smoledman

If you were a music journalist, what questions would you ask of Lana?

#1 on Billboard.

I think the American critics are tainted by their obsequiousness for hip-hop/X-Factor type stuff.

Rolling Stone has been irrelevant since 1970 when they trashed Led Zeppelin III.

I think it's that ongoing nervousness in the face of mega-stardom is what endears her so much to people. She doesn't seem to have the stinking air of superiority about her like a Kanye.

Best musical moment is probably on "Ride" bridge. Such raw emotion.

I think it's easy to fall into that because "Cruel World" is so good. Many of the other songs lyrically don't stand up as well. I think if this was trimmed to the best 9 songs like "Paradise", it would be better.

To be honest the album is not a masterpiece. It is a guilty pleasure and I enjoy it for the "Hollywood Sadcore" vibe it brings. Lana is not one of the all-time great songwriters, meaning she'll never be a Tori Amos or Brian Wilson. But that's ok, she's more of a visual genius.

Album sales are generally way down. People are listening more on streaming services like Spotify/Rdio/Pandora. I'd be far more interested in # plays these songs are getting on such services than album sales.

There is no "Born to Die" or "Ride" on this album, but that's ok. I really think it's her most consistent record to date, even if it doesn't have the highest highs of the first 2 records.

You know I don't think she's joking about suicide. I think it's a cry for help.

Remember women are allowed to lie about their age.

For my money "Surfs Up" and the original SMILE album is the greatest pop triumph ever.

Maybe some industrial-sounding guitars!

I'd love for her to cover The Beach Boys "God Only Knows" or The Beatles' "For No One".

Honestly are people really contemplating these things any more now than 10-15 years ago? I think it's just because of the internet that we've become more aware of other peoples' philosophical musings.

No doubt LDR biggest current influence is more melancholic-pop songs, but none of the imitators has a real clue. Form, no substance. Personally I've been listening to melancholic songs for years before LDR showed up in alt-rock, new-age and older pop. But it's refreshing to see a new artist write in that vein.

Zach - so far LDR has not let us down with the quality of her releases. Let's have some faith, ok? At least to me she seems to be pursuing an artistic agenda from Day 1. Now that particular agenda might have ended with Tropico or it might not have. But I can't wait to see where she'll take us next.

I really wish people wouldn't put animated GIFs in their posts, it really slows the browser down.

Hey look. I don't follow pop music generally speaking. I'm into alternative rock, progressive rock, classical music and older pop music(70s-90s). Occasionally I'll check in to see what's happening and mostly disappointed. "Royals' is a great effort for a 17yo, but she has a LONG way to go to Lana's level.

Ah yes, I remember now. She's only 21?

Who is the singer in your signature?

I think that Lana should look at Annie Lennox for inspiration.

It'll probably be a bunch of 1980s covers - Madonna, Pet Shop Boys and Aha.