Erykah Badu - New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh
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Music CD Cover
Artist: Erykah BaduBrand: Baker & Taylor
Edition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Published: 2010-04-01
CD Release Date: 2010-03-30
Music Label: Motown
Product features:
- BADU ERIKAH NEW AMERYKAH PART 2 RETURN OF THE ANKH
- 20 Feet Tall
- Window Seat
- Agitation
- Turn Me Away (Get MuNNY)
- Gone Baby, Don't Be Long
- Umm Hmm
- Love
- You Loving Me (session)
- Fall In Love (your funeral)
- Incense
- Out My Mind, Just In Time
Free Music Notes for New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh
Free Music Review: Much More Accessible than New Amerykah Part One
Hit: 5 Stars
With New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh, Erykah Badu "backpedals" (not in a bad context) to the more accessible material from say her Grammy-winning, critically acclaimed Baduizm - Special Edition. No, she hasn't compromised the "weirdness" that she has always possessed that sets her apart from her contemporaries, but she doesn't go on the same tangent that she went on New Amerykah, Pt. 1: 4th World War. Personally, I thought that the first installment of New Amerykah was one of 2008's best albums, but many found it too weird and uncommercial to appreciate. Even when it came time for Grammy nominations, only did "Honey" manage a scant nomination (I believe it won) for short-form video. On this go-round, Erykah reaches out more to a slightly more mainstream audience, but no so much so that she compromises her artistry. This album wouldn't bow without controversy, following her infamous "Window Seat" video. I won't trivialize the controversy here; I'm simply here to review this excellent effort from Badu.
The album opens up left of center, typical of Badu, but more accessible than the "Amerykhan Promise" that opened up New Amerykah One. Here on "20 Feet Tall," the production is very minimalist and the lyrics repetitive, but the number turns out to be extraordinarily enjoyable and even catchy. I'm sure Badu wasn't going for Top 40 radio with "20 Feet Tall," but it is certainly catchier than anything from New Amerykah Part I. "Window Seat" is the valedictory moment of the entire album, giving Badu probably her best single in years; "Window Seat" rivals the greatness of "On & On". Sure, people may question Badu's judgement with her vigilante-styled video, but the song speaks volumes aside from such controversy. The production is simple and stripped back, but this allows Badu's unique vocal timbre to shimmer over the production. Sure "The Healer/Hip-Hop" was great, but something about "Window Seat" resonates even more. She straddles commercial and maintenance of her artistry with "Window Seat."
"Agitation" is a unique, brief cut, not dissimilar from a few of the more "out there" cuts from the first installment of New Amerykah. The cut is highly influenced by jazz as far as conception and phrasing. It doesn't make you stop dead in your tracks, but it is exactly what a hardcore Badu fan would expect. "Turn Me Away (Get MuNNY)," returns Badu back to Earth (well as close as she'll ever be!) with another accessible cut. Again, it is surprising how different this set is from the last and still yields exceptional results. "Gone Baby, Don't Be Long" is equally accessible, even staying in your head after the first listen. More importantly, it is quality songwriting and an exceptional vocal performance by Badu. Even better may be "Umm Hmm," which lifts a soulful sample that enhances the entire scope of the song. The songwriting is top-notch and Badu's vocals paint the palette extremely well. "Um Hmm" is easily one of my favorite cuts.
"Love" certainly gets the listener on his/her toes from the onset - territory not unusual for Badu. After the initial "shock," an old-school soulful sample via a vamp evolves into "Love." I don't like "Love" as much as say "Window Seat" or "Um humm," but like every other cut on the album, it is 100% solid. And furthermore, it is still catchy. "You Loving Me (Session)," is all of a minute, though listening to it, you wish it were just slightly longer. Soulful production and playful vocals by Badu make this enjoyable. But she follows up with the fine "Fall in Love (Your Funeral)," another home run. Once again, Badu samples here, and the results are perfect. The use of samples in the context of this album truly cement Badu's status as a retro-/neo-soul artist as well as a proponent of hip-hop. Again, "Fall in Love" benefits from it's catchiness.
"Incense," the penultimate track, proves to be "atmospheric" in quality, mostly instrumental with only few lyrics. The effect of "Incense" is more of an extended interlude as opposed to a full blown cut. "Out My Mind, Just In Time," an epic 10:22 cut in duration closes the album. The cut opens up extremely jazzy and bluesy with some stunning harmonies within the piano. Not long after the introduction, does the production/style change once more, typical of Badu. Badu sounds perfect here and "Out My Mind, Just In Time" closes the album on a high note. It reminds me of the epic "I Want You" that closed her 2003 album Worldwide Underground.
Essentially, New Amerykah is another solid album from Badu. It is only better than New Amerykah in the sense that it is more accessible. In my mind, it is the first part's more accessible equal. Badu sounds great and while she still has her quirks, she has them more in check. This album doesn't feel overindulgent if the first one did, which bodes in her favor, controversy aside. 4 1/2 stars in my eyes.
New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh Poster
2010 release, the fifth studio album from the R&B/Neo-Soul superstar. In contrast to New Amerykah Part One (4th World War), which was digitally produced and political in tone, New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh features lush live instrumentation and taps into Badu's emotional side by thematically focusing on romance and relationships. "We used a lot of analog instruments...harps, strings, drums, piano, and even a Theremin, to give the album that sonic feel," says Badu. "There's a strong undercurrent of bottom, a rumbling to these songs that feels good to me. It feels like a hug."Pop Music CDs
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