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Special Event: atrlcritic | Ed Sheeran's new songs after the upgrade
Member Since: 1/1/2013
Posts: 13,978
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I mean an 85/100 is an 8.5/10, 60/100 would be a 6/10, so on and so forth, so it doesn't technically make a difference. But y'all should still pay attention to the rules anyway.
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 27,248
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holyground: music in review 
8.5
"tight, breezy, fun"
highlights
kiss and not tell
sexotheque
silent partner
let me down gently
| Trouble In Paradise
La Roux
I guess everyone knows Bulletproof, La Roux's smash single 5 years ago. The song flourishes with synths and electronics, and is pretty representative of what their debut was like. 5 years later, Elly Jackson a.k.a. La Roux has finally returned. Expectations were high, but neither did they disappoint nor fulfill them. This album doesn't disappoint 'cause it's a good solid album. Elly has traded the bombastic and glossy production for a more laid back, disco-influenced sound with light synths creating the atmospheric effect. The songs are great and catchy, the production value is top-notch. The production isn't as overbearing as the debut and each line of instrument is cleverly layered and played out.
Yet it doesn't exactly impress those who have loved their usual sound as this album is quite a change. Also, the lyrics are arguably more simplistic and less powerful compared to the debut album. Some think it's repetitive.
However, according to Elly herself, she did state that the album is slightly less personal and she's more of presenting a mood this time round. And she did it. The album does set a really nice, laidback, summery mood, which plays contrast with some of the themes that are the opposite of such a mood. But it works and just makes things a hundred more times more pleasurable to listen to. If you set aside all your previous expectations and allow La Roux to re-present herself again, you will be blown away.
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Member Since: 8/31/2013
Posts: 12,948
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Quote:
Originally posted by holyground
holyground: music in review
8.5
"tight, breezy, fun"
highlights
kiss and not tell
sexotheque
silent partner
let me down gently
| Trouble In Paradise
La Roux
I guess everyone knows Bulletproof, La Roux's smash single 5 years ago. The song flourishes with synths and electronics, and is pretty representative of what their debut was like. 5 years later, Elly Jackson a.k.a. La Roux has finally returned. Expectations were high, but neither did they disappoint nor fulfill them. This album doesn't disappoint 'cause it's a good solid album. Elly has traded the bombastic and glossy production for a more laid back, disco-influenced sound with light synths creating the atmospheric effect. The songs are great and catchy, the production value is top-notch. The production isn't as overbearing as the debut and each line of instrument is cleverly layered and played out.
Yet it doesn't exactly impress those who have loved their usual sound as this album is quite a change. Also, the lyrics are arguably more simplistic and less powerful compared to the debut album. Some think it's repetitive.
However, according to Elly herself, she did state that the album is slightly less personal and she's more of presenting a mood this time round. And she did it. The album does set a really nice, laidback, summery mood, which plays contrast with some of the themes that are the opposite of such a mood. But it works and just makes things a hundred more times more pleasurable to listen to. If you set aside all your previous expectations and allow La Roux to re-present herself again, you will be blown away.
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previous reviews
archives
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Wow, you should make a blog or website with all your reviews in this format. It would slay 
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 27,248
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Quote:
Originally posted by enxe
Wow, you should make a blog or website with all your reviews in this format. It would slay |
 Thank you so much! I'm not good at formatting tho, I just used some basic tricks I learnt on ATRL, I'd just die if things got more complex. 
