Disco de P!nk: “Funhouse (Explicit)”

Strange title for a rock music review, but hear me out. Remember, most of my reviews are [a] albums by pretty blondes, and, [b] some really complicated books on side-issues in history. Any professional historian knows the truth of my title. I heard this record a couple of days ago, and was pleasantly surprised...the "rock" is not hard, except in spots. Plus, you can understand Pink's words; that's important to me, and rare in a rocker. I really like it. I find the girl pretty, in a tough sort of way, though I don't care for the nasal piercing, but to each her own. I've been thinking about it [easy with the cover], and I think I've got an idea, wrong though it may be....

This is Carly Simon for the 21st. century. Hard-edged, with tattoos, and likes girls as well as guys. Still. Think about it...what do we know Carly for? [1] Sexy/sexual album covers, and [2] Wearing her heart on her sleeve about broken relationships and substance abuse. Well... OK, Carly never showed us THIS much flesh, but if "Boys in the Trees" and "Hotcakes" don't have sexual jacket covers, I don't know what does. Her best work came out of her break-up with James Taylor [and Sinatra's after Ava Gardner]. I understand that the present offering results from Pink's divorce. Shared pain. Confusion. Fabulous music.

Let's talk specifics..."So What"...hard rock, but clear lyrics. Her man's gone, right from the opening line. Heck with him; she's still a rock star. "Sober". Good idea. The answer is not in drugs/alcohol, 'cause one day you find that you've lost you. "I Don't Believe You". FABULOUS song..softest rock you'll ever want. Her man was gone, and so what. Well...not so fast. "One Foot Wrong" Abuse. Carly never gave us that. Lot's of girls wrongly think the abuse they suffer is their own fault, but, sometimes, girls give out as well as take. "Please Don't Leave Me" even though I'm verbally abusive. "Bad Influence" Using alcohol to make another girl get flirty? Yeah, I'd say so. "Funhouse" The title cut, and I think, the source of the Parental Advisory. It's a great song and rocks hard...back to her busted marriage. They had a fun house, now she's gonna burn it down. "Crystal Ball"...."Mean"...."It's All Your Fault"....More pain, more alcohol, more mutually shared abuse, more get out/don't go. More confusion and regrets. "Ave Mary A" Sorry, I don't get this one. "Glitter In The Air" Best song on the record [along with "I Don't Believe You]. Listen. It's magic. We had something great, didn't we?

This is a wonderful recording. To say I was surprised is an understatement. I REALLY like the girl, and the record. Forget the warning...the lyrics aren't that explicit, and little kids won't get the content anyway. Great artwork, excellent sound [my sub woofer felt it]. If you've even felt pain, been conflicted, or had a less than perfect moment in a relationship, this disc is for you. Six stars.

As an avid fan of Pink, I bought her album unhesitantly. After reading some of the current reviews about this being the "divorce album," I'd like to point out would you be singing all happy tunes after such a devastating moment in your life?

The album is terrific, deep if I must divulge. She asserts such emotional attitude, something that I don't think she ever really avoids. Take a listen to the title track, Funhouse! Also, rock out to tracks, Bad Influence and my personal favorite, Ave Mary A---makes you think.

All in all, worth every penny you put forward to purchase. No regrets! I've listened to the album 6 times this very day. Peace!

I was confused when I first listened to the entire album. The first single "So What' is upbeat and catchy which gives the wrong impression of what the rest of the songs are like. The majority of the songs are ballads or just slow paced. Emotion is all over the place but its not as in your face honest as you would expect from pink. Instead its expressed over weird lyrics and acoustic guitars swirled with unusual beats. Its not as catchy as her other albums which makes it harder to get into. She's heavily experimenting here which sometimes works (The beautiful I don't believe you, crystal ball, ava maria). But mostly falls flat (one foot wrong, glitter in the air, funhouse).

Theres some amazing moments here, but as a whole it doesn't flow together. The result is a good album that tends to be unusual or just plain bland at times.

Ill always respect Pink as a artist and a person, but this just isn't her best effort.

I am 60. Pink? Must be kidding. Tattoos - not into self mutilation. First heard her "Please don't leave me" on the local radio. Then I saw her perform "Glitter" on the Grammy's earlier this year. Bought this album based on that. Remarkable. Goes from soft-tender to old fashioned rock and roll. Through out is the voice. Expressing anger, violence, and love. Given my description, if you think you can handle this - it is an incredible body (no pun intended) of work. Every song has something to offer. Uncensored version has a loud and surprising useage of the "F" word - just in case you have kids.

This album blew me away, being someone who'd never purchased a Pink album previously. I see there are many good & at-length reviews here, so I will add only the few cents that I didn't see elsewhere.

The true revelation for me with this album is that Pink is a ballad girl, not just the poppy/fun/edgy singer you hear on the radio. Guttural, painful, honest, a streaming consciousness of pain, disappointment & sadness at some points. From "Sober," to "One foot wrong," I was amazed at Pink's powerful emotion delivered with such an uncanny Pat Benatar vibe. But not only can she deliver these rough & raw songs, she can switch it up on you and toss you something heart felt and tear inducing like "Glitter in the air" . Amazing. Definitely an interesting album that has quite a variety but for me, enough strong emotion that it didn't feel disparate. It felt exactly what someone goes through, a mix of emotions, all piled together on this album.