Amanda Blank - I Love You

Amanda Blank's debut album, I Love You, is like the best idea you had that you never acted on because you didn't have the resources. Amanda Blank acted on it, though, and based on the result, she didn't have the resources. The formula is a good one: white female rapper, in-your-face lyrics, electro-style music. It's worked well in the past, Peaches, Princess Superstar, and Lady Sovereign being a few prime examples. But those ladies had the lyrical skills to back it up, where Amanda Blank's lyrics feel oddly smushed into the rhythm. This is a downfall I see a lot in commercial female rappers, which is sad because I know there is some serious talent out there. My guess? They didn't read Shakespeare. Now that man could spin a lyric like nobody's business, and make it sound natural. I Love You, as a whole, feels pretty unnatural.

When Its Good, Its Good

Some of it works. Really well, actually. Lead single "Might Like You Better," which samples "Never Say Never" by Romeo Void, feels fun and frisky with a seriously grimy electro-driven rhythm and some well-crafted lyrical work. It doesn't hurt that the sampled lyrics provide the perfect landscape for Blank. "Might Like You Better" is also the shining star from I Love You. Almost no other track quite achieves that level of cohesion. There are some gallant efforts though, like the opener "Make It, Take It." A punchy drum solo that is reminiscent of The Stroke's "Hard to Explain" starts the track (which, of course, makes me expect Christina Aguilera's "Genie In A Bottle" from the brilliant "Stroke of Genius" mashup by Freelance Hellraiser, but alas…), and from there the punk-pop feel progresses with a grungy bass guitar and simple lyrics from Blank. She tries again with "Something Bigger, Something Better", a clap-stomp rhythm track with some gun-loading sounds thrown in (M.I.A. anyone?) that actually has a pretty sexy bassline and addictive snare drum beat that accompanies the chorus. This track is charged with energy, and it is irresistibly infectious. At first listen, it wasn't as good as "Might Like You Better," but since then, it has taken over as the best track on the album.

Sounding very Euro-pop, "Shame On Me" reminds be of Annie. The music is very interesting and effective, and Blank has provided a big, singable chorus in the track. This is a grower, I think. On "Lemme Get Some," she throws down a seriously sexy hip-hop arrangement, but lyrically the track feels a little weak.

Trying Too Hard Or...

There's a lot of the album that just hurts to listen to. The biggest example of this affront to my eardrums and sensibilities is "A Love Song," when the harp that begins the track misleads you into thinking this might be a ballad. No, it is Blank rapping about wanting love in that 90s style that just sounds bad and fake. The same mouth that curses every other word on some tracks saying she needs love in this one just comes across as insincere. Speaking of that foul mouth, "Gimme What You Got" is practically Blank cursing the entire time. The beat and arrangement is unappealing and the lyrics are just painful. "Make Up" is also horribly awkward to listen to, coming across more as French minimal tech-house and still sounding bad at that. It isn't my style of music but fans of Miss Kitten and Tiga might really like this track.

Not Trying Enough?

Finally, a lot of the album is decent, but doesn't explode with WOW. "DJ" is a fan favorite but overall I think the track falls short. It is a fantastic style departure from tracks like "Lemme Get Some" and "Gimme What You Got," again dipping into what I'd expect from more European minimal electro and tech artists than an American rapper. "Big Heavy" also feels very European in its style, sort of like Phoenix with Amanda on vocals. It sounds good on her, as she rhymes a bit and does some singing. A very well-rounded track. Lastly, "Leaving You Behind" features Lykke Li, but the pairing sounds uninspired. Lykke Li isn't used to the best of her abilities, and the track rambles in over-saturated instrumentation. Not a strong track to end the album on.

Summary

I Love You is too varied. That is my biggest criticism of the album. I love variety, but when that variety includes a lot of painful moments, I'd rather an artist stick with what sounds good. I love the exploration into European styles that Blank has done, and her tamer hip-hop jams are excellent. I hope she continues to utilize these two winning aspects of her album, and discards the rotten bits. "Something Bigger, Something Better" and "Shame On Me" might just be the two best cuts on the album. One for its pure gusto, one for its potential.

Released August 2009 on Downtown Records.

Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.