with strong beats, a fantastic backing track and chorus and slightly accusatory lyrics and vocals about a boyfriend who treats Hilary nicely in public but acts differently when they are alone; "You treat me like a queen when we go out, you wanna show everyone what our love's about, you're all wrapped up in me whenever there is a crowd, but when no one's around there's no kindness in your eyes, the way you look at me it's just not right, I can tell what's going on this time, there's a stranger in my life". Joel, is this you hmm? 9/10

DIGNITY is a fabulous up-tempo dance/pop track with strong beats, synthesised sound effects and an extremely catchy chorus. This is undoubtedly one of the best tracks on the album and has obvious single potential if Hilary is brave enough to release it with such controversial lyrics, criticising her shallow Hollywood peers whose lives revolve around fame and money; "Always with Mr. Right, but then you have a fight, run in to your friends ex, he's happy to be your next. Tomorrow's paper's coming out so kiss him fast, watch the cameras flash. Where's your dignity? I think you lost it in the Hollywood hills. Where's your dignity? Can't buy respect but you can pick up a bill. Pick it up, pick it up, it's all you got, it's all you got, pick it up, pick it up 'cause money makes your world go round". Harsh words, Duff! Hilary doesn't stop there but also has a go at the celebrity culture as a whole, asking "Why does everybody care about where you go? It's not news when you got a new bag, it's not news when somebody slaps you". It is these lyrics however that make this such a brilliant track and which make Hilary stand out from the Lindsay Lohan's and Paris Hilton's of the world. No matter what you might say about Hilary, she's clearly got her head screwed on. 10/10

WITH LOVE was Hilary's first, and so far only, single off this album, and is another dance inspired track with a catchy, repetitive chorus and strong dance beats. On my first listen of this track I was not convinced about it and was disappointed that it had been released as a single, however it is definitely a grower. It is not the best track out of Hilary's dance/pop tracks, yet it is catchy and upbeat and definitely worth a listen. 8/10

I have never been particularly impressed with the track DANGER as I just feel that it lacks something, although I am not sure what. It is quite similar to the previous three tracks in that it is a catchy dance track, although I feel that it has a bit more of an electro feel to it. It is an OK track but it is surrounded with such exceptional tracks that it somehow fails to live up to my expectations and the chorus is not quite as catchy as some of the others. The lyrics are also a bit more standard on this track, which is about meeting somebody who intrigues you but who you are unsure about. 6/10

GYPSY WOMAN is by far the best track on the album, in my opinion. This is in fact, in my opinion, one of the best songs ever written and I loved this on first hearing and I still love it now. The track begins with Hilary sultrily announcing, "Congratulations, you've joined the ranks of all the rest" before some unusual, exotic sounding music begins, which actually does sound quite gypsyish in a weird and unexplainable way. The chorus on this track is fantastic and the backing track is amazing; it loses the dance element showcased on the previous tracks yet retains the electro beats, synthesised sounds and unique, intriguing music. The lyrics are equally powerful and are written by Hilary and her sister Haylie about the woman who their dad had an affair with and the effect that it had on their family, with lyrics such as; "Her kind isn't very hard to find, she lets you think that you found her first, that's how she works her sick and evil gypsy curse", and "Talks with a grin 'cause she's got no shame, enjoyed the fame, bringing down the family name". Hilary clearly has a lot of anger to vent on this album, which is reflected in the dark feel of many of the songs, including this one. 10/10

NEVER STOP is my least favourite song on this album. It is very summery and light hearted with an upbeat backing track and a very unmemorable pop chorus. It is a listenable enough track but I know that Hilary can do better and it is just far from being a standout track, it lacks creativity and inspiration and even the lyrics are nothing special, as though Hilary had pretty much given up on this track; "You signed my name on your arm, you put so much in my heart, when the darkness rolls in, I'll be there through thick and thin, I want you to know, I want you to know, I'll never stop loving you". 4/10

NO WORK, ALL PLAY is quite a standard pop track but I still like it. It has mellow, laid back verses and an upbeat, catchy chorus, with nice, subdued vocals. The lyrics are also more interesting than the previous track and again seem to be having a dig at the Hollywood It Girls who make a life doing nothing and "go through life like it's a breeze" and "float their way through days and never feel the grey, and their tears fall but they don't sting", as they will never experience true, deep feelings ("breathe so easy, no digging in to what's within") which will allow them to grow as a person; "The challenges well they'll make you strong." 7/10

BETWEEN YOU AND ME is a very upbeat pop track which has a slightly more immature sound than many of the other tracks, yet it is a good, cheerful, summery track with a catchy chorus. 7/10

