It’s Not Me, It’s You by Lilly Allen
Review By:
Hunter M. Daniels

When Lilly Allen burst onto the scene in 2006 with her iconic, ska-fueled hit, “Smile” , she became the first person to transcend internet stardom and become an honest-to-god pop idol. Her debut record, “Alright, Still” went on to sell over two and a half million copies worldwide and set a new status quo for female pop stars. In the wake of this success she found herself in a tabloid feeding frenzy. But, unlike many of her peers, her actual talent always seemed to remain front and center.

Allen’s first record existed in the space between the confessional and the catcall. Her witty, jaundiced eyed criticisms of youth culture felt like a breath of fresh air in a world full of canned vocals and second-rate Avril Lavigne hackery. The beats were badass too. Now, with her second record, “It’s Not Me, It’s You” , Allen has shed the quirky dub-influenced samples and moved towards a more dancehall friendly techno sound, with mixed results.

Somewhere along the line Allen apparently decided that she could be the next Bob Dylan. Unfortunately for her, the excretory Bush-bashing ballad, “Fuck You” is no “Masters of War”. Similarly, “Everyone’s At It”, “The Fear” and “22” add absolutely nothing to the cocaine discussion that wasn’t already said better by Run DMC’s “White Lines (Don’t Do It)”. Worst of all is the religious bigotry trope, “Him” which asks of God, “Do you think he’d drive in a car without insurance?”

Every time Allen reaches to make a statement song she falls flat on her face, seemingly forgetting the concept of subtext, a tool she previously used to great effect on hits like “Smile”, “LNDN” and “Alfie”.

The album fairs much better when Allen keeps the politics interpersonal instead of international. Several of the songs have infectious hooks and wonderful, sugary choruses that are the stuff of intoxicating infatuation and summer romance. “Who’d Have Known” explodes with electric joy, detailing a flirting crush. Couplets like, “You said tomorrow would be fun/And we could watch ‘A Place in the Sun’” transcend banality to become magical. Immediately following this is “Chinese” a effervescent recollection of a promising romance that pops in ways it really has no right to.

On the other side of the coin are a few songs about falling out of love. On “Not Fair” Allen toys with a thumping western beat as she humorously laments meeting the perfect man, only to discover that he is a total dud in bed. Meanwhile, “Never Gonna Happen” alternates between a coy accordion and a full-blown street orchestra as Allen tries desperately to brush off a wouldbe beau…even as she continues to call him up for advice, companionship, and sex. Another winner is, “I Could Say”, a song that shimmers with futuristic production and strong lyrics about feeling free at the end of a relationship. Finally, on the album closer, “He Wasn’t There” Allen cuts loose plays home wrecker over an anachronistic vinyl record buzz.

Ultimately, the album is almost at war with itself. Pompous political work weighs down insightful personal moments. Revelatory tracks like “Never Gonna Happen” and “Who’d Of Known” “Chinese” and “I Could Say” touch on brilliance, while the other 8 tracks range from mediocre to wretched. For many artists an album with 4 scorching tracks might be prefaced with the title “Greatest Hits” but for a woman of Allen’s talent, it feels like a let down. Allen has it in her to write generation defining work. But she’s not quite there yet.

B-

Image Photographed by Robert Ciolfi

ROCKED: A Night Out with ILL OF DAY

By BD Marie Hughes

ILL OF DAY
Denise Anselmo – vox
Jay Pierce – bass
Tyler Hunter – guitar
Danny Nobrega – drums

Towards the first week of February 2009, I met with the Canadian rock band Ill of Day at Bovine Sex Club for an insightful and reflective interview.

BD: Happy New Year! Great to see you again, as always! What’s happening? What’s new?

IOD Denise: Happy New Year, BD! Things are going great right now! There has been some strong interest from different sources and we are currently writing our first full length album! We’re busy but energetic and excited!

BD: Tell our readers how Ill of Day came together and when, as an introduction to you.

