Want to anticipate the Gnarls Barkley release with me?

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The leaked songs that i've heard are great...This could end up being one of the very best of 2006. Who else is excited?

― Tape Store (Tape Store), Monday, 23 January 2006 01:17 (twenty years ago)

"Gnarls Barkley" ??

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Monday, 23 January 2006 01:24 (twenty years ago)

It's Dangermouse and Cee-Lo.

All I've heard is "Crazy" - is the rest of the album like that, or is it mostly rhyming?

― Lukas (lukas), Monday, 23 January 2006 01:29 (twenty years ago)

Two more, untitled.
http://djmonstermo.blogspot.com/2006/01/new-gnarls-barkley.html

― cutchem, Monday, 23 January 2006 02:04 (twenty years ago)

that name makes me roffle

― Raymond Cummings (Raymond Cummings), Monday, 23 January 2006 16:42 (twenty years ago)

Dangermouse, that mediocre producer who does great things!

I haven't heard any of this, does it sound like Cee-lo doing Cee-lo or Cee-lo doing SOMETHING NEW ??

― SONNY, Monday, 23 January 2006 17:17 (twenty years ago)

strange this didn't get more comments. i haven't heard it, yet

― Thea (Thea), Thursday, 2 February 2006 20:43 (twenty years ago)

Crazy is great, I loved it, can't wait to hear more from Gnarls Barkley. BTW, can someone do a ysi of the untitled songs listed on the blog up there, 'cos I can't seem to make them work.

― Jibé (Jibé), Thursday, 2 February 2006 22:47 (twenty years ago)

OK, I managed to make the second one work. Anyone care to ysi just the first one? That would be greatly appreciated.

Listening to the second song, I'm kinda disappointed ... sounds nowhere near as great as Crazy. But it may be the shitty comp speakers that ruin the song, since I can barely understand what he's singing.

― Jibé (Jibé), Thursday, 2 February 2006 22:52 (twenty years ago)

YOU JUST CLICK THEM AND THEY HAPPEN

I DIDN'T WANT TO LIKE THIS, BUT I DID.

― team jaxon (jaxon), Thursday, 2 February 2006 23:20 (twenty years ago)

There were two more (possibly the same, dunno since we don't have track names yet) on Stereogum earlier this month. The second was amazing. Can anyone YSI "Crazy"?

― telephone thing, Friday, 3 February 2006 03:28 (twenty years ago)

There's seven demos leaked all together, including a cover of the Violent Femmes' "Gone Daddy Gone."

― kit brash (kit brash), Friday, 3 February 2006 04:00 (twenty years ago)

THANKS FOR TEACHING INTERNET TO ME JAXON! I THOUGHT THE LINKS DIDNT WORK ... and I was wrong, twas my computer playing cheap tricks on me.

http://s42.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1GCDH33ZUZE2S1QKXJGA37NJCT (first time I ysi, dunno it'll work)

― Jibé (Jibé), Friday, 3 February 2006 16:31 (twenty years ago)

first doom now cee-lo. what to they see in this guy.? very mysterious.

― jhoshea (scoopsnoodle), Friday, 3 February 2006 16:53 (twenty years ago)

I've never rated Dangermouse and this hasn't changed my mind at all. A C grade producer (at his best). jhoshea totally OTM.

I do like a few of the tracks on the sampler however (Crazy, Tracks 5 and 7)... Crazy definitely has some hit potential, and by god Cee-lo deserves one. Don't like the Violent Femmes cover.

Does anyone else think he sounds a bit flat in places? Certainly not as charismatic as usual...

― Mil (Mil), Friday, 3 February 2006 21:41 (twenty years ago)

one month passes...

http://myspace-864.vo.llnwd.net/00560/46/82/560762864_l.jpg

― jaxon, Thursday, 16 March 2006 02:53 (twenty years ago)

Why the blonde wigs?

― jimnaseum (jimnaseum), Thursday, 16 March 2006 02:58 (twenty years ago)

Well, I like Dangermouse, and I REALLY like C-Lo.

Sure, I'll anticipate the Gnarls Barkley release with you!

― Austin Still (Austin, Still), Thursday, 16 March 2006 03:03 (twenty years ago)

they're wearing diapers

― ryan kuo (ryan kuo), Thursday, 16 March 2006 03:09 (twenty years ago)

I think it has something to do with a little known Kubrick film...

― tommytannoy, Thursday, 16 March 2006 03:28 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, but the wigs!

― jimnaseum (jimnaseum), Thursday, 16 March 2006 03:29 (twenty years ago)

Those get-ups are really doing a lot to accentuate their charismatic appeal.

Are any of those tracks other than "Crazy" anywhere near as good? When I first heard that song, I got really excited about this act. Anyone want to share?

― viborgu, Thursday, 16 March 2006 05:13 (twenty years ago)

I've never rated Dangermouse and this hasn't changed my mind at all. A C grade producer (at his best).

Have you heard Demon Days?

― Nigel (Nigel), Thursday, 16 March 2006 05:28 (twenty years ago)

The wigs and the fucking diapers! xpost

― regular roundups (Dave M), Thursday, 16 March 2006 05:39 (twenty years ago)

Here's one of the leaked tracks posted on Stereogum a while back:

YSI

― telephone thing, Thursday, 16 March 2006 06:08 (twenty years ago)

That track (Untitled 2) is still my favorite of the the 5 (maybe 6?) that I've heard...

― Tape Store (Tape Store), Thursday, 16 March 2006 06:22 (twenty years ago)

The wigs and the fucking diapers! xpost

-- regular roundups

They wear the diapers in the movie! http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.gonemovies.com/WWW/XsFilms/SnelPlaatjes/ActKubrickClockwork.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.gonemovies.com/WWW/XsFilms/SnelPlaatjes/ActKubrickClockwork.asp&h=405&w=715&sz=32&tbnid=BIEoqMWkovRIeM:&tbnh=78&tbnw=138&hl=en&start=23&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dclockwork%2Borange%26start%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN

― jimnaseum (jimnaseum), Thursday, 16 March 2006 09:44 (twenty years ago)

well okay then... didn't remember that. although the uniformly blonde wigs still seem weird.

― regular roundups (Dave M), Thursday, 16 March 2006 09:47 (twenty years ago)

whoever does their street team is a monster. they have posters all over sxsw

― Uncle Tom (Uncle Tom), Thursday, 16 March 2006 20:06 (twenty years ago)

Hearing 'Crazy' has forced me on a rare foray into ILM. I'll be very surprised if doesn't end up in my top five singles of 2006 (well, there are no other contenders so far).

― chap who would dare to be a stone cold thug (chap), Monday, 20 March 2006 23:06 (twenty years ago)

Easy prediction : Crazy will be a massive mainstream hit

― snowballing (snowballing), Monday, 20 March 2006 23:17 (twenty years ago)

Crazy has a pretty good shot at getting to #1 in the UK to be honest, top 3 for definite. Nightclub DJs seem to enjoy mixing it out of Black Eyed Peas' tracks, which appeals to the anti-reactionary in me.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 20 March 2006 23:24 (twenty years ago)

I don't have time to upload this, but you can stream a song called Smiley Faces on the Hype Machine (and go to blog that posted it)...

― Tape Store (Tape Store), Monday, 20 March 2006 23:31 (twenty years ago)

Easy prediction : Crazy will be a massive mainstream hit
-- snowballing (snowballin...), March 20th, 2006. (later)

no fucking chance whatsoever.

― banana squad (dayvidday), Monday, 20 March 2006 23:42 (twenty years ago)

Someone at the BBC obviously likes it. Fuckin' single of the week on Ken Bruce last week! Dangermouse and Cee-lo on Radio 2 - now if that ain't crossover then tell me what is.

― myopic_void (myopic_void), Tuesday, 21 March 2006 00:38 (twenty years ago)

When was the last time a single was A-listed on Radio 1, Radio 2, 6music & 1xtra?

― danzig (danzig), Tuesday, 21 March 2006 05:15 (twenty years ago)

david lachapelle shot the video for "crazy" but i dont think its out yet

― charlie bucket (charlie bucket), Tuesday, 21 March 2006 06:00 (twenty years ago)

I hope he brought in some krumpers...

