The Album Review Club - Week #191 (page 1286) - Harlequin Dream - Boy & Bear

threespires said:
The woman is a cautionary tale. Goes from harmless aspiring country musician to being a major player in the destruction of popular music as we knew it!

She's like some sort of musical Anakin Skywalker except she's nowhere near earning her redemption yet :-)
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Interesting take. Is she the root cause of formula driven pop or does all pop just want to be a bit like Taylor Swift?
 
Gareth Barry Conlon said:
Interesting take. Is she the root cause of formula driven pop or does all pop just want to be a bit like Taylor Swift?
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I was somewhat tongue in cheek but that's a good question and an example of why this is such a good pick for discussion. I will return later with a view that's way too convoluted and long for anyone to give a toss about.
 
You have to admire the young lady. She has undoubted songwriting and vocal skills and seems to be able to connect on an emotional level with her target audience who undoubtedly see her as a relatable role model. That she is also able to package that into a commercial juggernaut takes real business acumen. From what my GD says, she also puts on an amazing live show and performance. Whats not to like and admire?

Well, I find her voice pretty ordinary and its clear that it was formed singing country as that comes through whatever genre she attempts. It's not unpleasant just for me a bit formulaic. I have listened to her over the years picking up her music by osmosis as it was played whenever I was in the car with my GD. Her songs are generally pretty autobiographical in nature which appeals to her target fan group but as a FOC makes them less relatable to me. I recognise some of the songs on this album but will give it at least a couple of listens to try and find its depths (or not).

Will it spark heated debate? I believe not. It is pleasant, easy to listen, well played and produced pop/country. Is it to my taste? No. Give me Emmylou any day of the week. Just a question. Do we score this pick?
 
I did know that she had been re-releasing albums as 'her version', but genuinely had no idea what that was all about. Learned something new.

Red was the album regularly part of this thread lore, so interesting that you picked another. Have you listened to any of her albums or was it a blind pick or based on AI or other metrics? Is it new to you.
 
threespires said:
I had a very entertaining conversation with my niece about how literal she was being when she announced the Eras Tour gig she went to was the 'best day of her life'.
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I believe it. My GD is just 18 now and is still besotted with her (as well as Billie, Sabrina, Chappell...). She has seen them all in the last year and still thinks in order Billie was best, Taylor second and Oasis third (a huge compliment that they beat Sabrina into 4th place). She also has a worrying habit of fainting at concerts and watching part of them from the first aid tent. All that pent up emotion....
 
Saddleworth2 said:
I believe it. My GD is just 18 now and is still besotted with her (as well as Billie, Sabrina, Chappell...). She has seen them all in the last year and still thinks in order Billie was best, Taylor second and Oasis third (a huge compliment that they beat Sabrina into 4th place). She also has a worrying habit of fainting at concerts and watching part of them from the first aid tent. All that pent up emotion....
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My niece is 20 and will graduate next year. She's entirely aware she's in an utterly deranged parasocial relationship with Swift and just doesn't care.
 
Saddleworth2 said:
Do we score this pick?
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Of course - we review and score editor's choices as normal.

Coatigan said:
I did know that she had been re-releasing albums as 'her version', but genuinely had no idea what that was all about. Learned something new.

Red was the album regularly part of this thread lore, so interesting that you picked another. Have you listened to any of her albums or was it a blind pick or based on AI or other metrics? Is it new to you.
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Did you read my write-up? :)

I am familiar with a lot of the songs but not the full album. I also think that this contains one song that is up there with the best pop songs this century, but more on that later.

I wanted to pick an album between the initial country phase and the world-conquering dance-pop-where-have-all-your-instruments-gone phase. I consulted with my eldest daughter and decided that this was the most appropriate pick.
 
bennyboy said:
The first half dozen tracks new depths.
Had enough,listen to more tomorrow
No idea how she has become a mega star after this going by the firt tracks
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If I’m her target market, she’s got problems! Thankfully I’m not, (at least I don’t think I am) so I’ll give it a go tomorrow. Not hopeful based on snippets I’ve heard previously
 
RobMCFC said:
I wanted to pick an album between the initial country phase and the world-conquering dance-pop-where-have-all-your-instruments-gone phase.
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The jerk-ass in me wants to type “Why didn’t you, then?” :)

This is much more country than what I expected and disappointingly so, though her lyrical gifts are wonderfully apparent. I prefer world-conquering-dance-pop as everyone knows :)
 
First listen and my god that was hard work.

I really don’t like that breathy, preppy, little girl voice or most of the arrangements.
The only two songs that won’t be hard work to listen to again are Dear John and Last Kiss.

Kim Carnes did this sort of stuff much better 44 years ago.

Anyway I’ll give it two more goes before voting.
 
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