Lana Del Rey

[Jondalar]

I just discovered this young singer and I have to say I really, really, really like. She has a marianne faithful, nico, marlena deitrich vibe, sorta off-kilter nancy sinatra. Very interesting stuff.

[KarmaContestant]

Her recent SNL performance was seriously lamblasted by various medias - pretty much public bullying. In response, SNL did a great skit last night with Kristin Wiig playing Lana. Check it out!

http://www.pedestrian.tv/music/news/...-snl/63932.htm

[Nico]

I really like her. The public's reaction to some performance isn't going to affect my feelings on something. I'm probably going to check out her album.

I'll admit, the fact that you mentioned Nico and Marianne Faithfull intrigued me. And I dig some Nancy.

This girl has a dark vibe and her voice is more monotone/lack inflection. But I kind of dig the style of her songs anyway.

Thanks for sharing.

[Jondalar]

Originally Posted by Nico

I really like her. The public's reaction to some performance isn't going to affect my feelings on something. I'm probably going to check out her album.

I'll admit, the fact that you mentioned Nico and Marianne Faithfull intrigued me. And I dig some Nancy.

This girl has a dark vibe and her voice is more monotone/lack inflection. But I kind of dig the style of her songs anyway.

Thanks for sharing.

I'm listening to the album now. Lots of these songs could of been on the Kill Bill soundtrack, very understated but powerful lyrics. I think her vocals are great. Do you remember Poe? She sorta reminds me of her too.

At least she put together a REAL album, with REAL songs that are all hers. Very talented.

[Artemis]

I LOVE Lana Del Rey, Video Games is probably in my top 5 songs of 2011, no contest. She's basically Nancy Sinatra fused with Stevie... and that's fabulous. She's wrote songs with the guy who co-wrote Rooms On Fire, too!

Her album, Born To Die hasn't left my car CD player since I got it. It's just stunning. I love her demos too:

[DefDumbandBlond]

I tried to give her a chance but I'm just not feelin' her really. She's one of the pitchiest (I guess pitchy is the word I'm looking for) people I've ever heard.

[cliffdweller]

Girl can't sing. Period.

[WildHearted]

I have her album and have listened to it quite a bit, and been following her for a while now. I like her enough, but I can't really get behind her fully, mostly because she constantly expresses that music isn't that important to her and that she's "over it" and that really bothers me and rubs me the wrong way.

The album is consistent, but almost to a fault. Her lyrics are all the same - and not even in a thematic way, but she constantly uses the same phrases, and her songs are also very formulaic in terms of the melody and overall song structures, in my opinion.

Definitely a really interesting sound, for sure - and the instrumentation on the album is FANTASTIC. I'm glad I got it for that alone, stellar production.

However I can't get past the fact that she is hands down one of the worst live performers I've ever witnessed (in such a high profile position, in any case) - between her emotionless vocal (probably due to the preoccupation with having to keep up the particular style/sound she puts on her voice [which is not how she naturally sings]), dead eyes, awkward stage presence, lack of charisma, and pitchiness and lack of control... I get major secondhand embarassment.

So I kind of go back and forth between liking her and not liking her.

Also of note is that she's another one of Jimmy Iovine's creations.

[beccamorrisfift]

I love this girl, haven't got much time at the moment but I'll be sure to check back later to write up some thoughts.

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by WildHearted

I have her album and have listened to it quite a bit, and been following her for a while now. I like her enough, but I can't really get behind her fully, mostly because she constantly expresses that music isn't that important to her and that she's "over it" and that really bothers me and rubs me the wrong way.

The album is consistent, but almost to a fault. Her lyrics are all the same - and not even in a thematic way, but she constantly uses the same phrases, and her songs are also very formulaic in terms of the melody and overall song structures, in my opinion.

Definitely a really interesting sound, for sure - and the instrumentation on the album is FANTASTIC. I'm glad I got it for that alone, stellar production.

However I can't get past the fact that she is hands down one of the worst live performers I've ever witnessed (in such a high profile position, in any case) - between her emotionless vocal (probably due to the preoccupation with having to keep up the particular style/sound she puts on her voice [which is not how she naturally sings]), dead eyes, awkward stage presence, lack of charisma, and pitchiness and lack of control... I get major secondhand embarassment.

So I kind of go back and forth between liking her and not liking her.

Also of note is that she's another one of Jimmy Iovine's creations.

Lana Del Ray's performance on SNL, which I actually enjoyed, made me think about all of the really wooden performers out there. You know- people with hollowed-out, glazed, deer-in-the-headlights eyes and no stage presence at all. Okay... I think some people would consider Stevie's Klonopin era would fit into that category. But there are a few I can think of...

-Steve Winwood. He is undoubtedly a legend and one of the great blue-eyed (well... brown-eyed actually) soul voices of his generation. But his stage presence is so... mechanical and uncharismatic. There is something dead about his eyes... I just can't put my finger on it.

-That dude who used to sing in Survivor. Watch the video for "Eye of the Tiger;" he comes across as someone with Aspergers. He barely looks at the camera. He moves like a robot and seems to betray zero emotion. He's got a great voice, but OMG... so painfully awkward.

-James Taylor. Yes, I know he is one of the greatest of the greats. And maybe it's just the fact that his music is so mellow... but he has no facial expression whatsoever. Just that steely, empty gaze.

-Jack Johnson. He looks like a male model. Other than that, I don't understand why someone would go to a Jack Johnson concert. Absolutely expressionless.

-Cat Power. All the critics and hipster blogs love her. So when I did finally go see her, I was like... WTF?? She barely made eye contact; in fact, she played most of the show with her back to the audience. Or looking down at her feet. Or off to the side of the stage in the shadows. Gah! If only I could have that hour of my life back... And worst of all, she sings like she has a bag of marbles in her mouth. Definitely not impressed.

-Suzanne Vega. Don't get me wrong... I adore me some Ms. Vega. But she is an utter snooze live. She is exactly how she is on record- sometimes upbeat, sometimes morose, but always appropriately reserved and downright frosty at times.

[Macfanforever]

I never heard of her.

[tilthefirefades]

I love her! I'm seriously obsessed at this point, I think she's one of the best I've seen and heard in a long time.

[Jondalar]

Originally Posted by tilthefirefades

I love her! I'm seriously obsessed at this point, I think she's one of the best I've seen and heard in a long time.

ME TOO! Real moody songs.

[tilthefirefades]

Originally Posted by Jondalar

ME TOO! Real moody songs.

Yes, and I can honestly say I haven't heard a song of hers that I don't like. Not to mention she is so beautiful and mysterious, the total package for an amazing artist.

[Jondalar]

Lana's album debuts at #2 in America, selling 77,000 copies, without a hit signal. It is #1 in England with sales of over 115,000. It is number 1 in 11 countries.