― Tape Store (Tape Store), Sunday, 26 March 2006 04:30 (twenty years ago)

"Crazy" could be the first download-only number 1 single in the UK ahead of Morrissey's "You Have Killed Me", according to midweek stats. And it's a good song, really.

― zeus (zeus), Thursday, 30 March 2006 17:27 (twenty years ago)

Crazy is such a good song and such a weird direction for Sugar-Lo; what the hell is he doing euphoria disco for at this stage in his career? Who cares; it's definite best of th' year material. Go-go gadget gospel is considerably less so. Need that album.
America doesn't seem to much know this exists yet; when's the marketing coming?

― Forksclovetofu (Forksclovetofu), Thursday, 30 March 2006 19:32 (twenty years ago)

I think we need to make a hit pool for "Crazy," where everyone Paypals in five dollars and picks out slots on chart placement, frequency of video rotation, airplay, and/or lack thereof.

― nabisco (nabisco), Thursday, 30 March 2006 19:47 (twenty years ago)

In th' US or abroad? Or both? I think it's a hit in the US when it comes; everybody I play it for gets into it, regardless of their taste.

― Forksclovetofu (Forksclovetofu), Thursday, 30 March 2006 20:06 (twenty years ago)

Crazy sounds a whole lot like 'the Art of Noise' his last album (i.e. one of the two good cuts on there).

― Jordan (Jordan), Thursday, 30 March 2006 20:16 (twenty years ago)

haha Jordan OTM. that album kinda sucked.

― Alex in Baltimore (Alex in Baltimore), Thursday, 30 March 2006 20:17 (twenty years ago)

crazy will be #1 in the UK thanks to itunes sales

Gnarls Barkley does not exist. Nor does his first CD single. Yet tomorrow he is expected to make chart history by becoming the first act to get to number one without anyone handing over their money to a person behind a till.

― charlie bucket (charlie bucket), Saturday, 1 April 2006 21:57 (twenty years ago)

i fucking love this song. i should pay somebody some money for it, i think.

― grimly fiendish (grimlord), Sunday, 2 April 2006 16:06 (twenty years ago)

Yet tomorrow he is expected to make chart history by becoming the first act to get to number one without anyone handing over their money to a person behind a till.

Yep, it happened: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/singles.shtml

― StanM (StanM), Sunday, 2 April 2006 17:27 (twenty years ago)

magnificent - the song sounds like jamie lidell... but actually good.

― jed_ (jed), Sunday, 2 April 2006 17:54 (twenty years ago)

BBC: Crazy song makes musical history

― StanM (StanM), Sunday, 2 April 2006 18:05 (twenty years ago)

Is it just me or is the cover of "Gone Daddy Gone" one of the strangest things to come along in a while?

― Austin Still (Austin, Still), Sunday, 2 April 2006 18:06 (twenty years ago)

kind of odd as the 12" was available to buy last week.

― stirmonster (stirmonster), Sunday, 2 April 2006 18:07 (twenty years ago)

no fucking chance whatsoever.

-- banana squad (...), March 21st, 2006 10:42 AM. (dayvidday)

HA HA HA HA HA!

― Andrew (enneff), Sunday, 2 April 2006 23:29 (twenty years ago)

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000EU1KRS.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

― Telephonething (Telephonething), Monday, 3 April 2006 01:49 (twenty years ago)

Oh, also: after looking over song titles I'm pretty sure the (at the time) untitled track that impressed me so much is "Just a Thought."

― Telephonething (Telephonething), Monday, 3 April 2006 02:18 (twenty years ago)

"Crazy" has now appeared in that one Sunday-night ABC show about the doctors with weird skin who sleep with one another.

― nabiscothingy, Monday, 3 April 2006 04:42 (twenty years ago)

So this mornign i finally realised that this "Crazy" song is DM and Ceelo, when i'd been thiking it was just by some Moby copyist.

Its totally sounds like that Moby track that was awful and huge years ago. with the gosphel singers on it.

― Savin All My Love 4 u (Savin 4ll my (heart) 4u), Monday, 3 April 2006 20:55 (twenty years ago)

Cover of "Gone Daddy Gone"? By the Violent Femmes?

― Tiki Theater Xymposium (Bent Over at the Arclight), Monday, 3 April 2006 21:12 (twenty years ago)

Yes. You can hear it on their myspace page.

― Guy Incognito (Guy Incognito), Monday, 3 April 2006 21:39 (twenty years ago)

I'm suprised more by how straight the VF cover is -- too straight, really.

― Mark (MarkR), Monday, 3 April 2006 22:00 (twenty years ago)

x-post. The rush of the googlers.

Fuck I wish he'd go back to Goodie Mob. Big Gipp is a genius.

― paulhw (paulhw), Monday, 3 April 2006 22:12 (twenty years ago)

Sugar Lo done went back to goodie mob - new album out sometime(this year?) on purple ribbon...not to mention the jack splash collabo, the jazze pha collabo, another solo in the works, and apparently the next gnarls album is almost halfway done...

― Kevin Randles (Sydney124), Monday, 3 April 2006 23:00 (twenty years ago)

He's busy.
I agree on that VF cover; it's too straight by half. Nothing else on the album half as big as Crazy, but it's a fun listen.

― Forksclovetofu (Forksclovetofu), Tuesday, 4 April 2006 00:49 (twenty years ago)

david lachappelle did not shoot the video for crazy...i worked on the shoot a week ago. we shot at a stage off of cahuenga and santa monica blvd. the director is robert hales who has shot videos for black rebel motorcycle club and jet. if you love the song, you will love the video. the concept is not what anyone is expecting. just think inkblots people....

― dead00, Tuesday, 4 April 2006 02:43 (twenty years ago)

Raw Shark?

― Austin Still (Austin, Still), Tuesday, 4 April 2006 03:32 (twenty years ago)

http://i2.tinypic.com/ta1taf.jpg

― team jaxon (jaxon), Sunday, 9 April 2006 04:08 (nineteen years ago)

cee-lo is at least somewhat photogenic. dangermouse looks like he rides the short bus.

― smokemon (eman), Sunday, 9 April 2006 04:35 (nineteen years ago)

and taht record cover is FUGLY

― smokemon (eman), Sunday, 9 April 2006 04:36 (nineteen years ago)

Agreed. The LIVE/EVIL SEXXX thing is pretty lame. The "Crazy" single cover is far better, though:

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000F2C7L8.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

― Telephonething (Telephonething), Sunday, 9 April 2006 04:58 (nineteen years ago)

gross.

― smokemon (eman), Sunday, 9 April 2006 05:02 (nineteen years ago)

Cee-Lo deserves a huge hit in America. I feel like he's been due for a while.

― billstevejim (billstevejim), Sunday, 9 April 2006 05:46 (nineteen years ago)

it's been over a year since his last one

― j blount (papa la bas), Sunday, 9 April 2006 06:37 (nineteen years ago)

wow, this version of Gone Daddy Gone is surprisingly faithful

― splates (splates), Sunday, 9 April 2006 09:30 (nineteen years ago)

this album is a lot of fun

― hmm, Sunday, 9 April 2006 13:22 (nineteen years ago)

Is anything related to this even out in the US?

― mike h. (mike h.), Sunday, 9 April 2006 14:00 (nineteen years ago)

i got the pre-release of the full length. gotta say, i aggressively dislike it.

― PeopleFunnyBoy (PeopleFunnyBoy), Sunday, 9 April 2006 15:24 (nineteen years ago)

"Crazy" is pretty good, I guess, but to be honest, it immediately reminded me of "Mrs. Jackson" by Outkast. Or maybe Outkast in general. My world is not shook, although this isn't really my genre, so I wouldn't expect it to be.

― someone let this mitya out! (mitya), Sunday, 9 April 2006 21:55 (nineteen years ago)

Has the full 14 track album leaked, or just the 9 tracks (8 plus a remix of crazy) that is currently available ?

Just curious, cause I'm having trouble tracking down the full length.

