Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple
|
List Price: Our Price: $3.63 You Save: $15.35 (81%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $3.62 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for The Odd Couple
Free Music Review: There ARE down sides to instant succes, but great nonetheless
Hit: 5 Stars
Were this to be the first release by Gnarls Barkley, I would give it 5 stars without question. It has a good mix of mo-town grooves with a modern spin that gives it an edge that is very desireable (just like their first release) in this day of regurgitated crap that all sounds the same.
That being said, this is not the first release by the duo and so, they must contend with the stunning succes of their damn-near-perfect St. Elsewhere. Still, its a good album and I checked 5 stars though that is rounded up from 4.5 stars.
It really isn't that there is anything wrong with this album. It is an excellent effort with all of the desired qualities that made the first effort so wondeful. To be honest, in my humble opinion, this album doesn't really contain any standouts (as opposed to the freshman effort which had "Smiley Faces", "Just a Thought", "Who Cares", and of course, the world-renowned "Crazy"), though it is a thorough and solid effort that deserves a listen; it just doesn't have anything REALLY special like the first album did (but don't let that take anything away from what they have done here; it is really daggone good).
This pair, Danger Mouse & Cee-Lo, have put out a strong somphomore effort that is deservedly receiveing attention and rave reviews. The fact that it is not quite "St. Elsewhere" is immaterial. These guys set the bar too high with their first album, but that should not be punishable by 1 star reviews, rather, it should be praised, as should this album, for keeping up the quality while not just remixing the first effort.
So, to sum up, St. Elsewhere is still the better of the 2 albums, but if you like that album, this shouldn't dissapoint. Don't listen to the naysayers and morons that wanted an exact repeat of St. Elsewhere. That is what is wrong with music today; it all sounds the same and people want it all to sound the same; it's so freekin' boring. Damned if you do, damned if you don't; I guess.
Don't hold it against these guys that they EVOLVED a little and DIDN'T rely solely on what they had already done; some of the reviewers are complaining, that is really what people mean if they say that this isn't St. Elsewhere and give it 1 or 2 stars. I definitely think this is worthy of the legend that will be known as Gnarls Barkely.
I only hope that they have something special lined up for their third release; it's gonna get tougher and tougher for these guys to keep producing at the high level which they have now maintained through 2 albums. They have the opportunity to really be something special; let's hope it happens.
Free Music Review: The Odd Couple is a PERFECT pair
Hit: 5 Stars
The dynamic duo is back with their follow up to the extremely successful debut St. Elsewhere, that garnered critical acclaim from scholars, D-boys, blacks, whites and everyone in between. With their sophomore album The Odd Couple hitting stores this week, the speculation and curiosity for the album is reaching its peak. "Is the album as weird as the first?", "Does it suffer from sophomore jinx?", "Have they sold out completely and let Timbaland produce the album?". Well the answers are NO, and thank God to the last question, ABSOLUTELY NOT to the second, and YES to the first (and I'm loving every minute of it). Odd Couple is a continuation from St. Elsewhere and with the brilliant formula Danger mouse and Ceelo used the first time around, it would only be logical not to fix it.
The Grammy award winning group that consist of Danger mouse, who's still working his creative genius behind the boards as a producer, and Cee-lo on vocals. If you were a fan of, admired or had an undying love for St. Elsewhere than this album will solidify your love of this group. Odd Couple isn't a carbon copy of St. Elsewhere by any means, it just merely takes creative concepts and sounds, that are complimented by Cee-lo's vocal intensity, from the last album and displays it all on this album, see "Open Book".
Pop influences plucked from the 50s and 60s, that are very reminiscent of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, are merged with soul sounds of that era and crashes smack dab into the Hip-Hop heavy, electronica experimentation of now BEAUTIFULLY. On songs like "Surprise" this musical collision course of sounds is the most apparent, while "Whatever" gives you a feeling of what the Beach Boys would sound like if they were around now and the group consisted of experimental stoners. Unlike the first album, the upbeat schizophrenic moments are toned down abit, think alittle less "Go Go Gadget Gospel" and alittle more "St. Elsewhere", the song that is, from their first album.
Listening to This album can only be summed up as one word, an experience. With the textures this album display, you get a strong admiration for this duo and their knack for putting upbeat, fun, electronic, hip-hop beats to dark lyrics and menacing vocals. The juxtaposition of emotions and sounds displayed through out this album is gutsy and just plain fun to listen to, never knowing when or where a turn will come, proving that this Odd Couple is more of a perfect pair.
Free Music Review: Away from Elsewhere, but still Barking Gnarly
Hit: 5 Stars
The Odd couple is like a trip to the past. Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse combine 50's pop rock with soul and create an original sound. The songs are just as well written, just as well produced, but the overall quality as a whole is not as breathtaking as St. Elsewhere. Even though the album doesn't quite measure up to the original, it is still a must-have for any Gnarls fan.
