Gnarls Barkley: “St. Elsewhere” (Downtown Recordings)
review by Jason Isbell
This album didn’t stand a chance. There were just too many obstacles for it to overcome. Rarely does anything of substance with the promise of longevity come from the stagnant putrid pool of mainstream music. I’m certainly not what one would call a die hard fan of R and B, with a few archaic exceptions, and though the adjective “experimental” piques my interest every time, I find few who use it able to deliver. But I’ve never been so content with being so wrong. Right out of the gates, in “Go Go Gadget Gospel,” singer Cee-Lo and producer Danger Mouse attack the boundaries of genres with an ethnic polka overlaid with soulful gospel vocals. The radio single, “Crazy,” is catchy without being irritating, and is laced with substantial yet approachable lyrics. The title track, “St. Elsewhere,” is a song made poignant by Cee-Lo’s haunting androgynous voice and cryptic words. Gnarls Barkley flirts with hip-hop on a couple tracks, and manages to execute it successfully without any references to Escalades, being shot, or smacking bitches. I found nearly every track on this album rewarding in some way, and I was happy the whole time to have my nose rubbed in my own pompous pre-judgment.
(http://www.gnarlsbarkley.com or http://www.downtownrecordings.com) GC