//Neon Reviews: Katy Perry – One Of The Boys//

At first glance of Katy Perry’s first two singles, “I Kissed a Girl” and “UR So Gay,” I thought, great. Shock value. Put a chick out there and promote that she’s gay – or let’s pretend she is – or let people speculate that she is – or isn’t. And wasn’t there already a song called I Kissed a Girl? But I listened a bit further determined not to judge a singer by its single. But I threw my hands up in disgust when I heard “Use Your Love,” a remake of the Outfield’s “Your Love.” As a fan of the Outfield’s version, I was beginning to get frustrated with this artist, wondering if she was just another Produced (Yes, capital P), female rock artist to make money for music execs, banking on the young rocker chick persona. While her version would satisfy many young people not familiar with the Outfield’s version, those of us who know the original cannot help but cringe. While she does not butcher the song by any means, sometimes there are just songs you shouldn’t touch.

After the first three songs I almost wrote her off, but I continued to listen. The rest of the record is catchy and is what Ashlee Simpson wished she could do – sing and sing well. With a voice that is a mix between Natasha Bedingfield and Joss Stone, Perry’s voice shines in “Lost,” and “Thinking of You,” the strongest songs on the album in terms of vocals. They display her vocal talent and prove she is not just you’re average rock chick. Other strong tracks are “If You Can Afford Me,” “Waking Up in Vegas,” and “Hot ‘N Cold.” These songs have a classic female rock sound that makes you wish you had a convertible to drive around and play it in. Perry is channeling the pop/rock of the 90’s (for those in their 20’s and early 30’s), while maintaining the neo-rock sound that will capture the attention of teenage girls.

The girl can sing and she is certainly talented. This album has substance and will get your foot tapping. Anyone who is looking for a feel good album this summer that they can rock out to should pick up Perry’s One of the Boys. It is welcoming to see the return of singers who not only write their own music, but who also play an instrument. This girl is classic California rock for the 00’s. Just shame on the music execs for making me think she’s another manufactured artist by putting her out as “the girl who wrote two songs about being gay.”

Check out the video for Katy’s first single “I kissed A Girl” on the other side.

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