1. Charity Case- A This track is a perfect transition between the albums. It's jazzy, it's soulful, and it's well written. "Are you needing me like I'm needing you" Cee-Lo is a genius.
2. Who's gonna save my soul- A+ More of Danger Mouse. Although he is my favorite producer, he doesn't really make a huge spot in this album. This track however is a great example of Mouse's talent.
3. Going On- B Not my favorite. It's a decent song, but nothing special.
4. Run(I'm a Natural Disaster)- B- Out of all the songs on the album, I don't know why this is the single. It's not amazing production or vocals. Sometimes I just don't understand.
5. Would Be Killer- C weak production. Weak Chorus. It's ok but you won't think of this song when you think of this album.
6. Open Book- A Epic! Really different. I don't know where these guys come up with their material.
7. Whatever- A+ One of the best tracks on the cd. Such a great idea! It really inspires you to throw away your worries.
8. Suprise- A+ The 50's pop rock track. I love this song. The chorus is Fantastic!
9. No time Soon- A- Good song. Kinda sad. Sad songs are sometimes the best songs.
10. She Knows- C Sounds like an intermission. No chorus really. Not much of a song.
11. Blind Mary- A+ Such a great story! I thought all creativity in the world was lost, but these guys have magic.
12. Neighbors- A++ Best song on the CD. I love the singing throughout the whole song. You know you truly love a song when you want to hear every part and not just the chorus.
13. A little Better- B+ I usually hate exiting tracks. This one is quite appropriate.
If you enjoy the least bit of Gnarls Barkley, then pick up this album.
Free Music Review: Better than "St. Elsewhere"?
Hit: 5 Stars
I've been living with this CD for about a fortnight now and while I absolutely love it, while I strongly believe that Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo Green are one of the most innovative and exciting duos in music right now, and while this album offers much of what I was hoping for - fresh, modern music, soulful vocals set to solid beats, and deep, introspective lyrics - I found that it took a little longer than St. Elsewhere to get into. Nothing jumped out and grabbing me by the b**s like a handful of the tunes on "St. Elsewhere" did and I initially struggled to see how some reviewers could consider this the better album.
But, slowly and eventually it came to me, much like a celestial revelation. The more I listened, the more I got it. This album is absolutely incredible. Take songs like "Charity Case" (love the backing vocals by Sierra Simone) and "Who's Gonna Save My Soul", (rumoured to be the second single; Cee-Lo definitely has one of the most soulful voices around at the moment and just check out the opening lyrics: "I got some bad news this mornin'/ Which in turn made my day/ When this someone spoke, I listened/ All of a sudden had less and less to say"). Once I REALLY started to listen, both made me think, ah, yes, this is just like old times! This is what Gnarls Barkley are all about!
Then there's the incredibly danceable "Going On", the manic lead single, "Run (I'm A Natural Disaster)" and to be honest, so it goes right up to the final track, "A Little Better". I do have favourites though: All of the aforementioned, "Whatever", the western-styled "Surprise", "Blind Mary" (another strong contender for a single, methinks) and "Neighbors". That's more or less every song on the CD.
So the answer is yes. In my opinion, and without any doubt, this IS a much better product than "St Elsewhere". What I'm not so sure about is whether it will have the same mass appeal. This one requires a bit more thought and most people just don't have the patience these days.
I'm just saying.
Free Music Review: Best of 2008 So Far, But Less Than I Expected
Hit: 5 Stars
From their collaboration on the song "Benzi Box" from the Danger Doom album, it was easy to see that Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo had incredible potential. In their first album, "St. Elsewhere", they took the world by storm with "Crazy", winning Best Song of the Year in 2006, and the world has been eagerly awaiting their second album.
Well, it's here now, and it's as amazing as could be expected. It doesn't blow "St. Elsewhere" out of the water by any means; it's easily apparent it wasn't meant to. "The Odd Couple" is a step in a different direction, with a more relaxed approach. Instead of the constant, break-neck tempo of their first album (although it's certainly still present in the single "Run") they've opted to go with a more natural sound. This could prove to be a wise move, as it makes it harder to think of Gnarls Barkley as part of a single genre. Despite the varied styles of their debut, it had an indisputable high-gloss polish that would lead some to label them as 'pop'.
The new sound is composed mainly of bass, hand clapping, and backup vocals, giving it a sound that many would describe as nostalgic. The good news is that it's still fresh, and I guarantee you haven't heard anything even remotely like it in years.
Unfortunately, although this is a great album and probably will prove to be the best of 2008, there doesn't seem to be a candidate for Best Song on "Odd Couple". However, the songs "Going On", "Run", and "Surprise" should be enough to satisfy fans. I also enjoy "Blind Mary", "Charity Case", and "Who's Gonna Save My Soul".
Overall, I would give this album a well deserved 5 stars, although no song stands out like "Crazy", the whole provides more than enough to go around. Watch and see as this album proves to be the best of 2008!