Cee Lo Green Album: “Cee-Lo Green... Is the Soul Machine”

this album is F-ing nasty. it doesn't have as much of the raw dirty south edge as perfect imperfections but its got the slicker soulful sound happening. people said he would do less of his singing stuff on this album, but its still in there. honestly, its a ton of original unique music. probably ends up being something like a cross between the love below and speakerboxxx. the track with luda is sick, the primo track is excellent as well. i HIGHLY recommend this disc. don't expect the last one, but its still some of the most original music out there. im usually slow to warm up to an album but i've only had it for about 12 hours and i already can't take it off repeat.

Damn. Cee-Lo Green really is the Soul Machine. I gotta say this album is one of the best I've bought in the last year. The single with Timbaland is hot, and Cee-Lo's flow stays on point the entire album, whether spittin fire in a fast rap or swingin low on some soulful tune. The Art Of Noise is a personal favorite of mine, with a 70's funk feel and some great vocals and production.

For that matter, the whole album's production is amazing. Cee-lo's beats are great, but there are also 2 neptunes beats, and timbaland beat, and one DJ Premier beat. The song with primo is probably my favorite cut on the album, "Evening News"

If you're looking for soulful smooth hits, they're here. You also got your Hip Hop roots, a playful song with Ludacris, even a diss track ("Glockapella") Its all here, a very well-rounded album, go out and cop it today.

Cee-Lo returns after his soulful Imperfections CD to bring us one of the best albums of 2004. The single, "I'll Be Around," is funky. "Die Trying," my personal favorite and my recommendation for those interested to download, showcases Lo's ability to sing and rap. There are so many more delightful songs on his genre-breaking album. From the angry "Scrap Metal" to the reminiscent "When We Were Friends," you'll get a little bit of every emotion from Cee-Lo. In fact, that is why he is so good. That is why he is so soulful. It is because he pours everything into his songs, and the listener can always tell. Even songs like "Childz Play," which I feel are weaker than the rest (probably because Ludacris is on it), are listenable. Buy it!

The only rule in the world of singer-rapper Cee-Lo is "there are no rules." The former Goodie Mob frontman explores every aspect of contemporary black music on the CD "Cee-Lo Green Is the Soul Machine." Cee-Lo takes the listener on a musical journey though the worlds of R&B, rap and soul on tracks that transcend genre. Sometimes rapping, sometimes singing, Cee-Lo never fails to surprise and only occasionally fails to satisfy.

The general approach on "Soul Machine" is similar to fellow Atlanta musicians OutKast in its variety but Cee-Lo possesses an (sometimes outstanding) Al Green-like singing voice shown off on tracks like "My Kinda People" and "Let's Stay Together" (not the Al Green version). Unfortunately, Cee-Lo's rapping ability, though admirable, falls flat at the most inopportune moments, sometimes mid-verse. He really needs to stick to singing and spoken word. OutKast's storytelling prowess and ability to make cohesive radio-friendly compositions out of disparate elements are things that Cee-Lo should study, though he's getting closer than he did on his debut album "Cee-Lo Green and His Perfect Imperfections" (2002) which was brilliant but unmarketable.

Bringing in the Neptunes and Timbaland on "The Art of Noise" and "I'll Be Around," respectively, was a stroke of genius. They offer Cee-Lo the kind of grounding that radio programmers desire and yet they allow him the freedom that he needs. Canned Cee-Lo is not an option. In less radio-friendly settings, Cee-Lo gets a little weird sometimes, but still makes good music. For example, the eerily beautiful "Evening News" show that tracks don't always have to make sense to be cool. "Glockapella" is also a little strange, but works well enough to merit a listen. These aren't even the best tracks on "Soul Machine" and they're more interesting than most contemporary rap singles.

There's no easy way to describe this album, but it is easy to recommend if you like R&B, rap, experimental music or need "something different." Buy it, listen to it a couple of times all the way through and allow it to sink in, and then decide what you think. Warts and all, it's easily the most interesting rap album of 2004.

This album is a must-have for the people who representin' the dirty south and to everyone who is down for the down home southern soul. I recommend this album is better than his debut album. It will make you put his debut album in the back burner! The reason why I said this is because the beats are tighter and into a different level than the music released as of today. I am very impressed of how Cee-Lo snaps when he raps. Don't get me wrong, his singing ability is tight, too. My most favorite track of this album is "Living Again" because of the production of the track and the message behind it. I suggest you to cop this album!