Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple
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CD Details
Artist: Gnarls BarkleyBrand: GNARLS BARKLEY
Edition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown)
CD Release Date: 2008-03-21
Model: 00075678994692
Music Label: Atlantic
Soundtracks:
- Charity Case
- Who's Gonna Save My Soul
- Going On
- Run
- Would Be Killer
- Open Book
- Whatever
- Surprise
- No Time Soon
- She Knows
- Blind Mary
- Neigbors
- A Little Better
Music reviews of The Odd Couple
Music Review: The Odd Couple Indeed
Rating: 5 Stars
After listening to this album a dozen times, including now as I write this review, it has become a personal classic. While the immensely talented Danger Mouse has crafted some sensational beats on this album, for me, Cee-lo stands out and beyond anything he did on St. Elsewhere with his powerful voice, and amazing lyrics. I have developed a soft spot for this album because the lyrics from song to song almost form a narrative, as Cee-lo describes the various stages and thoughts he has throughout encountering relationships. So many of the lyrics beautifully delivered by Cee-lo, who for me is pretty much the new Al Green, can describe situations I have gone through, and thoughts I have had, whilst in a meaningful relationship, and after a depressing breakup. Cee-lo's great lyrical talent earns him a top spot on my list of song writers, and I'll go through each song to give you an idea of how this CD forms somewhat of a narrative by describing a few of the tracks that stood out for me.
1. Charity Case - First of all, this is a tremendous opening song for the CD. The beat is nice and Cee-lo's lyrics are spot on. The content of the lyrics is quite fitting as an introductory song to a CD labeled 'The Odd Couple,' as it deals with what would appear to be two people talking about their differences. Who these people are is not exactly certain. Cee-lo could be talking about his relationship with Danger Mouse, which could go along nicely with the theme of the CD, but given that there is a female backup singer in this song, who responds to some of the lyrics Cee-lo delivers, leads me to believe that the entire CD is about relationships in general.
Here's the first verse to give you an idea of what the song is like. The lyrics in brackets are sung by the female backup singer:
[Cee-Lo]
"I don't know what matters to you at this moment
But that's all that matters to me
How are you? (How are you?)
Knock on wood
Well I'm not doin so good
(I bet you pro-ba-bly couldn't tell)
(Although you're worth it, I'm still not well)
And I don't understand how I'm so understandin
I guess that that's all I can be
How are you? (How are you?)
I think I can help
But I can't help myself
(Shouldn't I be happy? You need my help)
(I usually just talk, to myself)"
The chorus is a nice catchy tune, with the lyrics "give it away now" repeated, and here Cee-lo is likely talking about his heart. The word charity is most likely associated with Cee-lo's apparent desire for some compassion, where he is in need of some charity. Some other stand out lines in this song are the following,
[Cee-Lo]
"Now all apologies baby but I'm bleedin too
Are you needin me like I'm needin you
Even my shadow leaves me all alone at night
Guess I need to start to take my own advice"
Cee-lo's smart delivery and wonderful voice leads to quite a memorable track. It runs with the idea of a couple conversing about the situations they've gone through, and feelings they've felt, now that they have broken up, and the lyrics in this song fit perfectly in that regard.
Sly's Rating - 9/10
2. Who's Gonna Save My Soul - This is one of my favorite songs on the album, and is quite a moving one with some quite well crafted lyrics. The somber mood established by Danger Mouse's tremendous beat goes along very nicely with the theme of the song. This song jumps back to when Cee-lo first discovers his relationship is over, and if you've ever been there, it is a very unpleasant moment. Somehow this song manages to capture that intense feeling of sorrow and turn it into something beautiful. I can't possibly describe how that happens by posting some of the lyrics, as the tempo and tune of the song have much to do with that, however some of the lyrics might be able to give you a good idea.
[Cee-Lo]
"I got some bad news this morning
Which in turn made my day
When this someone spoke I listened
All of a sudden, has less and less to say
Ohhhhhh how could this be?
All this time, I've lived vicariously
Who's gonna save my soul now?
Who's gonna save my soul now?
How will my story ever be tollllld now?
How will my story be tollllld now?"
[Cee-Lo]
"And maybe it's a little selfish
All I have is the memory
Yet I never stopped to wonder-ahhhhh
Was it possible you were hurtin worse than me
Still my hunger turns to greeeeed
Cause what about what I neeeeeed?!"
Sly's Rating: 10/10
3. Going On - Cee-lo's progression with getting to terms with his lost relationship receive an extremely uplifting song on the third track. It carries that almost over the top optimism that you try to muster inside yourself when you're trying to come to terms with a break up, like no matter what happens, you'll be ok, or, you'll be able to go on, in this case.
Here are some lyrics from the song. This time the bracketed lyrics are simply echoes of Cee-lo's lyrics, done by Cee-lo, as this song is pretty much Cee-lo's inner monologue about what he's going to do to move on with life.