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Member Since: 1/1/2013
Posts: 13,978
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Trouble in Paradise
La Roux's very, VERY, long-awaited second album, Trouble in Paradise, was indeed worth the wait. With a totally different direction from their debut self-titled album which was more 80's electronic/synth-based, the new sound was a breath of fresh air. Although there are plenty of synths, there is a lot of funk/disco/new wave influence on it too, and it is much more guitar based. The opening track "Uptight Downtown" is especially evident of these changes. The song after it, "Kiss and Not Tell", is a slice of very cheesy, yet irresistible poppy goodness. "Sexotheque" talks about infidelity at a club, and does it in another incredibly fun song, with a very catchy refrain. Other songs like "Paradise is You" and "Tropical Chancer", don't stand out as much to me in the context of the album, with both of their choruses lacking something, but they are still solid songs on their own. My absolute favorite is still the one I heard first: "Let Me Down Gently". Combining pitch perfect vocals, and a killer melody, plus that sax in the last half of the song, it totally wins me over. A song like "Silent Partner" would have fit on their debut, easily. The only song that puts me off is the closer, "The Feeling" which is a total misfire. Vocally, Elly has never sound worse, and it is totally lifeless.
I can definitely agree with how there is a certain formula for how each song goes, but it really doesn't bother me that much. Overall, there wasn't a lot I could complain about. Everything was on point: her vocals, the production, lyrically, melodically, etc. for tracks 1-8. I do think it is better than their debut album (although nothing here does reach the heights of their masterpiece "Tigerlily"). One of the years best pop albums, it would be a crime not to check this out!
8.4/10
HIGHLIGHTS: Let Me Down Gently, Uptight Downtown,
Sexotheque, Silent Partner, Kiss and Not Tell
LOWLIGHTS: The Feeling
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Member Since: 5/16/2012
Posts: 12,486
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Quote:
Originally posted by Kane
Great formatting, I know you said that this was what was taking you so long! Definitely worth it, it seems. I don't think I've seen anyone who has had formatting as good as this so far. Just remember that all scores have to be out of 10, 5, 4 or letter grade. |
My bad. I actually had all of my scores out of 10 but then I changed them for some reason. Let me go thru and change them back. Thanks for reminding me!
And thank you for the compliment!
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Member Since: 1/1/2013
Posts: 19,579
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A lot can happen in 5 whole years. Since La Roux's striking debut in 2009, we've gone through several shifts in the sound of mainstream music, and honestly I believe Elly and Ben were partially responsible for some of the sound that followed after they arrived on the scene. A gap of this length is often make or break for an artist, especially when the sound that made them special all those years ago would sound pretty dated and tired if re-tried now. With that in mind, "Trouble In Paradise" has managed to remind me and many others just what was so fascinating about them in the first place, albeit in a totally different way.
The album isn't long; in fact that in itself was a bit annoying at first. To think we've waited what feels like a lifetime for a mere 9 tracks. However, the good news is that I'm failing to find a bad song out of the small selection. The clear 80's inspiration is inescapable and has to be mentioned, but the reason this album sits so well with me is that the album doesn't sound like a poor attempt at bringing back the 80s. It's an album that could fit in perfectly well had it been released back then, sure, but in today's industry it still has its place. Especially considering it oozes with personality and the signature La Roux feel on every song.
My only real gripe with this album is that there is a clear formula on the tracks and until you've listened a few times there is that real "samey" feeling running through. That's easy to get over though, given that the same argument can be made for their first album. If you loved their debut, there's a chance this may do nothing for you, but likewise if you hated their debut this could be one of the best albums you've heard all year.
9.3/10
Standout tracks: Uptight Downtown, Sexotheque, Tropical Chancer
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Member Since: 12/4/2010
Posts: 37,894
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I need to listen to this album. I keep putting it off. 
Quote:
Originally posted by Penk
I mean an 85/100 is an 8.5/10, 60/100 would be a 6/10, so on and so forth, so it doesn't technically make a difference. But y'all should still pay attention to the rules anyway.
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The point is for people not to focus on assigning a "metacritic score", but to just simply rate it. I mean, what's the difference between rating something a 63 or a 62? Rating things out of 100 just isn't natural. I feel the same way about all these decimals in the 10 point scale, but it's whatever.
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 43,104
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La Roux coming for that Universal Acclaim 
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Member Since: 8/27/2011
Posts: 36,557
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Quote:
Originally posted by EmRiNavy
Ok, I won't even say something about the album's cover. There's definitely trouble but it's not in paradise.
