Disco de Ke$ha: “Animal [Clean]”

There was a time, you may recall, when pop music and dance music were two separate things; when it didn't pander to the lowest common denominator; when pop stars were actually artists and not just fashion models with voices. Not today, though. Today it seems as if the mainstream music, money-making machine chooses style over substance almost always. Ke$ha is no exception to this trend. Her music, while containing a few catchy songs (such as the suddenly everywhere, "TiK ToK"), doesn't really bring anything new or exciting to the music world. As such, Animal, is definitely not an album to purchase as a whole, but one to pick apart and download; again, a trend that has only grown more prevalent over time.

Around a month ago, I'm spending time with friends when one girl starts playing "TiK ToK." I immediately dismiss it as crap, not to mention a stylistic rip-off of Paris-based, Uffie (granted, not an Owl City-Postal Service sized rip-off, but enough for me to notice). A week later, I'm severely inebriated at The Beach, a club on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, when the song once again starts playing. Without me even knowing, the song hooked me; so much so that a few days later I'm downloading the song on iTunes and declaring it the best mainstream female pop song since Britney Spears' "Toxic." What "TiK ToK" has going for it is its amazing production, an infectious chorus, well-written melody, and enough edge to make it sound fresh. It is a great cog in the machine, and according to the end of '09's pop charts, I'm not alone in this assessment.

Unfortunately, the large majority of Animal plays things by the book. Sounding more Rihanna than Gaga, Ke$ha's debut is full of a lot of tracks that mimic every other pop song from the last 5 years. Very few of them stand out as genuinely unique. "Blah Blah Blah" is fairly solid track, with Ke$ha singing about how she'd rather a guy just make a move than have him talk her up for half an hour. The worst part of the track has to be the inclusion of the always-annoying 3OH!3, who guests on the song's bridge. "Hungover" is even better. Its smooth, retro-dance vibe is enhanced by it's totally catchy chorus about the morning after. If I had to pick a second single, it'd be this one.

In reading interviews with Ke$ha, she sounds like the kind of person who tries to get a rise out of people, who tries to be edgier than she is. That's not necessarily a bad thing; everybody has their role to fill. But Ke$ha's "edgier" stuff doesn't necessarily push any new boundaries. Pop's cherry was (uhh...) popped decades ago with Madonna and Prince. If you can't do it better, at least do it justice. She does neither. Her "edginess" is primarily relegated to the occasional dirty word or sexual innuendo; not necessarily groundbreaking. Does she get some credit for at least writing a large portion of her songs herself? Absolutely, that's much more than the average pop star. But again, there's nothing particularly new or exciting about a lot of this stuff.

For example, most of the album is spent mimicking the styles of other established artists. Album opener, "Your Love is My Drug" sounds like a decent Kelly Clarkson song, "Kiss N Tell" is out of the Miley Cyrus playbook, and "Animal" is like an Alanis Morissette song set to a completely worthless dance beat. Granted, all of these songs could be considered highlights on Animal, but she gets 0 points for originality. The album's most nauseating song is "Boots & Boys," which showcases Ke$ha's affection for...well, I'm sure you can guess. It's filler at its worst, with its double entendre lyrics and easy melody.

All this to say that, yes, Ke$ha's Animal has some good songs on it. Some, like "TiK ToK" may wind up being remembered long past the album's shelf life. However, when the pop-star roll call is taken five years from now, Ke$ha probably won't be in class; which is to say that she's just as disposable as any of the industry's other forgettable pop stars. There are signs of talent and longevity in this album that are hard to deny, but Ke$ha has to find some way to set herself apart if she plans on surviving in the minds of the fickle OMG-ers of the world who will consume this album and then move on to the next big thing. In the meantime, we can all enjoy the 4 or 5 good songs that Animal has to offer and wish her the best of luck.

