Grade: D-
Katy Perry is trying to convince me that her new album “Prism” is an honest endeavor as an artist with a lot to say, but I’m not buying it. That’s okay, because millions of people will be buying it — the album, that is, at full price. “Prism” is textbook-packaged pop, a checklist of every trick for cheap applause ever invented. Gimmicky tracks to rake in royalties from sports events? “Roar” and has it covered. Songs to post on your friends’ Facebook timelines? Get ready to get sick of seeing “Birthday.” Shout-outs to cities? “International Smile.” Audience callbacks of the “let’s hear it for something” of the generic variety? “This is How We Do.” Almost every song clocks in uniformly around a radio-friendly three and a half minutes, but somehow even that seems too long. An album this formulaic should at least be listenable, but most of it is just annoying.