My Amazon Reviews: Pink "Funhouse"

It's Never Too Late to be a Bad Influence
 4 Out of 5 Stars

What has amazed me about the music of Pink is how she has just kept getting better as the albums progress. "Funhouse" is a raging mass of goofy charisma, heartbreaking ballads and Joan Jett attitude. Not bad for someone who started off making giddy, disposable pop. And I think she knows it.

 Otherwise, how could you explain the snotty, tongue in cheek "So What (I'm just a Rock Star)" that opens the album? Or the equally cool "Bad Influence"? Granted, this is also her post-divorce album, so maybe she's just ready to go be a bad girl and vent some steam. Which is also what makes the title song, a kiss-off of funk, such a hoot. Comparing your break-up to a room "full of evil clowns" borders on brilliant.

At the same time, her voice gets stronger on the ballads, like the Stevie Nicks' influenced "Crystal Ball." Then there's the show-stopping "Glitter In The Air," which could be her strongest to date. Anyone who saw her powerful performance of this song on The Grammys this year may remember it as one of the show's few musical highlights. As someone I pretty much thought would be gone by now, Pink just keeps upping the ante.