first album was bloated, so a double disc is definitely the answer right?

lets listen...

considering everything that's dropped so far has been filler... *sigh* I'm about to listen though.

█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

did she just...

█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

There isn't really a single 'hit' on this album, but the album is a hit. Still a bit bloated. The skits are unnecessary, but I understand. I think again if she wasn't always beating the concept into it and just let the songs ride the concept would speak for itself.

Musically there's some beautiful stuff on here. She makes beautiful some beautiful music. Has an amazing vision. If you're into that type of thing from an artist its worth it. If you're looking for musical fast food you probably think this one sucks.

█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

without memorable individual songs.

It flows pretty well. It is long though and the interludes make it out to be more than it needs to. I agree that the songs aren't memorable, but I think toned down to maybe 12 tracks the sum of the parts would show it's strong.

█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

Aimless genre hopping... Whew. Why do you even comment? I guess sounding ignorant is too easy to pass up. But just for the sake of it... How can you determine for someone else what their aim was as they "genre hopped"

you overly literate, smart-dumb beat patrolman.

now if you want me to start quoting specifics inside songs about where I hear the direct 'I Can't Help It' bass line lifted, the melody of 'Pure Imagination' Willy Wonka, James Bond, Saddiq-fake-50's-rock, the microwave Alicia-sounding Miguel joint, etc.

I mean, I could get into all that but it would require me having to go back to listen again in order to remember today & I'm not really in the mood to do that right this minute.

I can only say not much on this record sticks to my ribs on the first few run-thrus but It's Code is a nice little groove & "Ghetto Woman" conveys some emotion.

I like the build/rap-coda at the end.

songs. I'm not sure where you get aimless from... maybe it's a personal
thing where you don't like to hear different genres on an album? Or
you just... don't like her? Who knows. To eachizown tho. All I know
is that these songs stay with me.

I'm actually very happy with their inclusion. The listening experience
of the album is nothing short of awesome.

The ONLY thing I don't like about the album is the placement of the
song "Primetime". Coming after that interlude, it kinda causes a
small (yet temporary) dip in the energy of the album. It's like even
though I like the song, I don't wanna hear it in that spot within the
flow of the album. Thankfully, it pick ups and the energy flows well
everywhere else.

This album really does get better and better the more I play it...
always a different song stuck in my head for the day.

the whole star power intro, even if the songs are cool don't seem to be a natural par of the album except maybe QUEEN. Like that specific interlude before the Miguel song has absolutely nothing to do with Primetime, and if I recall correctly it almost seems like it should go into a more danceable track because the announcer guy is talking about androids dancing.

█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

talking about bustin' somebody in the head at the jam tonight, lol.
So, logically, I get why "Primetime" comes next... it just didn't flow
too well sonically imo.

I think the solution there would have been to have a quiet storm kind
of interlude preceding it, with mellow music in the background and the
DJ speaking in his quiet storm voice... would have been a much smoother
transition that way.

Interesting thoughts on the first half. I can see why you'd say that as
far as the story is concerned from previous chapters, however, the
first half is the party from what I can tell. We have a DJ throughout
and the first 6 songs have something to do with dancing. Perhaps
that's her giving the people "what they love"? Not really sure, but
I love the stretch of the first 3 songs. "Givin' Em What They Love" is
just too fire, and flows perfectly into "Q.U.E.E.N." and "Electric Lady".
I like Primetime alot too, just not the transition into it.
I couldn't believe I was singing "Dance Apocalyptic" at work the
other day lol. She really needed a different video for that song.
Something more stripped down.

"Dance Apocalyptic"

█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

what are you like looking over my shoulder?

I agree....It's a good release...More importantly it's a lot more focused....

>
>
>I agree....It's a good release...More importantly it's a lot
>more focused....

I don't blame her for that though, because i think it's 'authentic'

█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

concentrate on songs & still found it coming up more style than substance again.

>


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"It is better to be silent and thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt"

I don't think I like it as much as Archandroid.

i liked the overall feel/theme of archandroid but, this
seems to be more cohesive and has better mainstream
songs.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"It is better to be silent and thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt"

It's still all over the place but the songs are better.

I wish she would ditch the interludes and get down to like 12 songs, but it just isn't in her.

Archandroid kills this. This album (first listen my opinion my change) is super tame in comparison. Archandroid had a very consistent out of this world vibe. I wouldn't say this one isn't cohesive but I was a little bored by it. I may just be adjusting to the new sound but Archandroid hit me instantly.

They're not comparable... both lovely in their respective places.

I know some of y'all be finding early leaks. Heard any of the tracks listed below?

20. "Q.U.E.E.N." (Wondamix) (featuring Erykah Badu)
21. "Electric Lady" (Dungeon-Wondamix) (featuring Big Boi and Cee-Lo Green)
22. "HYTB"
23. "I Want You Back" (Jackson 5 cover)

V sounds like her Lauryn tribute just like Neon Valley did on her debut.

Victory=Lauryn
It's Code=J5 era MJ
Primetime=Prince
Dance Apocalyptic=OutKast
Ghetto Woman=Stevie Wonder

Janelle wears her influences on her sleeve but damn, if anyone can make derivative sound oh so good, it's her.

The only thing that kept it from being flawless was Miss The Bus, which is a hell of an accomplishment for it being a debut.

I stand by my trash statement and of course am cool with you not agreeing with me, just wanted to add some background in case anyone thinks its a "You just don't like/know/understand Janelle" thing.

I love it.

Seeing people say it's better than ArchAndroid is hard to believe...if she got one song fucking with "Neon Valley Street" then I'm good!

Listened twice last night - will def purchase

It really is a lot like her first album in both its strengths and weaknesses:
- The first half is almost untouchable. I don't know wtf folks are talking about, saying there aren't any memorable songs. There's a bunch of them - clean your ears.

- Stuff starts to go awry in the middle, mainly because the songs start to wander a bit too much. Can't remember which track it was (Look Into My Eyes or It's Code) that seemed very aimless, melodically. This was one of the problems w/Archandroid - sequencing, and a bit too much filler that made the album a touch too long. So that's still an issue.

- BUT some great tracks to close with: loved Dorothy Dandridge Eyes, Can't Live, and Victory. Ghetto Woman is an obvious but still dope SW take (but she did the SW tribute on the last record with Faster, didn't she?) ...

Which brings up the final issue: a lot of this feels like she's covering the same territory as archandroid, stylistically. There's not a lot of change here. That's not a bad thing - it's still a very solid album, something that will definitely get a lot of play from me in the coming weeks. But this essentially feels like Archandroid pt. 2 - a few changeups here and there, but nothing esp. surprising.

Seriously though - folks who are calling the album trash should take a few more listens. There's nothing terrible about this album at all, it just doesn't quite meet the expectations that those of us who are rooting for her built around it...

-thebigfunk

~ i could still snort you under the table ~

>Which brings up the final issue: a lot of this feels like
>she's covering the same territory as archandroid,
>stylistically. There's not a lot of change here.

>That's not a
>bad thing -

It kind of is though. Especially wrapped up in the 'concept'. The music on it is spectacular, and I would say despite Archandroid having the stronger 'hits' this one is better composed. But ultimately after three years, while I appreciate the refinement there's a desire that she go somewhere with it. I mean even the whole story line is seemingly in the exact same place.

> But
>this essentially feels like Archandroid pt. 2 - a few
>changeups here and there, but nothing esp. surprising.

I'd even call it the bonus DVD ore than a part 2.

>Seriously though - folks who are calling the album trash
>should take a few more listens. There's nothing terrible about
>this album at all, it just doesn't quite meet the expectations
>that those of us who are rooting for her built around it...

I think that's enough for some to call it trash, and I can't really say that I blame them even if I do enjoy it.

█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

>>Which brings up the final issue: a lot of this feels like
>>she's covering the same territory as archandroid,
>>stylistically. There's not a lot of change here.
>
>>That's not a
>>bad thing -
>
>It kind of is though. Especially wrapped up in the 'concept'.
> The music on it is spectacular, and I would say despite
>Archandroid having the stronger 'hits' this one is better
>composed. But ultimately after three years, while I
>appreciate the refinement there's a desire that she go
>somewhere with it. I mean even the whole story line is
>seemingly in the exact same place.