Can't wait till' this comes out, lovin' it so far, as with all Danger Mouse productions.

― Erock Lazron, Sunday, 9 April 2006 22:23 (nineteen years ago)

"Just a Thought" is still my favorite...

― Tape Store (Tape Store), Monday, 10 April 2006 02:44 (nineteen years ago)

the violent femmes cover sounds like it actually samples the original. its too faithful. still not bad though

― okok, Monday, 10 April 2006 15:30 (nineteen years ago)

Soooo ... the full LP hasn't leked then ?

― Erock Lazron, Monday, 10 April 2006 21:25 (nineteen years ago)

The Femmes cover sounds pointless. It would have been so easy to arrange that tune into something different (maybe some uptempo-ish gospel?).

― Jordan (Jordan), Monday, 10 April 2006 21:38 (nineteen years ago)

Hating the Gone Daddy Gone cover, but the rest of the album is... interesting... there's soul, gospel, D&B, songs about necrophilia and suicide, and it ends with a disco wig-out. "Crazy" is the best few minutes on it, but I certainly wouldn't write the rest off just yet. It'll be interesting to see how Cee Lo & and DM will pull it off live next to Massive Attack and DJ Shadow at this little festival I'm going to...

― alex t boo, Thursday, 13 April 2006 19:36 (nineteen years ago)

The album is leaked far and wide now (Oink etc). It's a bit of a mess. The drum n bass-style tracks are awful - about as convincing as Andre 3000's drum n bass experiments. I blame Dangermouse for the 6.5/10 nature of this album - both of Cee Lo's solo albums prior to this are better.

British people are strange: Cee Lo played in a pub in London to 150 people 3 months ago, now he's number one with his worst work yet...

― paulhw (paulhw), Friday, 14 April 2006 14:05 (nineteen years ago)

I like this album a lot. There are only a few songs I hate.

― fgfhdghg, Saturday, 15 April 2006 18:42 (nineteen years ago)

Man, is "Crazy" great or what? Only one step away from being a sterling classic, I think. And I love that it already sounds like the college acapella version it will inevitably inspire.

Single of the year for me so far!

― sean gramophone (Sean M), Saturday, 15 April 2006 18:56 (nineteen years ago)

to me this record's main flaw (as was Demon Days) is its beats, nearly always paper-thin weak, too much high-end and never enough punch. DM just sucks at laying down rhythm. it bugs the shit out of me cuz I love his zombie soul aesthetic.

― bill neil (inabillity), Saturday, 15 April 2006 20:40 (nineteen years ago)

I really like the album - esp. "Just a Thought", "Smiley Face", and although it's brief and a little inconsequential, "Feng Shui".

― Simon H. (Simon H.), Sunday, 16 April 2006 01:32 (nineteen years ago)

Just now hearing the song this week, and it's instantly my #1 of the year. No one's talked about the lyrics yet -- very succinct way of describing that state of living-in-the-head that blurs the line between deep spirituality and mental illness. I'm completely fascinated by it. And if "Feel Good Inc." could be a hit in the U.S. then this one can too, not that the two have anything sonically in common.

P.S. Cee-Lo sings the hell out of it but I was thinking it would've sound equally good coming from Terence Trent D'Arby / Sananda Maitreya.

― Joseph McCombs (Joseph McCombs), Sunday, 16 April 2006 17:27 (nineteen years ago)

Even the big band on Strictly Come Dancing can't dull 'Crazy's edge. Also classic because on Thursday night, a hot girl ground up against me when it came on in the club. Wildstyle.

― Hal! Jordan! HAL! JORDAN! (Barima), Sunday, 16 April 2006 17:39 (nineteen years ago)

Very underwhelming - the first major disappointment for '06.

Apart from Crazy, there's maybe two other tracks I think decent (Just A Thought, Who Cares). Couldn't care less about the rest.

I still maintain the record sounds rather flat and lifeless, even moreso in comparison to his solo work.

― Mil (Mil), Sunday, 16 April 2006 21:57 (nineteen years ago)

I'm really glad someone bought up Moby earlier in the thread, because frankly that's all this is. It's Play through the back door.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 17 April 2006 00:40 (nineteen years ago)

I think "Crazy" succeeds largely b/c of the "now who do you who do you who do you who do you think you are? Ha ha ha! Bless your soul!" bit, which is inspired. The rest is just good.

― Tim Finney (Tim Finney), Monday, 17 April 2006 00:42 (nineteen years ago)

Pssssh, what album are you guys listening to ?!

This record is fuckin' fantastic. It flows really well, and I've been listening to the whole thing over and over (except "Crazy", I don't want to get sick of it yet).

Maybe you guys think it's a grower, but there are so many amazing tracks - Just a Thought, Go Go Gadget Gospel (awesome), The Boogie Monster, Who Cares, Storm Coming, Smiley Faces, etc.

Honestly, I wish you guys could hear it the way I do, this is definitely making my top 10 this year.

― Erock LAzron, Monday, 17 April 2006 02:54 (nineteen years ago)

a friend of mine played doubles of "crazy" (instrumental to original) out on friday and saturday night, kept it going for about 25 minutes, and people ate it up both nights. it's one of the most fun things i've danced to in a little while.

― firstworldman (firstworldman), Monday, 17 April 2006 15:11 (nineteen years ago)

I think 6.5/10 is about right for the 8 or so I've heard (Danger Mouse drum criticisms also apply), but I can't take seriously anyone who thinks this is any worse than Moby. It's far more of a soul machine ('scuse me) than that. 'The Last Time' is absolutely mondo.

― Hal! Jordan! HAL! JORDAN! (Barima), Monday, 17 April 2006 15:37 (nineteen years ago)

wow there are some picky fuckers in this thread
this is probably the freshest record so far this year

― J. Lamphere (WatchMeJumpStart), Monday, 17 April 2006 15:51 (nineteen years ago)

Agreed, it's pretty fuckin' soulful, I must say.

I'd give it an 8.5/10 at least

― Erock LAzron, Monday, 17 April 2006 17:58 (nineteen years ago)

Holy shit, these are AWESOME.

― Forksclovetofu (Forksclovetofu), Wednesday, 19 April 2006 22:15 (nineteen years ago)

cee-lo needs to dump this shit & go back to spittin angry like on 'fie fie delish'

― --+++-+-, Wednesday, 19 April 2006 22:23 (nineteen years ago)

A little of both is fine with me.

― Forksclovetofu (Forksclovetofu), Wednesday, 19 April 2006 23:02 (nineteen years ago)

"I love Top of the Pops. They've always got quality production values on their performances. "

I refuse to believe American music TV can be so bad as to have people enjoy TOTP.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 19 April 2006 23:04 (nineteen years ago)

I refuse to believe American music TV can be so bad as to have people enjoy TOTP.

What American music TV, exactly? We have...um...American Idol? Saturday Night Live? The occasional pop-punk band on MTV?

― Telephonething (Telephonething), Wednesday, 19 April 2006 23:52 (nineteen years ago)

i finally realised what this song is! ie it's that song i keep hearing but which i'd not connected to my awareness of gnarls barkley. it's ok, i guess, i still think danger mouse is v dull, but it does make me want to hear it again.

― The Lex (The Lex), Thursday, 20 April 2006 08:33 (nineteen years ago)

OK, here are some problems:

Go Go Gadget Gospel: the kick drums are too dry, battering out what little bassline there is. This goes for nearly all of DM's drum tracks. His production, in terms of managing highs, lows, mids, etc, is awful.
Gone Daddy Gone is pointless.
Boogie Monster is just a bad idea - it sounds like it should be from the Rocky Horror Picture Show...the "at first I was scared when I looked in his eyes.." vocal line is like something you'd practise for music class in grade school...
Just a Thought Gets tired really quick...DM copping mid-90s DJ Shadow-style drums to lesser effect.
Tranformer is a fucking mess - those triple kick drums, kids voices...it's the worst side of Cee Lo too - he sounds like a kid with ADD.
Who Cares really needs to lose that Barry White "but who cares" ad lib.

