One Of The Boys [ECD] - Katy Perry

...my review on her album, One Of The Boys:

===Track 1- One of the Boys===

I was expecting more for the opening track of this album, her vocals are very unique, but are not brilliantly strong throughout the song. I'm not too keen on the lyrics are well, and the chorus is quite boring and nothing special just like most of the song. I have to give it credit, as despite it not having all of the things I look for in a good ...
...A Girl===

One of the most talked about songs of 2008, it was very risky for Katy Perry to do a song like this, but due to the amazing beat and her powerful vocals everyone fell in love with it. The song did ruffle some feathers due to her talking about 'kissing a girl', especially in her home country, however most of us, don't bother listening to that, and are just awed by her amazing vocals and the beat to the song.

... more

I'm not listening to this album on the best pair of speakers at the moment, due to the fact that not only did my computer decide to die, as did my CD player, so I'm listening to this song on my crappy little laptop, with weak speakers, however I'm pretty sure I can get a good enough feel from it. Sorry about spelling mistakes, as this laptop is really awful with that.

==Who is Katy Perry?c

Katy is an American singer songwriter, who shot to fame with her controversial song, I Kissed A Girl. This track shocked some with the controversial lyrics, however her unique style of dressing, singing and writing, made her an overnight success. She has now released another song, which has done just as well as I Kissed A Girl, and she is still the same unique girl.

Here is my review on her album, One Of The Boys:

Track 1- One of the Boys

I was expecting more for the opening track of this album, her vocals are very unique, but are not brilliantly strong throughout the song. I'm not too keen on the lyrics are well, and the chorus is quite boring and nothing special just like most of the song. I have to give it credit, as despite it not having all of the things I look for in a good song, the song made me bob my head along and I remembered it afterwards, so there must be something special about it, which I haven't realised yet.

An okay opening to the album, but if I was someone who hadn't heard a few of the other songs on the album, I would probably stop here.

Memorable Lyrics: "I saw a spider
I didn't scream
Cause I can belch the alpahbet
just double dog dare me
And I chose gutiar over ballet
and I'd take these suckers down
cause they just get in my way."

Rating: 5/10 (An okay opening to the album, it could have been so much better though)

Track 2- I Kissed A Girl

One of the most talked about songs of 2008, it was very risky for Katy Perry to do a song like this, but due to the amazing beat and her powerful vocals everyone fell in love with it. The song did ruffle some feathers due to her talking about 'kissing a girl', especially in her home country, however most of us, don't bother listening to that, and are just awed by her amazing vocals and the beat to the song.

The beat to this song is amazing, it starts off with a drum beat which carries on throughout the song, and it'll stick in your head for days. Her voice joins in, and she shows off her mad vocal skills. The song is undeniably catchy and you will have trouble not to sing it later in the day. For you guys it's alright, but sitting in the middle of the lesson singing 'I kissed a girl and I liked it', not funny. For such a controversial song, I'm sure a lot of you will love it, it's very hard not to like I have to say.

Memorable Lyrics: "I kissed a girl and I liked it, taste of her cherry chap stick, I kissed a girl, just to try it, hope my boyfriend don't mind it"

Rating: 10/10 (One of the best songs of 2008 and definitely one of the most catchy ones)

Track 3- Waking Up In Vegas

I wasn't too sure about what I thought of this to start with. It's got a more of a rockier feel to it than a lot of the other tracks on the album. Like most of the songs, it's got a great beat and her vocals are amazing and very powerful and unique. It starts off quite slow, and then it hits the chorus, and becomes more pop/rock than anything.

The lyrics are brilliant as always and really work well with Katy's vocals which are very good in this song. The only real bad note I have to say, is there's nothing really memorable in this song. Katy's two songs which she has released so far have been very catchy and you will probably remember them for a long time to come, but despite this song being very good, there's nothing here that wil make you remember down the line.

Memorable Lyrics: "Shut up and put your money where your mouth is,
That's what you get for waking up in Vegas,
Get up and shake the glitter off your clothes now,
That's what you get for waking up in Vegas"

Rating: 7/10 (Not very memorable, a very good song however and a joy to listen to)

Track 4- Thinking of You

This is Katy Perry attempting a ballad. Does she succeed? I would say yes, it's not something that would sell as well as Hot N Cold or I Kissed A Girl but she really does show her vocals talents and the emotional tone to her voice.

Despite being a nice song, I don't think a ballad goes brilliantly with her voice, when she's singing very softly, it really does sound very forced and it's not very natural. The instrumental doesn't go brilliantly with her voice and it's not very catchy like other songs on her album.

However, it's still a nice song, and I can hear it being one of her hits.

Memorable Lyrics: "Comparisons are easily done,
Once you've had a taste of perfection,
Like an apple hanging from a tree,
I picked the ripest one,
I still got the seed,
You said move on, Where do I go, I guess second best, Is all I will know"

Rating: 8/10 (A nice track, it does have some downsides but it's a nice song to listen to)

Track 5- Mannequin

I'm still very unsure of this song, there are some great lyrics and at the start of the song, I always find myself thinking this will be a great song, but nothing really happens in it. It's a 'slow' song almost, and like in the previous song, slow songs don't really go with Perry's voice, and this is another one that doesn't seem to work.

