We're Not Dead

Though you could easily be mistaken for thinking so. And what a coincidence that it ties in brilliantly with the title of Pink's new album...

From the very first listen to lead single 'Stupid Girls' it was obvious Pink had returned to form. After a rather slated album 'Try This' (that I actually really liked), Pink's sound is much more reminiscent of her 'Mizzundastood' era work. 'Stupid Girls' is less the blonde-haired hellraiser of 'Try This' but the pink-haired 'loser' dyke-girl from school who hated everyone that we met in 'Mizzundastood' and even 'Can't Take Me Home'.

The rest of the album follows suit with Pink making not only a top pop album but also a cracking social commentary on 'Dear Mr President', in which we sings for the injustices and inequalities in the world ("what kind of father would take his own daughter's rights away?/what kind of father would hate his own daughter if she were gay?"), and 'I Got Money Now', which seems the resolution to 'Don't Let Me Get Me', where Pink decides that success is rewarded with money and punished by complacency and loneliness ("you don't have to like me anymore, I got money now"). And judging by Britney's downward spiral, she may have a point.

Although these songs, as well as the achingly painful 'Nobody Knows' are rather downbeat, subdued and sombre, don't be mistaken for thinking Pink has turned over a new leaf. On stormers 'Cuz I Can', 'U & Ur Hand' and 'Leave Me Alone (I'm Lonely)' Pink roars with joie de vivre and girl power that would make Scary Spice proud. Equally, title track 'I'm Not Dead' and 'Runaway' begin gentle and soft and fragile but end growling, spitting and biting loudly.

Essentially Pink is still just poor little Alicia Moore, a teenage girl trapped in her own securities. 'The One That Got Away', 'Who Knew' and 'Conversations...' are yet more ballads intent on grabbing at young girls like herself, heartbroken, confused, misfits, and teaching them and crying with them ("I know you/I've been you... Everything will work out fine") . With these tracks Pink is essentially saying that there's nothing wrong with being Janis Ian.

Which leaves me with one of my favourite songs offa the album (behind 'Stupid Girls' and 'Cuz I Can') rock-ballad 'Long Way To Happy', which would've made a much better album title if you ask me. Simply it's a quintessential girls-with-guitars song, racking up as one of best of the last few years of Ashlee Simpson, Avril, Skye Sweetham, Marion Raven, Kelly Clarkson et al, need I go on? This track pushes each of those comparitive wallflowers down several rungs of the ladder, leaving Pink at the top, where she belongs.

Best Tracks: 'Stupid Girls', 'Cuz I Can', 'Long Way To Happy', 'U & Ur Hand'

[EDIT:- Also, bonus tracks 'Centrefold' and 'Fingers' are brilliant and probably should've been main tracks. But what can you do?]