TheBlueBasement

Grade: 63% (D)

Countless reviews of Lana Del Rey's "debut" full length Born to Die already open with a discussion of her rise to stardom. We're gonna skip that. We're gonna skip that, and her SNL bomb, and everything LDR-media/hype related. The sad thing is, when you finally do get to listen to Born to Die, you realize that all of the bullshit was for good reason.

Not the positive hype that is, but the hate. Lana's (or Lizzy's?) newest release comes at you with the lyrical integrity of what we expect Miley Cyrus to be releasing in about three years. While I lived with the controversy over the title track's line "kiss me in the pouring rain," I can't deal with around 99% of the rest of her lines. I'm not sure where she lost me. Maybe it was the rapping about the Hamptons, Bacardi, and a guy's inability to keep his pants on because of her on "National Anthem." Or maybe it was the 7-Eleven reference on the aptly titled "Diet Mountain Dew." That's aptly because nobody likes Diet Mountain Dew. She even sings "kiss me hard" on a completely different track.

Lana's poor attempt at lyrics signal towards a few things. A quick glimpse at the lyric-sheet while you spin the record and you immediately know where she thinks her career is heading. The music and lyrics are guided towards the pop audience that could blow up an attractive female with a voice like Lizzy's. She is mixing her hip-hop influence music with her attempt at "edgy" lyrics. It's as if she is hoping to gain the respect from the majority of Americans after they were scared off by the actually genuine lyrics of her smash hit "Video Games."

We're not buying Lana's edginess though. It's too forced. It's too forced in the way that when I hear her songs, I think that this is something that a naive suburban mom would like. The motives behind her lyrics are really that bad. She wants us to think she smokes drugs and parties late at night, but she also wants her men to take care of her and dote on her wishes. On top of this, she sings like a whiny little bitch most of the time. Instead of coming off as a strong and insightful girl from Brooklyn like she wants us to believe, she instead comes off as a needy 20-something who refuses to stop acting like a little girl.

So that's harsh I know. But even besides the lyrics, the track listing and length is all out of whack. With a massive 15-song set, she opens with six, count them six, tracks we have heard a taste of before, and then sends us into a spiraling oblivion of relatively unknown and forgettable tracks. It's sad too because even through the lyrical follies, built around the strength of "Video Games" these six tracks could make a strong EP.

The strings are definitely strong, and some of the beats and rhythms are likable. But in the end, this album isn't buyable and neither is Lana's attitude and personality. I concede that the haters were right, it was too good to be true. Lizzy (fuck that alter ego) took advantage of the system and now is reaping the benefits with album sales while taking a hit of respect because people are beginning to realize she is no good out of the studio. Maybe I am a little too harsh, but these lyrics have gotten to the point where they make me angry. See the song (terrible title and theme in all), "This is What Makes Us Girls," when she whispers, "pabst blue ribbon on ice." You're not a fucking hipster Lizzy, stop acting like it and go record a collaboration with Kanye before you are out of the spotlight.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

NEWS: Releases for January 31st

The Big Sleep - Nature Experiments

Grimes - Visions

Hospitality - Hospitality

Lana Del Rey - Born to Die

Monday, January 30, 2012

NEWS: TV Schedule Week of 1/30/12

Monday January 30th

Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr - Its A Corporate World (Conan)

Wednesday February 1st

Gotye - Making Mirrors (Kimmel)

Thursday February 2nd

Lana Del Rey - Born to Die (Letterman)

Friday February 3rd

Fitz and the Tantrums - Pickin' Up the Pieces (Fallon)

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

NEWS: Lana Del Rey US Television Premiere

Lana Del Rey, AKA Lizzy Grant, who's debut album Born to Die drops on January 31st, will be appearing on Saturday Night Live on January 14th with host Harry Potter... I mean Daniel Radcliffe (Don't feel bad he got to kill You-Know-Who and make millions doing it alongside Emma Watson). You can check out her video for "Born to Die" below, a track she is likely to play alongside her hit "Video Games."

Saturday, October 29, 2011

VIDEO: Bombay Bicycle Club - "Video Games" (Lana Del Rey Cover)

I love Lana Del Rey's version of the track, but I think I enjoy this take a little more.

Bombay Bicycle Club

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Bombay Bicycle Club's third LP A Different Kind of Fix is out now.

Friday, October 28, 2011

REVIEW: Lana Del Rey - "Video Games"

Grade: 86% (B+)

It's scary how big Rebecca Black blew up earlier this year. A couple thousand dollars from her parents to make a video and a typical pop song led to millions of views on YouTube and everyone knew her name. But she was, and still is, hated. Why is Lana Del Rey so hated? She has blown up as well, but without the parents money and company producing her video. She did it the "old fashioned way." Now she isn't Justin Vernon, but she might beckon some comparisons.

"Video Games" is just a well orchestrated track. With the chiming bells smoothing into the harp and strings, the pulsing piano keys ride along the spine of the song evoking a back and forth feel backed by both her lyrics and subtle yet deep voice. Lizzy Grant's childish innocence when pronouncing, "bestest" and "big kiss" makes you somewhat feel for her. But what if it really is just a ploy to be the "next big thing?" Then the second verse comes, and this slow, downbeat song still has you nodding your head back and forth. More ambient sounds are added with a slow high plucking, a deep bass humming and a snare drum drawing you into the second chorus.

We haven't even touched the lyrics. If you like COD don't be fooled by the first impression of anti-gaming. Lizzy sings with an idea in mind. She plays along with the boys, "whistling her name," she even likes it. Is she the bad girl she references? You might think she relishes that role, but she isn't. She simply wishes she were. Dealing with things in a back and forth role. That's how relationships work, back and forth. Go play your video games, just expect to give something in return. Go blow up on the internet Lana, but expect some harsh reactions.

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Lana Del Rey's single "Video Games" with the B-Side "Blue Jeans" is out now. Her debut album is due out early next year.

NEWS: Interscope Signs Lana Del Rey and New Single

Indie buzz songstress Lana Del Rey (AKA Lizzy Grant) has reportedly signed to Interscope records. With her recent singles "Video Games" and "Blue Jeans" having been recently released, Grant has also said that her new record is, "half done," and should be released in early 2012. Check out her interview from the Q Awards below and her video for internet hit "Video Games."