Everything in the track seems to be there, the lyrics are brilliant, her vocals as always are very strong and the beat to the song is good, but there's nothing there that you expect from Katy Perry, the song is not very memorable and I don't think I'll remember it after listening to the whole album. This is a shame, because it really should work, but there is something missing.

Memorable Lyrics: "I wish I could just turn you on,
With a battery,
And just make you talk,
Even pull a string to make you say anything"

Rating: 7/10 (I have no idea what is missing here, but it doesn't seem to work like a lot of other tracks off the album)

Track 6- Ur So Gay

The first thing I noticed about this song in the first verse was what the hell is wrong with her voice. This is definitely the weakest song on the album so far, and it was actually pretty painful for me to listen to I have to say. First bad thing about it, is her vocals. There are pretty painful and really don't go with the instruments in the song, this is another bad thing about the song. Where is the catchy beat that all of the other songs have? Where is the amazing instrumentals which compliment her voice.

The song is pretty bad; however it does have one good thing, the lyrics. If the song was delivered like it should have been, it could have been a brilliant song. It's a very controversial song just like I Kissed A Girl but unlike that song, it doesn't have anything memorable or catchy about it. I was disappointed because I had heard good comments about this song, but it was not for me in the end.

Memorable Lyrics: "You're so gay,
And you don't even like boys,
No you don't even like,
No you don't even like,
No you don't even like boys"

Rating: 3/10 (Not a good song, which is a shame because the lyrics are great)

Track 7- Hot N Cold

This track is Katy's latest single, and is so catchy it's unbelievable. In the song she is talking about relationships and how difficult it is, and is using her brilliant vocals to sell this across, with a great beat underneath. This girl really showcases her talent in this song, her vocals are brilliant, I think she may be better in I Kissed A Girl, but this song beats that song for me.

The beat will stick in your head for days, the tune to the song is almost dance music, but with the drum beat and her voice, it becomes a rock/pop song which will stick in your head for days. Love it or hate it you will not be able to get this track out of your head. The thing that makes this song so good for me has to be the amazing tongue in cheek lyrics, which are shown below. A brilliant track that I'm sure most people will love.

Memorable Lyrics: "You change your mind,
Like a girl,
Changes clothes,
Yeah you,
PMS,
Like a bitch,
I would know"

Rating: 10/10 (Probably the best track on the album so far, it's so catchy and it'll stick in your head for days)

Track 8- If you can afford me

I was actually disappointed with this track, it should have been good however there's something missing about it and I have to say I can't put my finger on it. It has everything needed from good lyrics, to a brilliant beat and her vocals are amazing as always, however where is the catchiness that you come to expect from a Katy Perry song. There is nothing unique or original about this song, I think you could probably find a song like this on an Avril Lavinge album and it actually shocked me slightly.

That's not to say it's not a nice song, the tune to it is really nice, and it's probably going to sound lovely when I put it in my car, when I finally get one, but at the moment, because of the high expectations I have for the rest of the album, it is slightly 'boring' almost compared to her other tracks.

Memorable Lyrics: "If you wanna ride,
Just name your price don't play cheap,
With your heart,
Don't make a bet if you can't write the check for me,
For me,
Cuz I can be bought,
But you'll pay the cost,
If you can afford me"

Rating: 7/10 (A good song, however it's pretty boring compared to other tracks)

Track 9- Lost

This is another ballad which doesn't seem to really work, her vocals are amazing, but it is the sort of song, you'll find yourself skipping, it does take a lot of getting used to and despite the fact it's not one of her best it's well worth the listen. Her vocals are brilliant in this track and she manages to show all of her vocal ranges, however it would have probably sounded better if it was done acoustically, as the drum beat takes away from her vocals.

A nice song, however it should have been better, the production on the song is not brilliant, and it almost seems like it was quite rushed, despite all of the negatives I would give it a listen.

Memorable Lyrics: "I'm out on my own again
Face down in the porcelain
Feeling so high but looking so low
Party favors on the floor
Group of girls banging on the door
So many new fair-weather friends ooo?

Rating: 6/10 (A nice song, but there is not anything special here)

Track 10- Self Inflicted

I was actually expecting something a lot different than what came out of my speakers with this song. With a title like self inflicted I was expecting a ballad of some sort, however it's another up-tempo number which unfortunately doesn't work.

The whole production of the track seems rushed, the music doesn't go brilliantly with her vocals which aren't shining in this track, and it just seems like a slight left down after some of the other tracks on the album. It's not a memorable track either and you'll forget about listening to it, after a few minutes.

Memorable Lyrics: "Remember when I dove into the crowd,
And I got a bloody knee under my skin,
A mark from wiping out,
It brings back the memories,
Every bone been broken,
But my hear is still wide open"

Rating: 6/10 (There are so many better tracks on the album and I really expected something better with this track)

Track 11- I'm still breathing

I don't know what I was expecting with this track and I certainly didn't get much. The album seems to have the first half of it as amazing tracks but then the second half pales in comparison and this is another weak track. It doesn't have anything good about it; even the lyrics are quite weak compared to her other tracks.

