1/10/09 - CD Review - Pink's Funhouse
Pink released a new album a while back called Funhouse
. Although it was released on October 28, 2008, I didn't actually get the album until about a month ago. Up until that point (and even after), I spent most of my time listening to the NKOTB album, but as soon as I heard it the first time, I haven't been able to change my playlist. I don't want to go through in detail like I did for The Block
, but there were a handful of songs that really deserve to get mentioned. Something I should mention is that this album was recorded during her seperation from Carey Hart (husband of roughly two years). Several of her songs reference relationship problems, and her ability to portray emotion in both her lyrics and delivery is really what sets this album apart from others for me. The first of these is the first song on the album - "So What" which was the first single released. Unfortunately, it has been played to death by local radio stations, so I'm kind of sick of it and have considered removing it from rotation, but even still, it's just kind of catchy and for my money, really sums up Pink's attitude and personality.
Sober is her 2nd single, and also the 2nd on the album. I'm not going to lie, I have no idea what she is trying to get across in this song. Those that can translate her lyrics to something I can understand, please help out in the comments. The part of the song that I love is "I don't wanna be the girl that has to fill the silence...(complete silence for 2-3 seconds)...The quiet scares me 'cause it screams the truth" For me, there is just a ton of imagery in those two lines.
I really am not going to go through all of the songs, but the 3rd track deserves a mention. "I Don't Believe You" has more feeling than some artists can put in an entire album. Here is a youtube video of the song. The lyrics are in the information bar about the video. The ending of each chorus with her question, "Right?" hits me pretty hard. Her delivery makes it truly sound like she is desperate for answers, for someone to reach out to, or somenoe just to give her a vote of confidence.
Mean, is track 9 and could be an anthem for many relationships gone bad. There is no doubt in my mind that this is basically a portrait of her life. It just goes over several different scenarios of how things look different on the first date versus several months/years down the road. Of course, the line of "How did we get so mean?" is a question that has been asked by virtually any couple. My wife and I have a better marriage today than we did 5 years ago, but no doubt about it, we've had our times when we have to step back and ask each other than very question.
Several other songs that could get their own review are Bad Influence, Funhouse and Boring. None of them are going to be winning awards, but they will be on my playlist for quite a while.
I guess there is only one song that I had to remove from my playlist because it annoyed me, and that was This Is How It Goes Down. I can't explain it, but it just rubbed me the wrong way. For an album of 14 songs though, and only one is not worth listening to, I'd say Pink's album gets very high marks.
Labels: product reviews
4 Comments - Leave one yourselfI have always liked Pink and have this album on my IPod but have not listened to it all yet. You just inspired me to do so.
By 
sdhorton, at
January 8, 2009 12:08 PM
LOL i had the same thoughts about This is how it goes down. It's as if her record company forced her to include that song. Otherwise, the album is a masterpiece. I prefer the slow songs like Glitter in the Air, Crystal ball and I dont believe you.
I cant really listen to So What anymore since its been played every few mins.
By 
, at
January 8, 2009 12:57 PM
dude, you have the worst taste in music
By , at
January 8, 2009 3:53 PM
I did listen to it this weekend once all the way through and really liked it. I will have to listen a few more times before it really gets in my head but so far so good.
By sdhorton, at
January 11, 2009 7:05 PM
