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.

The thing that worries me is that it was so blown out of proportion that it could even drive her to stop her carer. I mean how much over exaggeration and back lash from the media can one girl take. She just said that it was their personalties and their music, not the fact they died young for god sake. He knew what he was doing and wanted that sort of answer probably. Also, she's obviously sick of giving interviews for them then to be twisted and I could see that be the reason as to why she actually said I wish I was dead so I don't have to do this. People forget that Lana is still shy person (obviously not as much as at the start) and  may have even been a bit worried as she said it - that's could explain the nervous laugh and the sort of vagueness of it all. Plus we don't even know what else had been said before hand and the way he was going on about death and really trying to get her to say that she idolise death so she could have being sarcastic. I'm actually so annoyed because the guardian is meant to be a reputable newspaper in this country but that journalist went too far. 

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.

Please. There is nothing guilty pleasure-esque about this album and even those who hate(d) her have been forced to acknowledge how incredible it is.

 

And I think her matured lyricism on this album shows that she is on her way to being one of the great songwriters. 

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?

it ain't relative, my single will be so overshadowed you have no idea. I'm planning on releasing my song that day and if lana releases one, who will win???

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.