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2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Delightful and refreshing POP treat. Nov 28, 2008
There is a sense of acceleration in the pop process, exemplified by the breakneck rise of Kate Nash.
The story goes that the London Brit school of performing arts graduate wanted to go to drama school, she didn't get in and ended up falling down the stairs (not due to the drama school result) of her home and was bedbound for a fair while.
During this time, while recuperating from her broken leg, she picked up the guitar her parents bought her and started writing songs.
She made demos utilising the ubiquitous computer recording program Garageband and posted them online, where she was endorsed by Lily Allen, starting an internet buzz.
Kate released an independent debut single in February 2007, signed a major deal with Universal in March, reached number two with her second single in July and went to number one on the British Chart in October with a rush-released album, "Made of Bricks", by which time she had just turned 20.
It is hardly surprising, then, that her album, though delightfully individual and charged with energy and invention, seems only half-formed and over-crowded with generic Garageband samples.
Musically, the confection of breakbeats and old reggae samples that has become Lily Allen's trademark is nowhere to be found on "Made of Bricks", which is noticeably scruffier-sounding and more diverse: it stretches from a trip-hoppy blend of double bass and dramatic Bollywood-ish strings.
Anyway, this album is full of the kind of pop crossover hits that will march to the top of the charts like all the other songs about umbrellas and stuff.
"Pumpkin Song" is one that stands out, notable for its almost R 'n' B overtones and Amy Winehouse jazz in the background. It's catchy and will have people who ache for music credibility extolling "oh I love Kate Nash too!"
"Foundations" still seems like the most innocent and likeable pop tune on the LP, but it's in able company with "Mouthwash", "Skeleton Song" and "Pumpkin Song".
"Skeleton Song" in particular is impressive, with Kate going off on a screaming tangent three minutes in.
"Birds" is another strong track, the kind of traditional story that Nash does well; very much similar to "Foundations".
Girl meets boy, boy jumps over ticket barrier because he's got no money, they get on a bus with yesterday's travelcards, get together etc etc. It's acoustic throughout, with Nash crooning about how "the boy liked her" which was all she wanted. There's an amusing tale about birds pooing on your head as well.
There are a handful of moments when a genuine wit and way with words peeks through, not least on "We Get On", a depiction of unrequited love that affectingly spins out of control from sadness to anger to get-a-restraining-order.
You can't help thinking there might have been more of them if Kate Nash had been given a bit of breathing space, a bit of time to develop what she does: she's clearly not without talent, but equally clearly, it's not fully formed.
Overall, Kate has delivered one of the pop albums of the year, memorable, cringing, sweet and above all, full of radio gems.
Tim's House
19
Spirit
Drastic Fantastic
This Is The Life
Back to Black
Alright, Still
0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Clever, Catchy, and Enjoyable Oct 08, 2008
Kate Nash is -also- British. She sounds like a combination of Lily Allen, Regina Spektor, and a soft-pop songstress e.g. Catherine Feeny but with a cute accent. The album starts out easy pop, goes harder, goes back down to something gentle. More than anything, her songs are FUN and CATCHY. This is a perfect summer album.
Foundations is a perfect kick-off of the album, and Mouthwash is brilliant; it puts a smile on my face every single time. Kate's biggest talent is her ability to meld clever, catchy lyrics (listeners actually take notice of her lyrics, something that may be rare in today's pop music) with her unique, adorable voice. This is one of the few albums I can remember (with the exception of Lily Allen) in which I'll be listening to a song, and a lyric will make me chuckle or smile, because it's so damn ingenious.
Nash is a pretty gifted pianist, so that provides a substantial backing to the album, but it's not pretentious, it's used perfectly lightly in most of the songs...the other few songs primarily backed by light acoustic/electric guitar. It may take a few listens to really get on board: at first I thought it was a bit over-produced, and although it is undeniably poppy, the lyrics and her inventiveness in songwriting is what shines through after repeated listens.
I grew to like almost every song quite a bit. Highlights (other than "Foundations" and "Mouthwash") are the groovy "We Get On," the poignant rocker (not an oxymoron) "Skeleton Song," "Nicest Thing" (which provides a lush change of pace and might yield some tears if you're in a vulnerable state), and the wonderfully upbeat closer "Merry Happy" which has a 'down'-beat 7-minute-long hidden track at the end (from which the album's title and cover artwork seem to be from) that sold me on Kate Nash as a legitimate talent with a knack for making pop music that actually has something different to offer.
0 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 Listen to it all the time. Jul 27, 2008
Mariella and Nicest Thing are my two favorite songs. I really like this CD. Her lyrics are funny and cute and the tune is hum-worthy. Defiantly worth the buy.
1 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 Interesting Little Angry Girl! Jul 22, 2008
Kate has that lovely Brit accent that's so 'fetch!' Her angry songs are mixed with the sweetest little hymns like the perfect martini. The baby-girl voice and rowdy profanity is an intoxicating mix when you're mad as hell, but want to be nice and feel better! It's angel versus devil; you have to listen to determine who wins...
0 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Fantastic CD Jul 20, 2008
Kate Nash has got te be one of the best up and coming singers out of England. Fantastic voice combined with great writing and band. Would highly recommend. She's been bumped to the top of my "hit list". Great stuff.
Vendor was great in getting the product to me as promised. Would also recommend.
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