2008 Woodie Awards
Gnarls Barkley's latest will shine brighter in warm weather
Diana Ecker
Issue date: 4/2/08 Section: Entertainment
When the weather finally proves itself warm enough to get me in the car and go to the seashore, I will bring The Odd Couple by Gnarls Barkley along for the ride. Dangermouse and Cee-Lo (i.e. Gnarls) have created a vintage-pop-electronic-jazz-blues with a touch of Motown compilation. The first track, "Charity Case," begins with the sound of a running film projector, alluding to the aurally cinematic qualities and themes spliced between each song.
The Odd Couple focuses on the lamentations of one who feels, as the title states, odd. Vocalist Cee-Lo of the group bewails of unfortunate looks, lack of common feelings and interests with other people, and need for love. In the song "Blind Mary," Cee-Lo shows hope in love with a blind woman who appreciates him for who he is on the inside: "She's my friend / she doesn't judge me / she has no idea I'm ugly. / I love Mary /Blind Mary / marry me."
In a recent issue of Paste magazine, Cee-Lo states that he and Dangermouse refrain from expressing what they feel the album is about, giving the listener a freedom to create meaning. I was once told by an experienced professor of the arts that when an artist says, "the meaning is whatever you want it to be," he or she is being lazy and does not want to go through the effort of articulating the artwork. I believe Cee-Lo is guilty of this accusation because it is quite obvious what his lyrics are proclaiming. Perhaps he does not wish to admit to his own insecurities as a strange-looking outsider in ways other than his music?
Hope is expressed in the last track of the album. Singing from the prospective of a near death experience, Cee-Lo decides to do some reflecting. Deciding to overcome the negativity of his flaws, he sees the world as bigger than himself. He is thankful for the light of the sun. As am I, and with each rising degree I look forward to the prospect of my drive to the beach with Gnarls Barkley.
The Odd Couple focuses on the lamentations of one who feels, as the title states, odd. Vocalist Cee-Lo of the group bewails of unfortunate looks, lack of common feelings and interests with other people, and need for love. In the song "Blind Mary," Cee-Lo shows hope in love with a blind woman who appreciates him for who he is on the inside: "She's my friend / she doesn't judge me / she has no idea I'm ugly. / I love Mary /Blind Mary / marry me."
In a recent issue of Paste magazine, Cee-Lo states that he and Dangermouse refrain from expressing what they feel the album is about, giving the listener a freedom to create meaning. I was once told by an experienced professor of the arts that when an artist says, "the meaning is whatever you want it to be," he or she is being lazy and does not want to go through the effort of articulating the artwork. I believe Cee-Lo is guilty of this accusation because it is quite obvious what his lyrics are proclaiming. Perhaps he does not wish to admit to his own insecurities as a strange-looking outsider in ways other than his music?
Hope is expressed in the last track of the album. Singing from the prospective of a near death experience, Cee-Lo decides to do some reflecting. Deciding to overcome the negativity of his flaws, he sees the world as bigger than himself. He is thankful for the light of the sun. As am I, and with each rising degree I look forward to the prospect of my drive to the beach with Gnarls Barkley.
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