You’ll hum Lily Allen’s Smile (playing now) all day now — probably with a British accent. Click the  button anytime to hear Nan, You’re a Window Shopper.
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I first ran across Lily Allen on London Live, a cable TV broadcast that showcases lesser-known British acts. London Live airs on Mojo, a station you may not receive unless your cable bill is the size of a small Central American country’s GDP. In this case, the cable bill is worth it. To listen to Allen is pleasing, to see her employing her massive talent on stage is indeed a treat. Her mix of unique voice, quirky lyrics and original look is reminiscent of London predecessors Nenah Cherry, Dusty Springfield and the queen of kitsch, Tracey Ullman.
Allen is a newcomer, but, at least in England, far from unknown. Her 2006 debut album Alright, Still garnered Brit award nominations for British Breakthrough Act, British Female Solo, British Single and British Album. With all those nominations and no wins, her award show record is starting to look a little Susan Lucci-esque. However, if the Brit Awards had a category for Gutsiest British Album, Alright, Still would have won easily. Few acts would dare pair a polka tune (Alfie) and ska (Nan, You’re a Window Shopper) side-by-side on a debut album.
Lily Allen makes blending a variety of styles into a cohesive album seem easy. British chart-topper Smile is pure pop with the feel-good sound of Sixpence None the Richer or The Sundays. Her ska work in Nan, and another favorite, LDN, always holds up to anything that Madness or No Doubt ever produced.
There you have it — favorable comparisons to seven musical acts and a soap opera star confirm Lily Allen’s status as an innovative, creative and entertaining young singer with unlimited potential. With any luck, she may even become viewable to those with basic cable packages.
lilyallenmusic.com
myspace.com/lilymusic
