JANELLE MONAE - THE ARCHANDROID (SUITES II AND III)

I discovered Janelle Monae through a friend who recommended I listen to this CD and made me a copy. This is where record companies (at least in my case) make huge mistakes. When I really like something I buy it. Even if I already have a burned or ripped copy. And I loved this disc. Absolutely loved it. It's the most exciting new music I've heard in ages! I had no visual image of Monae when I heard the record, nor did I expect anything other than it was supposed to be funky. The CD starts off with a orchestral bit basically giving you the impression you're watching the opening credits of some movie. 'Suite II Overture' is interesting but also kinda lame. Still, it sets up the format Monae is trying to achieve with her narrative and to be honest, I'd much rather have interspersed segues like this than some of the more popular segues you see in Hip Hop/R&B music these days.

'Dance Or Die' kicks in with a great beat and Janelle singing in the background before the main vocal comes in. She raps this one; which recalls to mind Lauryn Hill's combination of various styles. It's a fantastic song you can really belt out at the top of your voice right along with the track and segues flawlessly into 'Faster'! Once again, a great beat keeps the momentum moving along. 'Faster' has a swing beat happening with Janelle singing in her beautiful voice over the top. Another segue takes us into 'Locked Inside' where the beat skips and slows somewhat but also continues the forward movement of these first numbers. In combination, they are utterly flawless in flow. They move between each other like mercury. I haven't heard an opening salvo like this in ages. Prince used to pull these 1, 2, 3 punches at the start of his records, but it's been a long time since those days. Very strong opening.

And then we come to the first ballad. I complain endlessly about the futility of balladry. I think it's the most overused, generic form of songwriting ever. So many people write ballads they intend to be deep and end up with dribble. It's just too unpredictable. However, Monae seems to get that idea. 'Sir Greendown' starts off sounding oddly like 'Moon River'. Before I go any further let me discuss the theme of this record for a second... This is a concept album. In fact, her previous record was the actual beginning of this story. It's about an android who falls in love with a human and how in that society, it's an illegal relationship. The songs supposedly detail their experience and the human man is named Sir Greendown. Whether or not this narrative is effective is kinda pointless as I don't listen to these songs with the plot in mind. 'Sir Greendown' is a lovely piece that lyrically means nothing to me as I listen to it, but the melody is soothing and the vocal delivery is also interesting. It's an excellent piece to sing along to. After the mellow vibe of 'Sir Greendown', 'Cold War' is like a punch in the gut. It comes with such force and an almost punk beat. It's a strong number, but the followup track, 'Tightrope' is the real kicker here. This number is the single from the record and whoever picked it to lead off the record's singles was an absolute genius. It comes on strong and pushes the beat forward with some incredibly strong vocalizations by Monae. A classic tune without a doubt. 'Neon Gumbo' is a segue leading into 'Oh, Maker'; which is another ballad. This one is also superior and another hit ballad-wise. It's followed by a 60s style screamer, 'Come Alive (The War Of The Roses)'. This number is still exciting, but has a frantic edge I'm not entirely comfortable with. The first suite ends with another ballad called 'Mushrooms & Roses'. This psychedelic ballad relies heavily on distortion to accentuate the music and Monae distorts her voice quite a lot as well. The movements are separated into suites; which I'm not entirely sure as to why. I am certain, if they ever made a movie from this record, it would make more sense.

The second movement or suite starts with 'Suite III Overture'; which is another orchestral piece this one incorporating bits from other songs. 'Neon Valley Street' is the first legitimate song and is based on the coda from 'Suite III Overture'. This is easily my favorite ballad on the album. I love the imagery she conjures on the chorus of this brilliant tune. Especially the line, "I'm holding your hand"... There's innocence, expression and sweetness all wrapped up in sincerity... It knocks me out. The first time I heard 'Make The Bus', I thought it was completely bizarre, but interesting. As time goes on, it's actually become the one track I feel is out of place on this collection. I like the last minute of the song but the build is so uncertain and changing I'm constantly left wondering what's the point. Not surprisingly, I found out after I bought the CD this is the only track not written by Monae. It's followed up by 'Wondaland'. This song could really be my favorite tune on the record. There's pop sensibility in this number. It kinda embraces that whole Britney Spears sound with the vocal distortion, but it's the lyrics and the vocal delivery that make it so infectious. It's simply wonderful. '57821' is another ballad that sounds somewhat like Simon & Garfunkel's 'Scarborough Fair'. There are also elements of choral music in the vocal arrangements. 'Say You'll Go' is another ballad and this one actually starts out sounding like something Prince would have written for "Emancipation". It's another song that's very delicate and beautiful. I actually like the ballads Monae has written for this record. She's very talented with this kind of music. The final number on this cd is 'BabopbyeYa'. It sounds like a jazz number from some sweeping 1940's Hollywood blockbuster film. It's a wonderful end to an epic album and I'm completely pleased and thrilled with it.

