The Main Idea:
After a successful but overproduced first album, Pink returned in late 2001 with her sophomore effort, Missundaztood. Not only did its sales eclipse that of her debut, but it also helped Pink reinvent herself from street smart hip-hop cutie into misunderstood punk-pop goddess. The record is a deeply personal one for young Alecia Moore and was one of the most talked about albums of the year. Her energetic brand of pop infused with punk and R&B makes Pink a unique artist in today's monotonous music world, and her album proves it.

Song-By-Song Breakdown:
1. MISSUNDAZTOOD - This is a great, upbeat song with really simple background music and production. Pink chirrups her way through the bouncy ditty in a relaxed, almost uninterested tone. The lyrics are great, too: "When I'm happy I am sad/But everything's good/It's not that complicated/I'm just missundaztood." Oh, and you'll definitely want to listen to this song all the way through - it's hilarious! - 5/5

2. DON'T LET ME GET ME - This is one of my favorite songs on the album, mostly because of the "damn Britney Spears" line. Hence the title, this song is rather self-defeating, but it's done in an almost comedic way. The production is great, too; it sounds kind of 80s-ish with the guitars and whatnot - 5/5

3. JUST LIKE A PILL - I don't like Pink's voice on this one that much. It has a lot of attitude and emotion, but it sounds kind of screechy. In the lyrics, Pink likens her boyfriend to a drug overdose - don't we all feel like that sometimes? Once again, it's got a whole 80's rock vibe to it. A good song - 4/5

4. GET THE PARTY STARTED - I hated this song when it first came out, but then it really grew on me. It's a fun dance hit with refreshingly simple lyrics. Linda Perry's production and instrumentals also add to its funky appeal. This song sounds totally different from the rest of the record - 5/5

5. RESPECT - Similar production as the previous song. This one is a really fun girl power anthem as Pink urges girls to demand respect from their men. The lyrics are hilarious: "Mirror mirror on the wall/Damn I sure look fine/I can't blame those horny boys/I would make me mine!" How great is that? - 5/5

6. 18 WHEELER - A great rock song with some cursing, but it's censored, of course. The lyrics tell how Pink won't let anyone keep her down, and I believe her - she sings with pure passion and conviction on this one. The background vocals are put together nicely as well - 5/5

7. FAMILY PORTRAIT - This is the most emotional song on the record, and Pink practically sounds like she's crying as she begs her father not to leave the family in the lyrics. It has a great bassline and a catchy hook, and the children's choir at the end adds a touch of class - 5/5

8. MISERY - A bluesy, jazzy kind of song. Pink trades verses with Aerosmith's Steven Tyler on this one, and, though their voices mesh well together, I don't really care for this song. The lyrics are a bit too depressing for my tastes, though it does have nice production - 3/5

9. DEAR DIARY - A sweet mid-tempo track with a slightly annoying hook. Pink's voice sounds low and raspy as she coos "I've been a bad, bad girl" over Linda Perry's twangy production and instrumentals. The lyrics talk about all of Pink's deepest, darkest secrets which she can only relate to her diary. One of my favorites - 5/5

10. EVENTUALLY - The whole album really slows down at this song, which is very peaceful and mellow. Pink's voice sounds bluesy and soulful once again as she croons "So many players, you'd think I was a board game." Doesn't really fit in with the rest of the record because it's the most R&B song on here. It's still good, though - 4/5

11. LONELY GIRL - Another moody, downcast sort of song that's, once again, rather self-defeating. I like how the song is written in two perspectives. First, Pink is the lonely girl and tells of her troubles, and then Linda Perry comes in during the chorus and asks her if she really knows who she is. A great song with cool background music - 5/5

12. NUMB - This song reminds me of No Doubt or Garbage, and I don't quite know why. Pink starts out whispering, then gradually gains strength as she tells her boyfriend that she's been abused so much that she's numb to him. Kind of a creepy song with the way the vocals are arranged, but creepy in a good way. The most "punk" song on the album - 5/5

13. GONE TO CALIFORNIA - I love the jazzy instrumentals on this one - the saxophone and harmonica are good additions. Overall, though, I don't really like this song. It's a bit too slow for me, and the lyrics aren't much to write home about - I really don't care about how bad it is in Philly. It's just not my taste - 3/5

14. MY VIETNAM - A great last track. I was a bit confused when I heard the car starting up in the beginning, but I quickly caught on as Pink bares her soul and talks about being at war with everything, basically. It's mid-tempo with real simple production, except for the whole "Star Spangled Banner" thing at the end. My favorite song - 5/5

The Big Picture:
Missundaztood was one of the best albums of 2001. Pink proved she could transcend the teeny bopper R&B mold she was stuck in and come back with a totally new image, attitude, and sound. The album is a testament to the deep, thoughtful woman behind the pink hair, and it's delivered with such wit and emotion that it's hard not to take to heart what she's singing. Pink demonstrates a certain level of maturity and intellectuality that's hard to imitate and even harder to ignore. Quite simply, Missundaztood is an in-your-face glimpse at Pink's real life, past, present, and future.

The title of this record is ironic because there's really nothing to misunderstand about it. It's simply a girl relating her life lessons and experiences, all set to music. Now this is what we need more of in today's mindless pop music market. Missundaztood is brutally honest and uninhibited. Rather than singing about love and breakups and whatnot, as she did on her first record, Pink is taking those emotions and applying them to the bigger picture of her life. This album is really like an autobiography. An autobiography of a girl that has come so far and is bound to go even further.

Final Notes:
Average Song Rating: 4.571
Best Song(s): "Don't Let Me Get Me," "Family Portrait," and "My Vietnam"
Worst Song(s): "Misery," "Eventually," and "Gone To California"

How Would I Rate This Record's...
Vocals? 4 stars
Lyrics? 5 stars
Production? 4 1/2 stars
Timelessness? 4 stars
Artistry? 5 stars

Also Recommended:
Avril Lavigne - Let Go
No Doubt - Rock Steady
Michelle Branch - The Spirit Room

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Driving