Album Details

• Artist: Gnarls Barkley
• Album: The Odd Couple
• Label: Atlantic
• Year of Release: 2008
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: solitaryman on 2008-05-01

After exploding onto the scene with St. Elsewhere, the R&B "supergroup" Gnarls Barkley have just let loose their sophomore effort, The Odd Couple. Beatmaster Extrordinaire Danger Mouse and soulful, powerful, ecclectic frontman Cee-Lo Brown have once again culled upon a vast assortment of beats, grooves, and patterns lifted from a variety of classic and modern sources to craft their songs. What's different this time around?

While St. Elsewhere worked heavily based on it's singles and powerful pop-sensible hooks throughout, The Odd Couple comes off as a more cohesive band effort. It sounds to my ears as though Gnarls decided to inject more of themselves into the music, while depending less on pre-established melodies from older songs. Sampling is still the name of the game, but this time around they manage to make other people's sounds more their own. The only problem is that the songs seem to suffer from a malaise; an unavoidable temperment that wasn't present at all on St Elsewhere. You'll recall some of that album's moodier tracks; that darker moodiness is all over this album, something that will either appeal heavily to certain fans or take the pleasure out of it for many others. None of the songs impact the way hit single "Crazy" did, and as a whole the album falls far short of the mark set before it. But there are some good songs nonetheless; I love the feel of opener "Blind Mary", it's slinking milimalist beat, and the mellow groove of "Who's Gonna Save My Soul?" harkens back to "Just A Thought". My favorite track is the jagged and aggressive "Open Book", probably the heaviest song Gnarls Barkley have done yet. 

The sophomore slump has struck Gnarls Barkley a little harder than I expected; the time they had to prepare St. Elsewhere must have had something to do with it's quality when comparing it to the relatively fresher Odd Couple. It's a shame, but there is still plenty to enjoy here. They haven't changed what they do one bit, their focus is waning slightly and that seems to be the only problem. Old fans will still be fans afterwards, but it's hard to say if anyone will be able to say this album is any better than their last. It's a notch below St. Elsewhere and a notch above the rest. 

User Reviews and Comments

on 2008-04-29 SolitaryMan Said:

I didn't even realize this was out there to hear yet. Sounds like it won't measure up to St. Elsewhere...I really loved that album...
Not Rated

Review:

on 2008-03-20 big brekfest Said:

Its hard to bring to mind a bigger pair of oddball artists to hit big in mainstream than Gnarls Barkley. The inevitable duet of DJ Danger Mouse (Danger Doom, Gorillaz) and Cee-Lo Green (Goodie Mob, Dungeon Family) have somehow turned their genre-bending tendencies into a big success with their last effort, St. Elsewhere, and a megaton single, Crazy. Their newly released album  the aptly named The Odd Couple  does a lot to reign in their sound, but casual listeners may be bit turned off by the inconsistent sound.

Both parts of Gnarls Barkley collaboration are incredibly original in their own way, but its still puzzling to hear the two hip-hop innovators make their style du jour something that sounds like an Grand Master Flash hooked up with A Flock of Seagulls instead of the Furious Five. They can, from track to track, channel Dexys Midnight Runners, Morrisey and Duran Duran, translating it into an alien language and somehow turn all of that into something that people will actually listen to. Its not too far removed from Radioheads approach on the completely unlistenable and incredibly brilliant Kid A and Amnesiac albums.

Certainly, traditional hip-hop fans arent going to gel with Cee-Los sugary crooning on Blind Mary or the irreverent lyrics of "Whatever" when they want him to take them to church again like the opening bars or Dungeon Family's "Crooked Booty." Nor will the average top-40 listener get more than 20 seconds into the ankle-breaking groove of Open Book when they're looking for another "Crazy." No, this album only further alienates Gnarls Barkley from audiences, drawing a line in the sand and asking the audience what kind of music lover they are.

For those who can weather the journey The Odd Couple takes, itll pay off, but will leave listeners still trying to pin down what kind of music it is. Theres no doubt that The Odd Couple is insanely good, but its ultimately up to each listener to decide whether it's their kind of good or if its a little to... odd.
Rating: 6/10

on 2008-03-19 digitalbath Said:

Great review.

Although disappointing. I loved St. Elsewhere. I once worked at a restaurant where Gnarls was the only music that we'd play alll day. It was great.
Not Rated

Review:

on 2008-03-19 bill66man Said:

What a colossal dissapointment. I thoroughly enjoyed St. Elsewhere and could not wait for a new album. However, Gnarl's second album is mostly a bust. Most of the songs are too bogged down with 70's drum samples and unconventional and even disonant harmonies in both the vocals and keyboards. The whole album sounds like it was recorded 30 years ago. The only redeeming quality of the album is Cee-lo's excellent lyric writing, a rare gem in today's cotton candy pop culture, but even his words are often drowned out by the aging retro feel of the music. The best song on the album is 'Run', which is not saying much, considering it's unconventional drum beats and rythym. It sounds as though experimentation is what they were aiming for and based on this album, they may need to head back to the lab.
Not Rated