Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that there's one wincingly explicit song (apparently about necrophilia) nestled into this collection of very interesting and well-performed material. Depression, suicide, and cocaine are also mentioned. "S--t" comes up once.
Families listening together can talk about the difference between fantasy and reality, and the healing power of creative expression. Parents can also talk about the variety of musical influences here, and the creative way in which they're combined.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Kathi Kamen Goldmark
The first thing you'll notice is the voice –- rich and expressive, suited to 60s and 70s-era soul crooning.
Then there are the instrumental arrangements, blending strong musical hooks with the unconventional and the unexpected in delicious layers of sound that reveal influences as diverse as psychedelia, hip-hop, pop, rock, and soul.
All of these elements combine to make this long-anticipated collaboration between producer Danger Mouse and singer-songwriter Cee-Lo a truly exciting musical adventure.
The brilliance lies in the way these artists mold a wide variety of influences into a new sound that's familiar enough to be comfortably accessible while stretching limits and redefining genre.
The fact that every track is expertly performed certainly doesn't hurt, and neither does the inclusion of song titles such as "Go-Go Gadget Gospel" or "Feng Shui." Even the background vocals and hand claps are perfectly executed.
Lyrically, most of the songs are simple and expressive, with an underlying assumption of audience intelligence that shouldn't be as refreshing as it is. However, most parents will have some trouble with a few of the messages. "Monster in My Closet" is a delightful exploration of that universally scary fantasy, but depression, suicide, and cocaine are mentioned here and there, and one song -– "Necromancer" –- appears to be about necrophilia, in pretty graphic terms.
Uncomfortable as these themes may be, this is one instance where the music is good enough to make listening and engaging in potentially difficult conversations –- about separating reality from fantasy, and/or dealing with self-destructive impulses -– worth the trouble.
Just when we've begun to think there's nothing new happening in contemporary music, we get ST. ELSEWHERE, a memorable and exciting, um, undertaking.
Fans of Gnarls Barkely might also want to check out Cee-Lo's solo stuff.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentSome innuendo: "Don't deny me any further/let me have my way." |
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ViolenceIn-your-face lyrics about suicide, depression, and necrophilia. |
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Language"S--t" is mentioned once. |
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Message |
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Social BehaviorA song about necrophilia is a bit disturbing. |
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Commercialism |
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Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco"Cosmopolitans, and cocaine, and an occasional pill in her," but not much else. |
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