Well, I don't live in the UK, but I can only imagine. From what i've heard,
Crazy had the success of a Beatles song across the pond. And to be honest, I'm not sure why. Yeah, it's a cool song, but really? It had to be purposely deleted from the UK Official Download Chart because it was on top for 9 straight weeks. Sure, it's a nifty song, but I could think of many other songs that belong on the #1 charts for so long.
Well, you most likely have heard
Crazy, but if you haven't it's a dramatic song with simple and nicely sung lyrics from Cee-Lo, the song has a nice Violin sample with a catchy drum beat. The albums second single
Smiley Faces is a more upbeat song that just seems to be about remaining in a good mood despite hardships, the beat sounds purposely old, which gives it a nice effect.
The album's 3rd and newest single is one of my favorites,
Gone Daddy Gone is a well done cover of the old Violent Femmes track. It's done with a much different style than the original, with fast, snapping drums, and Cee-lo holds his voice back a little, which is good, because this really isn't a song that needs to be belted out. A very nice, catchy song. Though i'm not ready to call it as good as the original.
My favorite track on the album has always been
Transformer. Which is a great song to play if you're testing out the bass in a system. It has a very High pitched and fast beat, almost Kanye West like. Cee-Lo appears in all pitches, Really high, Really Low, Regular, his pitch shifts with every sentence, it may be annoying to some, but it is a very entertaining track. With a great drumbeat. Probably the most Hip-Hop sounding song on the album.
Necromancer is the most liked song about Necrophilia. The lyrics are graphic, but they are spoken so tongue and cheek, that's it turns out to be fun more than weird. The beat is a little draggy, but Cee-Lo's charisma picks the song up. Cee-Lo even let's out a laugh at the end.
The albums opener
Go-Go Gadget Gospel sounds exactly like you'd expect it to, like highly energetic, high tech gospel song. Cee-Lo just let's newcomers catch up on what they've been missing with him, the reason this album got so much praise is because no one really payed attention to his solo work, but now that he's teamed up with Dangermouse, who seemingly has the Midas touch, well, now people realize how nice his voice is.
Who Cares? shows off Cee-Lo's song writing skill. With a simple beat and Cee-Lo using himself as backup singers, the clever lyrics commence:
"
Its deep how you can be so shallow
And I'm afraid cause I have no fear
And I didn't believe in magic until
Until I watched you disappear
I wish you where here"
"
You see everybody is somebody
But nobody wants to be themselves
And if I ever wanted to understand me
Id have to talk someone else
But every little bit helps"
Online is a very disappointing track because it is very good, but way too short. The song has a blatant, over the top, funky 70's vibe, and the track is a play on words, it's about Cocaine, hence "On-Line". But the song only clocks in at a measly 1:48.
Storm Coming Has some more nice lyrics:
"
I could paint a picture with a pen,
but a song will only scratch the skin.
And there are still places I haven't been,
because I know what's in there is already in the air."
In the middle of the song, an irresistible Drum beat comes in, which is highly energetic and makes the song one of the best on the album.
However, the Album's title track
St. Elsewhere is boring, and a little repetitive. It has a bland, uninspired beat and just ok singing from Cee-Lo. For a song that's only 2:30 it really drags on.
Feng Shui is another example of how length plays an important role in this album. The beat is nice, and Cee-Lo has a nice verse, but the song is 1:26 and really doesn't go anywhere, even though it has potential to.
The Boogie Monster is as close to horrible as the album gets. The lyrics are flat out bad, and the beats purposely sounds like something you'd hear on "The Munsters", it really doesn't have a point and is not only skippable, but hardly listenable compared to the other songs.
The album redeems what ever wrongs with
Just A Thought which is a sad, introspective song with very great and relatable lyrics:
"
It’s even dark in the daytime, it’s not just good it’s great depression
When I was lost I even found myself looking in the guns direction.
Well I’ve tried everything but suicide. But it’s crossed my mind.
But I’m fine!"
The album ends on a nice note with
The Last Time. With a nice beat and great lead and backing vocals by Mr. Cee-Lo Green. The song is nice and is nice to sing with. It puts the album in perspective for me and is a nice way to end an average album.
The album does have some great moments, but so many things hinder it from being as good as everyone says. At first the album seemed a lot better, but it really does not have replay value, once you've heard the songs enough, you could go without ever listening to them again. and any album that can do that is nothing more than a 3 to me. Yes the album has great songs, but they're all just too short. And the bad songs are just flat out boring in every way.
If the album fixed some wrongs, it would be really good. But that's it, not album of the year, not classic. But it isn't, so it's barely an above average album. Which isn't a bad thing, it has it's moments, it just doesn't have enough of them.
Pros
Lots of catchy tracks
Cee-Lo has a great voice and uses it well
Dangermouse's production compliments Cee-Lo's Voice well
Cons
Way too short to fully enjoy.
Songs get old pretty fast
Songs seem dangerously similar at times
"The Boogie Monster"
Recommended Tracks
"Transformer"
"Gone Daddy Gone"
"Storm Coming"
"Just A Thought"
3/5
