The Odd Couple | Gnarls Barkley | Best CD of 2008 so far

The Odd Couple | Gnarls Barkley | There are down sides to instant success

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The Odd Couple

	The Odd Couple Gnarls Barkley Atlantic, 2008 average customer review:based on 58 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

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.

Best CD of 2008 so far

This is a wonderful album, one of the best I've heard so far this year. Someone mentioned it's like psychedelic soul. Give it a try. And if you happen to catch Gnarls Barkley playing on SNL in reruns, you'll be blown away.

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There are down sides to instant success

Were this to be the first release by Gnarls Barkley, I would give it 5 stars. It has a good mix of mo-town grooves with a modern spin that gives it an edge that is very desireable (just like their first release) in this day of regurgitated crap that all sounds the same.
That being said, this is not the first release by the duo and so, they must contend with the stunning succes of their damn-near-perfect St. Elsewhere.
It really isn't that there is anything wrong with this album. It is an excellent effort with all of the desired qualities that made the first effort so wondeful. To be honest, in my humble opinion, this album doesn't really contain any standouts (as opposed to the freshman effort which had "Smiley Faces", "Just a Thought", "Who Cares", and of course, the world-renowned "Crazy"), though it is a thorough and solid effort that deserves a listen; it just doesn't have anything REALLY special like the first album did (but don't let that take anything away from what they have done here; it is really daggone good).
This pair, Danger Mouse & Cee-Lo, have put out a strong somphomore effort that is deservedly receiveing attention and rave reviews. The fact that it is not quite "St. Elsewhere" is immaterial. These guys set the bar too high with their first album, but that should not be punishable by 1 star reviews, rather, it should be praised, as should this album, for keeping up the quality while not just remixing the first effort. Basically, I can't give this album 5 stars because I gave St. Elsewhere 5 stars. Technically, I would probably give this album 4.25-4.5 stars.
So, to sum up, St. Elsewhere is still the better of the 2 albums, but if you like that album, this shouldn't dissapoint. Don't listen to the naysayers and morons that wanted an exact repeat of St. Elsewhere. That is what is wrong with music today; it all sounds the same and people want it all to sound the same; it's so freekin' boring. Damned if you do, damned if you don't; I guess.
Don't hold it against these guys that they EVOLVED a little and DIDN'T rely solely on what they had already done; some of the reviewers are complaining, that is really what people mean if they say that this isn't St. Elsewhere and give it 1 or 2 stars. I definitely think this is worthy of the legend that will be known as Gnarls Barkely.
I only hope that they have something special lined up for their third release; it's gonna get tougher and tougher for these guys to keep producing at the high level which they have now maintained through 2 albums. They have the opportunity to really be something special; let's hope it happens.

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