Key Tracks:

1. "Your Love Is My Drug"

2. "TiK ToK"

3. "Take it Off"

4. "Blah Blah Blah (f/ 3OH!3)"

5. "Hungover"

5 out of 10 Stars

I've been flip flopping with this girl for a good few weeks now. Hated her at first and then tried out her album. Didn't care for it on the first couple of initial listen and trashed it afterwards. Because someone then convinced me to give it another try, I did so and that time, it grew on me more than expected. Because I like to support the artists, I went out and bought it.

I'm regretting this purchase now. Why? Because I'm already bored and sick of it and I've only had it for a few days. The problem with Ke$ha's music is that it's possible for it to be catchy for exactly 5 seconds before you're already wanting to throw it away. I'll admit that I was silly to even spend $10 on it in the first place, especially since I was still somewhat hesitant about her. So that's money wasted but what can you do? All I know is that this chick isn't going to be as big as her 'stans' like to make everyone think. She may be at the top of the charts now but the negative reviews (from people who have bought the album, NOT 'professional' reviewers) rise each day so I doubt she's going to be there long. Keep in mind that a number one song doesn't mean you'll be here next year.

Also, comparing her to Gaga doesn't work either strictly because even though Gaga too has songs that talk about partying and whatnot, she's not as completely trashy and BLUNT about it to where you're cringing when you listen to her. There is a little thing called metaphors I strongly insist that Ke$ha looks up. You can get your point across without literally shoving it into the person's face and being as nasty as possible. It doesn't make you look 'edgy' or 'cool' like she apparently thinks it does.

I don't see this girl being around very long and if she does? She'll be just like the hundreds of two bit pop stars who keep trying to be relevant. I'm sure that she's a nice girl but not nice enough for me to subject myself to this.

After hearing "TiK ToK" I was hopeful to secretly slip Ke$ha's new songs onto my iPod and generously deny the fact that I had them. Unfortunately unlike the staying power of Lady Gaga, Ke$ha's too much of an "Animal" for me to tame. Because frankly, innuendo is just not enough for her; most of the songs are juvenile in songwriting (Dinosaur is about an old man, and it devolves from there) or just about getting in a dude's pants (several instances by the way.) There are some nice tracks, such as the rowdy "Blah Blah Blah", but for the most part the album seems auto-tuned... to death. You can even here it in "Your Love is my Drug", which she just goes "ahhh" for the last twenty-ish seconds. The last issue I have is the uneven censorship. I mean, why would you slur a bunch of swears in a song like "Kiss N Tell" but blare them up in "Backstabber"? Some of the songs will be keepers, but if you're not 18 or younger, just download a few and skip the rest.

Notable Tracks:

Your Love is my Drug

Kiss N Tell

Blah Blah Blah

TiK ToK

Imagine a baseball player that couldn't hit or throw. Imagine an accountant who couldn't count. It would be impossible to be successful at those endeavors without the requisite skills. But somehow it is possible for a "singer" to sell millions of dollars of "music" even if she cannot sing. Don't get me wrong Kesha makes noises with her mouth. If that's singing to you then you probably would like this garbage. It's cheap and tawdry and perfect for sheeple to worship. But why would anyone actually buy the single (much less the whole album)? Anyone who buys this is sending a message to record companies that this is the type of music we want them to create. And you really should be ashamed to make that kind of statement about yourself. I understand the song being kind of catchy for a few weeks. But why are you purchasing it when you could hear it on the radio every five minutes or downloading a less than legal copy online? At least then you wouldn't have fallen for this scam by which some brat pretends to be a singer and gets stinking rich of the people dumb enough to line her pockets.

If you are looking to Ke$ha's album for serious, soul-searching lyrics, you are not going to find anything like that. You should buy Ke$ha's album for a fantastic collection of ridiculous songs that will make you smile.

"Animal" is an auditory twinkie: you know it's bad for you, and that the contents are really unhealthy, and you would probably not admit to your friends that you love it; but at the same time, it tastes really good and it makes you happy. "Animal" reminds me of Cobra Starship's "Hot Mess." Both albums are fun, and not to be taken seriously. Great workout music, but not for deep contemplation.