Ke$ha - Animal Review

Posted by Daniel Wilcox on 01.14.2010

It's the album that knocked Susan Boyle off the top, but is it any good?



Ke$ha - Animal
Released January 5th 2010 [US]
Review by Daniel Wilcox

Track listing:
1. Your Love is My Drug
2. Tik Tok
3. Take It Off
4. Kiss ‘n’ Tell
5. Stephen
6. Blah Blah Blah [feat. 3OH!3)
7. Hungover
8. Party at a Rich Dude’s House
9. Backstabber
10. Blind
11. Dinosaur
12. Dancing with Tears in My Eyes
13. Boots & Boys
14. Animal

Even if you only listen to what’s on the radio sparingly it is likely that you have heard some of Ke$ha’s music, as Animal’s lead single “Tik Tok” broke all kinds of download records for a female in the US. You may also recognize her from Flo Rida’s mammoth single “Right Round,” which was huge about a year or so ago. Either way, you’ll likely have a decent idea of what her music is all about, and I think it can be summer up fairly accurately in just one word: fun.

Ke$ha utilizes a formula perfected in recent years by the likes of Katy Perry and Lady Gaga in that she makes catchy pop music that appeals to a large audience, that is fun to dance to, is inoffensive and generally makes for an enjoyable listen if you’re in the mood to mess about, get drunk and have a bit of fun. If you’re over the age of about 25, a cynic, an elitist, or just generally miserable, then you will likely view Ke$ha’s debut album as altogether shallow, a mere mix-and-match of proven formulas recorded solely for the purpose of moving units. But, so what? If it’s fun, does it matter?

While that’s a matter of opinion, what is undeniable is that this is some catchy, catchy music. Many tracks on this record have the potential to emulate the success of the brazen “Tik Tok,” – don’t be surprised if the likes of “Your Love is My Drug,” “Kiss ‘n’ Tell” and “Backstabber” dominate the airwaves in 2010. These are songs that suggest that Ke$ha can compete with the likes of the aforementioned Gaga and Perry, and although Ke$ha had a hand in writing just about every song on this record, I think most of the credit for the record’s success has to go to writers Dr. Luke and Max Martin.

It’s Ke$ha’s obnoxious personality that is stamped all over the songs though, as it quickly becomes clear that these songs are all about finding the next adrenaline rush and living life. This record isn’t great if you’re looking for life lessons, but it will aid you in having a good time in a club or at a party. The album is helped by the fact that there are only a couple of ballads, and I say that not because the ballads present aren’t good, but because with up-tempo, catchy numbers abound, the record never slows down and as such it never outstays it’s welcome.

I’m not sure if the record is strong enough to suggest that Ke$ha is going to be around for any longer than the obligatory fifteen minutes of fame, because the dance-pop genre is competitive as hell right now with some of the names I’ve already mentioned, and I’m not sure there’s room for another hot and quirky (and bisexual) female at the top. But if this turns out to be the first and last we hear of this girl, then if anyone remembers her a year from now, I think this record will be remembered fondly.

The 411: As far as pop goes, Ke$ha has laid down a marker with Animal as this is currently the one to beat in 2010. It’s fun, it’s sexy, it’s irresistible and it’s going to produce some pretty big hits, although perhaps none as big as the one we’re all already familiar with in “Tik Tok.” It remains to be seen whether this’ll turn out to be one of the better mainstream pop records of the year, but I wouldn’t rule it out.

Final Score:  7.5   [ Good ]