IOD Denise: We came together in early 2006 when Danny Nobrega, Jon Roberts and I met through another guitarist, Matt, that we had both jammed with. It was instant chemistry. We all knew it wouldn’t work with Matt so we began our hunt for a guitarist while writing and jamming. In August 2006, we found Chris Bennett. At that time, we wrote and recorded our first album, the “Ill of Day” EP. Following that, Jon decided to pursue his career and we were back on the hunt for a bassist in late 2007. Luckily, we barely skipped a beat and found Jay within a month or two. Shortly thereafter, Chris left the band and we were, once again, forced to find the right guitarist. Tyler Hunter was the man for the job. Now here we are! Our lineup is complete and we couldn’t be happier!

BD: Have you ever encountered problems with sexism in having a female lead which we all know exists in the metal scene?

IOD Denise: I have witnessed sexism all my life way before I was ever in a rock band. You will always come across some pervert or people who automatically have pre- conceived notions of who you are and how you perform. That is part of the thrill, proving them all wrong and not giving a fuck! How long will it take for people to start seeing one another as individuals with unique abilities and interests?? Woman or man, black or white?

BD: What’s your take on the Toronto music scene?

IOD Denise: Toronto is a tough scene to break into. It seems as though Torontonians just don’t go out to see live music unless it is an already established act. Venues do little to promote indie shows, leaving it up to the bands performing. Bands should do all they can to promote their gigs but it is in the interest of all involved to have a great turn out. I think there should be more support from venues who want to see their clubs fill up. They should do their share of promo, radio, print, and so on. There are tons of amazing bands from Toronto and even Ontario. People, go out and check out some shows! It’s better than sitting at home playing rock band! Come experience the real deal! (laughing)

BD: When you’re writing your music, do you focus on specific topics such as current political issues and, as another example, relationship pitfalls, or, are you writing more to convey a mood or, say, a frame of mind? Describe your writing scenario.

IOD Denise: I never actually set out to write about a specific topic. I just let my thoughts flow and usually discover what I’m singing about throughout the writing process. So I tend to base all lyrics upon a mood and frame of mind. We do have politically charged songs like “Nameless, Soulless” for example. A lot of what I write lyrically is a battle to try to understand yourself like “Mind Control”. Or songs about the human condition and tragedy like “Cry”. Mostly I like writing ambiguously where words don’t necessarily mean one thing or the other and it’s completely open for interpretation. The listener can use it in whatever way they choose.

BD: Tell us about your debut EP available on iTunes, eMusic & Indiepool.com. That is pretty exciting for you!

IOD Jay: We recorded our EP May 24 weekend in 2007. We piled into a small basement studio and went to work. We recorded with Tim Oxford, a graduate of Metal Works engineering program. We all had a blast working with him. We are eagerly anticipating the sessions recording our new full length! We are currently looking for a studio and producer to work with us. We have had a few offers but are keeping our options open as well. We cannot wait!

BD: Do you see your music as a business or an art? Can your music still be an art if you sign to a major label?

IOD Denise: Our music is an art first and foremost. We do it because it feels great and gives us a much needed outlet to say the things we need to say… release… Unfortunately or fortunately, depends on how you look at it, there is a business aspect that needs attention so we can reach a larger audience and share our art. It would be great to be able to make a decent income with it so we could all do it full time and still be able to provide for our families. I don’t know what it’s like to be signed to a major although I’m sure there is some pressure to mold and change your art to what will appeal to a larger audience and make the label money. But there are tons of bands signed to major labels because their art appeals to a lot of people and they do not need to compromise. That is what we hope for.

BD: There’s no mistaking your outstanding musicianship along with electrifying and often mesmerizing performances. What really allows you to “bring it” when you’re on stage? What flips your switch?

IOD Danny: There is something in our performance that I just cannot explain. The feeling that comes out of our live set for me is mesmerizing every single time. I am completely lost in the moment. It seems our inner souls are holding hands and allows us to compile our emotions and release them on stage naturally.

IOD Jay: For me, it’s the energy of the band and the audience! Denise can pump anyone up!! For me….. the pounding of the bass and kick drum!! (laughs)

IOD Denise: The music flips the switch! The vibe, energy and connection I have with the band, and of course, the audience feeding back. We truly believe in what we say and do. It all comes together and alive on stage. It’s a feeling like no other… seduction of the mind… (laughs)

BD: You have had tremendous industry recognition in the past 2 years including a TIMA nomination for “Best Metal” in 2007. How do you define success?