Janelle Monae is a new name and she's exciting, versatile and interesting. She combines all kinds of musical genre to create a full, rich, mature sound even if the concept of the record is somewhat juvenile. There's something for everyone here and for those who like a well rounded musical buffet, this is a literal smorgasbord. Pump it while driving, lay back and listen to the ballads or just groove all the way through playing it in the background. It will inspire, uplift and generally turn you on your ear. It's exciting and I can't wait to hear more from this interesting woman. My final words: UNEXPECTED DELICIOUSNESS!

JANELLE MONAE - THE ARCHANDROID (SUITES II AND III)
01. Suite II Overture
02. Dance Or Die (Featuring Saul Williams)
03. Faster
04. Locked Inside
05. Sir Greendown
06. Cold War
07. Tightrope (Featuring Big Boi)
08. Neon Gumbo
09. Oh, Maker
10. Come Alive (The War Of The Roses)
11. Mushrooms & Roses
12. Suite III Overture
13. Neon Valley Street
14. Make The Bus (Featuring Of Montreal)
15. Wondaland
16. 57821 (Featuring Deep Cotton)
17. Say You'll Go
18. BabopbyeYa

NORAH JONES - COME AWAY WITH ME

I'd heard 'Don't Know Why'... This was back in the day when I actually watched television and I'd seen the video. I knew the name, but I never really listened to the music. It wasn't until I saw "Two Weeks Notice" where Norah appears in a cameo singing 'The Nearness Of You' that I realized how interesting this up and coming artist was. The first disc I actually bought was her second and it wasn't until much later that I finally picked up 'Come Away With Me'. Still, I always knew I'd have it one day.

Norah has one of those sultry seductive voices. It floats across any room it fills and kinda wafts like rich hot chocolate under your nose on a cold day. She's as soothing as lemonade in summer and warm as a fleece blanket in fall. She welcomes you, wraps you up and makes you feel like an old friend hanging around under a pile of fluffy pillows.

As much as I love her voice and style, I sometimes take exception to the songs she chooses to perform. Most of them are written by her band members. And for the most part, they're exceptional. Still, some of them seem like throwaway country at times. On this disc there are some amazing stand out cuts. Like 'Turn Me On', 'The Nearness Of You' and the haunting 'I've Got To See You Again'. 'Feelin' The Same Way' is a bouncy number with an enjoyable rhythm and a lovely intensity while 'Come Away With Me' starts out sounding like 'Moon River'. As a title track, it's mellow and sweet sentiment aptly describes the look and feel of Norah while at the same time showcasing her whispery vocals in a sensual blend of emotional longing and practiced skill. 'Shoot The Moon' is a remarkable song with powerful lyrics about missed opportunities and loss. 'Painter Song' almost reminds me of Simon & Garfunkel, while 'One Flight Down' has an almost Dolly Pardon-like quality to it. 'The Long Day Is Over' feels like an old negro spiritual at first before morphing into a number you'd expect to hear in a smokey piano bar. I think the only song I don't really like on this disc is 'Lonestar'. Not for any reason other than it just seems predictable and somewhat lackluster to me.

Although it wasn't my first Norah Jones cd, it certainly is the root of my appreciation for her. Subsequent albums have special places on my music shelf and I find myself turning to her during stressful times to just kinda take the edge off the day. If you haven't heard it, find someone who owns it and borrow it. Let it play softly in the background while you go about your day and see if Norah doesn't become a ready friend you've known your whole life. My final word: SULTRY.

NORAH JONES - COME AWAY WITH ME
01. Don't Know Why
02. Seven Years
03. Cold, Cold Heart
04. Feelin' The Same Way
05. Come Away With Me
06. Shoot The Moon
07. Turn Me On
08. Lonestar
09. I've Got To See You Again
10. Painter Song
11. One Flight Down
12. Nightingale
13. The Long Day Is Over
14. The Nearness Of You