The rest is all really good! But it's hard to listen to an album when every 2nd song is just annoying. Bring on the Jazzy Pha album!

― paulhw (paulhw), Thursday, 20 April 2006 13:41 (nineteen years ago)

i was just absentmindedly listening to this while doing some work and thinking the second song was really out there - instrumental and so long. then i realized it was ornette coleman. shuffle. ha. they did actually sound kinda similar though.

― jhoshea (scoopsnoodle), Thursday, 20 April 2006 13:59 (nineteen years ago)

Which old dance song has the same drums as "Crazy" It's driving me spare! The lyrics were something like "you don't have to keep moving" repeated a few times and "or you'll be left behind" with a clarinet playing over the snare! Honest this is doing my nut in!

― Kv_nol (Kv_nol), Thursday, 20 April 2006 14:08 (nineteen years ago)

maybe you're crazy?

― jhoshea (scoopsnoodle), Thursday, 20 April 2006 14:21 (nineteen years ago)

That's Mr Scruff's 'Get A Move On', no?

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Thursday, 20 April 2006 14:47 (nineteen years ago)

Go Go Gadget Gospel, The Boogie Monster and Just a Thought are three of my favourites, so I respect that you have problems with the production, but I pay more attention to the overall product, not just what kick drums seem lower than other kick drums.

I stand by my statement that this album is going to be in my top 10 this year.

― Erock LAzron, Thursday, 20 April 2006 17:26 (nineteen years ago)

Also, I think the album version of "Who Cares" is way better than the previously leaked version.

Actually, there isn't a track I don't like on the whole album. "Transformer" took a few listens, but that was it.

Danger Mopuse forvever

― Erock LAzron, Thursday, 20 April 2006 17:29 (nineteen years ago)

I fucking love this.

― xero (xero), Tuesday, 25 April 2006 16:51 (nineteen years ago)

This is a big hit!!!
The USA with be blown away when it hits here.

Rock Wolf
Chicago, IL

― Rock WOlf, Tuesday, 25 April 2006 20:12 (nineteen years ago)

cee-lo needs to dump this shit & go back to spittin angry like on 'fie fie delish'

Why does white people never want black people to rock?

― Haikunym (Haikunym), Tuesday, 25 April 2006 20:37 (nineteen years ago)

Is it me or is this the loudest fucking album ever? NOT a good thing.

― Sick Mouthy (Nick Southall), Tuesday, 25 April 2006 20:52 (nineteen years ago)

Do you not have a volume control?

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Tuesday, 25 April 2006 21:31 (nineteen years ago)

It's you, Nick.

A lot of this is fairly good, but I wish I liked it more than I do.

― jaymc (jaymc), Tuesday, 25 April 2006 21:48 (nineteen years ago)

The replay value of this beast is extraordinary. This quickly grew into my most-played album on iTunes. It became an addiction. For several days I couldn't go more than a few hours without getting my Gnarls Barkley fix, but I was able to tone it down so that now I only require one spin a day. All criticisms of DM's engineering skills, while still applicable, don't annoy me the least bit anymore. And to think that I first thought this was meh!

― bill neil (inabillity), Tuesday, 25 April 2006 23:11 (nineteen years ago)

Gnarls Barkley is so hott right now. Crazy is off the heezy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDPiIIckeGY&search=gnarls

― oh, wrinklepaws! (Wrinklepaws), Tuesday, 25 April 2006 23:43 (nineteen years ago)

Spew Alcindor

― Andy_K (Andy_K), Wednesday, 26 April 2006 05:55 (nineteen years ago)

Buggsy Bogues

― deeej, Wednesday, 26 April 2006 06:22 (nineteen years ago)

Vominique Wilkins

― deeej, Wednesday, 26 April 2006 06:44 (nineteen years ago)

Do you not have a volume control?
-- Martin Skidmore (lonewolf.cu...), Yesterday 11:31 PM. (later)
It's you, Nick.
A lot of this is fairly good, but I wish I liked it more than I do.

-- jaymc (jmcunnin...), Yesterday 11:48 PM. (later)

Yes I have a volume control! I also have a very good hi-fi set-up and this album is insanely fucking LOUD even at low volume - it's very, very compressed and hyperactive and dense and I find it difficult to listen to.

― Sick Mouthy (Nick Southall), Wednesday, 26 April 2006 06:56 (nineteen years ago)

(many xposts) William Bloody Swygart I kiss you! Cheers for the pointer. That was exactly what I was looking for.

Like the album mostly. Some of it is very missable but bill neill OTM about repeatability. I too have weaned myself off it a little thanks mainly to Mr Scruff!

― Kv_nol (Kv_nol), Wednesday, 26 April 2006 10:56 (nineteen years ago)

Also THERE'S A SONG ABOUT SHAGGING A CORPSE.

― Sick Mouthy (Nick Southall), Wednesday, 26 April 2006 10:58 (nineteen years ago)

The obligatory let's-test-the-listener track. Cee-Lo said something in OMM about the necrophilia not being literal ("It's about trying to love a girl who's died inside" etc.) but you wouldn't exactly discern that from the song itself. Really, though, the album is Anticon/Dif Jux with added popism to lure in the punters, which is a pretty clever entryist tactic. It's uneven but at its best (e.g. "Smiley Face" - the Four Tops meet the Normal via the Flying Lizards!) it's sublime.

Does anyone else who saw it agree with me that their performance of "Crazy" on TOTP was the greatest TOTP performance since "Party Fears Two"?

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Wednesday, 26 April 2006 11:34 (nineteen years ago)

i love that it's all cee-lo singing. i always wanted him to do that.

― jhoshea (scoopsnoodle), Wednesday, 26 April 2006 11:37 (nineteen years ago)

I noticed that the two or three tracks where he raps don't work nearly as well.

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Wednesday, 26 April 2006 11:41 (nineteen years ago)

Bill Neil, I see it took less than 10 days from first hearing the record till' it eventually grew on you and hijacked your computer.

I congratulate you on finally "getting" the album.

Gnarls Forever

― Erock Lazron, Thursday, 27 April 2006 03:07 (nineteen years ago)

I don't when it was the best since, but I agree that Cee-Lo was really magnificent on TOTP, so you may be right.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Thursday, 27 April 2006 19:16 (nineteen years ago)

two weeks pass...

Man, I really lke this "Crazy" single. First time I heard it I assumed it was just a re-working of an old Motown tune or something. Cee-Lo's vocals are quite admirable.

― Abbadavid Berman (Hurting), Saturday, 13 May 2006 14:34 (nineteen years ago)

I like "Crazy" on first listen (good video too). I hope it's a hit in the U.S. (For all I know, it already is.) My immediate enthusiasm for it makes me suspicious though, like maybe the song just pushing all the right buttons, but that will quickly get boring?

― Rockist_Scientist (RSLaRue), Sunday, 21 May 2006 12:30 (nineteen years ago)

This entire album basically just panders to my musical taste so of course I love it. "Just A Thought" is a total nihilistic beast and brings me back to the first time I heard Pornography.

I'm glad I'm not too jaded to hate this. I'm also glad the album is short; no bloat, no filler, just awesomeness.

― Dan (Thumbs Up) Perry (Dan Perry), Sunday, 21 May 2006 13:55 (nineteen years ago)

MC in agreeing w/DP shocker.

Even the (clears throat) Violent Femmes cover is choice.

― m coleman (lovebug starski), Sunday, 21 May 2006 14:35 (nineteen years ago)

I fucking love that cover! Not every cover of a song HAS to be a bizarre rework in order for it to be great (see also the entire "classical" genre).

― Dan (Gone Daddy Gone/The Love Is AWESOME) Perry (Dan Perry), Sunday, 21 May 2006 15:17 (nineteen years ago)

smiley faces and crazy are both classic but the rest of the album is really uneven, sadly. but those two tracks make it all worthwhile.

― okok, Sunday, 21 May 2006 17:30 (nineteen years ago)

Here's a little something I came up with a couple of weeks ago after reading a bunch of reviews for this record, which is still tied with Ghostface as my #1 of the year.

