Musician’s Notebook

I was very impressed with the collaboration of Vocalist/MC Cee Lo Green and Producer/Composer Danger Mouse on their first album, “St. Elsewhere”. In fact, I had heard the song, “Crazy” a million times on the radio and it was a major explosion. Whenever I walked into the store that song was playing, whenever I was in someone else’s car and they had the radio on, it was playing. I loved the song and still do, but it wasn’t until a friend of mine recommended me to get the album and informed me that it was  collaboration between Cee Lo and Danger Mouse. My eyes were wide open because I always a fan of Cee Lo and heard nothing but great things about Danger Mouse’s compositions. When I picked up, “St. Elsewhere”, I was very very impressed! Great song concepts and storytelling.

Now I recently picked up Gnarl Barkley’s latest album, “The Odd Couple” and heard it through twice and I wasn’t disappointed. I do mark the fact that the album is different from the debut. If you liked more of the rapping, just be informed there is not much of that in this album. If you liked the song ,”Crazy” and Cee Lo’s singing, then you’ll enjoy, “The Odd Couple”. 

Let’s go through each song now, shall we?

Track 1: Charity Case

Great introduction soul due to the whole soul music feel. It reminds of Outkast’s , “The Love Below”. In fact a lot of the songs are like some of the songs from Outkast’s, “The Love Below, but in another level of course. The beat is continuous throughout the song and it has a female vocoder effect on a female voice at some point. I found the whole idea very impressive because a lot of times people were overusing it became sort of a new electronic music cliche, but they did it right. The mood is very chill and upbeat at the sametime, its actually very moderate feel good track. Good job guys!

Track 2: Who’s Gonna Save My Soul

This song has a chillout hip-hop feel beat-wise. The talent in the vocals is very soothing with its rich soul. The lyrics are assisted very well with the music, its sort of a downer song but yet you don’t really feel down. Something you would hear at a jazz lounge but instead the music is unique with its blend of hip-hop, lounge, and soul. When I say soul, I mean lots of soul! Like the souls in the afterlife style!

Track 3: Going On

It’s an upbeat version of the first track, “Charity Case”. It almost sounds like you could compare it to “Hey Ya” from Outkast, but in my honest opinion, this song completely gets the torch handed to it. I apologize for the comparisons, but its the best way to describe. I’m impressed how the mood switches from it being so upbeat and wild and all but then the beats begin to slow down a bit showing the remarkable beat complex composition talent of Danger Mouse. Yet throughout the whole track, you can’t help but feel your aura become brighter especially after the last track.

Track 4: Run (I’m A Natural Disaster)

I don’t listen to the radio or anything to be honest with you, but I think this is the single for the album. I think its really fair to say that this would be the best single for the album as well. It really defines what this album is mostly about. Again, that upbeat soul sound with electronic beats and it sounds nothing like anything in the Outkast album, “The Love Below”. I really love the lyrics and how the music and lyrics reflect off each other. In a sense the song is so upbeat, it kinda makes you want to run in a 60s/70s movie scene.

Track 5: Would Be Killer

Very short song, but the feel is probably a little darker than the rest of the album. I love how it starts with some gun clips being inserted. The song has its hip-hop sound but leaning more to the soul with some strange yet clever samples playing around and Cee Lo just singing his crazy heart out.

Track 6: Open Book

Nicely done reversed string sounds and a rain forest atmosphere with some complex beat sequencing. This song really shows an example of Danger Mouse’s amazing sequencing skills as its completely electronic. Vocally, I find the chorus pretty nuts, but again Cee Lo doesn’t fail us vocally throughout the song.

Track 7: Whatever

A mid-tempo short song with some synth leads and still in his form of its neo soul genre and the lyrics are simple and direct. Again great song!

Track 8: Surprise

Another upbeat song that I feel takes you back. You’ll forget you’re in the year 2008 (or whatever year it is now if this review is old). Again, this song has a strong resemblance to Charity Case and Going. I really love the hook on this song the vocals really are highlighted in this song. 

Track 9: No Time Soon 

This song has a great guitar lick with some synths again. Its very slow tempo and at some point some nice electronic beats. I really have to say the synths in this song amaze me the way it accompanies the guitar, its a pretty attractive tune. 

Track 10: She Knows

It kind of reminds of me the previous track but a bit more steady paced. The beat doesn’t change. The vocals pretty much are soulful as usual but nothing else changes. It’s a very relaxing beat nonetheless. 

Track 11: Blind Mary

I love this song. It’s a nice feel good track. The hook is extremely catchy and actually the whole composition is catchy. It all stays the same in terms of beats and stuff. Its makes me feel like I’m listening to an islander confessing his under dying love for someone, Mary. The lyrics are also very nice.

Track 12: Neighbors

This combines a faster pace typical trip-hop beat with its strong soul vocals. The beat is what really attracts me to this song. The lyrics again are also amazing and extremely interesting. I should have you read them for yourselves. The clever production of Danger Mouse really shines on this track as well.

Track 13: A Little Better

The song’s full hip-hop beat assists the vocals very well and its even got a blended funk feel. This is pretty much the conclusion to the album and the final song is pretty much a great way to end the album. I love the way the vocals just come in and attract you by coming in by stating there’s a story to be told.  The great uses of effects on the vocals towards the end and ending the album the way it started with the construction worker’s drill-like samples and something else.  

Overall

You can tell already by the review of each song that there’s no rapping at all.  In fact, I would like to consider this being more of a neo-soul, hip-hop electronic album than anything else. Whether it’s because, “Crazy” from there debut album was such a big hit or if they just felt more into doing the neo soul deal, it doesn’t matter. I thought this was a great album, nicely written songs and greatly produced. Everything musically and lyrically fell into place and with each song that I had no desire to skip. In fact, upon hearing this album only the second  time to review this article I had to go for thirds. The success of this album was so high, it still to the very day of this written article, is placed on #1 on Top Electronic Album.  I highly recommend if you guys enjoyed their first album  on the neo-soul side, you’ll will love this one! Just don’t take it from me, listen for yourself!