I definitely get that, and I'd like her to find a new creative path in that sense, too.

>I think that's enough for some to call it trash, and I can't
>really say that I blame them even if I do enjoy it.

There's a difference b/w being stuck and making good music, and being stuck and making bad music. I don't get the impression that she phoned it in; there's an attention to detail on the record and a vibe on the record that gives it a more realistic feel, something warmer. And there's some really good writing on the album, a lot of the music feels tighter and more fully realized. I'm anxious to see the actual liner notes to see who was responsible for what...

My not-so-secret hope is that she moves outside of her current production circle for the next one - I think that might be anchoring her creatively, when some full collaborations outside of that clique could shake her imagination a bit.

-thebigfunk

~ i could still snort you under the table ~

with this. it's kinda.....boring. there is nothing new or exciting
about this release and it's not nearly as creative as archandroid.
sounds kinda alt/popish with not much edge. hopefully she can jazz
it up in a live setting.

btw, i listened to it in it's entirety yesterday and in the car this
morning and my opinion has not changed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"It is better to be silent and thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt"

http://pitchfork.com/features/cover-story/reader/janelle-monae/

onto the BET Awards

____________________________________________________________________________________________________
But Zootown, black people and media, so...

Since 1976

My graphics guy was like "Oh Shit!" when I showed him.

---
If you release what is within u, what u release will save you. If you do not release what is within u, what u do not release will destroy u.

www.pitchblackgold.bandcamp.com

n/m

But I still slightly love ArchAndroid more tho. This woman is a damn Goddess.

imo..

Archandroid was full of potential.. we knew the voice, musicianship, performance, artsy ideas etc.. were there..

BUT like maxx says .. "no money tracks".. on that album or this album (though I'd kill for tight rope and a few others off arch)

She needs a lot of things... numero uno.. a great songwriter.. numero two.. become a human again...

On this album she is out shined by every guest because u believe them.. I don't believe her..

Just like her crawl in that video.. how do u have a tight body.. awesome face and such an asexual crawl in a video?

Maybe she really is an android.. lol

Whatever it is.. she needs to really find some humanity and good songwriting if she's ever gonna be more than press fodder and face model..

I feel like this album is her trying to address peoples criticisms of her and it isn't working as well as the previous album. So possibly for her career she should take your advise but for my eyes enjoyment I lobe the android vibe and the more she goes with that the more I like it. Archandroid is my favorite non hip hop music like ever.

>Just like her crawl in that video.. how do u have a tight
>body.. awesome face and such an asexual crawl in a video?

This is the sort of thing that makes me cringe - does no one understand that she's intentionally working to subvert the male gaze through her act? It's part of what makes her approach so powerful and probably why she's sticking with it, because every demand for her to stop dressing in tuxedos and to become more feminine is an affirmation that there's something to be addressed there...

Do we make the same demands of a male performer?

-thebigfunk

~ i could still snort you under the table ~

"She's too cute for that."

I mean everyone keeps asking why won't you just be a normal sexpot since you're cut out for it. So she spends another whole album telling them why, but because she didn't become one to tell them, they don't pay attention. Such a hard line to walk.

█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

btw I dont need her nor want her to be a sexpot.

That's not what she is and she couldn't pull it off anyway..

I just want the "idea" to match the "output"

And that quote from you would be whatever if it weren't also the crux of your argument. Because all that you're focused on is how she could be sold right and the selling of her right is all about image. You say she needs 'money songs' but you and I both know that has more to do with image than the actual songs anyway. Money songs are the songs that are going to sell the artists image. But you don't like her image and as such there can be no money songs selling that image. This despite the fact that there are a few stand outs on here that do well at selling the image "We Were Rock Stars" for one. That's not the type of songs you mean though. You mean songs like x, y, z artists... and she's not one of those. She won't become one. And so now's the time folk that want that from her need to just write her off so maybe she can stop walking this line where she's trying to please them and go all into who she really wants to be. Will it sell? Not my concern at all.

█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

>And that quote from you would be whatever if it weren't also
>the crux of your argument. Because all that you're focused on
>is how she could be sold right and the selling of her right is
>all about image.

NO... She did a better job of 'selling' her image the first time around. I know she's cute.. SHE know's she's cute. She didn't want that to affect the art so out comes the tuxedo.

I thought it was a brilliant fucking idea.

BUT. just like DAFT PUNK if you are gonna go left. Shit better work. She tried to advance her visual this go round. I didn't mind it. BUT there is something very unnatural about it. Not just the "crawl" her actual singing.. It seems disconnected. I don't believe what she is singing on that Miguel song

You say she needs 'money songs' but you and
>I both know that has more to do with image than the actual
>songs anyway. Money songs are the songs that are going to
>sell the artists image. But you don't like her image and as
>such there can be no money songs selling that image.

NO.. Money songs are GOOD SONGS. Memorable great songs...
Bruno Mars - Grenade for example.. it has zero to do with image..

It is a GREAT SONG


>despite the fact that there are a few stand outs on here that
>do well at selling the image "We Were Rock Stars" for one.
>That's not the type of songs you mean though. You mean songs
>like x, y, z artists... and she's not one of those. She won't
>become one. And so now's the time folk that want that from her
>need to just write her off so maybe she can stop walking this
>line where she's trying to please them and go all into who she
>really wants to be. Will it sell? Not my concern at all.

I want longevity. I think she'll figure it out. I wish she would've done it on this album. She has all the markings of an amazing talent. She has proven it onstage over and over...

The image - perfect

Musicianship - perfect

Songs - not there yet.

I personally don't think it's a good song. I think it takes a sound which Jamie Woon did better and adds the novelty of this hawaiian kid who sounds a like MJ. But the songwriting specifically the lyrics like the rest of Bruno's work are meh. His image takes him beyond that, and it's been sold well. Janelle crafts lyrics and inspires production even when she's hanging onto her own influences which are much better, but its built into an image that isn't mainstream acceptable anymore.


█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

That's just a matter of opinion...

I will say that yes... Lyrically Bruno isn't as intricate as Janelle.. I think that Janelle is a bit more primed as an 'artist'.

BUT they are on the same exact label and have definitely been given similar pushes. Bruno fought his way into the limelight with SONGS..

Janelle broke on image and the idea of her.

Whose song will be remembered in the public consciousness 10 years from now?

>That's just a matter of opinion...

...let's differentiate opinions agreements and facts shall we?

>I will say that yes... Lyrically Bruno isn't as intricate as
>Janelle..

We both agree on this and it could argued as fact for the moment.

>I think that Janelle is a bit more primed as an
>'artist'.

You'll have to define 'primed' here so I know what you mean, but it sounds like artistically she's got something over Bruno.

Left in question - have you heard of Jamie Woon? Would you agree that the aesthetic of Grenade was better done by Woon?

>Bruno fought his way into the limelight
>with SONGS..

I think it was more the performances that broke him than the songs. The performances helped develop the image. The two of them make the mediocrity of the songs a moot point to most.

>Janelle broke on image and the idea of her.

Will not deny that. And that's biting her in the ass at the moment because it keeps people from the music. But there's no doubt that the music is still there.

>Whose song will be remembered in the public consciousness 10
>years from now?

Shit I had to look up grenade to remember which one that was. But I'm not the public. I will tell you though my kids will still be dancing to Janelle ten years from now. And not because she had hits, but because above and beyond what they achieved they are good. Really good from an amazing talent who's good doing what she's most comfortable doing. You want to know why I bumped that other post, because I can already sense the push with this album will be even more for her to change something about her... and that irks the shit out of me.

Her whole point is to have the public change their perspective, but the public is unwilling.

And just for the record right now this won't make my top whatever for the year list, but its a damn good body of work that deserves more than cursory listens for the hits.

█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

>>I think that Janelle is a bit more primed as an
>>'artist'.
>
>You'll have to define 'primed' here so I know what you mean,
>but it sounds like artistically she's got something over
>Bruno.

I mean she is a 'drama kid'.. like nikki minaj .. like gaga.. she was raised in theatrics and performance. So her whole idea as an artist (although kinda jacked from nona hendrix) is more developed. She has created a world unto herself

bruno is a kid that learned to do 2 things.. be a great performer and great songwriter. He isn't so much an 'artist' in the sense that you love his story as he is a master at making songs, conveying the emotion and performing them.

