Trashcanman's Pop Nightmares: Week 6

[trashcanman]

'Kay let's get back to modern music and pretty ladies for a week. There's a song that's been on modern radio that kind of eats my brain. It's sung by this 17-year-old kiwi:



That song is Lorde's Royals and it pisses me off. The stupid lyrics, the lazy songwriting, the way everybody loves it even though it's got precious little to recommend it. Just no. But hark! What is this? Another single from this young lady with a pretty singing voice but insipid, childish lyrics? And it has a hook that could slay a fucking fire-breathing dragon?

So yeah, Royals was annoying as hell and I question how a teenager gets away with an album entitled Pure Heroine, but this song; this is the stuff. The lyrics are still dumb, but the melody is absolutely murderous and the overall vibe makes it a lovely listen overall, even if I seriously wonder how lines like "I'm kind of over getting told to throw my hands up in the air. So there" make the final cut.

Anyways, Lorde has already been on the cover of Rolling Stone (in a Cramps shirt, no less), she grew up on Fleetwood Mac, Otis Redding, and Cat Stevens, and has cited Sleigh Bells and Prince as influences. Can't knock her taste. We may have gotten off to a bad start. This girl is starting to grow on me.

Have fun getting this chorus out of your brain. This is Team.

[The Curmudgeon]

It's a shame she had to put in the "so there" bit, because that "I'm kinda over getting told to put my hands up in the air" line is killer. You know, I do like this, and I actually liked "Royals" as well, but it'd probably have to grow on me a little before I like it as much as yourself, Trash. I'm a sucker for a pop chorus, and this one didn't quite hook me in the way you described it. Still good, though. One to watch, is this Lorde girl.

[trashcanman]

That chorus was just an instant "I like this" moment. It caught my attention several times when I wasn't even paying attention and made me say "who is this?" That "so there" line is just bafflingly dumb. Like I was supposed to be insulted that she's over a hip-hop cliche? Hell, I agree. "Don't care" would have been a better way to end that line because it's like if you want me to throw my hands in the air, be awesome. Don't tell me to do something that would come naturally if you weren't lame.

[Quillford]

See, despite recent global recognition. Lorde is quite original IMO. I am looking forward to seeing where she goes after this. Good Choice.

[Ben]

My taste has been all over the map lately, and I've been willing to give everything a try. Lorde does nothing for me though. I'm too much of a musical elitist to be entertained by the excruciatingly boring hand-clap background beat (which is identical to the snaps beat in "Royals") or the average-at-best lyrics. Can't say I hate it, but I have no desire to add it to my playlist.

[trashcanman]

I know what this song is missing: [cookie monster growl] A BLAST BEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAT!!!!! Fuck yeah.

[Ben]

Hey, I'm not THAT much of an elitist. My pop shoes are still being broken in, that's all.

Now, if you wanted to slap a bass in the background, distort and palm mute some electric guitars, and throw in some toms I'd be all over it. Sounds like...

[trashcanman]

Now that shit is happenin'.