St. Elsewhere - Dark Publications

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Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com
In 2006, Danger Mouse is King Midas of the music world. He has an uncanny knack for creating jagged, dense, frenzied beats and odd, eerie, vivid soundscapes that never compromise the music's natural flow. Meanwhile, rapper and singer Cee-Lo, a veteran of Atlanta's Dirty South scene, has never been one to be constrained by hip-hop conventions, and is a willing partner in adventure. The result is an intrepid psychedelic blend of pop, hip-hop, soul, and rock that consistently challenges and delights. It's no wonder that "Crazy," with its modest riff, irresistible hook, and disarming opening line ("I remember when, I remember, I remember when I lost my mind") became a worldwide Internet sensation a full six months before the official release of St. Elsewhere. But that relatively simple soul-pop gem is the tamest track on this wide-ranging, often dark and introspective collaboration. (In fact, the duo considers Gnarls Barkley to be a wholly new creation, as opposed to a collaboration of existing artists.) "Everybody is somebody, but nobody wants to be themselves," Cee-Lo croons on "Who Cares?" He and Danger Mouse try very hard not to be their old selves as they creatively and confidently break down boundaries, but the brilliant cores of their musical personae--Cee-Lo's eccentric spiritual soul man and Danger's bold sonic explorer--remain. --Marc Greilsamer

Album Description
Gnarls Barkley is the highly anticipated collaboration from Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo. Danger Mouse is one of the most important artist/producers in music today. "Demon Days" sold over 5 million worldwide and Dangerdoom's "The Mouse And The Mask" sold over 100,000 units. Accolades include GQ's "Men Of The Year" honor; Spin's "Eccentric Genius Of The Year", NME's "Hottest Hip-Hop Producer In The World", Entertainment Weekly's "Album Of The Year", Grammy nomination for Producer Of The Year, and more. Cee-Lo is a Grammy-nominated, founding member of Goodie Mob. He wrote and produced the Pussycat Dolls #1 smash hit "Don't Cha", and his two solo albums for Arista scanned over 500,000 units combined. He also wrote hit singles for Ludacris, Common, P Diddy, Trick Daddy, and others. "Goodie Mob" has sold over two million albums worldwide. "Crazy", from this release, is all over UK's Radio One.

Album Description
Gnarls Barkley is the highly anticipated collaboration from Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo. Danger Mouse is one of the most important artist/producers in music today. Demon Days sold over 5 million worldwide and Dangerdoom's "The Mouse And The Mask" sold over 100,000 units. Accolades include GQ's "Men Of The Year" honor; Spin's "Eccentric Genius Of The Year", NME's "Hottest Hip-Hop Producer In The World", Entertainment Weekly's "Album Of The Year", Grammy nomination for Producer Of The Year, and more. Cee-Lo is a Grammy-nominated, founding member of Goodie Mob. He wrote and produced the Pussycat Dolls #1 smash hit "Don't Cha", and his two solo albums for Arista scanned over 500,000 units combined. He also wrote hit singles for Ludacris, Common, P Diddy, Trick Daddy, and others. Goodie Mob has sold over two million albums worldwide. 2006.

Customer Reviews: Read 231 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse's album puts a smile on your face and keeps it there May 9, 2006
139 out of 149 found this review helpful

Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse's album is an album that I have been looking forward to for a while, and it was definitely worth the wait. While it is not the style that I expected, it is every bit as good in quality as I could have hoped for. I have been a fan of Cee-Lo's entire career, from his days as a street poet in the Goodie Mob to his soulful solo albums, and I have thoroughly enjoyed Danger Mouse's production on the Danger Doom collaboration with MF Doom and his other works with Gorillaz. In a collaboration between the two, I expected solid and original hip hop production and Cee-Lo's signature fusion of rap and soul. As soon as I popped "St. Elsewhere" into the player, I was blown away. No song is ever worth skipping, and the production fits the singing perfectly. It is hard to nail a genre to Gnarls Barkley. Cee-Lo's happy and silly singing is close to soul spanning over many generations, and Danger Mouse's intricate and many layered beats are reminiscent of soul, funk, jazz, rap, and rock at various times. He serves as an entire band for the singer. Cee-Lo fans expecting his street-conscious rap lyrics of the past will not find them here, but will instead be fulfilled with very funny, soulful, deep, and great lyrics sung in his high yet raspy voice. "St. Elsewhere" is an album that will appeal to many different types of listeners, and I'm sure both Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse will increase their audience here. Both of their huge efforts are evident. "St. Elsewhere" is also great because every song is the right length, averaging two and a half minutes, so that nothing is too much, yet every idea is explored sufficiently. It is the first album of its kind and really shines.

