There are two types of people in this world: those who crack up when dumped, and those who break down when dumped. They’re visible all the time on Maple Street either drunkenly heaving beer bottles at the curb and propositioning random passers-by or collapsing in small, weeping heaps of misery in the corner of Bruno’s.
Pink, in the wake of her very public split from biker-husband Carey Hart, has accomplished both of these. However, as she is a musician, and as musicians do these things, she has cranked out an album about her struggle.
Perhaps if Pink had waited until her wounds had healed somewhat, “Funhouse,” released on Oct. 28, would have been more varied and easier to listen to. As it is, the listening experience is identical to listening to a distraught friend after a breakup. At first, it could be called pity-inspiring. After a while, it just gets boring.
While her voice is still as strong as it ever was, Pink see-saws predictably from drunken bottle-heaving (in songs such as “So What” and “Bad Influence”) to miserable, acoustic weeping (“Crystal Ball” and “Please Don’t Leave Me”).
The only song that differs from this formula is “Ave Mary A,” which comments about the state of the world today and, in this typical break-up album, is completely out of place. With the exception of “Glitter In the Air,” which would have been a very moving addition to a normal album had she created one, the songs on “Funhouse” accomplish in upwards of 40 minutes what could have been accomplished with a few choice words and a well-placed kick.
Dumped people everywhere would be well-advised to stick with The Cure.
Sarah Wild can be reached at [email protected].