>
>Left in question - have you heard of Jamie Woon? Would you
>agree that the aesthetic of Grenade was better done by Woon?
>
What jamie woon song do u speak of?

>I think it was more the performances that broke him than the
>songs. The performances helped develop the image. The two of
>them make the mediocrity of the songs a moot point to most.
>

Yes but no one heard of bruno till... Nothing on U, Billionaire, fuck U combo.. he had already done wavin flag for K'naan and right round for Flo Rida. His work spoke before he did

>>Janelle broke on image and the idea of her.
>
>Will not deny that. And that's biting her in the ass at the
>moment because it keeps people from the music. But there's no
>doubt that the music is still there.
>
>>Whose song will be remembered in the public consciousness 10
>>years from now?
>
>Shit I had to look up grenade to remember which one that was.
>But I'm not the public. I will tell you though my kids will
>still be dancing to Janelle ten years from now. And not
>because she had hits, but because above and beyond what they
>achieved they are good. Really good from an amazing talent
>who's good doing what she's most comfortable doing. You want
>to know why I bumped that other post, because I can already
>sense the push with this album will be even more for her to
>change something about her... and that irks the shit out of
>me.
>
>Her whole point is to have the public change their
>perspective, but the public is unwilling.
>
>And just for the record right now this won't make my top
>whatever for the year list, but its a damn good body of work
>that deserves more than cursory listens for the hits.
>

When you think of artists in the past. Who can you name that has stood the test of time to no GREAT SONGS.. not "hits" a hit is a hard thing to do. But great memorable songs. What artist of yesteryear can you think of?

I think Janelle has one more "song" after this album to show and prove.. She is in a 360 deal I am sure so the label makes nice money off that cover girl shit..

Janelle doesn't need to "sell" her image.. it's very upfront.. She needs to make songs that can back it up (not just accent it)

Right now no song she has is bigger than her face, pompadour and tuxedo

>(although kinda jacked from nona hendrix)

Did you get this from maxxx or did he get it from you?

>bruno is a kid that learned to do 2 things.. be a great
>performer and great songwriter.

See there you go calling the shitty lyricist a great songwriter. Why do you keep doing that?

>He isn't so much an 'artist'
>in the sense that you love his story as he is a master at
>making songs, conveying the emotion and performing them.

Holy shit... he's a master of making songs now? How did we get to that. On my last tally we had, shitty lyricist and based on the above without the artistic flair. Suddenly a couple of sentences later he's a master at making songs? Conveying emotion.... are you shitting me? I'll give the performance, but keep the rest of that until you qualify it as either your opinion, help me understand it as fact, or convince me my assessment is wrong.

You can completely ignore this request and pretend like these things are given based on the success of his music or some other shit, and you'd have the rest of the world to agree with you, but it wouldn't mean anything in this debate.

>What jamie woon song do u speak of?

Not a single song. Bruno has a better voice the Woon. But Woon is a better producer and songwriter. He's not a better performer though, is a bit darker in his music, and doesn't have the benefit of nostalgic triggers, so it's much harder to sell in the mainstream. But I'm using him as parallel sound to establish how strong of a songwriter Bruno Mars is in his lane.

>Yes but no one heard of bruno till... Nothing on U,
>Billionaire, fuck U combo..

No comment on those songs.

>he had already done wavin flag for
>K'naan and right round for Flo Rida.

You realize you said K'naan and Flo Rida right?

>>>Janelle broke on image and the idea of her.

Janelle broke on concept and the strength of the music she released prior. Don't reduce her down to pure image. FOH. Nobody said hey we need an androgeny/android black woman to put out there, grabbed one and hoped the music turned out good. In fact I'm willing to bet at this point its more an 'in spite of her image' thing because for whatever the opinion of that image maybe, everyone knows there's talent for days in her. Days.

Could she use help bringing the two together in a way that's comfortable for her without distracting from the music, yeah. But does she need to improve her songwriting or change her thing... nah. That's the opposite of the point of her concept, and she obviously holds that very dear.

>When you think of artists in the past. Who can you name that
>has stood the test of time to no GREAT SONGS.. not "hits" a
>hit is a hard thing to do. But great memorable songs. What
>artist of yesteryear can you think of?

Man fuck this bullshit argument. Get away from top lists, billboard charts and hits for a second. If you removed everything that fell under those categories would you even listen to music? And this isn't some praise of obscurity etc, it's a reality check that music does not exist only by these measuring sticks. There was great memorable music in the past that never saw huge levels of success and there will be more in the future.

>I think Janelle has one more "song" after this album to show
>and prove..

The crux of it is right here. You want her to show and prove for you the industry etc. Meanwhile she's showing and proving from herself with her message, beating it over and over in her head, but it doesn't matter until it's satisfied your hit barometer. Such a twisted way to think about it. She has a shit ton more songs in her, I'm sure. Will one of them crossovver to a big hit.... I don't care I just hope she continues to have the opportunity to make em.

>She is in a 360 deal I am sure so the label makes
>nice money off that cover girl shit..

Things she has to do to be able to afford her vision.

>Janelle doesn't need to "sell" her image.. it's very upfront..
>She needs to make songs that can back it up (not just accent
>it)

On this album "We Were Rock Stars" does that. Will it be a hit... don't know. Is it a great fucking song... absofuckinglutely.

>Right now no song she has is bigger than her face, pompadour
>and tuxedo

And yet she just released a whole album of songs which go so much farther than that. Is it her image or what *you* are focused on? And I'll still give her she needs to tone down the concept bit, but so long as she's still putting in work on the songs. which she is. I mean c'mon as someone mentioned below this is some of the best production and arrangement happening in r&b right now. But it doesn't follow the 'trends' or whatever.... meh I'll stop now.

█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

>>(although kinda jacked from nona hendrix)
>
>Did you get this from maxxx or did he get it from you?
>

We just know what we are talking about. Nona did it first that's all

>>bruno is a kid that learned to do 2 things.. be a great
>>performer and great songwriter.
>
>See there you go calling the shitty lyricist a great
>songwriter. Why do you keep doing that?
>

I never said shitty lyricist.. YOU DID.. I said she had more lyrical depth. Does he do some cheesy shit yep. Can he still make masterful songs YUP..

Half of the Motown shit was "cheesy" lyrically" masterful songs though. Even the Beatles, Beach Boys & Stevie took the easy way out sometimes.. sometimes the easy way IS the best way.

>>He isn't so much an 'artist'
>>in the sense that you love his story as he is a master at
>>making songs, conveying the emotion and performing them.
>
>Holy shit... he's a master of making songs now? How did we
>get to that. On my last tally we had, shitty lyricist and
>based on the above without the artistic flair. Suddenly a
>couple of sentences later he's a master at making songs?
>Conveying emotion.... are you shitting me? I'll give the
>performance, but keep the rest of that until you qualify it as
>either your opinion, help me understand it as fact, or
>convince me my assessment is wrong.
>

You can deny the charts if you want. You can try and dismiss him making hits for himself and other people. But the REALITY is a kid makes songs that connect and react. I will agree with you when songs are shitty.. like this new Katy Perry song.. while technically it is strong it is bottom of the bin in terms of ideas and depth. But katy has die hard fans who will push it forward and hopefully her 2nd single is killer. I don't love EVERYTHING he does. But he lands his shit more often than not.


>You can completely ignore this request and pretend like these
>things are given based on the success of his music or some
>other shit, and you'd have the rest of the world to agree with
>you, but it wouldn't mean anything in this debate.
>
>>What jamie woon song do u speak of?
>
>Not a single song. Bruno has a better voice the Woon. But
>Woon is a better producer and songwriter. He's not a better
>performer though, is a bit darker in his music, and doesn't
>have the benefit of nostalgic triggers, so it's much harder to
>sell in the mainstream. But I'm using him as parallel sound
>to establish how strong of a songwriter Bruno Mars is in his
>lane.
>

Bruno's lane is pop music.. his past and present speak for itself. There is not some grand scheme to up-sell bruno. He isn't a boy band being forced down your throat. He is an unlikely pop star in that sense which is why is talent matters to the equation so much more

>>Yes but no one heard of bruno till... Nothing on U,
>>Billionaire, fuck U combo..
>
>No comment on those songs.
>
>>he had already done wavin flag for
>>K'naan and right round for Flo Rida.
>
>You realize you said K'naan and Flo Rida right?
>

You gon be man at K'naan son!?!?!?

