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It was love at first listen for Gnarls and me. I was hooked the first time I heard the super-hit single, “Crazy.” But when I heard everyone calling St. Elsewhere the album of the summer, I was a bit skeptical. After all, one single does not an album make. So before the album was even released, I’d already placed a reserve on it at the local library—so I could check it out for myself before jumping on the bandwagon.
This endlessly-hyped collaboration from producer Danger Mouse and Goodie Mob’s Cee-Lo isn’t what you might expect it to be after hearing just the first single. In fact, if you expect it to be like anything you’ve heard before, for the most part, you’ll be wrong (though, a couple of times—especially on “The Boogie Monster”—it did give me the slightest of OutKast flashbacks). St. Elsewhere an experimental musical adventure that takes on forms that you’d never even imagine. Gospel on speed? That’s the first song (“Go-Go Gadget Gospel”). Hip-hop? Check. Funk? Yep. Futuristic Motown? That’s in there, too (“Smiley Faces,” which is reportedly the album’s forthcoming second single). Oh, yeah…and there’s also a Violent Femmes cover (“Gone Daddy Gone).
The lyrics may not always be the most upbeat—in fact, they’re often dark and gloomy—but thanks to the catchy hooks and danceable beats, you’ll barely notice. On this album, you’ll find everything from slow grooves to frantic electronic beats. Yet, for some reason, it all seems to flow together.
It wasn’t love at first listen for St. Elsewhere and me. The first time through, I listened with interest, taking time to appreciate the imagination and ingenuity that went into the songs. But only a couple of them really jumped out at me and made me turn up the volume. Maybe it was just a bit more unconventional than I was expecting. Once I got used to the eccentricity of it all, though, I got the hooks stuck in my head, and I found myself starting to sing along with more than just “Crazy.” And I slowly fell hopelessly in love.
While I’m not yet prepared to pronounce St. Elsewhere The Album of the Summer, it’s definitely in the running. By all means, download the MP3 of “
Crazy.” Because, well, all the cool kids already have—and I wouldn’t want you to be left out. But, just to be on the safe side, you might want to give the rest of St. Elsewhere a listen on Napster and let it grow on you a bit before committing to buying the whole album.
