This album is pure Pink: rebellious and beautiful

Although she was initially viewed as yet another face in the late-'90s crowd of teen pop acts, Pink quickly showed signs of becoming one of the rare artists to transcend and outgrow the label. Never allowing herself to be pigeonholed in one particular genre or style of music, Pink has managed to captivate audiences all over the world with her self-assertive sass and hook-filled anthems. Pink, aka 26-year-old Alicia Moore, is no stranger to a fight. There are documented-in-song skirmishes with her parents and run-ins with her record company (the latest over her last single, Stupid Girls). But now she's facing a bigger battle – saving her career. Her brand of chick rock has been hijacked by the likes of Kelly Clarkson and Ashley Simpson, her breakthrough album 2001’ Missundaztood was sold more than 5.2 million copies in the United States. Her next effort, 2004’s Try This only sold 701,000 copies. So the title of the new record, I’m Not Dead, may be addressing those who see the singer's career heading downward. Pink is absolutely not dead, and that's a very, very good thing. I’m Not Dead is simply one of the finest mainstream pop albums by an established artist to be released in recent years. Every song is artistically mature, engaging, and polished. Above all, this album is pure Pink: rebellious and beautiful.

Unerring feel for finding the best musical collaborators

Moore again takes out her flag and attacks stereotypes and negative images. The album's first single, Stupid Girls, is an assault on Hollywood's obsession with thin, blonde and beautiful. Here Pink roasts vapid, cookie-cutter starlets and celebrates a woman's right to individuality. I'm Not Dead touches on war-mongering politicians (Dear Mr. President), teen angst (Conversations With My 13 Year Old Self, Runaway), overheated pickup artists (U & Ur Hand), and gross materialism (I Got Money Now). Neil Young-inspired acoustic guitar is sketched into The One That Got Away, but it's just as quickly scribbled over by Joan Jett-style ranting (on Long Way to Happy) and Janis Joplin/Joss Stone-fueled howling (on Who Knew). Even R&B gets its turn (I Got Money Now). The album also includes appearances from the Indigo Girls, who lend their sizable instrumental and background vocal punch on Dear Mr. President, and Pink's father, who joins for the hidden track I Have Seen The Rain. One of Pink’s gifts as a performer is an unerring feel for finding the best musical collaborators. This time around she has called on songwriting and production collaboration assistance from Billy Mann (producer of Teddy Geiger's recent top 10 Underage Thinking) for the bulk of the album. In addition, star producers Butch Walker, Max Martin, Mike Elizondo and Luke Gottwald make distinctive appearances.

I'm Not Dead finds Pink once again on top of her game

After veering off track with 2003's disappointing Try This, Pink returns to top form with I'm Not Dead. Her fourth album is the perfect example of her eclecticism, with a heady mixture of sharp-witted pop gems, rousing piano balladry, thought provoking and politically conscious songwriting and no-nonsense party anthems. Fusing pop, R&B and rock, I'm Not Dead finds Pink once again on top of her game. Pink got off to a slow start in coming up with material for her fourth album, but a major creative spurt eventually gave her 45 songs to choose from. Pink said that the songs on the new record are the most personal ones that she's ever done. Listening to I'm Not Dead is a breeze. Whether it's the rock stomp of Cuz I Can, the Butch Walker contributed bubblegum-on-speed buzz of Leave Me Alone (I'm Lonely), or the rootsy, blues-soaked The One That Got Away, your attention will not waver. The entire project is unified by the distinctive, slightly raw, vocal presence of Pink and her idiosyncratic personality of authentic care coupled with an anarchic drive for independence. All pop fans should put this album immediately into frequent rotation.

04.04.2006