>>>>Janelle broke on image and the idea of her.
>
>Janelle broke on concept and the strength of the music she
>released prior. Don't reduce her down to pure image. FOH.
>Nobody said hey we need an androgeny/android black woman to
>put out there, grabbed one and hoped the music turned out
>good. In fact I'm willing to bet at this point its more an
>'in spite of her image' thing because for whatever the opinion
>of that image maybe, everyone knows there's talent for days in
>her. Days.
>

I shouldve also included musicianship and potential. At the time though the most "concise" things were the image though

>Could she use help bringing the two together in a way that's
>comfortable for her without distracting from the music, yeah.
>But does she need to improve her songwriting or change her
>thing... nah. That's the opposite of the point of her
>concept, and she obviously holds that very dear.
>
>>When you think of artists in the past. Who can you name
>that
>>has stood the test of time to no GREAT SONGS.. not "hits" a
>>hit is a hard thing to do. But great memorable songs. What
>>artist of yesteryear can you think of?
>
>Man fuck this bullshit argument. Get away from top lists,
>billboard charts and hits for a second. If you removed
>everything that fell under those categories would you even
>listen to music? And this isn't some praise of obscurity etc,
>it's a reality check that music does not exist only by these
>measuring sticks. There was great memorable music in the past
>that never saw huge levels of success and there will be more
>in the future.
>

You still didnt mention anything. I asked YOU.. I didn't say FIND ME A HIT MAKER. What artists personally can YOU think of. And i specifically said GREAT SONGS not HITS


>>I think Janelle has one more "song" after this album to show
>>and prove..
>
>The crux of it is right here. You want her to show and prove
>for you the industry etc. Meanwhile she's showing and proving
>from herself with her message, beating it over and over in her
>head, but it doesn't matter until it's satisfied your hit
>barometer. Such a twisted way to think about it. She has a
>shit ton more songs in her, I'm sure. Will one of them
>crossovver to a big hit.... I don't care I just hope she
>continues to have the opportunity to make em.
>
>>She is in a 360 deal I am sure so the label makes
>>nice money off that cover girl shit..
>
>Things she has to do to be able to afford her vision.
>
>>Janelle doesn't need to "sell" her image.. it's very
>upfront..
>>She needs to make songs that can back it up (not just accent
>>it)
>
>On this album "We Were Rock Stars" does that. Will it be a
>hit... don't know. Is it a great fucking song...
>absofuckinglutely.
>

I'll definitely give it another listen. Maybe it's their maybe it's not

>>Right now no song she has is bigger than her face, pompadour
>>and tuxedo
>
>And yet she just released a whole album of songs which go so
>much farther than that. Is it her image or what *you* are
>focused on? And I'll still give her she needs to tone down
>the concept bit, but so long as she's still putting in work on
>the songs. which she is. I mean c'mon as someone mentioned
>below this is some of the best production and arrangement
>happening in r&b right now. But it doesn't follow the
>'trends' or whatever.... meh I'll stop now.
>
The reality is her image is SO SUCCINCT and strong. Her music doesn't compare yet. It definitely could though. It's not like I am counting her out. I think the industry benefits from her being in it.

>The reality is her image is SO SUCCINCT and strong. Her music
>doesn't compare yet. It definitely could though. It's not
>like I am counting her out. I think the industry benefits
>from her being in it.

She'll never be able to reach her potential if she is constantly in this struggle to qualify her image. Each time there's the type of pushback on her image that you're giving here, the qualifying her in the makings of a star, it makes her go back in and have to restate again why she's doing this rather than just doing it. The laboriousness of this back and forth IMO is stifiling her. It's not preventing her from still making great songs but it is keeping her form her full musical potential, and that IMO has nothing to do with the feasibility of her pop success. And in fact going for that would likely do more to stifle it.

You're talking pop potential, I'm talking musical potential. Her musical potential is continuing to grow, but her relationship with the pop potential is her struggle as an artist.

Wishing her all the best though, and am appreciative for what she's given on this one.


█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

>>The reality is her image is SO SUCCINCT and strong. Her
>music
>>doesn't compare yet. It definitely could though. It's not
>>like I am counting her out. I think the industry benefits
>>from her being in it.
>
>She'll never be able to reach her potential if she is
>constantly in this struggle to qualify her image. Each time
>there's the type of pushback on her image that you're giving
>here, the qualifying her in the makings of a star, it makes
>her go back in and have to restate again why she's doing this
>rather than just doing it. The laboriousness of this back and
>forth IMO is stifiling her. It's not preventing her from
>still making great songs but it is keeping her form her full
>musical potential, and that IMO has nothing to do with the
>feasibility of her pop success. And in fact going for that
>would likely do more to stifle it.
>
>You're talking pop potential, I'm talking musical potential.
>Her musical potential is continuing to grow, but her
>relationship with the pop potential is her struggle as an
>artist.
>
>Wishing her all the best though, and am appreciative for what
>she's given on this one.
>

She is in the NBA not at the Rucker.. She has to play NBA ball or she will be benched.

There are only 2 ways this game works.. you either make great songs by yourself OR you get with people who can help you realize them. Nothing I ask will "take away" from anything she is doing. Her songs could and should be better.

My issues with her image have more to do with a lack of 'connection' I think she has on the songs. She "performs" her songs but doesn't sing them with a connection. Same thing with the crawl...

Take for instance Frank Ocean. I think his most important strength isn't the performance but the way his singing endears the listener. You 'feel' him.


>
>█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
>Big PEMFin H & z's
>"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1
>thing, a musician." © Miles
>
>"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

>She is in the NBA not at the Rucker.. She has to play NBA ball
>or she will be benched.
>
>There are only 2 ways this game works.. you either make great
>songs by yourself OR you get with people who can help you
>realize them.

Thanks for the lesson I completely missed the point of this music making thing. I think I got it now though.

>Nothing I ask will "take away" from anything
>she is doing. Her songs could and should be better.

You still haven't qualified that her songwriting is lacking. But now you aren't talking about songwriting are you. You're talking about something else like:

>My issues with her image have more to do with a lack of
>'connection' I think she has on the songs. She "performs" her
>songs but doesn't sing them with a connection.

Ohhhhhh so it's not the songwriting but the execution of the song. That's a different thing. Does it feel like she's holding something back from the audience, not really putting forth everything she can vocally to make that connection? Guess what....































strictly my opinion of course....





















but that's because of everything that I'm complaining about. She successfully did it on ArchAndroid. Go back and watch that Cold War video and tell me she wasn't working to connect. Great ass song by the way. So what's happened since then, people pushed back on her to loose her image and adopt something more becoming of a star. That's the exact antithesis of the message. And so what does she have to do, she has to try to make that point clear to you which leads to a rehash of emotion on this one that doesn't have the immediacy of her, further alienating her from those with whom she would wish to connect. You see the circular trap of this? That's my point. If she's allowed to continue her vision without having to qualify it or change it to accomodate listener expecatations of aesthetics she'd be able to step beyond the rehash. Next album maybe.

>Take for instance Frank Ocean. I think his most important
>strength isn't the performance but the way his singing endears
>the listener. You 'feel' him.

*You* feel him. I feel like he's trash. But let's not go down that path okay.

█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

Cold War is her best song imo... out of both albums..

* real quick.. I am always talkin about music.. but you do understand Janelle doesnt exist in the way you hear or see her without the industry dollar right? have u seen the personnel for her album?

http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-archandroid-mw0001977907/credits

do you know how much it is to travel with a huge ass band and you only did 21k first week? The is art AS commerce not just art for arts sake.

I don't really see as much of the backlash you speak of. Sure there are probably some execs telling her to sex it up some more.. throw on a skirt. But the whole point of contention about her image is marketing. It keeps her name in the limelight when you can write think pieces on her.

In general though it seems like gen pop has accepted it.. fashion world loves it, lil girls dressing has her for halloween.. people (like u) freaking out when she took her 'costume' off

we might as well end it here... I want better songs out of her.. you think they exist now.. I don't. I think cold war, neon valley street, locked inside were the start of something awesome... I don't hear anything close to those songwriting wise on this album and it sounds more disjointed and less focused.. complicated doesn't mean better, intent needs to match output..