The music does however go with this style that she's using with her vocals, however everything else seems to fall and this doesn't even make up for that. Which is a shame, because it almost ruins the album.

Memorable Lyrics: "Maybe I was too pale
Maybe I was too fat
Maybe you had better
Better luck in the sack
No formal education
And I swore way too much
But I swear you didn't fucking care
Cuz we were in love"

Rating: 2/10 (Probably one of the weakest on the album, it's got nothing about it that makes it a good track)

Track 12- Fingerprints

Does she end with a bang? I would say yes, this is a great improvement from a lot of other tracks, this is the sort of style that she should stick to, a great drum beat, unconventional lyrics and a rocky/pop type of vocal style. This is when she shines the most, and this is when she produces songs like I Kissed a Girl and Hot N Cold.

This is probably one of the catchiest songs on the album behind those two, and is a enjoyable listen and one that I think should be released next. A brilliant catchy song, which will be enjoyed by a lot of people, however there is one downside, it doesn't have the same 'oomf' that Hot N Cold and I Kissed A Girl had and probably won't be as well received as they were.

Memorable Lyrics: "Voted most likely to end up on the back ok a milk box drink
Looks like I'm letting them down
Cause seven, seventy-five isn't worth and hour of my hard work and time
When you cant afford half the shit they advertise
Ohh I'm worth more then they ask more then the two-tag generation full of regret
Ohh I won't settle no, ohh I can't settle"

Rating: 9/10 (A good track and I think this will probably be her next single released)

Track 13- I Kissed A Girl Rock Remix

The only thing that this song has which makes it different from the original is louder drums and guitar and over my lame speakers, it doesn't sound all that good. I think I prefer the original version, however either way; her vocals are exactly the same and sound amazing.

Memorable Lyrics: "This was never the way I planned, not my intention.
I got so brave, drink in hand, lost my discretion
It's not what I'm used to, just wanna try you on.
I'm curious for you, caught my attention."

Rating: 9/10 (Not as good as the original, but still brilliant)

My Opinion

I really wasn't expecting to like this album, I am and always will be a 'rock gal' but I loved her most famous tracks and decided on a whim to buy the album and I am actually glad I did. It's never going to be one of the best albums ever, but it really is unique, and despite some people comparing her to Avril or Pink, you really can't. This girl has a very unique voice and the lines she manages to stamp on and walk over with her lyrics are amazing. Who knew a song, by a young woman singing about kissing another girl, would be so popular and catchy?

The album is a bit of a 50/50 type of album, it has a great first half, the songs are all pretty much brilliant, they are very unique, however as soon as she hits her track 'Hot N Cold' the album just fizzles out. There is nothing that is unique here, it almost sounds like a bad copy of the first half of the album, but she has failed. It almost seems like those songs were her first drafts and then she decided, nah instead I'm going to write about relationships and there ups and downs and kissing a girl.

I actually have to say, despite some of the songs being not so good, the album as a whole is pretty brilliant I have to say, and this is coming from someone who can't stand pop music at all, because it makes me wanna tare out my hair. This album has just the right amount of ballads, pop songs, rock songs and they all work well together. This album will not be loved by everyone however, most people will adore it. It's the sort of album to have on in the car, as background music, you will probably love it then.

Her Vocals

My god does this girl have brilliant vocals, this is what first made me want to buy the album. She has a very unique tone to her voice, and she has one of those voices where you'll hear it in a few years and immediately recognise it's hers

The only downside I have about her voice and this album is in the second half of the album, she doesn't really use her vocal talents. It almost seems a bit first draft and it doesn't work well. Her vocals only really, really shine on a few of the songs, which is a shame, because it is very unique and it is a very powerful voice.

The Music

The thing about her most popular songs is that they have an amazing beat within them. For example, with I Kissed A Girl, it has a very strong beat to it, and it stays there throughout the song. Even if you just had a midi file of this song, you will probably still fall in love with it. This strong drum beat, works brilliantly with her voice. It allows her to project her voice a lot more and eventually create a better song.

The better the beat within her songs, the better the song is. If you don't like the beat or rhythm to the song at the beginning then don't listen.

The Lyrics

This is what makes Katy Perry so unique, she has done what the likes of Pink and Avril have been trying to do for years, but were almost too scared to. She saw a line, and decided to go way past it, and by doing that she has created some great, funny and controversial lyrics, which may not be liked by some, especially it seems homophobic people, however to most people, these lyrics are very unique and they work with her style of music.

My Final Opinion

All in all, despite some weak songs at the end the album is pretty good and well worth the money. The album surprised me because I wasn't expecting much, but really enjoyed it. It's got some brilliant songs which you'll be singing for days afterwards.

Well worth checking out, or at least downloading the good songs off Itunes.

Hope this helps

(C) Kirsty 

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