Frenchy’s Fracas

General Description
Artist/Band: Outkast
Album Title: Idlewild
Year: 2006

Not a Classic?
 
How I Got Into This Music
Hmm.. First time I saw/heard a track by these guys was The Art Of Storytelling with Slick Rick . It caught my attention: speedy, smart rapping and two guys not really fitting the usual rap star mold. I kinda lost track of them (didn’t even remember the band name), but then Bombs Over Baghdad happened - WOW! Still one of the most incredible things I’ve ever heard in my life.. Just the drum beat programming knocked me off my chair, damn!.
And then, I kinda lost track of them, again - silly me. With the fantastic Speakerboxx/The Love Below album these guys made it to the top and now they’re a household name in rap and pop. Now the soundtrack to their Idlewild movie Project has been released.

Album credits at artistdirect.com || Google Search: Other reviews of Idlewild || Review at Answers.com

Tracks that got my attention:
Intro
It’s a great way to start an album: taking on the critics in one clean sweep. But the sneakiness is in the great music that’s lurking in the background

Mighty “O”
Easy single material - the Cab Calloway/Minnie the Moocher hook works perfectly for the pop charts

Peaches ft. Sleepy Brown, Scar
Outkast has a lot of styles that can be called their own and Typical Outkast. This is one of them: Big Boi’s hi-tempo rap, sweet and lush accompanying vocals and a very, very tight beat. Love it

Idlewild Blue
Second single off the album. Very gutsy video, song’s okay.

N2U
See the remarks for Peaches - it’s smart, how they do this track, people ‘ll be humming this track for weeks

Chronomentrophobia
This one’s more the Andre 3000 flavour but in this case, it doesn’t work for me

The Train ft. Sleepy Brown, Scar
Okay, I should be getting tired of hearing the same style over and over, but like Peaches and N2U, this track really gives me a great feeling. I guess with this album, I’m preferring Big Boi’s work more than Andre 3000’s

Hollywood Divorce ft. Lil’ Wayne, Snoop Dogg
Very strong track, the combo of different rap vocals, the haunting keyboards and ultra-dry hi-hat beat are very tasty. Also a likely candidate for single release

Call The Law ft. Janelle Monae
Very nice vocals from this lady, the retro Roaring Twenties feel fits the theme of the movie

Makes No Sense At All
Andre 3000 genius insanity - love it and hate it at the same time, makes no sense at all..

PJ And Rooster
This is truely Outkast: weird, funny, sharp and witty - that’s what Gnarls Barkley tried to copy and still haven’t mastered..

Greatest Show On Earth ft. Macy Gray
I just love this girl’s attitude, her performance on this track with Andre 3000’s backing vocals help create a great circus atmosphere - offbeat, kinky and fun!

Conclusion
I kinda expected the same new discoveries I made while listening to their previous album, but that’s very silly and contradictory.. These guys have a unique and fresh approach to the production and performance of the tracks. Even if their work is a bit predictable on this album, it still is very high quality stuff. Not really interested in the movie, the album’s good enough for me.

Rating: (being just a wee bit generous..)

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General Description
Artist/Band: Gnarls Barkley
Album Title: St. Elsewhere
Year: 2006

Weird: cause or effect?
 
How I Got Into This Music
Caught a whiff of the buzz and hype around this band and it’s hit single ‘Crazy’, saw their performance on TV and liked the approach to it all..
Album credits at artistdirect.com || Google Search: Lyrics of St. Elsewhere || Gnarls Barkley at Myspace

Tracks that got my attention:
Go-Go Gadget Gospel
This song is getting better the more I listened to it, but the first coupla times it really got on my nerves. Still not sure if I like it, reminds me a bit of Outkast’s Big Boi beat programming on some ‘Speakerboxxx’ tracks like ‘Church’

Crazy
Tricky one, I really do understand what’s so catchy about the song: the vocals are great (Classic Detroit House style), the lyrics hit the right spot and the mood is excellent. But.. I get a serious Moby vibe from listening to this song

St. Elsewhere
Now this is more like it, wow! There’s this spooky mood with the haunting vocals. And the chorus.. sweet!

Gone Daddy Gone and Smiley Faces
Way too easy.. These tracks are so predictable.. Too bad.

The Boogie Monster
Love the fun factor, it’s the alternative Scooby-Doo TV tune, great stuff! And funny lyrics too..

Feng Shui
This is a very interesting track: a mixup of familiar and trendy rap styles and beats that kinda feels different. Again with the weird lyrics, nice!

Just A Thought
The drum beats can get annoying on this track but the lyrics and the vocals are very good.

Transformer
Waaaaay too much Outkast

Who Cares
I know for sure I’ll be humming this song for a coupla months, love it!

The Last Time
Another great track, the guitar loops are catchy

Conclusion
Tough call.. I disliked it a lot in the beginning but after ten to fifteen times of listening to this album, I’m liking it a bit better. There’re just too many references to stuff by other people to really get a clear idea of what’s been produced here. It’s like they’re trying to be different but are using other people’s tricks to achieve that goal. It sure as hell gets me to play some more Outkast albums.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good album, there’s a lot of heart and Soul put into it. Some tracks are just too mediocre or resemble other people’s work too much (EDIT: read the review at Artistdirect.com - Gorillaz producer Danger Mouse has quite some input on this album). Still, I know I don’t mind listening to it for a short while, it’s very confusing, sorry..

Rating: (and I’m being charitable..)

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