But man go buy the album... make sure your friends do.. as long as she is still a viable product she

but the last two posts provide good ideas and perspective.

Oh. So sexism is cool to you too? Got it.

And it is the biggest problem with how a lot of people in general, and especially black folks view "entertainers". Monae is not making disposable art.

Janelle is an artist that can't be easily put in a box or sufficiently sexualized or even marketed as a breakthrough transitional "neo soul" type. She's doing her own thing and she has had a really interesting and deftly executed vision up to this point.

I was talking about this in the Chappelle post......sometimes an artist does something and not everyone can go with them. They have to pave the way with somethin easily accessible. Even someone like Prince had to have a Kiss on the Parade album. You can see they were really trying to do that with the Electric Lady. Tightrope was the gateway song on ArchAndroid. They wanted to try and get a few more on this project.

ArchAndroid is a great album. It's an incredible ride and was one of the most interesting and satisfying records I've listened to recently as a whole project.

I'm very proud to be a fan of hers and I hope she continues to push the boundaries and go for her vision.

It is very clear that The Electric Lady has some influence and ultimatums from the powers that be. She's not comfortable in the role they really want her to fill and a lot of this you can tell was a compromise.

I am an artist.. I understand what it is to have a vision and try to execute it whether it works or not.

I just want good music... are the grooves good.. yes. songs.. eehhh

will it be something I remember 2moro? no.

I hope she always chooses Janelle first.. whether I like it or not...

If she wants longevity as an artist though.. she is gonna have to step it up.

What would be you advice to her?

What are some examples on a career path that she could take?

What would make her music more memorable to you?

I think Maxx is right..

I think she needs to sit with a couple great songwriters/producers. She needs to convey a vision and then take their lead on getting the best "song" out of it.

Bruno could do it because he can synthesize all the same influences she has. I think Paul Epsworth (Adele) could take the frantic ideas an make them more concise.

Her problem isn't intent. She has ALL the right ideas.. she just needs it refined and synthesized.

People don't realize.. 90% of the greats. Had teams of the best ppl in that specific aspect to make them great.. a lyric guy, a melody guy, a producer etc... VERY few are Prince (some would argue he was fed ideas as well)..

Janelle Monae is a product.. she is Andy Warhol.. she needs to build her factory

This is so sexist you just need to recognize who you are. A real sexist.

Ha..

Maybe..

Or it is possible her intention didn't hit..

But I am from a Latin American country.. Sexism is WHAT WE DO

Disgusting. My Latin American comrades would strongly disagree with that nonsense.

I mean honestly.... what the fukk is a "money track"....

and who patronizes an album or an artist because they have "money tracks"....

I'm not sure a person who is looking for money tracks would have the same thoughts about what makes an album good as I do....that wouldn't make them wrong, but we'd just be looking for different things..


if people are looking for money tracks...why not just turn on the radio and listen to it all day.... those are money tracks right?

>if people are looking for money tracks...why not just turn on
>the radio and listen to it all day.... those are money tracks
>right?

I'm not sure about all of the goofy shit I'm reading, from the "it's bloated" (even though, of the 13 full songs only 2 go over 5 minutes and if we're talking sonic bloat it's kinda tough to strip down sonically when you're continuing an ongoing concept) critique, to niggas straight-up calling it "trash" (yeah, okayplayer), to the sideways shitting on Deep Cotton (because she "clearly" needs "better" producers who will "help her focus," which really means something else), my only note is that there could have been a bit more cohesion from track-to-track... but that's about it...

Respect to those who are in the game and know what they're talking about, but the rest of y'all... yeah...

___________________________________________________________________________________________________
But Zootown, black people and media, so...

So blatantly dry, non-specific, one-word sentenced ass reviewers.

It's as if they just heard a bunch of muffled noise, and negated all the emotional layers of each and every single instrument infused in this release, including her voice.

Sheesh.

________________________________________________________________________________________________
But Zootown, black people and media, so...

i cant quite put my finger on it, but it just doesnt seem to have the impact that the songs should have.

might change after more spins though.

It's not nearly as genre bending as the first album, but I enjoy this one a lot better.
It's funny but her singles do not match how good this album is.
No nothing on here is sexy and it is very apparent that she has no intentions of selling sexuality. But there are some beautiful melodies and it may have some of the best production in R&B I've heard.

I think I was expecting it to be just like the first album, but this one is great in its own right. I still think the first one is better but this one is really good too.

that ppl are responding negatively to.

wish they could articulate it.

█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

>that ppl are responding negatively to.

Maybe she went to the robotic-infused/science-fiction-y-motif for her persona as a way of embracing what is her naturally sorta detached vocals.

Or maybe she's putting that on as effect but I'd doubt it.

Either way even with those bells-and-whistles it still hasn't given the music or her as an artist any real identity for us to hold onto.

because in a live setting...whew she can siiing.
that's one of the reasons why this is baffling to me.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"It is better to be silent and thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt"

she's strong as shit in her range, but because her range is so limited she feels like she has to put power into every note she sings. the thing is that those dynamic shifts help convey subtleties of emotion, so without them everything comes across same-y which makes it difficult to 'believe'. It's like stage acting where you have to act to the back of the house, but if you translate it to the screen it stops being believable. It's also why she's so effective live because in the flesh it reaches out to connect with you. on wax though you're left wondering is she for real or is she acting.

speaking of acting though it does fit well into the android motif as i imagine the subtleties of dynamics would be very difficult to portray authentically in a machine and strong talent which always comes across as powerful would be a great way to mask it.

incidentally all of this realized after talking with the developer of one a vocal syntesizer software, where you type in the words and the computer sings it back to you. Very interesting to listen to.


█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

n/m

which, of course, means MORE BLOAT AMIRITE?

*rolls eyes*

Anyway, the second half of this album (well, "Disc 2," er, "Suite V") is on some classic new-era R & B shit

The whole record gets better on each listen SORRI HATERZ

____________________________________________________________________________________________________
But Zootown, black people and media, so...

If Mayer Hawthorne dropped the very same music on the 2nd half
of this album, yall would be going crazy. And his voice has no more
"personality" than hers. Hell he can't even sing as well as she can.
She even gives you concept and stuff like that album opener or
"Look Into My Eyes".
White male privilege I guess.

Not sure why folks up in here giving her the Lupe Fiasco treatment
as if she shitted on ATCQ or something...

Oh wait, yes I do... because she's a pretty girl who isn't selling sex.

I, for one, happen to be very happy that she isn't. She's done something
creative with her image and concept, and that gives us one more
black woman who isn't reducing herself to a piece of meat to sell.

As for her music being derivative of J5, Stevie, etc, I don't mind that as
long as the music's good. Lenny Kravitz has been derivative his whole
career. He stuck around because he made good music. And yeah,
Mayer Hawthorne is just as derivative, if not MORE, and yall praise
the shit outta him. What gives?

I'm really surprised at how R&B this album is. That 2nd half is crazy good.

>What gives?

Like I said, if that second half was Mayer's album, yall would swear it
was album of the year.

It's good music, no matter how you slice it... and Mayer has some
joints, but as a whole, he has his duds on his album too.

It's funny how I even fux with "Dance Apocalyptic" within the setting
of the album. I thought it was pretty uninspired out of context.

The sounds fucking GREAT on "Givin' Em What They Love". So much
personality and feeling in her voice there. She digs her foot all up in
that funky ass backdrop.

I was prepared to love "Electric Lady" from the small live preview a
few months ago. It definitely doesn't disappoint.

"Primetime" has been my shit since I first heard it. Shit makes me
think of an updated 50's slow jam.

"We Were Rock & Roll" is a cool album track. It has a bassline similar
to "Locked Inside" but more uptempo. Cool song to dance to.

"Look Into My Eyes" is just a straight up beautiful slow motion samba joint.

"It's Code" sounds like a hit Jackson 5 ballad. Best J5 nod I've ever heard.

"Ghetto Woman" is my shit. It's definitely a Stevie Wonder nod from
the concept to the title to the bass synth and drums. If you're gonna
give a nod to Stevie though, this is how you do it. Uplifting joint
for the women folk. Uptempo joint to dance to.

