It's Not Me It's You

Lily Allen | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 10, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B001OD6HNG
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (96 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,179 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Everyones At It

2. The Fear

3. Not Fair

4. 22

5. I Could Say

6. Back To The Start

7. Never Gonna Happen

8. F**k You

9. Whod Have Known

10. Chinese

11. Him

12. He Wasnt There

Editorial Reviews

It's Not Me, It's You, is the follow-up to Lily Allen's critically acclaimed 2007 debut, Alright, Still. The album finds Lily in top form, creating a record Blender's recent "In The Studio" feature described as "part God, part country and all middle finger." Allen wrote and recorded the album's 12 songs with producer Greg Kurstin (the bird and the bee), who worked with her on three songs for Alright, Still - "Everything's Just Wonderful," "Alfie" and "Not Big."

On It's Not Me, It's You, Lily's characteristically sharp observations find expression in a variety of musical styles, with influences ranging from the Jazz Era to country and western to dance music. "Highlights include `Everyone's at It,' a synth-pop song about prescription drugs that features Allen on xylophone; `He Wasn't There,' which matches emotional lyrics about her absent father to a jazz groove; and `Not Fair,' a saucy country song about an inadequate lover," said Rolling Stone.

"We decided to try and make bigger sounding, more ethereal songs, real songs," says Lily, who will be touring the U.S. in the spring. "I wanted to work with one person from start to finish to make it one body of work. I wanted it to feel like it had some sort of integrity. I think I've grown up a bit as a person and I hope it reflects that."

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Unusual & Eclectic : Britain's Finest Solo Talent March 11, 2009

By Marc Cabir Davis

Format:Audio CD

I really disliked Lily's debut CD as I found it too cutesy for my own liking, and it was even more bewildering when publications like Spin and Blender started giving her four star reviews - it just didn't make sense. But recently, during a first spin of "The Fear", it was evident that the songstress has a certain something that transcends genre and musical definition, and curious as I was, I made it a point to pick up this album.

There are a couple of things to remember while listening to Lily Allen. She is not really a 'singer' in the true sense of the word. She sort of lazily recites words, almost reading them off a page, but her quaint intonation gives them great depth (I am reminded here of Nellie McKay and her epic double-CD "Get Away from Me"). She has this very British quality that brings to mind Leona Naess, and to a lesser extent Natasha Khan of Bat for Lashes.

But its on the melodies and the lyrics that Lily really shines. Her own little view of the world, and primarily of her own self-worth is brought out beautifully through the course of the album - which also works as a 'concept' album in many ways. "The Fear" refers to various things - one could relate the lyrics to consumerism and politics and it would still make sense - but she brings down the house with her quiet burner "Chinese", which is essentially about staying in and eating food, but she spins it as some sort of allegorical tale.

What I especially respect about this album and its production is the fact that you can hear Lily enunciate every word clearly, rendering a lyrics sheet redundant. This is especially rare. The only other performer like this is Fiona Apple, and to a lesser extent Suzanne Vega, but Lily is clearly master of the medium. How great to listen to a song and 'get' every word. A rarity in this day and age of overproduced albums.

This CD is testament that though the UK can produce some truly mass-market nonsense, such as Leona Lewis or Westlife, they can also churn out some truly innovative and groundbreaking artists such as Lily Allen. The only comparable act to her right now in Britain is Girls Aloud, and thats a mighty tall compliment.

An intelligent, beautiful and thought-provoking album.

Four Stars.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars More Polished, Just as Delightful February 10, 2009

By Mary Alice Madaris

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

This album was not a disappointment at all for me.

I adored the first album: the pop-folksy feel, the sense of humor, the candid lyrics--all with catchy upbeat tunes!

Don't quite have the new one memorized but it lives up to all my hopes and surpassed them in some noted cases (like "Him"!) She's a little more grown up and a little more produced in this album, but it's never too much. She retained the sense of humor and happy feeling. I love it!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An older perspective April 5, 2011

By Gary W. Priester

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am not in Lily Allen's target audience. But I have been listening to all kinds of music for most of my 70 years.

Most singers are lucky if they ever record a perfect album where every song is excellent. In my humble opinion It's not me, it's you is that album. There is not one filler song on the entire collection. The arranging is creative, slick and could not be better. Lily's performance is mature beyond her years. It style is poignant, personal, brutal, fresh. The lyrics are simple but direct. I love her questions about god, her western send up of It's Not Fair with its biting lyrics sung so sweetly. Every song in this collection is addicting.

I read that Lily may not record again. If this is true, she will be one of the very few who quit while they were ahead. And in this case, way out in front.

I'm going to stop listening to this collection of songs now so it can always remain perfect in my mind.