Goddammit, I've got some beef with the way people are reviewing this record. Fuck the Guardian for actually saying, "They sport the bowler hats, eye make-up and glasses of milk familiar from Malcolm McDowell's portrayal of Alex in A Clockwork Orange, further accessorised with blond bob wigs and what look like enormous nappies. Quite what this is meant to tell us is a mystery, unless it's that Green - who could stand to lose a few pounds - looks a bit upsetting when dressed in a blond bob wig, eye make-up and a big nappy," in their review. What? Who cares that dude is fat? What about engaging with the music, guys?

Speaking of which, I am apparently the only person who likes "Transformer," and I love it. It's one of the three best songs on the album to me.

Speaking of not engaging with the music though, the whole "Who is Gnarls Barkley?" angle is way played out. It seems like everyone is taking something these guys just sort of threw out there for fun (the name) and trying to read into it as a substitute for actually talking about the music. And when people do engage with the music, it is almost always on the most superficial level. I'm not interested in a long graph on the record setting/breaking "Crazy" did. I'm not interested in hearing how the record sounds too "busy" or "irritating," or how it's too short and slippery to really pay attention to. Isn't it the job of the critic to pay attention?

I do think the issue of longevity the Pitchfork review raises is a very interesting/important one. I know I am rating this record higher than I will at the end of the year (although every time I question myself on that after reading these reviews, I listen to the record and don't feel like I'm overrating it at all), but I am not even sure what I rate it now. Maybe a low 9. Maybe that will go down to a low 8. Most likely a mid-8. But I'm not sure yet. I will be interested to see how well this ages, because this is kind of a slippery record. The songs are short. It has a lot of energy, and it doesn't try to make any sort of claims on What's Going On-style importance or even Love Below-style "changing the game" sort of claims, largely because the game they are playing here is not a hip hop game. At all, really.

In fact, one of the most interesting things about this record to me is the way it seems to thwart any sort of "important" readings of it as a text while at the same time being SO DAMN GOOD it almost demands those readings. Which is to say, aside from the name of the group (and maybe not even that), I do not see this album as accidental in any way. The press photos strike me less as a couple of practical jokers playing dress up and more as a way of presenting a very slick public persona for the group. The same goes for the way they dress in concert. As for the music, I think that is extremely planned out as well, especially on Cee-Lo's part. He has become such a good writer (see "Who Cares?" for a song that seems trite and silly until you realize that is the point, as evidenced by the chorus/hook), and Danger Mouse has done a good job of creating these swirling soundscapes (the acoustic guitar parts on "Storm Coming" are brilliant!) that seem so chaotic "they just have to come from a lack of planning and a lot of fooling around in the studio, right?" If anything, I think one of this record's flaws may be that it is a little too thought out, and its chaos either makes up for that or makes it worse by seeming a bit contrived.

To return to what I said about this album thwarting close textual readings, I think the "but I'm fine" line in "Just a Thought" (also, the title) is a good example. Here is this song about being pushed to the point of thinking about suicide but knowing how ineffective it would be, in which Cee-Lo really comes across as a man on the brink. It's dark and disturbed, but then it ends with that line and is called "Just a Thought," and it makes it a lot harder to read into. I think this is actually kind of effective, as it gives even the "darkest" moments of the record a levity (the line about "good good head" at the end of "The Boogie Monster" is funny to me) that keeps it from taking itself too seriously.

Also, the fact that the record is composed of so many moments that can be read as microcosms for the whole album (cf. [am I using "cf." right?] the "production is progressive but the chords are retro" quoting that so many reviews have been doing) is another thing that really makes the record for me. I mean, Cee-Lo sounds as invested in the "cliched" (and, for what it's worth, I could listen to this man's cliches all day) verses in "Who Cares?" just as much as, if not more than, the chorus, which creates the kind of layers (some composed of rejecting those layers with a sort of "shut up and dance/enjoy yourself" message) this record is composed of.

When it comes down to it, I think St. Elsewhere is Al Green for this century. It's got that heart, that romantic element (though less so than other Cee-Lo stuff), and that "take 'em to church" spirit. It must be a Green thing. Ha! What a great/horrible way to end this rant.

ADDENDUM: What makes Cee-Lo such a uniquely talented vocalist, whether he is singing or rapping, is his ear. He knows how to combine sounds that are interesting in their similarity/contrast better than almost any current vocalist I can think of, sort of like the way Common finds all those "h" sounds on "My Way Home" (Late Registration)but with oodles and oodles of personality. This is what makes his lyrics/delivery similar to poetry to me. I don't want to say he has a poet's ear, but I will say he has a good poet's ear. (Use of a general concept of "poetry" being as ridiculous as a general concept of "music," in this sense.)

― regular roundups (Dave M), Sunday, 21 May 2006 17:57 (nineteen years ago)

Uh-oh, very sorry about the double post. Last thing I'll say is that the Ray Lamonshit cover is FUCKING AWFUL! Sap that personality, lose those interesting vocal ticks, cover a song before its even run its course as an original why don't you, you fucking acousticky idiot. Man, I cannot stand that trend. A song does not have to be transferrable to the acoustic guitar in order to have its worth proven.

― regular roundups (Dave M), Sunday, 21 May 2006 17:59 (nineteen years ago)

I was really on the fence until I saw that TOTP performance. It wins. They win.

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Sunday, 21 May 2006 23:02 (nineteen years ago)

Right now St. Elsewhere is my #1 album of the year. The necrophilia track is a low point but "Smiley Faces" and the title track could easily join "Crazy" in my Top 10.

― Joseph McCombs (Joseph McCombs), Sunday, 21 May 2006 23:17 (nineteen years ago)

I've yet to fully come round to the album - I imagine it'll prove to be the very definition of a grower, though. My favourite track apart from Crazy so far is 'Who Cares?'

― chap who would dare to be a nerd, not a geek (chap), Sunday, 21 May 2006 23:42 (nineteen years ago)

How'd Crazy do in the States?

― chap who would dare to be a nerd, not a geek (chap), Sunday, 21 May 2006 23:44 (nineteen years ago)

I don't think it's done anything over here, unfortunately.

― regular roundups (Dave M), Monday, 22 May 2006 01:06 (nineteen years ago)

That's crazy.

― Rockist_Scientist (RSLaRue), Monday, 22 May 2006 01:11 (nineteen years ago)

It's at around #55 or so -- but it's only been on the chart for two or three weeks so far, so it could still be rising.

― jaymc (jaymc), Monday, 22 May 2006 01:13 (nineteen years ago)

I think it IS rising; right now 'Crazy' is the song people keep asking me to burn them a copy of, which is my unofficial tally (along with what booms from the back of the jeep) as to what's hawt.

Is anybody going to Webster Hall tomorrow?

Still not comfortable with the album, but i LUV Transformer; it's the Othar Turner fife action that gets me. Anybody got a sample list for 'St. Elsewhere' yet?

― Forksclovetofu (Forksclovetofu), Monday, 22 May 2006 02:44 (nineteen years ago)

it's getting attention somewhere, because people are wandering into my department and asking for it every day this past week.

― fortunate hazel (f. hazel), Monday, 22 May 2006 03:08 (nineteen years ago)

"Crazy" went from 91 to 54 this week on the Billboard Hot 100. Predictions on its peak?

― bill neil (inabillity), Monday, 22 May 2006 04:14 (nineteen years ago)

i LUV Transformer

Good, I'm not the only one. Also, it's nice to know it's rising, but I'm afraid of predictions. Plus, I somehow don't see it "connecting" with American audiences in the way it has with Britishes. Maybe that's just me be elitist about my own country. I don't know.

― regular roundups (Dave M), Monday, 22 May 2006 04:39 (nineteen years ago)

"Transformer" is really great, yeah.

― Dan (But I Would Say That) Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 22 May 2006 14:14 (nineteen years ago)

These guys were the highlight of Jools Holland last Friday night. I'm glad I finally got a chance to hear what the fuss is about. They played "Crazy" and "Gone Daddy Gone" (I knew this song sounded very familiar, but I couldn't place it - I was thinking it was maybe a Motown or '60s girl group song). Franz Ferdinand also played three songs, and were impressively tight (they seemed to be in peak, mid-tour form), but the show belonged to Gnarls Barkley.