"Victory" is reminiscent of "Neon Valley Street" but just as good.
Yes, there is Lauryn Hill-ism here as well. What she adds to the
style is range that Lauryn never had (when she sings "glory").

"Can't Live Without Your Love" is a very nice little laid back joint to
grab some wine and 2-step to.

"Sally Ride" is a listening experience. lyrically and musically. This is
for music lovers. Very well put-together.

"Dorothy Dandridge Eyes" has that Can't-Help-It-ish bassline. Good listening.

"What An Experience" has the feel of an early 80's jherri curl laden
"that's my shit!" type joint that people go crazy for because it wasn't
a billboard hit, but was a hit in black households everywhere.

I mean like Mainstream hit.
Women will eat that song up.

Though I'm a shitty judge of 'hits' feels like it could get run on the radio well.

█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

of it's familiar subject matter, and song structure.
it's beautifully different and accessible to the radio at the same time.
she even throws in a reference to a bible verse in it.

One criticism of her and her producers Deepcotton is that while I can understand having your influences and all expressed in your music, but I can't help but wonder what their sound could be. Like what is their sound what is her identity.

i'm diggin that song a lot. Look Into My Eyes is some straight up 007 theme music.

If she had gone with the 10 best songs it would've been better.

Q.U.E.E.N and Primetime grew up on me, I won't be listening to them often but I like them. My fav songs are in the 2nd part of the albulm though, "It's Code", "Ghetto Woman", "Victory" ...

It's weird, it's like this album lacks power, be it the vocals or the production (good but I find it a lil bit subdued in the mix). It has the same type of vibe than Archandroid (that I really appreciated) but it doesn't pick, it doesnt blow, it's just there in my opinion.

Overall I'd give it a 6/10

Primetime was dope.

With some songs that I really really like.
We Were Rock and Roll
It's Code
Victory
&
Can't Live Without Your Love

Are imo the best songs on there.

Queen
Primetime
Electric Lady
Dorothy Dandrige Eyes
Ghetto Woman

Are all strong too.

I'm having trouble getting away from those first 4 though. They're keeping me from some of the other songs. But sometimes that's a good thing and means I'll discover other songs as gems later on.

I also don't understand that Monae hate. I've been on board since Got Purp vol. 2. I haven't been disappointed in a project since then. There are obviously songs I don't really feel too much, but for my money, JM is golden

Not trash.

Not as good as the debut.

But title track, Ride Sally, What an Experience, first overture, and Victory (prolly shoulda been called Victorius though) all bang.

it has grown on me exponentially. i love 'cant live without your love'


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"It is better to be silent and thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt"

Also, if it helps, this album is apparently supposed to be a 'prequel' to I'm guessing The ArchAndroid, even though it's labeled Suite IV and V...

________________________________________________________________________________________________
But Zootown, black people and media, so...

>Also, if it helps, this album is apparently supposed to be a
>'prequel' to I'm guessing The ArchAndroid, even though it's
>labeled Suite IV and V...

I've been trying to piece together the actual story for a minute and could use some guidance.

█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

about the story this week - I've considered it more *concept* than straight story, but the fact that they're labeled as consecutive suites makes me think there's a more linear storyline than I've paid attention to.


-thebigfunk

~ i could still snort you under the table ~

__________________________________________________________________________________________________
But Zootown, black people and media, so...

_________________________________________________________________________________________________
But Zootown, black people and media, so...

Don't know whether I'd place it over the last album, but this one is definitely more soulful & I appreciate it.

and thinking this is even better than I thought - i agree with whoever noted that "rock stars" and "can't live" are both solid single options for her - the former really hits that contemporary "epic" sound on the head but actually makes it *interesting*

Still struggling w/the sequencing though - I feel like shuffling these tracks up would easily improve the album, but I don't exactly know what I'd change...


-thebigfunk

~ i could still snort you under the table ~

>Still struggling w/the sequencing though - I feel like
>shuffling these tracks up would easily improve the album, but
>I don't exactly know what I'd change...

make that story post, i think that's a key factor.

█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

http://www.okayplayer.com/news/janelle-monae-dance-apocalyptic-live-david-letterman-video.html

Holy shit - thought she was just going to swagger off the set completely at the end... *this* woman...


-thebigfunk

~ i could still snort you under the table ~

http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/18470-janelle-monae-the-electric-lady/

Got my copy.
Target Deluxe version

Target in the building

will pick it up tomorrow


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"It is better to be silent and thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt"

I could have done without the "Q.U.E.E.N." remix, but the "Electric Lady"
remix gives it more of a party feel, "Hell You Talmbout" is a really good
track that just sounds like it might not have had a place on the album,
and the "I Want You Back" remake has a really beautiful, mellow acoustic
feel, not to mention she sounds great singing it.

that synth groove is my favorite part of the original so I dig the blown out version.


The Electric Lady mix is dope too.

█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

Which my better half promptly put in her car... I have a feeling I won't see it for a while, lol...

-thebigfunk

~ i could still snort you under the table ~

So far ArchAndroid is better, but I'm still loving this album.

been waiting for electric lady to grab me, but it hasn't. maybe it will, but for now i'll have yours truly on rotation.

one for me and gifted one to my sister using iTunes.

dope project. janelle is very talented.

dope project. janelle is very talented.

You people suck.

>You people suck.
- Such sad miserable people populate these boards. Feel sad for they, really.

definitely getting copped

lol love it.

I'm loving this album. The songs definitely grow better with each listen. Was it released on vinyl? I don't have a CD player and really want a physical copy of it.

Which is surprising considering the p-fork love she's been getting, and ArchAndroid had a vinyl release.

-thebigfunk

~ i could still snort you under the table ~

Dorothy Dandridge is clearly influenced by MJ's I Can't Help It.

:)

i get the concept, i like it, i admire it, but she actually just sounds emotionally dead. its off putting and uninvolving. if her music were more robotic itself then i could understand it, i.e. if she was a one woman kraftwerk. but shes not. so it doesnt fit. p-funk, bowie, sun ra, etc etc, all were aliens in their act but they still performed with some warmth. janelle takes dispassion to a level i enjoy on an intellectual level, but mostly just find hard to engage with.

i need to hear the new album properly to be fair, so im giving a pretty general impression, but i consider her pretty much the same as lady gaga - someone who has the concept, the patter, the ideas, but the music just doesnt match that ambition.

shame.

For the amount that she puts on aesthetically. She forces the matter with the interludes and such but song for song the theme doesn't hold up. I mean like on "Ghetto Woman" she completely breaks character. So often she reflects on what is happening in the now and not enough about the time of the world she's supposed to be in. But I think it all relates to her not feeling the audience is completely sold on the concept and so she keeps trying to pull them in rather than embodying it musically.

█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

its so predictable with all its monae-isms (be an individual, dont be like others, follow your own path etc) and so aggressively cold, its brilliant in how its so brand Monae Inc, but also makes me wonder how far she can kep this shtick going. im half impressed that her attention to style/consistency extends even to cameos, but its also a bit too rigid.

that goodie album is kinda terrible though lol

I don't know if I like this more than her first (which I really like ALLOT) yet but damn I really like this album. Its definitely close (or maybe even equal) in quality IMO

I like to love every single track on the album except "Dance Apocalyptic" and "What An Experience" (and I don't even think these songs are horrible, just bad in comparison to the rest of the album), in particular I LOVE these here.....like these tracks straight up had me jammin' on the first listen:

givin em what they love
QUEEN
Electric Lady
Look Into My Eyes
Suite V
Victory
Can't Live Without Your Love
Ghetto Woman
Dorthy Dandridge Eyes (like someone commented above, this song is SO STEVIE and I LOVE IT)

really DOPE instrumentation all over this album

█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpRT3xCxMqg

Her "catching the holy ghost" made smile.

does it even matter?

were hypercritical of the electric lady when she decided to blowout her hair & put on a dress but wanna (rightfully tho) call out double o on his problematic post.

Y'alls freakout to Janelle switching up her style ONE TIME is really just as patriarchal, sexist, misogynistic, anti-feminist & blah blah as what double o wrote...in fact, it's probably worse b/c I bet some of y'all think you're allies or identify as feminist men.

Imj, it starts w/ the man in the mirror guys LoL.

It still seems that my post went over folks head..

