I don't care about fame, I don't care about money (It's Not Me It's You - Lily Allen)

Member Name: pmcds

Product:	It's Not Me It's You - Lily Allen
Date:	03/05/09 (209 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lyrically sublime

Disadvantages: Nothing really

Lily Allen's second studio album reaffirms the level of musical quality we have come to expect from the outspoken performer since her boom onto the music scene with her debut album Alright, Still in 2006. This second album, It's Not Me, It's You, is highly intrinsic in lyrical terms, and it is here her strength lies.

Most of you will be familiar with the track The Fear, which stormed to the No.1 spot in the charts a few months ago, and deservedly so. The lyrics are sublime, poking fun at celebrity status and stating how she doesn't want to have to conform to a trend that just doesn't interest her. The instrumentals are haunting and catchy, and it's no wonder that she stormed into the top spot with this track.

Other tracks worthy of note include F*** You, which, as you tell from the title, isn't one for the faint hearted, nor for the easily offended. A lot of the lyrics seem to be attacking a former beau or lover, or even a boyfriend when she was younger, and 'Not Fair' joins in with this as well. Both are lyrically sublime, once more, but what the lyrics overshadow is an intense set of chords and sounds proving she is musically mature, perhaps even beyond her age.

The danger with second albums is often to produce it quicker than you want, and many artists have been forced into releasing a second one before they are ready. As a result, tracks are often weak and considered as 'fillers' rather than true album contributions. Lily's second album, however, doesn't contain any such fillers, or so it seems, with every track seeming to have its place. The album ends on the thoughtful track 'He Wasn't There' and is apt to be rather thought provoking, as this very much fits in with a quirky album.

The overall feel is one of a young woman who is not afraid to put across her point of view, but does so in a matter of fact and fun way so as to not directly intend to offend anyone. It is a statement of intent and the production of a determined personality who expresses herself very cleverly. This is a very well created album, with only a couple of tracks that aren't as memorable as the others for me, but this is no surprise, as it is rare that I find an album where every single track jumps out at me.

'It's Not You, It's Me' is currently available pretty much anywhere that sells CDs, from around the £9 on amazon.co.uk or the £7 for download. I highly recommend it, the lyrics are sublime and the instrumental side of things are equally as impressive.

Tracklisting:

1 Everyone's At It
2 Fear
3 Not Fair
4 22
5 I Could Say
6 Back To The Start
7 Never Gonna Happen
8 Fuck You
9 Who'd Have Known
10 Chinese
11 Him
12 He Wasn't There

Summary: Excellent second studio album from Lily Allen