― o. nate (onate), Monday, 22 May 2006 14:45 (nineteen years ago)

"Crazy" went from 91 to 54 this week on the Billboard Hot 100. Predictions on its peak?

I'll say Top 20. If "Feel Good Inc." can catch on, so can this. I'll say it hits #15.

And I wish I were going to Webster Hall tomorrow, but long since sold out and I'm not well connected.

― Joseph McCombs (Joseph McCombs), Monday, 22 May 2006 22:02 (nineteen years ago)

i love tommytannoy

― domino (Tommy Tannoy), Wednesday, 24 May 2006 05:11 (nineteen years ago)

The album debuted at #20.

― o. nate (onate), Wednesday, 24 May 2006 14:42 (nineteen years ago)

Apparently, they are playing the MTV Music Awards. That could be a good sign.

― regular roundups (Dave M), Thursday, 25 May 2006 01:30 (nineteen years ago)

By next summer (or maybe even the end of this one which is just about to start) they'll be as obnoxious and ubiquitous as BEP, but whatever.
I was at a rock show, like rockrock, and EVERYBODY I talked to brought up "Crazy".

― Huk-L (Huk-L), Thursday, 25 May 2006 01:38 (nineteen years ago)

Why "obnoxious"?
Not BEP, that's a given; why are Gnarls destined for obnoxiousness?

― Forksclovetofu (Forksclovetofu), Thursday, 25 May 2006 01:44 (nineteen years ago)

by dint of ubiquity (so maybe I shoulda said ubiquitous first). it's gonna be played at football games, in jell-o ads, anybody under 17's cellphone, EVERYWHERE.

― Huk-L (Huk-L), Thursday, 25 May 2006 01:48 (nineteen years ago)

I think they're on Conan tonight.

― Jordan (Jordan), Thursday, 25 May 2006 02:08 (nineteen years ago)

it's gonna be played at football games, in jell-o ads, anybody under 17's cellphone, EVERYWHERE.

OTM.

I listened to the other songs they have posted on myspace, which I don't like as much as "Crazy," although I still like them. However, I find Cee-Lo's singing a lot more enjoyable than the stuff around him.

― Rockist_Scientist (RSLaRue), Thursday, 25 May 2006 02:26 (nineteen years ago)

Is Cee-Lo actually related to Al Green? Cuz he sounds (to me)(on this record) like Al GreenxNina Simone.

― Huk-L (Huk-L), Thursday, 25 May 2006 03:36 (nineteen years ago)

No, he's really related to Cab Calloway.

― k b, Thursday, 25 May 2006 04:11 (nineteen years ago)

They all played in bath robes on Conan

― Chris Bee (Cee Bee), Thursday, 25 May 2006 04:34 (nineteen years ago)

They're playing Electric Picnic in Ireland this September. I hope that it'll be dancy, fun and have Cee-Lo just going mental!

― Kv_nol (Kv_nol), Thursday, 25 May 2006 11:18 (nineteen years ago)

#38 this week. not as big of a jump as it could have been, but still promising.

― bill neil (inabillity), Thursday, 25 May 2006 19:25 (nineteen years ago)

Paris Hilton wants to record a cover of "Crazy."

― Rockist_Scientist (RSLaRue), Friday, 26 May 2006 23:10 (nineteen years ago)

"Feng Shui" reminds me a bit of X-Clan (but then, this is coming from someone who has listened to relatively little hip-hop since X-Clan was current, so I realize I might be saying something kind of dumb).

― Rockist_Scientist (RSLaRue), Friday, 26 May 2006 23:46 (nineteen years ago)

They all played in bath robes on Conan.

But aside from that, they were totally snooze-worthy. You never would've known from that performance that that was the song that's been rocking the UK for months.

― pleased to mitya (mitya), Saturday, 27 May 2006 00:13 (nineteen years ago)

I don't think the song benefits at all from having been slowed down so much. (I didn't see the performance, but I'm checking it out on youtube.) Also, I kind of think trying to make it into a live band performance when there really is no band is not a good idea.

― Rockist_Scientist (RSLaRue), Saturday, 27 May 2006 01:12 (nineteen years ago)

I loved the slowed down version they did on Top of the Pops. But I was ridiculously familiar with the recorded version by the time I saw it - it might have seemed a little sluggish if I hadn't have known where the tune was going.

― chap who would dare to be a nerd, not a geek (chap), Saturday, 27 May 2006 01:16 (nineteen years ago)

So, when did Cee-Loo change from an Outkast protege into a Danger Mouse protege?

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Saturday, 27 May 2006 01:24 (nineteen years ago)

He was never an Outkast protege as such - he was always a member of the Goodie Mob. And I'm pretty certain he's been a prominent figure in hip-hop longer than Danger Mouse has, so to call him a protege is not entirely accurate.

― chap who would dare to be a nerd, not a geek (chap), Saturday, 27 May 2006 01:29 (nineteen years ago)

All the people who said this will be the new Feel Good Inc. OTM

― Cunga (Cunga), Saturday, 27 May 2006 03:23 (nineteen years ago)

So, when did Cee-Loo change from an Outkast protege into a Danger Mouse protege?
-- Geir Hongro (geirhon...), Today. (GeirHong) (later)
He was never an Outkast protege as such - he was always a member of the Goodie Mob. And I'm pretty certain he's been a prominent figure in hip-hop longer than Danger Mouse has, so to call him a protege is not entirely accurate.

-- chap who would dare to be a nerd, not a geek (joe.goode...), Today. (chap) (later)

So, in other words, "um.... no."

― regular roundups (Dave M), Saturday, 27 May 2006 03:30 (nineteen years ago)

Also, can anyone back me up on the utter awfulness of the Ray Lamontagne cover?

― regular roundups (Dave M), Saturday, 27 May 2006 03:31 (nineteen years ago)

I haven't heard it, so no.

Sounds like I'd like to keep it that way, too.

― Keywords: revenge, knife, granddaughter, demonic-possession, rock-star, eel (Aus, Saturday, 27 May 2006 03:33 (nineteen years ago)

FROM NME.com
Gnarls Barkley delete chart-topper
The reign of 'Crazy' is over
Gnarls Barkley are to delete their chat-topper 'Crazy' tomorrow (May 29), ending its run of nine consecutive weeks at the top of the charts.
The band now want to focus on the follow-up single, 'Smiley Faces', which is scheduled for a release on July 17.
Speaking in the character pf Gnarls Barkley, the band explained in a statement: "I consider myself a realist. I suppose that goes for most of us. But I have found a way to at once hold them, fold them, walk away and run. This was not a painless decision. But pain is nothing but a bi-product of beauty. Potentially toxic, to be sure, but that's all it is."

'Crazy' made music history when the track became the first to top the UK singles chart on download sales alone, and is the longest running Number One single since Wet Wet Wet's 'Love Is All Around' in 1994.

― Huk-L (Huk-L), Monday, 29 May 2006 15:59 (nineteen years ago)

Good on em.

― chap who would dare to be a nerd, not a geek (chap), Monday, 29 May 2006 16:03 (nineteen years ago)

According to Billboard a few weeks back, the duo reportedly turned down a multi-million dollar McDonalds advertising campaign to license 'Crazy' for commercial use.

The silly reporter referred to them as 'Crazy' to turn it down!

I'm not disputing that this already is the annoying ringtone, etc., blah, blah of the year, and it will pop up, but interested to see this development at least. Downtown is still part of the WEA bohemoth, so, I'm wondering how much control they have over these decisions.

Frankly, I'm doubting the lasting power of the album. It's been 2 months listening to it, and I doubt it will make my top ten of the year. Forgettable. Everybody's criticism about this being a mediocre record with a few standout highlights was OTM.

― pher (pher), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 03:12 (nineteen years ago)

Explain "delete" to me. As in from their catalog? Or does this mean to withdraw it as a single?

