UK pressing of the debut album by female British MC Lady Sovereign features one bonus track: 'Pretty Vacant' (Live At Commodore Ballroom). Her recent success in the US is all the more remarkable because she?s steadfastly ... more »stuck to her uniquely UK sound. You?ll find no Neptunes makeover. No MOR ballads have snuck into the set. Sovereign?s still rhyming about shepherd?s pie, Tango and Tony Blair. She?s still playing havoc with musical genres; mixing up Rap and Pop, Punk and Grime, the social comment with the wisecracks. In other words: she?s still all the things that made her stand out in the first place. The album features fourteen tracks including early singles ?Random?, ?Public Warning? and ?Hoodie? as well as new single ?Love Me Or Hate Me? (which has sold over 125,00 digital units in the US so far and the video for which has seen Sovereign become the first British artist to have the No.1 most requested video on MTV US). Island. 2007.« less
UK pressing of the debut album by female British MC Lady Sovereign features one bonus track: 'Pretty Vacant' (Live At Commodore Ballroom). Her recent success in the US is all the more remarkable because she?s steadfastly stuck to her uniquely UK sound. You?ll find no Neptunes makeover. No MOR ballads have snuck into the set. Sovereign?s still rhyming about shepherd?s pie, Tango and Tony Blair. She?s still playing havoc with musical genres; mixing up Rap and Pop, Punk and Grime, the social comment with the wisecracks. In other words: she?s still all the things that made her stand out in the first place. The album features fourteen tracks including early singles ?Random?, ?Public Warning? and ?Hoodie? as well as new single ?Love Me Or Hate Me? (which has sold over 125,00 digital units in the US so far and the video for which has seen Sovereign become the first British artist to have the No.1 most requested video on MTV US). Island. 2007.
CD Reviews
The most entertaining slagfest of 2006.
Jason Stein | San Diego, CA United States | 12/23/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"21 year old Louise Harman (aka Lady Sovereign) is mad as hell, and she ain't going to take it anymore on her full length debut, "Public Warning". To her credit, as an English, female, and short rapper, she avoids typical rapper pitfalls such as rapping about sex, money, bling, being better than everyone else, drugs, etc., etc. Instead she focuses on socialism, classism, self-affirmation, and yes, overuse of suntan salons.
She's had several hits in Britain already, but in America her first single is the extremely catchy and also obnoxious "Love Me Or Hate Me", with a humorous video to go along with it. At least Ms. Harman doesn't take herself too seriously like so many pompous rappers today. Some other potential hits could be "9 To 5" (not Dolly Parton's version), "Random" and "Hoodie".
I found "My England" to be one song that showcased what Ms. Harman could be capable of in the future (assuming she sticks with this music thing). In "My England" she gives a scathing portrait of and England unlike what foreigners perceive as filtered through the media. That's okay, I always thought the true England was more Sex Pistols, The Clash and "Trainspotting" (which is Scottish, but close enough) anyway. I also found the title track to be an interesting change-up of punk/hip hop/rock/rap.
There are a few missteps like "Gatheration", "A Little Bit Of Shhh" and "Those Were The Days" that were dull.
Overall, "Public Warning" shows promise if Lady Sovereign can overcome the one-hit wonder, novelty act label, she might just go on to be the only white, female, British, biggest-midget in the game."
Make Way For The Ess-Oh-Vee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Piercer | Bronx, New York | 11/07/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Lady Sovereign has taken Amerian colleges by storm and now she's ready to take over the American mainstream music industry. Her recently released Public Warning is by far the best album I've heard in a very long time. Lady SOV, as she is most often called, is fresh and new and with her eclectic style and inability to fit into any one genre this Brit is sure to make her mark in America. For those who are looking for something different this is definitely the album to buy and if you like remixes purchase her first compilation Vertically Challenged which contains the track (The Battle) that helped boost Lady Sovereign's career as well as other well known tracks and remixes. Love and support "The Biggest Midget In The Game" AKA Lady Sovereign."
Good, but not as good as it could have been.
Booya! Werewolves! | Lincoln, Ne United States | 12/24/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"First off, "Tango" over "Cha-Ching"? Well I guess they couldn't have two songs that mention eminem and "Blah Blah" hadn't been much released yet. Its too bad though cause I always though Cha-ching was one of her best, in fact its the song I use to introduce her to people, and almost everyone has liked it.
Also I like Tango, but the public warning version is not very good. Its all hard and angry, which, on such a goofy song sounds kinda out of place.
Sad (but not surprising) to see so many repeats of her old stuff, Its all still awesome though so any new comers will be more than happy.
People who were already fans will appreciate the new songs, "Public warning" and "love me or hate me" (and "blah blah" if you hadn't heard it) capital among the albums best. Could do without "Those were the days" but the rest is either solid, good or great.
Worth the buy for both new and old fans. But new fans, pick up vertically challenged for "cha-ching" and "the battle" if nothing else. Well worth it."
Make Way fuh da SOV!!
Underpants | Lake Orion, MI, USA | 03/24/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Niiiiiiccceee! Saw SOV for the first time on Letterman & knew we had to hear more. Fierce stuff from "da biggest midget in da game." Undeniable talent, fresh flow, rapid-fire rap (tho' do I detect a bit of digital assist with her speed-rap on the title track? Have to see her live to know for sure......) Crisply produced, great effort here. Check out the remix for "Love Me or Hate Me" w/Missy Elliott. Surpasses the original edit by far. Great stuff! Love her or hate her - we love her & can't wait for more!"
Very strong effort from one of today's most overlooked MC's.
M. Johnson | 03/17/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Lady Sovereign seems to bring everything together for her 2006 release Public Warning. The album is a noticeable improvement from her earlier release, Vertically Challenged, and seems to have a more consistent, direct, and polished sound. Lady Sovereign's tongue in cheek lyrics and habit of poking fun at others as well as herself is a reflection of similar artists such as Eminem, The Streets, and mc chris. Her overall sound is like that of U.K. mc's Ms. Dynamite and Lilly Allen. Though Lady Sovereign is often said to be the female Eminem and is also compared with other rap/pop artists hailing from the UK like The Streets and Lilly Allen, Public Warning is a fusion of rap, pop, house, drum and bass, as well as reggae. Love or Hate Me and Hoodie are certainly catchy tracks worth checking out. The remix of Love or Hate Me is probably one of the strongest tracks on the entire album. Songs such as Tango are full of the comedic and memorable lyrics Lady Sovereign is known for, very similar to the sound of nerd-core artist mc chris. Many of the tracks on this album do sound much the same, and can seem a bit repetitive at times. If you enjoy Eminem and The Streets....get your hands on this!!!"
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1