The album opens with the beautiful trumpet line on "Go Go Gadget Gospel", a spinning, joyful song that Cee-Lo puts everything he has into. "Crazy", the album's single, has flutes, violins, and drumkits in the instrumental, and Cee-Lo's heartfelt verses about love and relationships are worth your ear over and over again. "St. Elsewhere" has a wonderful slow trumpet line, sad and encouraging lyrics, and is great overall. My favorite track is "Gone Daddy Gone", a very catchy rock song. The electric guitar and drum instrumentals keep my head bobbing, and the bullhorned verses complement it well. "Smiley Faces" is a very reminiscent track with excellent background voices and music and lyrics that keep you listening. "Boogie Monster" is a completely fun and silly track, with creepy music but hilarious lyrics with a twist ending. "Feng Shui"'s silly and random lyrics fit Danger Mouse's blissful yet simple production. "Just A Thought" is the deepest track lyrically, where Cee-Lo admits "I've tried everything but suicide...but it's crossed my mind." The drum and guitar paint as gloomy a picture as the lyrics do. "Transformer" has organ and horns, and a chorus that you'll try to sing along to and find yourself unable. "Who Cares" sounds like a song by the Beatles, seriously. "On-Line" has whispery, seductive singing and a soulful back. "Necromancing" begins with the Marvin Gaye-styled introduction ("Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up") and turns into a story of sexual indulgence. The album ends strong with "Storm Coming", a cool bluesy track, and "The Last Time", with a beautiful chorus and beat.

"St. Elsewhere" bends the music landscape and creates something like we've never been exposed to before. It takes experimental to the next level (think Andre 3000's "The Love Below" to the tenth power), yet is not too indulgent either, leaving the listener completely satisfied at all times. Anyone would love this, you could play it for the kids in the car, and I'm planning on giving copies to my rock-loving father, jazz and blues-loving grandfather, and R&B-loving sister. Gnarls Barkley has created a masterpiece in "St. Elsewhere" that I highly recommend to any type of music listener.

5 out of 5 stars

a CRAZY-good collaboration!! May 9, 2006
81 out of 100 found this review helpful

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.

1 out of 5 stars

BRILLIANCE TAINTED BY MISOGYNY June 19, 2006
20 out of 60 found this review helpful

I freaked out when I heard "Crazy" for the first time and did something I never do - immediately went out and bought the album just because of that one song, knowing nothing about the group. I even made a special trip across town just to get it. I listened to "Crazy" about 3000 times, e-mailed friends and asked them it they'd heard of this group and told them how great they were, and searched the internet for info. about the group and when they would be in my area. Although I wasn't as entranced by the rest of the album, I did like it - some of it alot. I thought (and still think) that "Crazy" was the best song I had heard in years.

Then as I was working on the computer with the album playing, the lyrics of the song "Necromancer" caught my attention. My jaw dropped. I went and got the lyric sheet. Somebody please explain to me how this song is "witty" or "brings a smile to your face", as other reviewers have said. Seriously. I don't get it. After searching the net for an explanation, I found an interview which seemed to indicate the "death" or "suicide" in the song is a metaphor - it's not meant to be taken literally. Hmmm. That doesn't cut it with me. As it stands, the song is incredibly nihilistic with a nasty, mean, callous spirit. That's putting it mildly. "Without a care in the world I'm compassionate about killing her.Ahh to have my way with what's Left of the will in her." ""A body in my bed. She was cool when I met Her but I think I like her better dead." "...The cords are of cold-blooded murder"..." I keep her it's cheaper I love her too much To let go." "We discussed over dinner how she would die. Before the day was done. so I caught her just in time to have a little fun...So scream and holler run and play. Wish you could die another day." "May bet she was alright When she was alive."

The song turned my stomach. It is, at the very least, the voice of someone who has no concern or human feeling whatsoever for the woman in the song. It's really very hateful. Do these people (the artists) read the papers? Do they know what happens out there in the world? Would they be so callous about glamourizing what could easily be interpreted as murder and rape (implied - in that murder is sexualized) if their sister or mother had been a victim? How is this okay? Why do people overlook this stuff and just sweep it under the carpet? It's a sick song, and I don't think it is meant to be metaphorical at all - the lyrics contradict the alleged premise (that she is more fun "dead" - indulging in substance abuse - than she is "alive" - without the drugs, etc.) No-one is going to get that alleged interpretation without explanation anyway - it IS going to be taken literally -particularly since the way it is performed punches the more repugnant lyrics and is very jarring and sinister sounding.) I think that explanation is just a cover-up for the artist indulging in some sick fantasy.

