August 24, 2010
Katy Perry - Teenage Dream
JC Alvarez READ TIME: 3 MIN.
She got the nation's attention when she kissed a girl, but since then everyone has been waiting with baited breathe to see exactly what pop-tartlet Katy Perry was going to reveal next. And although the party is still going on in Vegas, her new confection of an album truly is a Teenage Dream.
Perry defiantly made it her goal to rule the song of the summer charts and with the infectiously uptempo romp "California Gurls," which featured none other than the King of the Crunk himself Snoop Dogg. She succeeded -- making the sun-soaked, daisy dukes a staple of the season, if not guaranteeing Perry the corner on the market of whipped cream tipped braziers. (Sorry Katy, but when it comes to costume art leave that to Lady Gaga.) As beautifully Candyland sweet as that single was, when Perry unleashed the follow-up title track video with sweaty hot sexy surfers and all, I must admit -- it really is a teenage dream!
Like a mocha cappuccino
Perry isn't pushing the envelope with Teenage Dream -- regardless of the naked cotton-candy covered cover art which is getting way too much attention. The tracks are light and frothy like a mocha cappuccino -- exactly what you'd expect from the artist who has fully embraced her pop-goddess status and just wanted to have some fun -- can you blame her? And after it stops sounding like a soundtrack for the MTV reality-drama The Hills, the album actually comes alive.
Perry sings her heart out on "Firework", and goes electric guitar on the single "Circle The Drain" -- which sticks it's middle finger up at a drug addicted beau -- life imitating art? Everything after the hypnotic "E.T" sounds pretty much the same -- with the girl-power themes and broken-hearts -- but for the audience that is ready to indulge themselves in these relatable (if transient) pop-tracks Teenage Dream is everything fans were expecting Perry to deliver -- she hasn't been shy about embracing her inner child as of late. She's certainly has let it out to play.
The album does end on a wonderful note with the semi-ballad-like "Not Like The Movies," which may be a valentine celebrating her upcoming nuptials to comedic actor Russell Brand but serenely and appropriately enough leave the listener almost longing and lovelorn even though Perry promises, "it's just the beginning."
If fans are expecting an edgy dark rock temptress, they'll have to wait for her next album -- Katy Perry is living every girl's Teenage Dream -- we're just fortunate enough to be invited to the party.
The CD features bonus tracks and exclusive content available on most digital download medias. She also promises the physical booklet will smell sweet like candy, with a hint of the fragrance that she's sure to market later this year.
Watch Katy Perry's video of "California Gurls":
Watch Katy Perry's video of "Teenage Dream":
Native New Yorker JC Alvarez is a pop-culture enthusiast and the nightlife chronicler of the club scene and its celebrity denizens from coast-to-coast. He is the on-air host of the nationally syndicated radio show "Out Loud & Live!" and is also on the panel of the local-access talk show "Talking About".
