OKComputer1016
06/21/08, 11:36 AM
Outkast - Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
Record Label: La Face Records
Release Date: September 23, 2003
If you’ve heard Stankonia, the thought of Outkast being any more ambitious seems impossible. That album’s urban blend of every genre under the sun made for easily one of the most impressive hip-hop albums ever made, and critics everywhere hailed the duo as one of the most creative forces in pop music at the time. So, logically, the only way to top that was to... well, do way more of it.
Think back to other creative geniuses who tried to tackle the multiple disc release: Sandanista! by The Clash is a pretty good example. There’s just so much material and so little of it lives up to your expectations. It seems like the band is more interested in getting to a certain album-length than in making really good songs. You can hear echoes of the band’s greatness in a handful of the tracks, but they’re hidden behind a wall of filler (Big Boi’s son can rap - who knew?).
If you’re short on time, know that all of the really good songs are on Big Boi’s half, Speakerboxxx. “Bowtie” is an instant R&B classic, complete with super catchy/super cheesy 70’s trumpets - even if there’s a pretty annoying sped-up vocal track of Andre 3000 informing us that he’s as “smooth as a baby’s bottom is.” “Knowing,” too, is classic Outkast, keeping a few goofy lyrics in check with a dark tone and an excellent, memorable chorus.
Although there’s no denying the charm of the hip-pop exhibited on “Hey Ya,” the bold jazzy approach wears thin long before The Love Below (Andre "3000" Benjamin's half) closes. Tracks like “She’s Alive” are awfully boring, with way too much piano-pop, falsetto vocals and not enough rap. Sure, this is a crossover record, but Outkast is a unit known for their balance and there’s no balance to be found here, just potential radio hits in the vain of “Hey Ya.”
Unlike Stankonia, the skits on here are not entertaining in the least. They just clutter up an already-messy album. There’s just so much all over the place that I had to rearrange the album on iTunes to make it more tolerable to listen to.
Without a doubt, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below is a disappointing release to follow the brilliant Stankonia. There are some catchy tunes here and there, but you’ve got to have Andre and Big Boi together to have the real Outkast. And besides, it seems like the guys have outgrown their inner-gangster style.
older Outkast... to a certain extent
myspace.com/outkast (http://www.myspace.com/outkast)
Record Label: La Face Records
Release Date: September 23, 2003
If you’ve heard Stankonia, the thought of Outkast being any more ambitious seems impossible. That album’s urban blend of every genre under the sun made for easily one of the most impressive hip-hop albums ever made, and critics everywhere hailed the duo as one of the most creative forces in pop music at the time. So, logically, the only way to top that was to... well, do way more of it.
Think back to other creative geniuses who tried to tackle the multiple disc release: Sandanista! by The Clash is a pretty good example. There’s just so much material and so little of it lives up to your expectations. It seems like the band is more interested in getting to a certain album-length than in making really good songs. You can hear echoes of the band’s greatness in a handful of the tracks, but they’re hidden behind a wall of filler (Big Boi’s son can rap - who knew?).
If you’re short on time, know that all of the really good songs are on Big Boi’s half, Speakerboxxx. “Bowtie” is an instant R&B classic, complete with super catchy/super cheesy 70’s trumpets - even if there’s a pretty annoying sped-up vocal track of Andre 3000 informing us that he’s as “smooth as a baby’s bottom is.” “Knowing,” too, is classic Outkast, keeping a few goofy lyrics in check with a dark tone and an excellent, memorable chorus.
Although there’s no denying the charm of the hip-pop exhibited on “Hey Ya,” the bold jazzy approach wears thin long before The Love Below (Andre "3000" Benjamin's half) closes. Tracks like “She’s Alive” are awfully boring, with way too much piano-pop, falsetto vocals and not enough rap. Sure, this is a crossover record, but Outkast is a unit known for their balance and there’s no balance to be found here, just potential radio hits in the vain of “Hey Ya.”
Unlike Stankonia, the skits on here are not entertaining in the least. They just clutter up an already-messy album. There’s just so much all over the place that I had to rearrange the album on iTunes to make it more tolerable to listen to.
Without a doubt, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below is a disappointing release to follow the brilliant Stankonia. There are some catchy tunes here and there, but you’ve got to have Andre and Big Boi together to have the real Outkast. And besides, it seems like the guys have outgrown their inner-gangster style.
older Outkast... to a certain extent
myspace.com/outkast (http://www.myspace.com/outkast)