The Truth About Pink?  She’s better than ever.

Alecia Moore, better known simply as Pink, has been a steady force in the pop scene since her first album debuted in 2000.  Originally cast as a rebellious, white version of Destiny’s Child she made waves with R&B hits like “Most Girls” and “There You Go”.  She was rebellious and basically told Babyface she was going to do her own thing.  She’s been doing it ever since.  While some of her albums have been more successful than others, Pink has never made a terrible album.  Yes, this includes her experimental and often scorned “Try This” as well.  So when I heard Pink was coming out with her sixth album The Truth About Love, I was excited.

My trust was not misplaced.  Pink’s album is fantastic from start to finish.  She takes the listener across a bunch of different musical landscapes and although where you end is vastly different from where you started.  it’s a fantastic journey. Her lyrics are the kind that you wish you wrote, her vocals are raw and powerful and there isn‘t a single track I wouldn‘t want to hear again.  In fact, this album has been played constantly and every time I go to listen to other albums I end up write back at Pink’s sonic door step.

“Are We All We Are” is a powerful, almost haunting opening track.  It’s a pop/rock anthem with teeth.   The slightly creepy background reminds me of carousel music radically slowed down.  It’s basically a song about disillusionment and the point is highlighted by an eerie chant of the title in the background.  The song is odd but engaging.  This moves directly into her current single. “Blow Me (One Last Kiss)”.  With its simmering verses and more explosive chorus, the track speaks to a different type of disillusionment.  This is about a relationship in crash and burn mode. Her frankness breathes life into what could have been a more generic moment.  Pink always sings with such conviction and her jagged bluntness speaks to the listener.   The music is the usual aggressive guitars powering through basic chord progressions with a few other embellishments.  I love this song and it has everything to do with Pink and her ability to sell every word..  Two other songs possess the straight forward, radio friendly spin .“True Love” is  pop perfection but Pink gives it her sly sense of humor and straight-talking spin.  The song is both catchy and honest. “Walk of Shame” is a pop friendly ditty about dealing with the next day after a one night stand.

“Try” is a trademark Pink ballad where she really strips down the attitude and becomes more vulnerable.  The music has this melancholy vibe with its percolating guitars punching out occasionally with a few crunchy chords.  The song is pretty mellow and fits nicely after the more boisterous cuts that opened the album.  This has a slight, new-wave vibe that is both sleek and simple.  Every ballad on this album is different and all of them are exceptional.  “Beam Me Up” is just Pink and her guitar delivering a gorgeous melody.  She sings about just taking a break and getting a moment to breathe.  Strings join in adding a swell of emotions and for some reason I think of The Beatles.  It’s a beautiful moment so tender and touching.  I think it has even more impact when surrounded by Pink’s bravado on other tracks.

“How Come You’re Not Here” has a grungy, raw feel with guitars and drums that gallop towards the wailed chorus where she sounds both frantic and tongue and cheek.  It’s a peculiar track but makes for an engaging listen.  She seems to be channeling the Nancy Wilson from Heart at times with that kick-ass, rock female vocal.  “Slut Like You” is both eccentric and insanely catchy as she basically propositions a guy to be her friend with benefits.  The song is impossible not to sing for hours after you hear it which is bad if you have kids around.  This is definitely not going to get air time on the Radio Disney!  Still, if you are looking for a rowdy, raunchy slice of fun this song has it all.  The title track is also a bit grungy and is a little retro in its aspirations.  It takes a little bit of the sixties beach bands and giving it a eighties punk spin.  (Dead Milkmen anyone?)   Pink’s vocals are deceptively fantastic here.  It’s a laidback vocal but she shows a lot of skill in how she delivers every note.

There are two collaborations on the album.  The first is the ballad “Just One Reason” with Nate Ruess from the band Fun.  Never heard any of there stuff but his reedy tenor sounds surprisingly great next to Pink’s powerful pipes.  The song has great harmonies and enough tension and drama to push it into the power ballad territory.  “Here Comes The Weekend” is the most ominous club jam you’ll ever here.  Sounding as if you should be looking over your shoulder while you’re shaking your ass, it features a low key but effective cameo from Eminem.  I’m not sure if it will be a hit but it’s an explosive album track.  Another cameo I neglected to mention early is a mellow outing by Lily Allen in “True Love”.

The ending track on this album is a very personal, evocative song about dealing with pain and stress.  Piano, strings and Pink’s amazing vocals are all the song “The Great Escape” needs to be epic. Not much more to say about this one.  Just listen.

This is definitely one of the best pop albums of 2012.  Someone would have to do something pretty damn amazing to top this album.