― Dan Floss (Dan Floss), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 03:13 (nineteen years ago)

Maybe they want to "delete" it from the public's collective memory then release it as a BRAND NEW single again and then make even more money off of Crazy. Rinse repeat until they own all the money in the world. I wouldn't put Danger Mouse above such a tricky trick.

― Cunga (Cunga), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 03:32 (nineteen years ago)

Cunga, that would be... (wait for it)... CRAZY!

― max (maxreax), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 03:33 (nineteen years ago)

The cover version is terrible.

Cee-Lo and Andre 3000 went to the same high school for troubled kids and became friends; that's where a lot of the DF first met up. Seriously.

By "delete", it sounds like maybe they want to take the single off sale on itunes?

I assume the reason they're slowing this thing down so much when they play live is to allow Cee to actually be able to sing this beast. It's a tough song!

― Forksclovetofu (Forksclovetofu), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 04:01 (nineteen years ago)

It was on sale on vinyl before it went OMG FIRST DOWNLOAD-ONLY #1 EVAR, and has been on sale on CD ever since. They'll delete it just like any other single.

― kit brash (kit brash), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 11:51 (nineteen years ago)

Easy prediction : Crazy will be a massive mainstream hit
-- snowballing (snowballin...), March 20th, 2006. (later)

no fucking chance whatsoever.

-- banana squad (...), March 20th, 2006.

OTM

― Enrique IX: The Mediator (Enrique), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 12:17 (nineteen years ago)

So this is probably totally predictable, but this is like my favorite album ever. And btw, more attention needs to be paid to "Storm Coming", which is, like, the heaviest thing of all time.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 17:27 (nineteen years ago)

Also, the release couldn't have been better timed (in America at least) as this is the most summertimey thing since, like, swimming pools.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 17:29 (nineteen years ago)

They'll delete it just like any other single.

I don't think it's been adequately explained what this means, though.

― jaymc (jaymc), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 17:31 (nineteen years ago)

It's just like when a book goes out of print. No more CD or vinyl singles will be pressed.

― Tantrum The Cat (Tantrum The Cat), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 19:45 (nineteen years ago)

How many college radio stations across the world will we hear "Boogie Monster" on come Haloween time? LOTS.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 19:49 (nineteen years ago)

"hear" "college radio" does not compute

― Huk-L (Huk-L), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 19:50 (nineteen years ago)

Also, is it as blatant a Screamin Jay Hawkins homage as I think it is?

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 19:57 (nineteen years ago)

You could make a nice little mix with "Boogie Monster," "I Put a Spell on You," "Nightmare on My Street," and "Dracula's Wedding."

― jaymc (jaymc), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 20:07 (nineteen years ago)

I've already gotten to like some of what I considered (and maybe still consider) the filler on this album more, although I think there may be a few tracks I'm not going to get to like. (I find "Feng Shui" curiously appealing.) Agree that the album makes great summer listening overall, and it's been reaching the 90s in Philadelphia over the last 48 hours. (At the moment I'm not listening to much else besides this and three summery salsa CDs: Orquesta Guayacan's Xtremo, Andy Montanez's Salsaton, and Michael Stuart's Back to da Barrio.)

― Rockist_Scientist (RSLaRue), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 20:11 (nineteen years ago)

I didn't hear the Screamin Jay Hawkins similarity. Maybe that would be enough to tip me toward liking "Boogie Monster."

― Rockist_Scientist (RSLaRue), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 20:16 (nineteen years ago)

I can't wait to hear Paris' version of "Crazy."

Nelly Furtado recently covered it, too.

― Tape Store (Tape Store), Thursday, 1 June 2006 15:30 (nineteen years ago)

http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2006-06/23753120.jpg

― deej.. (deej..), Tuesday, 6 June 2006 06:05 (nineteen years ago)

awesome

― Huk-L (Huk-L), Tuesday, 6 June 2006 13:58 (nineteen years ago)

The stormtrooper needs a matching guitar, though.

― Keywords: revenge, knife, granddaughter, demonic-possession, rock-star, eel (Aus, Tuesday, 6 June 2006 14:02 (nineteen years ago)

Cee Lo: Please stop it and go back to Goodie Mob. This album is annoying. 2 good tracks, and a whole lot of ideas that stoners fucking round with beats would've canned.

― paulhw (paulhw), Tuesday, 6 June 2006 19:56 (nineteen years ago)

I don't hear any filler on this. It's pretty much end-to-end listenable, and not a minute too long.

― o. nate (onate), Tuesday, 6 June 2006 20:09 (nineteen years ago)

FWIW I think he IS going back to Goodie Mob.

― mummy wrapped in bacon (nickalicious), Tuesday, 6 June 2006 20:15 (nineteen years ago)

yeah...i heard something on the Dungeoneze board, but didn't know if it was wishful thinking. I wonder, if he does, whether Goodie Mo-B would have a higher profile as a result. Cee-lo's probably enjoying the relatively higher level of fame and skrilla with this too...
I really liked "One Monkey Don't Stop No Show" (without Cee Lo) anyway...

― paulhw (paulhw), Tuesday, 6 June 2006 20:21 (nineteen years ago)

sounds like boring music from the year 1999

― corey c (shock of daylight), Wednesday, 7 June 2006 07:04 (nineteen years ago)

"Crazy" up to 26 this week!

― bill neil (inabillity), Thursday, 8 June 2006 16:46 (nineteen years ago)

it's a likeable album. nothing special. quite why i paid money for it i'm not sure. o well. it's good music to stoat about town to on a summer's lunchtime.

― grimly fiendish (grimlord), Thursday, 8 June 2006 22:16 (nineteen years ago)

so far they've done star wars, the wizard of oz, bathtime fun and airline themed performances - not sure of any other specific ones. please mention if you know of them.

any votes on what's next? i'd like to see cee-lo as freddy and DM as jason, personally. backup singers and string players covered in blood, etc etc.

― Emily B (Emily B), Friday, 9 June 2006 20:51 (nineteen years ago)

BERT AND ERNIE

― Joseph McCombs (Joseph McCombs), Friday, 9 June 2006 21:23 (nineteen years ago)

OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN

― kit brash (kit brash), Saturday, 10 June 2006 00:23 (nineteen years ago)

Crazy is #15 on Billboard this week. Hot damn.

― bill neil (inabillity), Thursday, 15 June 2006 20:22 (nineteen years ago)

I just bought St. Elsewhere, and I can't be arsed to read the whole thread, but here's my thoughts on it:

I loved loved loved Cee-Lo Green Is the Soul Machine, so this was a bit of the disappointment. "Crazy" is great, but many other songs on the album sound rather bland, hookless. Besides "Crazy", there aren't any tracks that would size to the level of "The Art of Noise", "Glockappella", "Evening News", or "Die Trying" of Cee-Lo's previous album. Danger Mouse's production has nice touches, but it sounds kinda like a pale sampled soul that tries to imitate the real thing. Also, I hate the distorted d'n'b style drums that feature on several tracks - they don't fit with the vocals at all. As much as I hate people who say electronic music isn't real, I'd love to hear an LP where Cee-Lo is backed by a "real" band. On "Soul Machine" the electronic beats added up to Cee-Lo's hip hop soul and made it more interesting, but here they don't do much that a live bad wouldn't do better.

― Tuomas (Tuomas), Friday, 16 June 2006 11:23 (nineteen years ago)

CRAZY BREAKS BILLBOARD TOP 10. currently #6.

― bill neil (inabillity), Saturday, 24 June 2006 01:56 (nineteen years ago)

As I just told a friend: at the risk of overstatement, this is the weirdest record to hit the top 10 this millenium.

― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn (Alfred Soto), Saturday, 24 June 2006 02:02 (nineteen years ago)

I think that title's still held by Mariah Carey's "Loverboy," for completely different reasons.

― Joseph McCombs (Joseph McCombs), Saturday, 24 June 2006 17:50 (nineteen years ago)

"Crazy" itself isn't that weird. Some of the other songs on the record are pretty fucked up sounding though.

