One of the Boys

I held off on buying this CD too early because -- to be perfectly honest -- the public fascination with that whole "I Kissed A Girl" song really annoyed me even though the song didn't. I have to say that, now that I've had a listen, I've been pleasantly surprised with Katy Perry's work here, and I'd give it a 4.5 (on a 5 star scale) if Amazon allowed it. Her voice is animated and fresh throughout, even on the few lesser tracks, and she takes the kinds of risk that Pink has built a career around, although Katy's vocals may be more of an acquired taste than most pop/rock singers.

One of the Boys (5 out of 5): What do you do when one of the boys suddenly blossoms into one of the girls? This is a song about the tomboy grew into the Homecoming Queen. Something about the song reminds me of early rock from The Cars.

I Kissed A Girl (5 out of 5): "It felt so wrong, it felt so right ..." Gender-bending pop/rock'n'roll at its best. It's all innocent fun until you find out you like it. It's no wonder this song is a major hit for Katy.

Waking Up in Vegas (5 out of 5): Sure, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas only so long as you don't marry some young pop starlet who ends up writing a hit rock song out of it. Buyer beware, and have fun while you're at it!

Thinking of You (5 out of 5): It's the fourth song on the album (and fourth in a row ... do I detect a theme here?) dealing with the need to suddenly re-examine one's place in the world; how do you deal with your new love when all you can think of is your last one? Great acoustic guitar opening and ending to this track, soft, heartfelt, but still understated. Personally, I think this is one of the strongest tracks here.

Mannequin (3 out of 5): "I wanna hit you just to see if you cry ..." "You're not a man, you're just a mannequin ..." Somewhat predictable and overstated teen-style angst. If I were a 16-yr-old girl in love with a high school quarterback who'd have nothing to do with me, this song would probably rock my world. But I'm not a 16-yr-old girl, so it does very little for me.

Ur So Gay (4 out of 5): A (near perfect) perfect musical insult -- woman to man. Jazzy with great horns. Very catchy lyrics. I can only imagine that Katy has great fun performing this one. Again, a song penned with a youthful sensibility. Any song that somehow works in the word 'penis' really deserves some props.

Hot N Cold (5 out of 5): Electronica pop contemplating the timeless problems of hot/cold relationships. Danceably fun with a great rockin' refrain. "Someone call the doctor, Gotta case of the love bipolar ..."

If You Can Afford me (5 out of 5): Well, it's either celebrating love or prostitution. Take your pick. Either way, it's still a great, fun tune.

Lost (3.5 out of 5): A close impersonation of Melissa Etheridge musically if Melissa Etheridge ever wrote about puking and porcelain. A real candle-waving rock style song about being 'lost' in the world that makes great use of a music box style instrumental theme-line. Wanted to like it more than I did come the end.

Self Inflicted (4.5 out of 5): We all beat ourselves up over something. This is basically Katy's chance to tell us all about the habit. Well done.

I'm Still Breathing (3 out of 5): Love ends, but the individuals don't. The track ends a bit unexpectedly, like some relationships do. Is that the metaphor? You decide.

Fingerprints (3.5 out of 5): Attitude rock, at best, the kind of stuff The Donnas have been doing for years now. "Wanna break the mold, wanna break the stereotype," so why end the album with such a middle-of-the-road rocker? A good song, but I would've ended the record on a higher note with one of the more unpredictable 5 star tunes from above.

i love this album. every track is amazing and makes me want to sing out loud. :D

inlove with atleast 8 of these songs and can not take it out of my cd player!!!! i like the ikissed a girl song but i didnt really have high hopoes for this cd till i heard HOT n COLD but the whole cd is great!!! PLEASANTLY SUPRISED!!!

I have a rule for buying CDS: I have to like at least four of the songs to make it worth my while...I took a chance and bought this after hearing only two of the songs played on the radio, but it turns out that I like almost every song.

There are a couple where she sings with a very high yet soft voice that I thought was kind of boring, but I enjoyed her vocals the rest of the time. Her style reminds me of the Go-Gos Beauty and the Beat, and Thompson Twins. (Yeah, I am an an 80s fan).

The lyrics are hysterical; she's very good at telling stories, and even though you might be tempted to think she is exagerating, I could relate to a lot of the scenarios she describes.

I love ALL KINDS of music - I have very eclectic tastes, but I have to say it was refreshing to hear a female vocalist who didn't create another hip-hop album or a whiny alternative album (you know, the ones where every single song is directed to some guy).

After hearing I Kissed a Girl, I visited her My Space page just to see what everyone was talking about and instantly LOVED Hot N Cold, so I bought the CD. Nearly every song is great, but Hot N Cold is still the best. So glad it's the next single. Don't judge Katy Perry just on I Kissed a Girl. She is a very underrated vocalist. She's much more than the novelty act some people think. Get this CD!