Album Review: Pink - Funhouse (4.5 / 5)

"So What," the first single from Pink's new album Funhouse may start with a playground rant (na na na na) and continue with her propensity to namecheck celebs she doesn't like (this time its a table-stealing Jessica Simpson), but those antics are a foil for the darker side Pink sometimes unveils throughout this 12-song set that chronicles her recent divorce from Carey Hart. "So What" is fun and upbeat--a typically great pop/rock track from pink in the "U + Ur Hand" vein. It shows Pink trying to cover the pain of the breakup by bolding declaring "so what, i'm still a rock star, i got my rock moves, and i don't need you."

That tune quickly changes through the questioning "Sober," another awesome track, upbeat but with a somber strings arrangement. Following that, the realization of the pain breaks through on the most lovely ballad Pink has ever recorded, "I Don't Believe You." It's a tender, vulnerable piece with a lush backing of guitar and strings. These opening three songs capture perfectly why Pink is such a great and under appreciated pop artist. "So What" has her in "don't mess with me" rock mode, "Sober" is the more reflective Pink, and "I Don't Believe You" reveals her damaged inner self. All three would make great singles ("So What" has already become Pink's first song to top both the US and UK singles charts since her "Lady Marmalade" collaboration.)

"One Foot Wrong" is a dark rocker that explores paranoia from a bad choice (perhaps a bad drug experience?). "Please Don't Leave Me," is a good mid-tempo guitar pop number--like "Since U Been Gone" but with not quite as killer a chorus. Like "So What" and "I Don't Believe You," it's produced by Swedish superproducer Max Martin, who along with Billy Mann and Butch Walker helm most of the songs here. In a Pink first, she's used the same collaborators as she did last time on I'm Not Dead, her "comeback," after the relative flop of her third album Try This!

"Bad Influence" is a stomping track with a party strut that takes a break from the divorce story line to booze it up with friends. The story returns on "Funhouse," another upbeat romp that uses the carnival funhouse as a metaphor for her doomed relationship--"this used to be my funhouse, but now it's full of evil clowns." It's the most uptempo song of the album's second half, which is surprisingly heavy with ballads. Folksy "Crystal Ball" is the first of them, a stripped down "this is your life" kind of song with just acoustic guitar and vocals, including backing vocals by the song's producer, Billy Mann. Then there's "It's All Your Fault," which picks up tempo dramatically about halfway through for a rock out ending. Last track, "Glitter in the Air," is also kind of folksy, a piano ballad providing a bittersweet climax to the album. It tries to be poignant ending, but doesn't quite achieve that.

Countrified "Mean" is probably the highlight of the second half. The piano and guitar swagger of the song suits Pink well. Plus divorce is a subject that fits country well (ask a country fan, they will agree). Beyonce's new album contains a track called "Ave Maria" inspired by the classic aria; no such inspiration for Pink's "Ave Mary A," a curious track that starts out with a dark guitar and piano melody and then pumps up the rock guitars for the chorus.

I didn't buy Funhouse the week it came out, thinking I'd prefer the Snow Patrol and Girls Aloud albums more. Boy was I wrong, and I'm glad my partner surprised me with it last weekend. Funhouse is probably Pink's best album to date; it's certainly her most consistent--there isn't a bad track here, and several should serve adequately to continue her current streak of hit singles.

Best: So What, Sober, I Don't Believe You, Mean, Bad Influence, Please Don't Leave Me