Since the arrival of the 80's and the consequent death of the era when there were true funk/soul titans, each passing unit of time discouraged any hope of a similar era ever resurfacing. No offense to R. Kelly and Alicia Keys, but the modern acts would get eaten alive by the likes of Curtis Mayfield and Funkadelic. Plus, I think we can all agree that we prefer our soul and funk to be free of statutory rape-and-piss allegations.
By the grace of who knows what, the seeds of revival were planted at a Goodie Mob show during the mid to late '90s. Cee-Lo Green, then a member of Goodie Mob, was approached by an ambitious fellow named Brian Burton. Though it will have taken nearly a decade for this pair to begin working together, the meeting would eventually result in the dissolving of the ominous, unfunky clouds that smothered the earth.
Come 2006, Cee-Lo Green is an accomplished solo artist, known as both a formidable singer and rapper. Brian Burton is now a sampling wizard and prolific producer: the critically acclaimed Danger Mouse. Their merger results in Gnarls Barkley, a sort of electronic post-funk gift from the music gods. Their debut, St. Elsewhere, sets the music world on fire and manages to infiltrate Top 40 radio despite not being total crap nonsense like most of the other music that gets pop radio play.
The way this band came out of nowhere and kicked ass was one of the more pleasant surprises in recent music memory. Luckily, they stuck together for another effort, appropriately named The Odd Couple. The welding of Cee-Lo's magnificent vocal ability to the visionary Danger Mouse's remarkably varied sonic weaving - drawing on hip-hop, soul, and psychedelic sounds to create simultaneously deep and catchy soundscapes often beyond conventional description - was indeed an improbable event, and the results have been impossibly good.
The Odd Couple may not enjoy the commercial success of its predecessor, mostly because "Crazy" isn't on it, but I would say it's actually a better album. It takes at least a few close listens to really sink in - while St. Elsewhere tries to take you over with in-your-face electronics and accessible sing-alongs, The Odd Couple challenges your attention span with relaxed atmospheres and subtle melodic genius.
The first two tracks of the album, "Charity Case" and "Who's Gonna Save My Soul?," are the best examples of said attention span test. Even though both tracks reward patient listeners with brilliant vocal performances and smooth, soothing beats, they are likely to prompt a good number of 'OMG BORING' reactions.
Though this isn't necessarily as accessible as St. Elsewhere, that isn't to say that this album isn't oozing with catchiness. Immediately following the mellow, previously mentioned tracks is "Going On," which opens with a blazing, soaring guitar line reminiscent of the Isley Brothers before sliding into an organ driven verse with quick drums and claps setting the pace for Cee-Lo who, as usual, rips it.
One thing that makes this band stand out is not only Cee-Lo's way with words, but just how deep his words lead the listener into his mind. A couple songs on this album seem to be recollections from difficult emotional stretches (remember "Just a Thought"?), although the album's prevailing tone is one of optimism and endurance. The low point is portrayed in the song "Would Be Killer," where Cee-Lo reflects on the thin line between a distressed, lonely individual and a killer: 'Hurt people hurt people / This is always how
So someone best love me right now.' Lo clears things up a bit on the concluding track, "A Little Better," assuring everyone that he's okay by now.
I would say the best tracks on this album are "No Time Soon" and "Blind Mary." The former is slow, electronic soul at its best, and the latter is a happy love story so endearing it could make even Glen Benton burst with joy.
The Odd Couple is my early favorite for album of the year. There's a reason why musical fools and elitists alike love this band: they're just awesome. Gnarls Barkley is a truly rare instance of musical vision and innovation, raw talent, and personality blending with perfect cohesion. Hopefully this is one couple that won't split any time soon.