IOD Denise: Success is doing what you love. It is great to have your music recognized by TIMA and we hope to be nominated again this year! However, in the end, your personal happiness that comes from doing what you love – that makes you successful.

BD: What’s on the horizon for Ill of Day?

IOD Denise: Hopefully some great things! We are prepping to record our new album and with that will come a video shoot, hopefully for our first single “Identify”. Keep checkin’ our website for an exclusive acoustic version of the song! Mailing list members will be able to download it for free!! We have had some radio play with “Nameless Soulless” which spent a few weeks at number one on the charts! (Humber Radio’s “Unsigned Top 5 Countdown”) We’ll have some new promo shots done. We are planning a US tour… The horizon holds the unknown. We are super stoked to spread the word and get to as many people as we can with Ill of Day. Wish us luck!

REFS/Sources:
http://www.myspace.com/illofday
http://www.illofday.com

Hey Everyone,

So we have had some questions and feedback regarding our new TIMA music blog. We’ve tried to summarize the feedback and put together a response in our FAQ just for you! Check it out!

As you can see, we try to maintain variety within the content of the blog. We mix up the indie music content with cool things we find on the internet, major label news, non-Canadian content, stuff that our staff likes to write about and content that we think you will enjoy reading. We do this in hopes to attract new people to our website and also because we get a ton of cool news in our inbox and we want to write about it! Our mandate via the awards platform is to promote independent music. However, our mandate is also to help independent artists stay in touch with the music industry and to attain whatever level of success that they feel they want to achieve, not limited to but including: major label success, personal growth, DIY ethos or otherwise! Remember that coin phrase “What is indie?”  Well? What is indie? The line between what is considered mainstream and indie can truly become blurred. Although we have very clear eligibility requirements for what we think is indie as it pertains to our award ceremony, we are going to let you define it yourself with our blog. So enjoy the content you like and comment on the stuff you don’t! We want to hear you! That’s what the “comment” button is for! Stir up a discussion and lets talk about it! Be Bold Canada!

Do you have even more questions about our award ceremony or blog? Check out our “FAQs” in the “About” section!

The TIMAs have just secured a relationship with Ellen Drake and the Big Schmooze. The Big Schmooze will be providing a MAIN PRIZE of a Schmooze membership for ALL TIMA 2009 Winners! They will also select one genre category winner to award with a Big Schmooze Showcase performance in 2009/2010

For More Information on The Big Schmooze, Visit: http://www.bigschmooze.ca

Another announcement, Studio-22 Recording will be awarding a UNIQUE PRIZE to one genre winner with a 3 song demo, produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by Derek Atherton (Caliber Productions)

For More Information on Studio-22, Visit: http://www.studio-22.ca/

“Prize” page will be updated periodically with newly acquired affiliations and prizes!

3 New TIMA Judges announced on the “About” page, BIOS COMING SOON and MORE JUDGES TBA!

‘Til then, enjoy the TIMA blog!

Hey everyone,

We here at the TIMAs love Mixtapes. We especially love ones that we can post directly on our site. We were discussing our favorite mixtapes today and thought we would share a few of them with you! Check it out:

Mobius Band’s “Empire of Love” RELEASED ON V-DAY 2009!
http://www.mobiusband.com/vday09/
Kanye West “Sky High” Mixtape featuring songs from “808s & Heartbreak”:

DJ Benzi, Kanye West & Plain Pat present: Sky High
Did ya like that? Check this out one too. Kanye West Mixtape feat. songs from “Graduation”

LIL WAYNE “Dedication 3″ Mixtape:

DJ Drama & Lil Wayne – Dedication 3

Diplo and Santogold

http://rs82.rapidshare.com/files/134842344/santogold_vs_diplo_mixtape.zip

Their Blog with original mixtape posting and tracklist

Thanks to our own DJ Thunderbeats for some of the more elusive content!!