I'm not a La Roux fan or listener. Beside her two known singles I never gave her a chance so I decided to give her one for this album.
So the album actually starts great with the disco/funky track Uptight Downtown which reminds me of my father's favorites : Modern Talking and C.C. Catch. This is a standout.
The albums continues with a track called Kiss and not Tell which reminds me of a cartoon intro song or the old Nintendo game songs. We're going down and I'm not yelling Timber.
The 3rd track is called Cruel Sexuality. On this track La Roux is asking loudly: Am I a fool? I guess the track speaks for yourself.
Paradise Is You it's actually a cute track that I'll probably listen while on a tropical island. Well I'm at home now so I'm sorry La Roux, but this is probably the only time I will.
Sexotheque is the most plain track on the album whileTropical Chancer gives you this reggae-ish feeling which is not used as it should in this song.
On Silent Partner she desperately sings about the need of a silent partner. Well here I am. The song is too long.
Let Me Down Gently is arguably the best song on the album. The vocals are clear and the production is great.
The album ends with The Feeling. The feeling depends, mine was a feeling of relieve.
Trouble in Paradise is a pretty cohesive album but the album lacks strong production and it gets rather boring.
Higlights: Uptight Downtown, Let Me Down Gently
4.3/10
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what
the
****
can you spell pressed? VERY unprofessional and biased. You can tell cuz you give a rating lower than ANY single Metacritic reviewer smh, the people who actually rate based on quality
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Member Since: 8/16/2012
Posts: 14,988
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i hope Pixie Lott's upcoming album on August 4th will be reviewed here 
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 43,104
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She's currently at a 71
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Member Since: 5/16/2012
Posts: 12,486
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Quote:
Originally posted by CrazyCat
i hope Pixie Lott's upcoming album on August 4th will be reviewed here |
She's releasing on my birthday.
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Member Since: 8/27/2011
Posts: 36,557
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Quote:
Originally posted by ClarksonSlays
She's currently at a 71 |
Fortunately, this doesnt matter.
This does
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Member Since: 8/6/2012
Posts: 5,333
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Quote:
Originally posted by rihannabiggestfan
Fortunately, this doesnt matter.
This does
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If this doesn't matter, then why are you in here? This is just for the ATRL community to sound off their thoughts and opinions on the thing that this whole forum is about, music. If you do not like the results or agree with them just leave, don't undermine the thread and the people who are taking time and effort to make this a success. It's just rude.
Stick to metacritic.
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Member Since: 3/2/2014
Posts: 7,276
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Quote:
Originally posted by rihannabiggestfan
Fortunately, this doesnt matter.
This does
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Mind if I ask you why are you not using Print Screen?
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Mods, are we going to review Anaconda? 
It comes out on Monday.
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Member Since: 8/6/2012
Posts: 5,333
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Quote:
Originally posted by Diar7
Mind if I ask you why are you not using Print Screen?
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Mods, are we going to review Anaconda?
It comes out on Monday. |
Quote:
Upcoming
– Jessie J, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj - "Bang Bang"
– Hilary Duff - "Chasing the Sun"
– Nicki Minaj - "Anaconda"
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Yes, it will be reviewed.
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Member Since: 10/2/2011
Posts: 43,174
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Quote:
Originally posted by Kane
If this doesn't matter, then why are you in here? This is just for the ATRL community to sound off their thoughts and opinions on the thing that this whole forum is about, music. If you do not like the results or agree with them just leave, don't undermine the thread and the people who are taking time and effort to make this a success. It's just rude.
Stick to metacritic.
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This.
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Member Since: 3/14/2013
Posts: 37,294
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Quote:
Originally posted by Kane
If this doesn't matter, then why are you in here? This is just for the ATRL community to sound off their thoughts and opinions on the thing that this whole forum is about, music. If you do not like the results or agree with them just leave, don't undermine the thread and the people who are taking time and effort to make this a success. It's just rude.
Stick to metacritic.
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+2 
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Member Since: 8/27/2011
Posts: 36,557
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