[Cee-Lo]
Anyone that needs what they want, and doesn't want what they need
I want nothing to do with (do with)
I am to do what I want, and to do what I please
Is first off my to-do list (to-do list)
But every once in a while, I think about her smile
One of the few things I do miss (do miss)
But baby I've got to go, baby I've got to know
Baby I've got to prove it (prove it)
And I'll see you when you get there
[Chorus: Cee-Lo]
But I'm going on... and I'm prepared to go it alone~!
I'm going on... to a place in the sun that's nice and warm
I'm going on, and I'm sure they'll have a place for you too
Oo-hoo-ooh
The song ends with a sensational instrumental by Danger Mouse, which to me kind of symbolizes Cee-lo's progression into the place in the sun that's nice and warm that he described.
Sly's Rating: 9/10
4. Run (I'm A Natural Disaster) - This song is all about Cee-lo doing something completely drastic in a vain attempt to get over the break up, which again if you've been there, is probably something that crosses your mind when encountering depression and sorrow. This was the single for the CD, which is bizarre in my opinion, as it is probably one of the more depressing songs, despite the quite vibrant beat.
[Cee-Lo]
"Yeah it's still the same, can't you feel the pain?
When the needle hits the vein, ain't nothing like the real thang
I've seen it once before and oh it's something else, good God!
Cool breeze come on in, sunshine come on down
These are the teardrops of a clown, the circus is comin to town
All I'm sayin is sometimes I'm more scared of myself
You better (MOVE!) I said (MOVE!) Ha yeah"
This is one of the songs I had trouble understanding, as for whatever reason, Cee-lo seems to be talking to children throughout the song. In the chorus, he exclaims, "Run Away! Run Away! Run Children! Run for you life!" This might in fact be Cee-lo doing something as drastic as literally approaching a bunch of children and unloading his angst on them.
Sly's Rating: 8/10
5. Would Be Killer - Here we progress into Cee-lo's dark and brooding angst, as he contemplates what would typically be unthinkable. He delves into thoughts of murder and deep depression. The production on this track is especially on point by Danger Mouse, as he maintains that creepy brooding expression you might expect to see on Cee-lo's face while he sings this song.
[Cee-Lo]
Something I thought maybe I could do
But I can't, now can I?
Lucky - lucky youuuuu!
[Chorus]
Did you know I could be, a would be, killer
If suddenly I should be, I would be, killer
[Cee-Lo]
Hurrrrrt people, hurt people
Thissss is always howwwww
Oh I've been entered by evil
So someone best love me right now!
I think the lyrics here mostly speak for them self. Cee-lo is thinking about doing something horrible unless he receives the love that he feels he deserves. Quite a horrifying place to be I would say, and the track reflects that really well.
Sly's Rating 8/10
So here is where my review will end, as it was a great joy of mine to unravel each track and discover the real theme of this album, and I wouldn't want to give it all away before you listened to this outstanding softmore album yourself. This isn't really an album review afterall, merely quite a personal interpretation of the general themes of the album. Having said that, I still feel this album is truly Barking something Gnarly, and it just so happens to carry a few themes that lead me to believe that the whole album is about relationships, so if that ain't your cup of tea, this album might not mean much to you.
Sly's Album Rating: 9/10
Description of The Odd Couple
Following the worldwide, unparalleled critical acclaim for 2006's St. Elsewhere and their record breaking hit "Crazy," Gnarls Barkley is set to release their sophomore album this April. Titled, The Odd Couple, the album features 13 tracks of new material from Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo Green. The first single, "Run" has been met with rave reviews, and The Odd Couple is without question one of the most anticipated releases of 2008.With its cinematic origins The Odd Couple is the natural title for the second album by a pair who seem to spend as much time in wardrobe as the studio and whose recordings are often compared to film scores. Their greatest hit, 2006's "Crazy" was even built around a chunk of a spaghetti western soundtrack. Yet after the success of 2006's excellent St Elsewhere, the collaboration of singer Thomas "Cee-Lo Green" Callaway and producer Brian "Danger Mouse" Burton has become a permanent institution. The Odd Couple certainly lives up to expectations, and though there is no obvious smash to match "Crazy", it's a smoother affair than their often hyperactive debut, the unsettling "Open Book" aside. Highlights include the excellent, agitated lead-off single "Run", a smart slice of off kilter pop-soul, and its most obvious successor, the instant classic "Surprise". "Going On" manages to weld an eighties pomp-pop introduction to a surprisingly vulnerable Cee-Lo performance while the plaintive, bluesy "Who's Gonna Save My Soul" catches him at his most soulful. "Whatever" is a cute, rather bratty sixties pastiche halfway to Britpop (though no Englishman ever used the expression "y'all") while the warped bubblegum pop of "Blind Mary" and the more traditionally ominous "Would Be Killer" are opposite sides of the same twisted coin. Informed by rap and dance, but occupying their own unique genre, Gnarls Barkley continue to soundtrack the movie that, so far, exists only in their heads. --Steve Jelbert
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