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| Artist: Gnarls Barkley
Label: Atlantic
List Price: $18.98
Buy Used: $6.13
You Save: $12.85 (68%)
New (54) Used (27) Collectible (1) from $6.13
Rating:  64 reviews
Sales Rank: 1047
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.7 x 4.9 x 0.4
MPN: 460236
UPC: 075678994692
EAN: 0075678994692
ASIN: B0013H8QEG
Release Date: March 21, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Retired library copy w/stickers; cd plays fine all the way through & has minor scratches/wear; includes original case, inserts & disc
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 11-15 of 64
 Greatness March 20, 2008
J. Edwards (maryland)
3 out of 7 found this review helpful
I really love this album...
I've been a fan of Cee-lo's for a minute now...
When he hooked up to make Gnarls Barkley, that made it even better...
This is one of those cd's that sounds great on first listen and keeps getting better...especially lyrics wise...
There's a lot of stuff to be missed first time around...
But then when it hits, it hits...
Long live good music...
I've had enough of this recycled pop that floods the radio
 Good not great - a few sparkles, a few duds. March 24, 2008
Justin P. Dela Cruz (Tallahassee, FL USA)
3 out of 10 found this review helpful
Gnarls has slackened up a bit. There are no real bangers, some of the high octane energy is gone, and some songs are just plain duds. They had a chance to make a pretty tight release, but there are too many dull songs here for that.
[...]
Love it April 10, 2008
Kenneth G. Wilson (SC, United States)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Love the new album. I was a fan of a few of the singles from the first album. On their sophomore effort, Gnarls Barkley has fully accomplished consistency. The entire project sounds like it was meant to go together. The tracks just flow together so fluidly, and they all feel like part of the same family.
Would recommend highly if you like that mid-tempo, funk infused vibe.
Hits like the last one April 21, 2008
Courtney W. May (Washington, DC)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I loved the first album (there were a few tracks I liked more then others) and this album did the same thing for me. There were a few songs that I liked, but I wouldn't put on repeat, and others that I've listened to over and over. Some of the songs follow the same feel and patterns as the first album - others are different. Overall, definitely worth the price and a good one to have.
The Odd Couple Indeed May 26, 2008
Conrad Sly (Vancouver, BC, Canada)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
After listening to this album a dozen times, including now as I write this review, it has become a personal classic. While the immensely talented Danger Mouse has crafted some sensational beats on this album, for me, Cee-lo stands out and beyond anything he did on St. Elsewhere with his powerful voice, and amazing lyrics. I have developed a soft spot for this album because the lyrics from song to song almost form a narrative, as Cee-lo describes the various stages and thoughts he has throughout encountering relationships. So many of the lyrics beautifully delivered by Cee-lo, who for me is pretty much the new Al Green, can describe situations I have gone through, and thoughts I have had, whilst in a meaningful relationship, and after a depressing breakup. Cee-lo's great lyrical talent earns him a top spot on my list of song writers, and I'll go through each song to give you an idea of how this CD forms somewhat of a narrative by describing a few of the tracks that stood out for me.
1. Charity Case - First of all, this is a tremendous opening song for the CD. The beat is nice and Cee-lo's lyrics are spot on. The content of the lyrics is quite fitting as an introductory song to a CD labeled 'The Odd Couple,' as it deals with what would appear to be two people talking about their differences. Who these people are is not exactly certain. Cee-lo could be talking about his relationship with Danger Mouse, which could go along nicely with the theme of the CD, but given that there is a female backup singer in this song, who responds to some of the lyrics Cee-lo delivers, leads me to believe that the entire CD is about relationships in general.
Here's the first verse to give you an idea of what the song is like. The lyrics in brackets are sung by the female backup singer:
[Cee-Lo]
"I don't know what matters to you at this moment
But that's all that matters to me
How are you? (How are you?)
Knock on wood
Well I'm not doin so good
(I bet you pro-ba-bly couldn't tell)
(Although you're worth it, I'm still not well)
And I don't understand how I'm so understandin
I guess that that's all I can be
How are you? (How are you?)
I think I can help
But I can't help myself
(Shouldn't I be happy? You need my help)
(I usually just talk, to myself)"
The chorus is a nice catchy tune, with the lyrics "give it away now" repeated, and here Cee-lo is likely talking about his heart. The word charity is most likely associated with Cee-lo's apparent desire for some compassion, where he is in need of some charity. Some other stand out lines in this song are the following,
[Cee-Lo]
"Now all apologies baby but I'm bleedin too
Are you needin me like I'm needin you
Even my shadow leaves me all alone at night
Guess I need to start to take my own advice"
Cee-lo's smart delivery and wonderful voice leads to quite a memorable track. It runs with the idea of a couple conversing about the situations they've gone through, and feelings they've felt, now that they have broken up, and the lyrics in this song fit perfectly in that regard.