Why would you WANT to alienate at least one half of your potential audience? Why would you WANT to sing about something so dark and sick? Does it illuminate anything, is it thought provoking? No. It's just indulgent and a cheap attempt to shock. I guess they think it's cool and hip and "out there" - but personally I don't think there is any cachet surrounding rape, murder and necrophilia. How would they feel about a song glamourizing lynching? No mistake about it -this is a hateful, nasty song and these talented artists should be called out on it.

The long and the short of it is that I was ready to become a huge fan - now I want to get rid of the CD. It's a big disappointment.
Don't tell me I'm overreacting. Listen to it again and put yourself in a woman's shoes. It's just a nasty, mean-spirited, sick song that made me feel hated.

5 out of 5 stars

a CRAZY-good collaboration!! May 5, 2006
15 out of 17 found this review helpful

I've been listening to tunes from this on BBC RADIO ONE (on SAT RADIO) and I'd recommend picking it up.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.

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)!!

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.

4 out of 5 stars

Innovative but criminally short! May 11, 2006
11 out of 24 found this review helpful

As much as I like this album, I have to give it a B- as the 14-track CD clocks in at an inexcusable 37:20 minutes! Danger Mouse could've just tacked on an extra minute to each track and it would've ended up at 51:20, which I would barely accept as a proper album length. Anyway, on with the song-by-song review:

01. Go-Go Gadget Gospel 5/5

This song is simply awesome. Hearing 20 seconds of this song on their MySpace page made me decide to buy this CD. I agree with Pitchfork Media's review calling this "the most exciting thing I've heard this year."

02. Crazy 3.5/5

Didn't like this song at all when I first heard it. After about eight listens I still don't think it's amazing, but I can see why it's been the #1 single in the UK for over a month. Very catchy with some nice strings and backing vocals. Cee-Lo's voice doesn't get too annoyingly high pitched here.

03. St. Elsewhere 2.5/5

Pretty boring but decently produced. Cee-Lo's voice goes way too high here. I hate, HATE it when an album's title track is blatantly one of the weakest songs on the disc. Why bother?

04. Gone Daddy Gone 1/5

Really ridiculous cover of a Violent Femmes track I've never heard before. Skip this one every time.

05. Smiley Faces 4.5/5

This modern Motown masterpiece sounds like a 2006 version of "You Can't Hurry Love" with some of Cee-Lo's best vocals on the disc. DM really shows his range on tracks like this. Gets my feet tapping every time!

06. The Boogie Monster 2/5

I really hate this song, but the ending is funny. Skip this one every time as well.

07. Feng Shui 4.5/5

The only real hip-hop track on the album and it's fantastic -- too bad it's not even a minute and a half long!! There's just no excuse for how short this one is.

08. Just a Thought 3.5/5

DM tries on his best DJ Shadow-circa-1997 impression and mimics the beat from his "What More Can I Say?" remix off the Grey album, while Cee-Lo sings about contemplating suicide. I notice this track is available on the "Crazy" CD single as "Just a Thought (Edit)". I cannot imagine how much shorter this song needs to be to fit onto a two-track CD single, when it's only 3:42 minutes long (stupidly, the longest track on the album).

09. Transformer 3/5

Huge bass and crazy hi-speed samples make this the most insane track on the CD, but Cee-Lo's ULTRA-high pitched vocals make my ears bleed. An instrumental would be sick.

10. Who Cares? 4/5

I think this one's destined to be the next single. Nice, simple beat with some stable vox from Cee-Lo and clever lyrics. Nothing groundbreaking but it's good music.

11. Online 3/5

Nothing stands out about this track, other than the fact that it's shorter than two minutes. Cee-Lo actually goes pretty deep for this one but it's still boring.

12. Necromancer 3.5/5

Wow, Cee-Lo talks about having sex with a corpse throughout this entire song. Awesome.

13. Storm Coming 2.5/5

This is the first track that DM and Cee-Lo produced together for the Gnarls Barkley project. It's somewhat cool until the cheesy DJ Icey/early '90s roller rink beat comes in. This whole CD is kinda tongue-in-cheek so it fits, but this song is crap compared to...

14. The Last Time 5/5

YES. This is THE feel-good song of the year for me so far. It's so simple, but the samples are just right and that bassline (very similar to UNKLE's absolutely phenomenal "Nursery Rhyme" from 1998's 'Psyence Fiction' LP) make the track. Cee-Lo does a perfect job here too. This one makes the CD worth buying, along with tracks 1, 5, and 7.

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