BEDN - Whina Del Whine? (Nov 9th)

Ohai there!

When I first heard 'Video Games' by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey in early 2011 I was completely smitten. She had created such a fascinating character in her song - a woman who was treated like nothing by her partner, but couldn't escape because of intense love for him. It had a powerful message, she had a unique and unusual voice, and it was immaculately produced.

I looked forward to her debut album, despite the fact its name was the eye-rolling 'Born To Die'. I wondered how her style and character would sustain itself over an entire album. I downloaded it without a second thought, and on the first few plays I thought it was excellent. While most albums improve on repeat listens with intricacies becoming clearer, in the case of 'Born To Die', the gaping cracks become more apparent.

Firstly, and what I believe is her biggest problem - the lyrics. What I thought was a winking comment on how our culture views woman in 'Video Games', is actually just a self-deprecating, materialistic whinger across an entire album. 'Lana Del Rey' only cares about how hot she looks and how many powerful men want to bang her brains out. Unsettlingly, she seems totally invested in the misogyny she seeks to highlight that it becomes an endorsement after a whole LP. Other lyrics are simply melodramatic or nonsensical, for example:

He said to "be cool" but,

I'm already coolest

I said to, “Get real,"

“Don't you know who you're dealing with?

Um, do you think you'll buy me lots of diamonds?”

Tell me I'm your National Anthem

Ooh, yeah, baby, bow down

Making me so wow, wow

Tell me I'm your National Anthem

Sugar, sugar, how now

Take your body down town

Red, white, blue's in the sky

Summer's in the air and

Baby, heaven's in your eyes

I'm your National Anthem

- National Anthem

So, other than being against everything she stands for, another problem I have against 'Born To Die' is the lethargic pace of the album. It's never a good sign when you suspect the lead singer of an album could slip into a coma at any time. The thick instrumentation on every track doesn't help either, weighing down an already heavy experience. After listening to the thing as a whole, you kind of feel like life isn't worth living, take that at successful art or someone who needs to lighten up as you will.

Now, everyone is familiar with Lana's disastrous appearance on 'Saturday Night Live', but for anyone who isn't it's here. I don't even necessarily think the performance is too bad, it's just completely all over the place and she's understandably nervous. I often judge the credibility of an artist based on how they are live, without the ability to hide behind production. The thing that strikes me most about Lana live is her complete lack of charisma and showmanship. She stands, sways, and obsessively swipes her static hair, actively uncomfortable with people looking at her. She is a vacuous stage presence.

I think that leads to the main problem with Lana Del Rey - her choice of style over substance. She rocks this retro 50s vibe in fashion and her videos, and say what you may about that, her material and talent don't live up to her style at the moment. 

I asked a while ago what you all thought of Lana Del Rey, and as well as striking debate about native American attire, here were some of the responses:

• "She sucks and is boring."

• "Never mind the fact that she's talentless she's also racist and guilty of cultural appropriation wearing a native American war bonnet in one of her music videos when they're only meant to be worn by native American war veterans or in special circumstances by the son of the veteran they're also very gender specific as in only males can wear them."

• "Her album is gr8 and I do like her, would I pay thirty odd quid to see her concert...no way "

• "Forget her/him and get on with life. Who are these people anyway ? There's lots of real folk out there who don't need all that analysin' ... and are not askin' to be 'LIKED' ..C'mon Joe."

You know what Uncle Struan (happy birthday!), you're probably right. She is likely just a flash in the pan anyhoo, despite being a flash that caught my attention. In conclusion, I think her songs are enjoyable if you're in the right mood for them (ie. not having a good day), but really this entire blog really is pointless! Waay. But I suppose there's now this:

Tara x