Music
Chappell Roan
The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess
Bibliographic Information
Released September 22, 2023
Recorded 2018-2023
Genre Pop, synth-pop
Length 49:08
Label Amusement (imprint of Island Records)
Producer Daniel Nigro, Ryan Linvill, Mike Wise
Contents Feminominon, After Midnight, Casual, HOT TO GO!, Picture You, Pink Pony Club, California, Red Wine Supernova, Coffee, Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl, My Kink is Karma, Kaleidoscope, Naked in Manhattan, Guilty Pleasure
Summary
The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess is the debut studio album by Chappell Roan and is composed of 14 songs. The album is primarily in the pop genre, but also incorporates synth-pop, pop rock, new wave, folk-pop, dance pop, country, and disco. The album was released on September 22, 2023 by Amusement, which is an imprint of Island Records.
Critical Evaluation
This album perfectly blends upbeat, chaotic, bold, and introspective songs into a beautifully conceived final product. I personally became acquainted with Chappell Roan earlier this year with the song "Pink Pony Club" and from there, my obsession with the album continued with me then listening to "HOT TO GO!" and "Red Wine Supernova." Roan's vocal range is impressive and the rawness/bluntness in how she sings and speaks the song lyrics is so real and honest. She takes inspiration from the Drag Queen subculture and is an advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, which is evident in her songwriting and style. Roan has been described as having a soprano vocal range with Kelly Nguyen writing for the Grammy Awards official site: "near-perfect vocal ability." The album opens with the uber pop, punchy, queer song "Feminominon" where Chappell Roan incorporates the humorous lyric "(Get it hot) get it hot like Papa John." I absolutely love that the album opens with this song because it lays out the tone for the rest of the album; her lyrics are so infectious and fun to dance to! My favorite song on the album is "Red Wine Supernova" which is all about being unapologetic about queer love. This song captures the feeling of being young and in love; I particularly like the opening lyrics to the song,
"She was a Playboy, Brigitte Bardot
She showed me things I didn't know
She did it right there, out on the deck
Put her canine teeth in the side of my neck"
In a departure from the dance pop prevalent throughout the album, "Coffee" is a beautifully poetic song that infuses a sense of somber and melancholic feelings in Roan's singing style. The song is about getting closure from a break up and the attempt to have a casual relationship with that person, even though the pain is still there. Themes prevalent throughout the album include love, heartbreak, and embracing sexual identity. The album has been included in several best of 2023 albums along with being listed as one of Pitchfork's 22 Best Pop Albums of 2023 and was named Pop's Buzz's Number One Album of 2023.
Reader's Annotation
This bratty record full of pop hits and witty song lyrics will have you joyously dancing like no one's watching; and even if they were, who cares?
About Chappell Roan
Chappell Roan was born Kayleigh Rose Amstuz on February 19, 1998 in Willard, Missouri. She is a singer/songwriter inspired by 1980s synth-pop and 2000s pop songs. Heavily influenced by drag queens, her music has been described as "campy." During her childhood, she attended church three times a week along with attending summer Christian camps. She's discussed her struggles with her upbringing saying, "I just wanted to feel like a good person, but I had this part of me that wanted to escape so bad." She identifies as a lesbian and no longer identifies with the Christian faith or church. At age 22, she was diagnosed with Bipolar II disorder and is an advocate for mental health awareness. She has been praised for her "unapologetic authenticity" and "expression of her queerness and femininity" in her performances and music. She has been applauded for her image "rejecting the male gaze" within the pop genre. (Adapted from Chappell Roan's Wikipedia page).
Genres
Pop, synth-pop, dance pop, folk-pop, country
Albumtalking Ideas
Play a selection of songs from the album and, if able, do karaoke for a couple of the major hits
Listening Level
15+
Challenge Issues
Sexual themes, explicit language, homosexuality
Why I Chose This Album
The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess combines themes of love, heartbreak, and identity that are important concepts for teens to understand.
The Essential Clash
The Clash
Bibliographic Information
Released March 11, 2003 (U.S.) April 22, 2003 (UK)
Recorded 1977-1985
Genre Punk-rock, post-punk, new wave
Length Disc one: 60:01 Disc two: 76:03
Label Epic
Producer The Clash, Mickey Foote, Sandy Pearlman, Bill Price, Guy Stevens, Jose Unidos
Summary
The Essential Clash is a greatest hits album with songs spanning from 1977-1985. The album was released in 2003 and is part of the ongoing "The Essential" compilation series.
Critical Evaluation
I remember being a teenager in 2003 and listening to this double disc album ad nauseum both in my room and parent's car. I am actively listening to this album while composing this as we speak, and it brings so many memories; I probably haven't listened to this album in years, and still remember most of the lyrics to all the songs, which speaks volumes to how amazing The Clash is. The joyful and unapologetic rebellious spirit that is prevalent throughout the songs is infectious and great to rock out to. The band was ahead of their time, incorporating both punk and reggae motifs (chord progressions) into their music with lyrics that were socially conscious, timeless, and explosive in Joe Strummer's thickly accented, punchy voice. On this album, there are 40 songs in chronological order ranging from 1977-1985. The Essential Clash covers a lot of ground for people not acquainted with the band (like I was as a teenager) and contains all their best of punchy, punk songs to bop along to. The Clash is spectacular at mixing musical styles, melody, and social commentary to make that punk rebellious nature accessible to listeners. I literally can't pick a hands-down favorite song on either disc because they are all so amazing, but a couple that come to mind that I could listen to over and over again are "Ivan Meets G.I. Joe" and "I'm So Bored with the U.S.A." (the latter song definitely applicable to what's going on in the U.S. now). The album is critically acclaimed with great reviews from AllMusic, The Music Box, NME, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, and many others.
In this best of The Clash double disc album, get a raucously punk introduction to the hands-down best punk band in history.
About the Band
The Clash were an English punk band formed in London in 1976 and were key players in the original wave of British punk bands. Named "The Only Band That Matters," they incorporated elements of reggae, dub, funk, ska, and rockabilly. For most of their career, Joe Strummer was lead singer and rhythm guitarist, Mick Jones played lead guitar and was an additional vocalist, bassist was Paul Simon, and the drummer was Nicky "Topper" Headon. They received critical acclaim for their first album The Clash in 1977 along with their follow-up Give 'Em Enough Rope in 1978. In the U.S., they reached high levels of popularity with their third album London Calling. In 2003, following the death of lead singer Joe Strummer, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked The Clash #28 on a list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. (Adapted from The Clash Wikipedia page).
Genres
Punk-rock, post-punk, new wave
Albumtalking Ideas
Play a sampling of songs from the album. Discuss the background of some of the politics happening at the time and how that effected their song lyrics.
Listening Level
14+
Challenge Issues
Language, rebellion against authority
Why I Chose This Album
The Essential Clash is a great introduction to The Clash, who are an important punk band in history not just because of their catchy songs, but also the socially conscious messages present throughout their lyrics.
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