Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere (CD 2006)

R&B, hip-hop, soul, blues, funk are just a few of the fine elements of music that Gnarls Barkley use to create their genre-bending debut album, St. Elsewhere. Gnarls Barkley is one half Danger Mouse, the beatmaster for the Gorillaz and the creator of the infamous Grey Album, and one half Cee-Lo, the rapper/crooner from Goodie Mob. Both equally important to the album, Danger Mouse’s beats and Cee-Lo’s rasp fuse together to make a hell of an album, one that takes you on a rollercoaster ride through 14 tracks that are equally spontaneous, creepy, and funky.

The album begins with the thumping and out of control “Go-Go Gadget Gospel,” a wild song that features the range and control Cee-Lo has over his voice. Between the nah-nah-nah’s and funky bass, you’ll think you’ve just walked into a carnival. The next track is the smash-hit single, “Crazy,” which samples a bit of an old gospel song combined with a moody bass line and takes a turn for the asylum, as Cee-Lo sings "I remember when I lost my mind/There was something so pleasant about that place.” And this take takes me exactly there. The fun continues with the nutty cover of the Violent Femmes, “Gone Daddy Gone.” A throbbing beat with a simple guitar riff underneath, it takes you to directly to the dance floor. “Smiley Faces” has a thick soul vibe to it, using the organs to full advantage with Cee-Lo’s baritone sound. “The Boogie Monster” has a slow tempo backed by bellowing vocals in the verses, which dramatically changes to a haunting whisper of a chorus. “Just A Thought,” a song about trying to overcome suicidal impulses while booming and crashing drums and thin guitar loops interweave with each other throughout. The next song is the completely insane “Transformer,” an energetic track that is complete with spazzed out beats and Cee-Lo’s crazy tenor shines throughout. This song is my favorite off the entire album, as it forces you to bob your head and tap your toes. Gnarls brings a disturbing dementia to the album with the slow grooving “Necromancer,” which features lyrics such as “Did you hear what I said/with this ring I thee wed/A body in my bed/she was cool when I met her/but I think I like her better dead.” “Storm Coming” is a high-speed track that doesn’t let go of your ears till the very end. The album closes with another genre, the very disco-influenced “The Last Time,” which doesn’t let up on the pace one bit throughout the song, as Cee-Lo one last time uses his seductive voice to ask us the question, “When was the last time you danced?" It’s been a long time, Cee-Lo, a long time. Thankfully, this album makes me want to do just that.

The only flaws that are keeping St. Elsewhere from getting a ridiculous high rating are the facts that some songs are a bit overproduced by Danger Mouse (Transformer for starters, although I still love the song) and that this album is entirely too short. Clocking in at 37 minutes, this is one album that I wish would have pushed into the upper forties or fifties. Although these factors don’t take anything away from the sheer enjoyment I get from this album, they are still notable and something you’ll notice.

Good album but as they say 'one man's meat is another man's poison'. You can make up your own minds. Crazy is the best and I don't really listen to the rest.

The local shops only sell a limited range of albums, and I never thought to look for this CD when I went to the local town, because I only wanted the album for the hit track "Crazy". One night I absentmindedly looked it up on Ebay and made what was a ridiculously low bid. I won the auction, and although I was suspicious, because of the low price, I decided it was so cheap, that I hadn't anything to lose. The album arrived promptly was in excellent condition, and as a bonus all the tracks are really great. Since then I've played it continually. A really great result!!!!. No reservations

Only one track I realy liked Crazy.Glad I bought it on ebay and only paid a fraction of the reel cost.I`ll buy again ussing ebay.thanks Jaq

This CD is as I thought - it's not bad but was really only bought for a couple of tracks - ones that are well known such as 'Crazy'. To be honest, its not one that is played often, it has been downloaded on to my Ipod so only certain tracks are played - it's ok!

I really liked a couple of songs on this album hence the reason for purchase. As for reviewing it as an album some of the other songs are a little scetchy and I am not that keen on them, but I would buy it again for the songs that I like.

Every song was different and although sometimes they appeared disjoined, the flow of the songs was brilliant, very cleverly made album, each song taking a different direction, and making you think, no easy listening crap here,real songs about life, and hey they manage it without wearing stupidly oversized basketball togs and swearing about b's and ho's,!!!!!!
the album had undertones of the doors on a couple of the tracks, an eclectic mix of old and new that really works,
this group have a talent that is rare.
i am a dance fan through and through, so this was an unusual buy for me, but i love it,
if i had to use three words to describe this album they would be
"Inspired,eclectic,escapism"
buy it, you might surprise yourself!!!
x
Wednesday

I bought this album because i thought 'Crazy' was a refreshing change from chart music at the time and i wanted to sample some of their other music. I was pleasantly surprised at the tracks on the album. It is a fun package of music that i now keep in the car and stick on when i'm in traffic jams to keep from boiling over myself !

it was given as a present and the reciever liked it very much it arrived in excellent condition and extremely fast im pleased with everything

It was probably very good if I had received it, buyer kept the money and never even got my money back from paypal...thanks

goods received promptly and in excellent condition as described in sellers summary. This seller is therefore excellent as I got what I paid for.