Sly's Rating - 9/10
2. Who's Gonna Save My Soul - This is one of my favorite songs on the album, and is quite a moving one with some quite well crafted lyrics. The somber mood established by Danger Mouse's tremendous beat goes along very nicely with the theme of the song. This song jumps back to when Cee-lo first discovers his relationship is over, and if you've ever been there, it is a very unpleasant moment. Somehow this song manages to capture that intense feeling of sorrow and turn it into something beautiful. I can't possibly describe how that happens by posting some of the lyrics, as the tempo and tune of the song have much to do with that, however some of the lyrics might be able to give you a good idea.
[Cee-Lo]
"I got some bad news this morning
Which in turn made my day
When this someone spoke I listened
All of a sudden, has less and less to say
Ohhhhhh how could this be?
All this time, I've lived vicariously
Who's gonna save my soul now?
Who's gonna save my soul now?
How will my story ever be tollllld now?
How will my story be tollllld now?"
[Cee-Lo]
"And maybe it's a little selfish
All I have is the memory
Yet I never stopped to wonder-ahhhhh
Was it possible you were hurtin worse than me
Still my hunger turns to greeeeed
Cause what about what I neeeeeed?!"
Sly's Rating: 10/10
3. Going On - Cee-lo's progression with getting to terms with his lost relationship receive an extremely uplifting song on the third track. It carries that almost over the top optimism that you try to muster inside yourself when you're trying to come to terms with a break up, like no matter what happens, you'll be ok, or, you'll be able to go on, in this case.
Here are some lyrics from the song. This time the bracketed lyrics are simply echoes of Cee-lo's lyrics, done by Cee-lo, as this song is pretty much Cee-lo's inner monologue about what he's going to do to move on with life.
[Cee-Lo]
Anyone that needs what they want, and doesn't want what they need
I want nothing to do with (do with)
I am to do what I want, and to do what I please
Is first off my to-do list (to-do list)
But every once in a while, I think about her smile
One of the few things I do miss (do miss)
But baby I've got to go, baby I've got to know
Baby I've got to prove it (prove it)
And I'll see you when you get there
[Chorus: Cee-Lo]
But I'm going on... and I'm prepared to go it alone~!
I'm going on... to a place in the sun that's nice and warm
I'm going on, and I'm sure they'll have a place for you too
Oo-hoo-ooh
The song ends with a sensational instrumental by Danger Mouse, which to me kind of symbolizes Cee-lo's progression into the place in the sun that's nice and warm that he described.
Sly's Rating: 9/10
4. Run (I'm A Natural Disaster) - This song is all about Cee-lo doing something completely drastic in a vain attempt to get over the break up, which again if you've been there, is probably something that crosses your mind when encountering depression and sorrow. This was the single for the CD, which is bizarre in my opinion, as it is probably one of the more depressing songs, despite the quite vibrant beat.
[Cee-Lo]
"Yeah it's still the same, can't you feel the pain?
When the needle hits the vein, ain't nothing like the real thang
I've seen it once before and oh it's something else, good God!
Cool breeze come on in, sunshine come on down
These are the teardrops of a clown, the circus is comin to town
All I'm sayin is sometimes I'm more scared of myself
You better (MOVE!) I said (MOVE!) Ha yeah"
This is one of the songs I had trouble understanding, as for whatever reason, Cee-lo seems to be talking to children throughout the song. In the chorus, he exclaims, "Run Away! Run Away! Run Children! Run for you life!" This might in fact be Cee-lo doing something as drastic as literally approaching a bunch of children and unloading his angst on them.
Sly's Rating: 8/10
5. Would Be Killer - Here we progress into Cee-lo's dark and brooding angst, as he contemplates what would typically be unthinkable. He delves into thoughts of murder and deep depression. The production on this track is especially on point by Danger Mouse, as he maintains that creepy brooding expression you might expect to see on Cee-lo's face while he sings this song.
[Cee-Lo]
Iiiiiiiiiii've got a secret
Something I thought maybe I could do
But I can't, now can I?
Lucky - lucky youuuuu!
[Chorus]
Did you know I could be, a would be, killer
If suddenly I should be, I would be, killer
[Cee-Lo]
Hurrrrrt people, hurt people
Thissss is always howwwww
Oh I've been entered by evil
So someone best love me right now!
I think the lyrics here mostly speak for them self. Cee-lo is thinking about doing something horrible unless he receives the love that he feels he deserves. Quite a horrifying place to be I would say, and the track reflects that really well.
Sly's Rating 8/10
So here is where my review will end, as it was a great joy of mine to unravel each track and discover the real theme of this album, and I wouldn't want to give it all away before you listened to this outstanding softmore album yourself. This isn't really an album review afterall, merely quite a personal interpretation of the general themes of the album. Having said that, I still feel this album is truly Barking something Gnarly, and it just so happens to carry a few themes that lead me to believe that the whole album is about relationships, so if that ain't your cup of tea, this album might not mean much to you.
Sly's Album Rating: 9/10
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