Gnarls Barkley Album: “St. Elsewhere (Deluxe Edition)”

The album's first single, "CRAZY", was THE FIRST SONG TO BECOME A UK NUMBER ONE SINGLE BASES SOLELY ON DOWNLOAD SALES (on April 2)!! It has an amazing cross-genre sound worth the time of any musicfan of hip-hop, rap, R&B, soul or funk. How did such a mix come to be? Read on...

First some back story....Brian Burton was born in New York & lived in Georgia for a long time where his electronica work under the name Pelican City was released. He re-mixed work by local artists. From 1998 to 2003 Burton also created a series of remix CDs under the stagename D.J.Danger Mouse (inspired by the British cartoon series Dangermouse, see my review) including the album Ghetto Pop Life (`03), he created The Grey Album, mixing an a cappella version of Jay Z's The Black Album over beats crafted from samples of The Beatles' White Album. The remix album, originally created just for his friends, spread over the internet and Entertainment Weekly ranking it the best record of the year, also earning him a Grammy nom. (best producer). Danger Mouse was also named among the Men of the Year by GQ mag in 2004 and won the 2005 "WIRED Rave Award." Damon Albarn, who tracked him down to produce the Gorillaz' "DEMON DAYS". Followed by "The Mouse and the Mask" and "MF DOOM" for Cartoon Network's ADULT SWIM.

Now here Danger Mouse releases ST. ELSEWHERE, another TV reference and collaboration with CEE-LO as GNARLS BARKLEY, the debut album of Gnarls Barkley, released on April 24, 2006 in the United Kingdom, where it debuted at number one on the ALBUM CHART and is set to be released on May 9 in the States, although it can be purchased this week as a digital download in the U.S. iTunes music store.

CEE-LO, born in Thomas Calloway, is an American hip-hop, funk, soul and R&B singer, songwriter / producer (Goodie Mob). CEE-LO's solo hits are the singles "Closet Freak" and "I'll Be Around." Born in Georgia, he is one of a number of artists to successfully record as both a rapper and singer. He has appeared as a featured singing vocalist on songs by artists such as Santana, Twista, OutKast and Black Eyed Peas (Like That), and sings background vocals on TLC's hit single "Waterfalls". His songwriter / producer his include the 2005 hit singles recorded by The Pussycat Dolls and Busta Rhymes..Cee-Lo received a Grammy nom for his song "Getting' Grown"

Given the background of the two artists involved and the hip soulfulness of CEE-LO's voice in the single "CRAzy" charged with the style that keeps a hit in for the long haul the album, ST. ELSEWHERE should be a hit in the States as well.

Gnarls Barkley is producer Danger Mouse and Southern rapper Cee-Lo. The album is a broad and varied mix between everything from Hip Hop, to Funk, Soul, Pop and Electro with samples that also vary from a broad range of sources (which itself is the whole point with sampling) you find unique samples fom odd or forgotten sources and you recycle them in a smart way. Not just copy and paste hits from the 70's or 80's like many hip hop artists do these days. Gnarls Barkley samples from 60's pop: progressive/psychedelic and Italian Sountrack music, in particular Daniele Luppi. The result is that it sound exciting, entertaining and fresh. If You like Gorillaz, you'll probably like Gnarls aswell, Danger Mouse created the beats for Damon Albarn and co. for their second album "Demon Days" and the genre is simular. But apart from Gorillaz, Gnarls are even more exciting in the sense of lyrics and originality. The lyrics differ from schizophrenic, to Paranoid and plain crazy and while listening to this record I can proudly say that I've never heard something simular. Danger mouse is an excellent and very creative producer that has arranged all the diffrent sources he had into one great concept full of exciting beats, melodies and crazy lyrics, while Cee-lo can both rap and sing and hence is a very useful member.

First song is called "Go-Go Gadget Gospel" and is actually a gospel song but all those crazy hypnotic horns makes the song very diffrent. Although only 2 minutes it's the perfect intoduction to what is coming in the world of "St Elsewhere". "Crazy" the title track that spent countless of weeks peaking at #1 on the Uk charts and now also climbing on the Billboard is the perfect example of Gnarls magic. On first thought The song is about a man with mental problems and the lyrics are just as crazy and paranoid, but apparently the song is about "the thought that people have to believe you're crazy to think you're an artist". The title track is slower and much more soulish. I suppose it's more of an intro to the album concept, the lyrics simply deal with a man leaving for "St Elsewhere" but for once it's lyrics aren't crazy. "Gone Daddy Gone" is a repetitive feel good dance song with funky beats. "Smily Face" is funny with sarcastic lyrics, and a somehwt rocky sound. "The Boogie Monster" is a crazy midtempo about paranoia, lyrics like "I used to wonder why he looked, familiar, Then I realised it was a mirror" proves why. On "Feng Shui" we'll find Cee-lo rapping again, but this song is only 1:30. The suicidal melancholy semi-ballad "Just a Thought" sounds like a Spaghetti Western by the music, and not too surpring it's one of Danger Mouse's main sources. Schizophrenic "Transformer" sounds like the opener and is full of fast-paced samples, Voice loops and crazy lyrics. "Who Cares" is once again about Schizophrenia, but this song is slower, remind me a little of the new Outkast. "On Line" is another slower song, crazy and strange lyrics. "Necromancer" is what you think it is about, one of the oddest songs I've heard this year. "Storm Coming" is a funky uptempo with agressive singing and fast percussion. Sounds very old-skool. "The Last Time" is another soulish song with funky rhythm, good closer. With 14 songs the album only clocks at 34 minutes, but it's entertaining all the way.

Overall, If You want something diffrent, here you go. "St Elsewhere" is defenitely one of the funkies, most creative and diverse Hip Hop albums of 2006. Producer Danger Mouse and Singer/Rapper Cee-Lo's masterminds put together results in an excellent concept album like this. If you like Gorillaz, try this aswell. You haven't heard anything like it before. Recommended.

I'm a 56 y/o white conservative male -- and I love the album. I'll be highly disappointed if it doesn't take home some awards next week. I highly recommend getting the Deluxe edition with the DVD. Can't wait to share it with my two daughters.

I think I first saw these guys on Letterman. They were great.

This is the best record I've heard in a long time. I love Cee-Lo Green's voice. It's almost disco. It has a sound that takes you back. Kinda like Motown meets Disco.

Awesome!!!

This CD is a soul funk fusion of fun ! I was blown away by how refreshing and infectious nearly every track sounds and how the sound bounces out of my stereo. Play it LOUD and often and you will be hooked. This is about old music that is new again and it is about music that is different from the same old formulas being marketed.

CRANK it up and lighten up !