Kesha - Rainbow
Rainbow
Kesha
Tiger Rating: 6.5 / 10
Pop
Kesha
Tiger Rating: 6.5 / 10
Pop
Kesha is not exactly grown up now, but, liberated from the shackles of injustice ... 'Rainbow' is fresh, engaging, easy to blast out full volume and, most of all, has heart.
In the past ten years the pop charts have been subjected to all a manner of one-upmanship from the day's reigning princesses, divas and queens. Some would say Madonna kickstarted the trend way back in the 80s with her own unique brand of shock pop antics, but it's really only in the past decade that these efforts have multiplied and intensified amongst those contending for the pop chart's Iron Throne. It was Gaga's couture, Rihanna's extended graphic videos, Miley's (dare I even type the word on my blog) twerking, Katie's confectionary breasts, Nicki's bum, Beyonce's determination to run the world and make bitches "bow down" - the jostling for the prize for the most hashtagged act quickly became a snoozefest. Yesterday's "shocking" is today's eyeroll emoji. Somewhere in between all meat based couture and whips and chains and twerkings was a grungy, pierced, Xtina circa 'Drrrty' new "it" girl who sang about getting trashed and being bisexual. Zzzzzzz.
'Tik Tok', 'Die Young', 'Blah Blah Blah' all had their place in fratboy playlists and all faded into embarrassing oblivion as soon as the trend got tired. People talked more when Riri covered her nipples on the red carpet and Gaga ditched the get ups and tried her hand at country music. Luckily (and impressively) Kesha has managed to catch the wave on this new "mature and toned down" pop trend and has turned out an album that captures that brazen party-girl spirit as well as serving as an honest confessional to the last five years of her difficult life. And hey - who knew she could actually sing well???
When 'Praying' dropped, her first single post-dramatic courtcase battle, even non admirers had to admit that it was sincere and compelling. You can't help but respect someone who wears their battle worn heart on their sleeve like that. Fortunately that same sincere openness is tempered with a ballsy return to form ('Woman'), some punk posturing alongside Eagles of Death Metal that actually surprisingly works well ('Let Em Talk') and a welcome return to her Nashville roots ('Bastards', 'Old Flames; with none other than original big breasted startlet Dolly Parton, 'Godzilla', 'Hunt You Down' 'Spaceship'). It all works refreshingly well. Kesha is not exactly grown up now, but, liberated from the shackles of injustice and free now to write and structure her own music the way she wants to, 'Rainbow' is fresh, engaging, easy to blast out full volume and, most of all, has heart. Possibly as a result of relishing this new found freedom, the album is a tad overstuffed. Praying, hymns, learning to let go - we get it! They're good tracks, but some would just serve better as B-Sides. It's not always an easy blend - going from triumphant former victim, to once wild party girrrl, to countries newest nose pierced radio crooner. It's a fun journey nevertheless.
Ultimately Kesha has crafted not only a new album, but has found a new identity and a new voice. Making music because she really wants to as opposed to being forced to under duress of an evil man has meant that 'Rainbow' is a great contribution to music history and a genuinely impressive addition to a less than impressive catalogue.
WVS
'Tik Tok', 'Die Young', 'Blah Blah Blah' all had their place in fratboy playlists and all faded into embarrassing oblivion as soon as the trend got tired. People talked more when Riri covered her nipples on the red carpet and Gaga ditched the get ups and tried her hand at country music. Luckily (and impressively) Kesha has managed to catch the wave on this new "mature and toned down" pop trend and has turned out an album that captures that brazen party-girl spirit as well as serving as an honest confessional to the last five years of her difficult life. And hey - who knew she could actually sing well???
When 'Praying' dropped, her first single post-dramatic courtcase battle, even non admirers had to admit that it was sincere and compelling. You can't help but respect someone who wears their battle worn heart on their sleeve like that. Fortunately that same sincere openness is tempered with a ballsy return to form ('Woman'), some punk posturing alongside Eagles of Death Metal that actually surprisingly works well ('Let Em Talk') and a welcome return to her Nashville roots ('Bastards', 'Old Flames; with none other than original big breasted startlet Dolly Parton, 'Godzilla', 'Hunt You Down' 'Spaceship'). It all works refreshingly well. Kesha is not exactly grown up now, but, liberated from the shackles of injustice and free now to write and structure her own music the way she wants to, 'Rainbow' is fresh, engaging, easy to blast out full volume and, most of all, has heart. Possibly as a result of relishing this new found freedom, the album is a tad overstuffed. Praying, hymns, learning to let go - we get it! They're good tracks, but some would just serve better as B-Sides. It's not always an easy blend - going from triumphant former victim, to once wild party girrrl, to countries newest nose pierced radio crooner. It's a fun journey nevertheless.
Ultimately Kesha has crafted not only a new album, but has found a new identity and a new voice. Making music because she really wants to as opposed to being forced to under duress of an evil man has meant that 'Rainbow' is a great contribution to music history and a genuinely impressive addition to a less than impressive catalogue.
WVS
Comments
Post a Comment