- Critic score
- Publication
- By date
-
The problem is not with Katy's gender-bending, it's that her heart isn't in it; she's just using it to get her places, so she sinks to crass, craven depths that turn One of the Boys into a grotesque emblem of all the wretched excesses of this decade.
-
Yes, Perry has a heart, but it sounds like her bustier's too tight for her to use it.
-
'Mannequin' features some cleverly written lyrics, but Perry doesn't possess the grit or vocal prowess to follow through, and the title track is like No Doubt's 'Just a Girl' sans personality and conviction.
-
Ms. Perry is curiously blank on her major-label debut album (in 2001 she released a moody, eclectic collection of Christian contemporary music).
-
Perry’s creative-writing-class punch lines don’t always justify her self-congratulatory drag-queen tone. But she hiccups quirkily enough, and myriad big-name producers (from Dr. Luke to Glen Ballard) keep the new-wave synth hooks hopping
-
Engineered for short attention spans at just 44 minutes, One of the Boys is still more than enough to make this one long, hot summer for Perry.
-
Careering from tart-tongued vixen to rough-and-tumble tomboy to woeful lonelyheart may reflect her real life, but it makes for a thematically bumpy ride.
-
The rest of the album plods with formulaic, hormone-heavy Kelly Clarkson outtakes, or perhaps Liz Phair during her bleak, sparkly descent.
-
Perry is most enjoyable when her songs are simple and senseless. Profundity is just way too problematic.
-
The bulk of Boys is sufficiently well put together; the generally witty pop walks that tricky line between edginess and accessibility.
-
While undeniably catchy, the hyper-produced songs have a familiar radio-ready quality that becomes infuriatingly mind-numbing over time, and Perry's vocals sound like a less-soulful Kelly Clarkson at best, a drunken, spurned sorority girl at worst.
-
Madonna and Perez Hilton may be fans, then, but if you’ve got even a passing interest in actually enjoying a record, don’t buy this one.
-
Ultimately, its a fun teen party album. Just don't call it girl power.
-
Her producers furnish the punchy soft-rock that has become the default signifier of pop "attitude" and Perry obliges with self-congratulatory sass that never rings true.
-
UncutGwen Stefani should be nervous. [Oct 2008, p.105]
-
Where it hits the mark, One Of The Boys is sparky and accomplished--though entirely disposable--pop.
-
Katy Perry's second album offers minimal creativity or originality, but there are several likeable tracks--despite their turgid, juvenile and bordering-on-offensive lyrical content.
-
Q MagazineThis is a catchy, cocky, Avril Lavigne-y debut, its surface gloss making up for an ultimate lack of depth. [Nov 2008, p.118]
Awards & Rankings
User score distribution:
-
Positive: 803 out of 1099
-
Mixed: 115 out of 1099
-
Negative: 181 out of 1099
-
Jan 30, 2016
-
Aug 26, 2013
-
Mar 25, 2012Good album! Funny and simply! Love the way she sings with a guitar........... I prefer "Teenage Dream" but this is good, too. ( sorry for my English )