I think that to objectively review "Born To Die" on it's merits one needs to firstly address the swirling allegations that LANA DEL RAY is a fraud and a rich girl who doesn't deserve anything. All the public has to do is google the studio and see that she recorded her breakout song 'Video Games' in squalor. The studio is arguably run by Sony BMG, however the hard times of the record industry are drastically apparent as the studio consists of virtually only a computer and a pair of speakers.
Lana Del Ray's dad may be a millionaire but if she has been spoonfed millions it doesn't make sense that she would sign a record deal for $10,000 and move into a trailer park in upstate N.Y to write her songs. There's no doubt in my mind that she is fundamentally an underground champion that has capitalized on mainstream media interest and buzz of the blogs. Good for her.
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In terms of the music on the album, it's great. I'm not saying there aren't only positives but in terms of a hit album that has immediate appeal this is just the ticket. My personal favorites are "Video games" which uniquely ties sparse electro-symphony production to a 1950's swag, while "Summer Time Sadness" has a melancholy hipster edge. Standouts are also "National Anthem" that chucks a nod to J.F.K (R.I.P) and "Blue Jeans" for it's contemporary take on modern life/love that conjures striking imagery through it's lyrical beauty.
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