It is what it is...

The same way ya'll see this Miley "wrecking ball" video is the same way i see certain scenes in Dance Apocalyptic vid.. An attempt at something that just didn't work..

Now yes.. we could argue intent all day.. but as a viewer that's how It comes off to me. She purposely altered her image around her attributes (tighter pants, heels, dress) for what we can assume was slightly more 'mainstream" appeal. So when it falls flat I am still gonna use it as an example of such.

Ppl have described it much more eloquently further down this post. She just isn't 'human' enough.. simple

emoting & believability...I disagree w/ you on those points but I can rock w/ it, if that makes sense??

However, I can't w/ comparing that mess Miley is doing w/ anything Janelle is doing tho, sorry double 0 LoL (my bad I thought it was an "o" not a zero).

Janelle putting out a wack video(s), wearing heels, & blowing out her hair is NOT similar to Miley's wack video(s), twerkin, cutting her hair, etc. You don't have to like Janelle or her music to know that it's deeper than "it" not working.

>You don't have to like Janelle or her
>music to know that it's deeper than "it" not working.

*edit* no need to yell it. though i do like yelling in the lesson for no good reason. lol.


█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

Nah.. I compared the reaction.. not the videos

Both are in essence a manipulation of the visual medium for artists intent. Both have their own reasons...

Art thrives on communication... If I don't feel that something was communicated "well" then I can/will comment. I want janelle to win. I think she represents something really important and has something to say. She just needs help communicating it.


>emoting & believability...I disagree w/ you on those points
>but I can rock w/ it, if that makes sense??
>
>However, I can't w/ comparing that mess Miley is doing w/
>anything Janelle is doing tho, sorry double 0 LoL (my bad I
>thought it was an "o" not a zero).
>
>Janelle putting out a wack video(s), wearing heels, & blowing
>out her hair is NOT similar to Miley's wack video(s), twerkin,
>cutting her hair, etc. You don't have to like Janelle or her
>music to know that it's deeper than "it" not working.
>

>Both are in essence a manipulation of the visual medium for
>artists intent.

█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

Well according to the nested posts to our OG exchange she was purposefully trying to a-sexualize the crawl.. or rather force ppl to not think of her as a sexual object.. err something or other..

I have no clue..

Just didnt land for me... but like I said.. seems like ppl bought the album... she doubled her 1st album first week and hopefully that means more time and another album to grow..

And you can feel free to call my freak out sexist or whatever, but its consistent and from on singular place.... how is Janelle as a role model for my nine year old daughter who adores the fuck out of her. My parenting style sees pop images passing through my filter before (or at least while) they get to my kids. Even when they don't my kids have the habit of coming back to me for context. So by example they love the fuck out of Dance Apocalyptic but have never seen the video (too much going on for them to properly contextualize).

My hyperbolic reaction post about Janelle looking like RHOA was me thinking okay how am i going to contextualize that type of shift for my daughter, who went out and bought a whole fit to match Janelle's black and white? Fotunately I was overreacting (which I laughed about with others in that post). I knew I was overreacting when I posted it.

Point being feel free to jump to whatever conclusions about me, but I'll own my shit, just speak to me directly about it.

Something I'll just drop here. My daughter loves Q.U.E.E.N., play it ten times in a row type love. She's never been a fan of rap, but this weekend she tells me that she really likes Janelle's rap at the end. I probe her to see if she understood the lyrics, and she's like nah. So we make an exercise of it, writing the lyrics down, highlighting the words (and people) she doesn't understand. Going to spend a whole week breaking it down and really getting into the meaning. That's what I love about who Janelle is in my daughter's life, and at least until she's a teenager I hope Janelle doesn't compromise that.


█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

being straightened & the short dress. Ok, that's one of the threads I'm recalling but also stuff in GD & here about Janelle & her appearance which have guys like maxx, cynthia, brooklyn, etc. in them freaking out too. But shit, I'm a fan of Destiny's Child & Drake so: imcvspl, hi.

>And you can feel free to call my freak out sexist or
>whatever, but its consistent and from on singular place....
>how is Janelle as a role model for my nine year old daughter
>who adores the fuck out of her. My parenting style sees pop
>images passing through my filter before (or at least while)
>they get to my kids. Even when they don't my kids have the
>habit of coming back to me for context. So by example they
>love the fuck out of Dance Apocalyptic but have never seen the
>video (too much going on for them to properly contextualize).

So, your freak out replete w/ sexism comes from being a dad to a young daughter (a Black girl or girl of color I presume) that is lightweight infatuated w/ Janelle Monae??

>My hyperbolic reaction post about Janelle looking like RHOA
>was me thinking okay how am i going to contextualize that type
>of shift for my daughter, who went out and bought a whole fit
>to match Janelle's black and white? Fotunately I was
>overreacting (which I laughed about with others in that post).
> I knew I was overreacting when I posted it.

Her use of the black & white uniform marked the shift, no? When she was down w/ DF she wore "normal" clothes & had curly texturized natural hair. Janelle been changing clothes/hairstyles but hey, you admit that you overreacted (unlike most) so ok.
Also, this is kinda blowing my mind & making me see parallels between the "uh oh" feeling you were expressing & the disavowal of Miley by white dads w/ young daughters.
They too lamented how they were going to explain to their daughters why they couldn't listen to her music/watch her videos anymore.
Hmm.



>Point being feel free to jump to whatever conclusions about
>me, but I'll own my shit, just speak to me directly about it.

LoL, ok.

>Something I'll just drop here. My daughter loves Q.U.E.E.N.,
>play it ten times in a row type love. She's never been a fan
>of rap, but this weekend she tells me that she really likes
>Janelle's rap at the end. I probe her to see if she
>understood the lyrics, and she's like nah. So we make an
>exercise of it, writing the lyrics down, highlighting the
>words (and people) she doesn't understand. Going to spend a
>whole week breaking it down and really getting into the
>meaning. That's what I love about who Janelle is in my
>daughter's life, and at least until she's a teenager I hope
>Janelle doesn't compromise that.

^^last sentence isn't clear & Idw assume so Imma ask...
Iyo, who is Janelle in your daughter's life?
We ALL compromise everyday (including Janelle), so what specifically is it that you hope Janelle doesn't compromise until your daughter is a teenager?

>But shit, I'm a fan
>of Destiny's Child & Drake so: imcvspl, hi.

LOL!! Funny ref.

>So, your freak out replete w/ sexism comes from being a dad to
>a young daughter (a Black girl or girl of color I presume)
>that is lightweight infatuated w/ Janelle Monae??

I'd debate the replete w/ sexism but yes on everything else. Even in the post I was more or less attacking everyone else but Janelle ("I blame yall mofo's for this")

>Her use of the black & white uniform marked the shift, no?
>When she was down w/ DF she wore "normal" clothes & had curly
>texturized natural hair.

My daughter doesn't know about those days. Her introduction was Archandroid. I don't think she made the black and white connection until after seeing her live and begging me to go out and get her a pair of those shoes.

>Janelle been changing
>clothes/hairstyles but hey, you admit that you overreacted
>(unlike most) so ok.

But she was also pretty firm in interviews after Arch leading up to that point that she wasn't going to stop dressing as she was. Not that she couldn't but it was an artistic decision of hers not to. And every ime she said that in response to an interview it was a push from folk to change. Everytime she didn't comply with that change which everyone either hinted at or directly stated, it was a political statement being made. I'll get more on it in your direct question below.

>Also, this is kinda blowing my mind & making me see parallels
>between the "uh oh" feeling you were expressing & the
>disavowal of Miley by white dads w/ young daughters.
>They too lamented how they were going to explain to their
>daughters why they couldn't listen to her music/watch her
>videos anymore.
>Hmm.

The thing for me isn't really about the look. It's really about holding on to an artistic stance and seeing that through. I'm not putting Janelle on a moral pedestal, I'm putting her on an artistic one (again very consistent from me). In contrast, my daughter has no clue who Miley is. Nothing of artistic merit has been worth sharing with her. I'm not going to go into it here, but there was a whole thing about Lady Gaga with my daughter and a friend. I make judgement calls about artistic integrity in my children's life. Art is my religion... no seriously.

>>Point being feel free to jump to whatever conclusions about
>>me, but I'll own my shit, just speak to me directly about
>it.
>
>LoL, ok.