DREAMER is a really good track with interesting lyrics and a simple yet very catchy tune. This is another quite poppy sound with a very upbeat feel despite the sinister feel of the lyrics which are about Hilary's experiences of being stalked; "I'm at the grocery store and there you are just watching me, pick up my clothes from the cleaners and look who I see". Hilary once again ponders on the craziness of the celebrity obsession prominent in today's society; "Don't you have better things to do with your life than hang around and stare at me and complicate mine?… I go to bed and I wake up, isn't that interesting? I brush my teeth and feed my dog, isn't that thrilling?" She also vents her frustration through this track and sends some clear messages to her stalker; "You and me will never be if that's what you think, oh you're such a dreamer, but I'm not a believer in all the things that you dream, stop watching me". 9/10

HAPPY, ironically, signifies a turning point in the album when the happy, upbeat pop ends and Hilary's music gets a little bit darker. This track begins with a darker, more edgy feel and intriguing beats that set the mood before Hilary's emotive vocals begin. The track is moody and melancholy with subdued verses and an edgy, dance influenced, heartfelt chorus about being happy to be out of a damaging relationship; "I'm happy and I can thank myself, if it were up to you I'd be in my bed crying, but I'm happy and I know that makes you sad, after all the things you've put me through I'm finally getting over you." This is definitely one of my favourite tracks on the album and is a very atmospheric and mature edgy pop track. I love it. 10/10

BURNED carries on where 'Happy' left off in the moody, sultry stakes. This is the closest that Hilary comes to a ballad on her album, although it is a far cry really from being one. This is a downbeat, edgy track about being scared and lonely; "What's wrong with me? I get lonely in a crowd. Everyone is smiling but I make myself left out. I got an imaginary shield around me that nobody's ever really gotten through". The lyrics and vocals are completely heartfelt and the track is very moving and powerful. 10/10

OUTSIDE OF YOU was a close contender for best track on this album, as it is very much my kind of thing with Hilary reverting to her rock roots for a powerful pop/rock track. The chorus is extremely catchy and Hilary's vocals are brilliant and carry the emotion of the song extremely well as well as reaching a very wide range of notes perfectly. I just love this song and it is a really powerful sing along track about trying to get somebody's attention and failing, even though you know that you would be perfect together. 10/10

I WISH is another fantastic pop/rock track which showcases a more developed and mature sound than on Hilary's previous pop rock album. It is quite a laid back track but with another strong, catchy chorus. 9/10

PLAY WITH FIRE is another electro pop track with an excellent backing track and another strong chorus. I wasn't very keen on the track when I first heard it but it is a grower and I now love it. The vocals are powerful and assertive which reflect the message in the lyrics; "You never know just what you got till it's gone, you freak out, but I'm not falling for that game, boys like you never change." Hilary has had a lot to say for herself in this album about having had her heartbroken and dealing with pain, and lyrically and musically this is an excellent track to finish on, with Hilary right on top of her game and demonstrating through her talent and her words that she is not a girl to take lightly. 9/10

TRACK LIST-
1. Stranger
2. Dignity
3. With Love
4. Danger
5. Gypsy Woman
6. Never Stop
7. No Work, All Play
8. Between You and Me
9. Dreamer
10. Happy
11. Burned
12. Outside Of You
13. I Wish
14. Play With Fire

UK SINGLES FEATURED ON ALBUM-
'With Love'

TRACKS WRITTEN BY HILARY- 13 out of 14 (all tracks except 'Outside of You')

BEST TRACK-
'Gypsy Woman'

WORST TRACK-
'Never Stop'

NUMBER OF GOOD SONGS- 12 out of 14

ALBUM UNIQUE SELLING POINT- The thoughtfulness and honesty behind the lyrics is very refreshing; also the creativity and originality of the tracks is exceptional. Hilary has had the courage to create and explore her own sound and forge a new path in the world of pop away from cheesy pop, pop rock, indie pop, or any of the other established and already thriving branches of pop music.

ALBUM NEGATIVES - I can think of few negatives myself, but if you are not a fan of pop at all, in any shape or form, then this may not be the best album for you. The pop showcased here is sophisticated, mature and often overshadowed by elements of rock and dance, amongst other sounds, however the pop is undoubtedly still there in the background holding the whole thing together.

SOUNDS MOST SIMILAR TO- Actually nobody that I can think of! Hilary's voice is not reminiscent of any other artist and with her creative combining of styles and sounds she has made this album all her own.

ALBUM SUMMARISED IN ONE WORD- Unexpected.

SCORE OUT OF 10 FOR…
VOCALS- 9
LYRICS- 10
MUSIC/BACKING TRACKS- 10
VARIATION IN TRACKS- 10
OVERALL ALBUM- 10

RECOMMENDED- Definitely, 100% I would recommend this to fans of Hilary Duff, fans of pop music, fans of dance music, fans of pop rock, or, if you are not any of the above, just those looking for something a little bit different. 

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