― Marmot 4-Tay: forth-coming, my child. forth-coming most righteous champion (mar, Saturday, 24 June 2006 21:56 (nineteen years ago)

What does this remind you of? http://www.breakbaar.nl/nelcimiteroditucson.mp3

― JoB (JoB), Friday, 7 July 2006 10:33 (nineteen years ago)

I really like 'Smiley Faces' largely due to Cee-Lo's excellent vocals again but must admit sometimes I almost want it to turn into 'Tell Her About It' by Billy Joel if not 'Maneater' by Hall & Oates.

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Friday, 7 July 2006 10:36 (nineteen years ago)

I hate this song so much wthwtrjhwtsftj@#%

― Curt1s St3ph3ns, Friday, 14 July 2006 03:25 (nineteen years ago)

seven months pass...

ever wondered where "Crazy" came from? then click here

― zappi, Friday, 2 March 2007 18:24 (nineteen years ago)

Easy prediction : Crazy will be a massive mainstream hit
-- snowballing (snowballin...), March 20th, 2006. (later)
no fucking chance whatsoever.

banana squad (dayvidday) on Monday, March 20, 2006 5:42 PM (11 months ago)

― deej, Friday, 2 March 2007 18:30 (nineteen years ago)

Does demystify the "genius" quite a bit. Nowhere near as impressive as what DM and Cee-Lo did with it, but still.

"Reverberi" is such an awesome name...

― Pye Poudre, Friday, 2 March 2007 18:32 (nineteen years ago)

ten months pass...

New song! I like!
http://therapup.rawkus.com/2008/01/gnarls-barkley-run.html
Derivative! Fun! Could be a hit!

― forksclovetofu, Tuesday, 29 January 2008 19:12 (eighteen years ago)

This song is fucking...gnarly.

― nickalicious, Tuesday, 29 January 2008 19:40 (eighteen years ago)

Cee-Lo is my favorite living human.

― nickalicious, Tuesday, 29 January 2008 19:40 (eighteen years ago)

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

― Dimension 5ive, Tuesday, 29 January 2008 19:42 (eighteen years ago)

Looking forward to a higher quality sample...sounds promising though.

― musically, Wednesday, 30 January 2008 01:29 (eighteen years ago)

Cee-Lo is my favorite living human.

-- nickalicious, Tuesday, January 29, 2008 7:40 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Link

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

-- Dimension 5ive, Tuesday, January 29, 2008 7:42 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Link

don't have much problem agreeing with this sentiment, though this track ain't kicked in for me quite yet...

― dell, Wednesday, 30 January 2008 01:36 (eighteen years ago)

The leaked songs that i've heard are great...This could end up being one of the very best of 2006. Who else is excited?
-- Tape Store (Tape Store), Monday, January 23, 2006 1:17 AM (2 years ago) Bookmark Link

WTF Tape Store 2K6?!??!?!?!?!

― Tape Store, Wednesday, 30 January 2008 06:32 (eighteen years ago)

2006 is gonna be awesome, mark my words.

― dell, Wednesday, 30 January 2008 06:52 (eighteen years ago)

Ser987so6luy, what's your pics f9r 08"?

― dell, Wednesday, 30 January 2008 06:54 (eighteen years ago)

I'm not trying to be a jerk, I just hiccoughed there. That's weirdly impressive of ya.

― dell, Wednesday, 30 January 2008 07:03 (eighteen years ago)

Again, I'm sorry about my ldkkkk34!?! posts. Sometimes things go wrong.

― dell, Wednesday, 30 January 2008 07:25 (eighteen years ago)

I think this song is okay, but not great. Too much of a pastiche, and not an interesting enough hook. Then again, that's how I felt about most of St. Elsewhere, so I guess it's not a surprise.

― Tuomas, Wednesday, 30 January 2008 07:28 (eighteen years ago)

i talked to khia yesterday and she said cee-lo is her favorite musician & her next record is gonna be heavily inspired by gnarls barkley

― and what, Wednesday, 30 January 2008 12:53 (eighteen years ago)

oh man i <3 gnarls sry i said mean things abt u upthread dangermouse

― jhøshea, Wednesday, 30 January 2008 13:01 (eighteen years ago)

Sounds pretty good. As much as I´d prefer a new Cee-lo record, it at least has me hopeful that the new Gnarls record could be an improvement on the last.

― __CB__, Wednesday, 30 January 2008 14:54 (eighteen years ago)

It's pleasant enough, nothing special. Could be a grower though - I found Crazy and Who Cares were the only tracks I was into straight away on St. Elsewhere, and now I like pretty much all of them.

― chap, Wednesday, 30 January 2008 15:01 (eighteen years ago)

I thought I was the only one who thought Cee-Lo as a solo artist was much better than Gnarls Barkley. Glad to see someone else shares that view.

(x-post)

― Tuomas, Wednesday, 30 January 2008 15:01 (eighteen years ago)

Re-listen to the Cee-Lo records, Tuomas, and then hit up Gnarls again; you'll realize that Lo is a lot more in control of GB than you might think.

― Dimension 5ive, Wednesday, 30 January 2008 16:11 (eighteen years ago)

i like ceelos singing that why i luv gnarls more

― jhøshea, Wednesday, 30 January 2008 16:15 (eighteen years ago)

B-b-but he barely raps on his second solo album, most of the tunes are sung.

― Tuomas, Wednesday, 30 January 2008 16:36 (eighteen years ago)

That's a bad stutter there, Tuomas, you should do something about that.

― Dimension 5ive, Wednesday, 30 January 2008 17:06 (eighteen years ago)

one month passes...

Album is interesting on first listen; no obvious breakout hit but it's a fun psych pop thang so far.

― forksclovetofu, Wednesday, 19 March 2008 15:55 (eighteen years ago)

Just me, huh?
It opens up after a few plays; I hope it'll find a friendly niche.

― forksclovetofu, Wednesday, 19 March 2008 19:56 (eighteen years ago)

I liked the samples I listened to on iTunes last night, sounded pretty promising.

― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Wednesday, 19 March 2008 19:58 (eighteen years ago)

I'm optimistically curious, just haven't gotten round to stealing it yet.

― chap, Wednesday, 19 March 2008 19:59 (eighteen years ago)

"Gnarls Barkley" ??

-- Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Sunday, January 22, 2006 8:24 PM (2 years ago) Bookmark Link

^^ tracer otm

― Curt1s Stephens, Wednesday, 19 March 2008 20:04 (eighteen years ago)

Only had one listen but forksclovetofu OTM re: no major hit. It does seem much more of a cohesive "album" than St Elsewhere - "Blind Mary" sounded nice.

― __CB__, Friday, 21 March 2008 21:37 (eighteen years ago)

Not a ton of buzz on this one..."Run" is good but it sounds like a pretty average Northern Soul song.

― musically, Sunday, 23 March 2008 03:36 (eighteen years ago)

some of the lyrics on this new album are fucking awful.

― mr x, Sunday, 23 March 2008 14:51 (eighteen years ago)

I find this album compeletly uninvolving compared to the first one. It's okay.

― HI DERE, Sunday, 23 March 2008 19:08 (eighteen years ago)

Guys if "Surprise" isn't destined to be a big summertime hit then I'll eat my hat.

― nickalicious, Wednesday, 26 March 2008 21:17 (eighteen years ago)

There are a few missteps on the album ("Whatever" in particular...well-named song) but it is fucking really solid.

Also love "Who's Gonna Save My Soul", "Open Book" (wouldn't sound out of place on In Rainbows), "Neighbors" a lot...but "Surprise"! Jesus, what a song, what a nice rhythm.

― nickalicious, Wednesday, 26 March 2008 21:19 (eighteen years ago)

It's at least going to be a great spring/summer road tripping album.

― nickalicious, Wednesday, 26 March 2008 21:26 (eighteen years ago)

My first impression is the songs have less immediacy but more depth than the ones on St. Elsewhere. There are some really nice moments.

― chap, Wednesday, 26 March 2008 22:48 (eighteen years ago)

"Surprise" for the second single.

― chap, Wednesday, 26 March 2008 23:44 (eighteen years ago)

two weeks pass...

Amazing live show.

― forksclovetofu, Friday, 11 April 2008 14:44 (seventeen years ago)

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