Sorry but a lot of folk be trying to make these open ended statements about folk when they know exactly who they talking about. Shit's a pet peeve of mine around here.

>That's what I love about who Janelle is in my
>>daughter's life, and at least until she's a teenager I hope
>>Janelle doesn't compromise that.
>
>^^last sentence isn't clear & Idw assume so Imma ask...
>Iyo, who is Janelle in your daughter's life?
>We ALL compromise everyday (including Janelle), so what
>specifically is it that you hope Janelle doesn't compromise
>until your daughter is a teenager?

For me Janelle walks a line which is very difficult in this era, which is non conformity (obviously debatable but you know what I mean). She clearly presents herself as different, and for me represents the idea that for a black female being different is perfectly okay. Take a tally of all the images of black females regularly in the public eye, and it's clear. Without someone like her, the pressure from all those other images is that you cannot be different, you have to conform to those ideas.

And just for the record these are my thoughts but my daughter comes to things for herself. She hasn't even gotten to the depth of it all yet, as evident by my bit above regarding the rap on Q.U.E.E.N.

But just look what she's in store for grasping:

"Are we a lost generation of our people?
Add us to equations but they'll never make us equal
She who writes the movie owns the script and the sequel
So why ain't the stealing of my rights made illegal?
They keep us underground working hard for the greedy
But when it's time pay they turn around and call us needy
My crown too heavy like the Queen Nefertiti
Gimme back my pyramid, I'm trying to free Kansas City
Mixing masterminds like your name Bernie Grundman
Well I'mma keep leading like a young Harriet Tubman
You can take my wings but I'm still goin' fly
And even when you edit me the booty don't lie
Yeah keep singing, I'mma keep writing songs
I'm tired of Marvin asking me +What's Going On?+
March to the streets 'cuz I'm willing and I'm able
Categorize me, I defy every label
And while you're selling dope, we're gonna keep selling hope
We rising up now, you gotta deal you gotta cope
Will you be electric sheep? Electric ladies, will you sleep?
Or will you preach?"


█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

in like "WELL YOU GUYS ARE MISOGYNIST PIGS BTW IM JUST SAYING LOL"


Enjoy the music dude. Good grief.

"Give em What They Love" - My wife only slightly less of a Prince fanatic than me, after however many listens didn't even realize Prince was on the song.

"Q.U.E.E.N." - Erykah's part is dope but the verse at the end... Janelle bodied that shit.

"Electric Lady" - Solange is on there?

"Primetime" - Listen to the chorus'. Janelle got em.

"Dorothy Dandridge Eyes" - Is Esperanza even singing?

*****

You like some of these artists better than her, don't like her voice yeah that's cool. But none of them overshadowed her anywhere.


█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

Pretty much..

Besides Miguel, I hardly noticed other features on the album.. They weren't even features really.. Just additional voices/collaborators.

Also glad she just does her own rapping (didn't get the Target deluxe) instead of putting on the hottest or biggest rappers in the middle of songs with dumbed down and off topic verses talking about the cities they rep and giving self shout outs..

this one:

>"Dorothy Dandridge Eyes"

Esperanza sounds utterly AMAZING singing that 2nd verse and that scatting
at the end? Man, she owned that joint.
Not that Janelle doesn't sound good on it... she does, but the song just sounds
like it was made for Ms. Spalding

This is clearly her album and the guests are just that guests. Her presence is so strong that she can't get lost in the project. Oh and her spitting is top notch on this album. I dig.

am still amazed

she is austere, in a pretty removed, theatrical sense, which i think is fine, if the songs are really strong and melodic/emotional on their own (and sometimes they are), but i think all the genre-hopping hurts her a bit. it makes it look like shes just essaying styles rather than doing anything of her own. suite v is fabulous though. so is her jackson 5 tribute on its code. hopefully on album number 3, she finds her own sound, rather than simply trying on lots of others for size (no matter how well she does it).

the main impression the new album give me is that she is made to do soundtracks - its what shes made for. id love to see her do a movie. a rocky horror/purple rain/space is the place type of vehicle. a female 'brother from another planet'.

shes very unusual as a modern artist though - there is nothing personal about her, no gossipy angle, she just doesnt let you in, she doesnt lower herself to that. you have to love that, even if you dont love her. and even though shes working in R&B, her emotional tenor is so NON R&B, you have to kind of respect that. is there anyone else in R&B so comitted to this kind of anti emotionalism?

>she is austere, in a pretty removed, theatrical sense, which
>i think is fine, if the songs are really strong and
>melodic/emotional on their own (and sometimes they are), but i
>think all the genre-hopping hurts her a bit. it makes it look
>like shes just essaying styles rather than doing anything of
>her own. suite v is fabulous though. so is her jackson 5
>tribute on its code. hopefully on album number 3, she finds
>her own sound, rather than simply trying on lots of others for
>size (no matter how well she does it).
>
>the main impression the new album give me is that she is made
>to do soundtracks - its what shes made for. id love to see her
>do a movie. a rocky horror/purple rain/space is the place type
>of vehicle. a female 'brother from another planet'.
>
>shes very unusual as a modern artist though - there is nothing
>personal about her, no gossipy angle, she just doesnt let you
>in, she doesnt lower herself to that. you have to love that,
>even if you dont love her. and even though shes working in
>R&B, her emotional tenor is so NON R&B, you have to kind of
>respect that. is there anyone else in R&B so comitted to this
>kind of anti emotionalism?

Good post...Maybe Dirty Mind era Prince? He was full on character and gave the media only what he wanted....

>the main impression the new album give me is that she is made
>to do soundtracks - its what shes made for. id love to see her
>do a movie. a rocky horror/purple rain/space is the place type
>of vehicle. a female 'brother from another planet'.

"She who writes the movie owns the script and the sequel
So why ain't the stealing of my rights made illegal?"


█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

only 3 tracks I don't dig are Dance Apocalyptic, What An Experience and We Were Rock & Roll

The second half of the album is definitely my favorite, tracks 10-18 are fire

Her influences on this album are blatantly obvious, but who cares if the tracks still are dope as hell

I bet some of these sound really fucking good live

favorite songs: Its Code, Dorothy Dandrige Eyes, Givin Em What They Love

but i totally agree that the second half of the album is much better, mostly because of the sequencing i think

but I just listened to Archandroid again and it blows this out of the water.

not sure if it should include hits all of her albums but definitely needs a live album. i would LOVE to have a live version of "metropolis" and "cindi" from The Audition added to some of the other tracks

her SXSW show from 2011..... and a set she did at KCRW in 2010...

dope

I didn't think Prince could ever sound like that again.

nice combo of styles..but still distinctively her..

title track is jammin...

I really like this album too.

I love the cinematic theme to it.

Great album.

"The Electric Lady" is a great follow up to "The ArchAndroid" if only just to showcase the introduction of Janelle's seemless flow as a lyricist. Could a full Janelle Monae rap album be in the works in the future? But still "The ArchAndroid" outshines "EL" for it takes listeners on a journey like the soundtrack of a science fiction movie with it's lush classical orchestral arrangements & epics like "Babopbyeya" & "Say You'll Go."
But I'm giving "EL" love mainly for these cuts:
-Victory
-Can't Live Without Your Love
-Ghetto Woman
-Dorothy Dandridge Eyes
-Electric Lady

(And here's to still hoping Janelle & Erykah Badu do an epic duet ballad that shows their true vocal range & dramatic showmanship -
Q.U.E.E.N. was good, but it wasn't even the best duet this year)

...off of Ghetto Woman. It hit me as soon as I heard it. It's Code is definitely Jackson-esque. More on that Jackson 5 vibe whereas, IMO, Dorothy Dandridge Eyes feels more Michael Jackson-esque.




Since 1976

Reminds me of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooTEU9fyTuo

good ass song... solid album like 4 songs I love and a bunch of songs that are cool


<< Started From The Bottom

@rob_starrk

I have heard many good things about her.

im lovin this album. now i need to hear Targets version.

Check out NEW Soul music at: www.myspace.com/starbeing

Bumpin in the STEREO:
Gladys Knight&The Pips
SEEK-Surrender
George Duke-Feel
E.W.F.-RAISE
Don-E-Little Star