Katy Perry - Teenage Dream Album Review

Katy Perry's much anticipated Teenage Dream album was released today, August 24, 2010. It includes previously released singles Teenage Dream and California Gurls, featuring Snoop Dogg.

The album is an unequivocal mixture of electric dance floor pop and an explicit introspective ballads that examine life from Katy Perry's perspective, which is decidedly hedonistic.

Most of us have heard and enjoyed California Gurls, featuring Snoop Dogg. Following the current trend of guest performances on major releases has proven to be a huge success for Perry. California Gurls is at number 3 on Billboard's Hot 100. The fun pop song is one of the hottest hits of the 2010 summer.

Teenage Dream is already number 5 on Billboard Charts Hot 100. The song is an upbeat visit back to the teenage years by virtue of a mesmerizing love affair. It is a lusty song with an especially sexually provocative video.

In the same vein and style of Teenage Dream are E.T. and Hummingbird Heartbeat. E.T. has more potential to grab the ear and attention of the listener. It has the techno beat that we have come to expect from Perry.

Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F) is a carefree look back at a Friday night party that got out of control, but not to anyone's regret. As the song proclaims, she'd proudly do it all again. It carries Katy Perry's fun pop feel without as much techno as most of Perry's hits, but it has a fun jazzy interlude mid-way through the song.

Firework stretches Katy Perry's vocal talents demonstrating more than a pop-dance range. Firework also has insightful lyrics. Aside from pop music favorites this may be one of the best songs, artistically speaking, on the album. It is a song of hope and encouragement, something different among the riotous mix on the rest of the Teenage Dream album.

Another beautiful ballad on the album is Pearl. It tells a moving story and expression of the faith and strength of a woman named Pearl. This, of all the songs on the album, veers most distinctly away from what we expect to hear from Katy Perry. This is a masterfully created and performed song. Not Like the Movies is similar and another masterpiece from the album. Both of these songs have hit potential.

Peacock is a another easy, up beat pop song, but it is, in my opinion, pure trash. There was no reason to record a song of this nature except that Katy Perry wants the attention that this controversial song is sure to rouse. It is absolutely disgusting.

Circle the Drain and The One That Got Away are powerful ballads from Perry's Teenage Dream album. They are compelling examination relationships that did not work out. I think the lyrics in Circle the drain are too vulgar, but the message is about the demise of a relationship because of the man's drug addiction. These songs offer a greater demonstration of Katy Perry's ability to deliver a solid ballad with a sound message.

Who Am I Living for? is a great, stylistic self-examination. It is one of the best songs on the album, even if it is Katy Perry's ode to herself. It has a traditional pop feel and is another song with potential to breakout on the radio and charts.
Teenage Dream album is a unique mixture of songs from Katy Perry, and a refreshing example of her stylistic and vocal ability. It has a lot of potential and is definitely worth owning, despite a couple of songs that I would have ditched completely. Score this album a hit for Katy Perry.

Sources:
Billboard Charts Hot 100