Tracks on this CD:-

1. Go Go Gadget Gospel
2. Crazy
3. St Elsewhere
4. Gone Daddy Gone
5. Smiley Faces
6. Boogie Monster
7. Feng Shui
8. Just A Thought
9. Transformer
10. Who Cares
11. Online
12. Necromancer
13. Storm Coming
14. Last Time

I bought this album because of "Crazy". I must admit I first liked its video, that I found very imaginative, bizarre and original. During the summer I listened to that song on the radio so many times that I had the time to realize it was the only summer song I liked.

The albun is like the video of Crazy: fanciful, imaginative. I appreciate that. Each song is different from the others but each one very rhytmic, sometimes funny. The only one I don't like is Necromancer: it maybe was supposed to be funny but it isn't.

This is the album I listen to the more often in the last period.
I think Gnarls barkley songs have the merit to be quite hip-hop sometimes but never too much repetitive.

I bought this item through Ebay for three reasons :-
1) it was cheaper than purchasing a chart CD
2) I wasn't familiar with the artist so didn't want to pay alot of money for a CD that i may not have liked.
3) I don't get time to shop and browse for items so i use Ebay for specific goods that i require.
I was very pleased with the condition of the CD and as i only really like 3 tracks on it i am very happy as i don't feel i have wasted my money.
I do play these three tracks over and over though and will just discard the CD when i am bored with it !

only two good tracks on this album, very disappointing. the music is dull and boring and nothing like CRAZY.

Following this single, they released this album, "St. Elsewhere".

I bought this album on a Whim, because I loved their song so much, and I can honestly say this album is a bit of a let down.

Please note, however, that the album probably deserves 3 out of 5 stars, but my rating is lower due to my exasperation at the lack of quality on this album.

It all starts off well, with some amazing upbeat, fun, poppy tracks. But soon after track four it begins to slide a bit. Most songs either sound similar to the one before it, or else they are just really annoying to listen to because there is so much going on. Is that a bad characteristic in a song? Who knows? For me, it made the album hard listening, and not something I could listen to with pleasure.

There are, however, as I said, some very good tracks on this album. Their second single, "Smiling Faces" is absolutely brilliant, and I loved the opening track "Go Go Gadget Gospel" which had me nodding my head in time with the beat. Fantastic.

However, by the time you get to track nine ("Transformer") the album's quality begins to wear off and the tracks start to sound the same, until you get to the last track, "Last Time" - again, a high quality track with a lot to offer.

I'm not complaining about the quality of this album at all. It's well produced and demonstrates some fantastic writing potential. My problem lies in the lack of originality between each and every track.

However, the album does have some brilliant songs on it, which lots will enjoy, although the audience it may appeal to may not be as universal as the audience who enjoyed "Crazy".

I give this album a 5/10 rating, because despite feeling a bit let down by the album, it does have some brilliant tunes on it!

if your expecting the album to sound like the hit single Crazy! you'll be disapointed,on the hole it's worth buying but some of the tracks you won't listen to,i give the album 5 out of 10/average.Laz

Bought this for the song Crazy but love the rest of it too. An excellent purchase well qworth the money. Bought from a great eBayer. There really is nothing I dislike about it.

This album is fantastic! It took a couple of listen throughs to grow on me, but now I can't put it down! It's got a bit of everything. I highly recommend this album! and Down loading it made it even cheaper!

I decided to buy it as part of a birthday present for my friend, although it was two weeks later and i still hadnt received it. when i finally did receive it, not only was it an illegal copy but the seller didnt pay enough postage so it got sent to my post office where i had to pay for it myself and because it was such poor quality and fake i couldnt give it to him anyway. I as very dissapointed in this sellers attitude!

It was bought as a present for my partner, who loves the cd. I personally am sick and tired of "Crazy". Good quality download.

I bought this album after hearing the track 'crazy'- which I love, and I like the whole album. It's very varied so keeps you listening all the way through.

To be honest - after the release of the first single - Crazy - I couldnt wait to rush out and buy this CD, AND i MUST ADMIT - i WASNT TOO IMPRESSED. BUT- saying that, I have only had it a few days and no as well as everyone that it takes time for some CD's to grow on you... Good tracks - obv, Crazy, and 'go go gadget Gospel' is pretty cool. Deserves an award for the song titles if nothing else, plus you get great value for money - not one of these artists who only stichs 8 songs on the CD!!!
Would reccomend that you legally download samples of the tracks first to see if its your think - coz it isnt an album full of 'crazies'!!