Album Review: Katy Perry – Teenage Dream
August 24, 2010 by Editor
Filed under 2010 Releases, Album Reviews
Katy Perry
Teenage Dream
Release Date: August 24, 2010
Record Label: Capitol Records
Review:
Katy Perry is back with Teenage Dream, the follow-up to the certified platinum release One of the Boys. The album has already spawned the mega-hit “California Gurls,” and is packed with other tunes smartly designed to spawn even more hits. But once again the same question gets asked; do the songs on this album contain enough depth to keep fans interested for much longer than a single hit cycle?
The album opens with title-track “Teenage Dream.” The song-writing is pretty thin, with a weak hook. I can imagine that it was chosen as the second single to counter-balance the decadent glee of the first single, “California Gurls.” The next track, “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)” is a poppy tune with a pleasant guitar riff and the tongue-in-cheek party themed lyrics Perry is known for.
Perry again worked with several top notch producers for this album, including Max Martin, Dr. Luke, Benny Blanco, Rico Love, Greg Wells, Tricky Stewart, and Stargate. While this formula gave the previous album an edge, it makes Teenage Dream sound somewhat disjointed. With the third single, “Firework,” the sound shifts to something reminiscent of Pink, but the chorus is grating to the ears because it reaches just out of Perry’s range. “Peacock” shifts to a sound not unlike something by The Ting Tings or Gwen Stafani, and quickly becomes monotonous and annoying. At other times it sounds like Perry is trying to emulate Ciara or Rhianna.
Another issue this album faces is the glaring loss of the cleverness heard on One of the Boys. The song “E.T.” sports goofy lyrics like “wanna walk on your wavelength, and be there when you vibrate.” “Hummingbird Heartbeat” has no subtlety with lyrics such as “you make me feel like I’m losing my virginity, the first time, every time that your touching me.”
The album is not completely devoid of merit. The song “Circle the Drain”, while not radio friendly due to profanity, is a great tune. If you only buy one track, this is it… unless you’re twelve years-old, then stick to “California Gurls.” In “Circle the Drain” Perry authentically conveys real emotion and pushes her voice to create something very interesting. “Who Am I Living For?” is another good track that exhibits some heart and soul.
While Teenage Dream may not be a great album, it has already produced a hit and is likely to spawn one or two more. In many playmakers’ books, it’s already a success. Perry has shed any glimmer of rock and gone full-on pop. And why not? While the critics complain that this album is about as deep as a Petri dish, the hordes of tween fans will continue to freak out their parents by singing about joining a ménage à trois… at least until the next hit-maker comes along.
Track Listing:
- “Teenage Dream”
- “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)”
- “California Gurls” (featuring Snoop Dogg)
- “Firework”
- “Peacock”
- “Circle the Drain”
- “The One That Got Away”
- “E.T.”
- “Who Am I Living For?”
- “Pearl”
- “Hummingbird Heartbeat”
- “Not Like the Movies”
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