SUNDAY DROP - SPIN # 138 FROM THE R'NR WITH RYLO RECORD COLLECTION
Welcome to our 138th Sunday drop! That's right, we are placing another record on our turntable this weekend to enjoy from the R'nR with Rylo collection. This weekend's selection is the underrated fourth album, 'PRISM' by global superstar - Katy Perry. Back in 2013, I remember Perry touring for her 'Prismatic tour' and I managed to get tickets for Night Kat Kiz. Perry manages to put a lot into her shows and you feel as though you are getting your money's worth when you go to see one of her concerts. It was probably the last album that we were really following closely in her career before life became busier for us (work, kids etc). She has since released the albums, 'Witness', 'Smile' and '143' and we have added those to our collection.
I briefly remember that this album came with something to plant in the garden....possibly sunflower seeds that were within a small piece of paper that you plant. Trying to remember if we ever did that or if the seeds were kept somewhere else. Does anyone remember if they received the same thing in their copy? As soon as 'ROAR' came through the Marshall Woburn II speaker, I could tell that our kids had heard this one before, possibly through school or other events. It showed us just how popular and wide-reaching this song is. It has also been viewed over 4 billion times (at time of writing) on YouTube, which is a record. Listening to this again for the first time in a number of years really does transport Night Kat Kiz and I back to that time in our life. A lot of change has happened since 2013 for us.
As pop albums go, Perry is probably the best at doing it over the last 10-15 years on a consistent basis. She was smart to release a song called 'BIRTHDAY', because it was widely used to celebrate birthday and added to the popularity of this album. I admit, Night Kat Kiz had this song playing for her on her birthdays for a while. I rate the success of an album by the hip shaking ability of our kids. This one is an 9-10 hip shaker album according to that metric. They keep running in and out of the room to show me something or their dance moves.
I'm exhausted from relaxing this weekend. Bear with me when I say that, as I will explain myself. We were finally given warm weather without too much wind and made the most of it by spending some time in the pool. I forgot how tired you get after swimming all day. Our daughter was very cute when she cried getting out of the pool for the last time on Saturday. She said, "I don't want to get out. I want to stay in the pool forever". It was also nice seeing both our kids jump in with confidence and floaties on. They'll only get more excited about swimming as the Summer weather goes on. Looking outside I can see that the lawns are at that weird stage where they'll look like Jumanji by next weekend. At least the cars are relatively clean, after being washed last week. It is a weird lull period and I was constantly asking myself if I should get ahead of next weekend's chaos.
I decided to relax a bit and the kids had a lot of fun outside. I was able to watch bits of the Test Match (Australia v India in WA), Sabres v Ducks in the NHL, F1 qualifying and some of the A-league matches too. The kids were drawing in their secret mission books and we even fit in a bit of wrestling. I gave some of my old wrestling figures to our son and he kept asking questions about them. It was fun because he was amazed at how 'real' the fights were. It was nice seeing his amazed face as he watched someone being 'hit' by a barricade or chair. I did tell him a few times that we don't do any of these moves at home or school. I didn't hear a lot of feedback from our son but he had an excursion during the week to Symbio wildlife park. He went with his year group and apparently had a good day. I wish they had some photos of him to send us, as I remember a picture of me milking a cow back in my early days of Primary School.
I think this album lives up to the heavy weight and expectations put on it by the success of her 'Teenage Dream' album. 'WALKING ON AIR' is a fun song and 'UNCONDITIONALLY' tends to show her maturing as an artist. I love closing my eyes and seeing Night Kat Kiz singing these songs in my passenger seat as we drove somewhere, anywhere together. There seems to be upbeat songs mixed with emotional ballads throughout, that keep the listener engaged. I should have let Night Kat Kiz review this one, as she probably would have given you a more in depth look at the album and artist.
The quality and thought put into the gatefold is obvious and the reflective text on the album title is a nice touch. It's all about the next stage in Perry's life, after a troubling few years with relationships, and she has included lyrics on the album jackets too. What has been your favourite track on the album? I remember when she played 'DARK HORSE' live (or was it 'LEGENDARY LOVERS'), she came out looking like an Egyptian God and I think came out in a convertible on 'THIS IS HOW WE DO'. I actually forgot how many popular songs came from this album and feel that people forget this one when talking about Perry's career. The stylus is working around the wax nicely and when this one finishes, we will probably get back in the pool again. I'll have to get some solution for the stylus and give it a good clean too.
If you are wanting to know the spiritual sound that Perry began her music career with, look no further than the second LP. It's full of slower songs full of faith and self-healing. This album showcases two parts of who Perry is as an artist and person and is often overlooked. We haven't been able to add her debut album, because it wasn't really released on a large label - 'Katy Hudson'. Maybe one day she will repress it for her fans. I enjoy the second LP, even if it's not exactly what her Pop fans want.
The stylus has returned back to the cradle and signifies the end of 'PRISM'. Make sure you give this one a listen over the week and let us know what you think. Is it one to add to your collection? Make sure you keep cool in the hot weather and have some laughs with the family. We are going to go back in the pool (as it is well and truly calling us to dive back in) and watch some of the Test Match again in the background. Hopefully the Aussies can pull off an unlikely comeback. Thanks for reading what is our last Sunday Spin for November and before you know it, it will be December! See below the Space X rocket and it moves away from the landing pad - Our son loves to build.
Until our next Spin.....
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