GNARLS BARKLEY - St. Elsewhere
So who is Gnarls Barkley?
Danger Mouse, a/k/a Brian Burton, produced the infamous
Grey Album, a full-length blend of the Beatles’ music and Jay-Z’s
raps that became a cult classic after it was suppressed by EMI. He
recently garnered a Grammy nomination for Producer of the Year for
his work with the “virtual band” Gorillaz. Having recorded
with enigmatic rapper MF DOOM, not to mention a cast of voices from
“Adult Swim”, Danger Mouse is no stranger to outsized characters.
He admits that he helped out with St. Elsewhere, the first album credited
to Gnarls Barkley..
Cee-Lo Green, a/k/a Thomas Calloway, once-and-future
member of Goodie Mob and a wildly eclectic solo artist. His music
is steeped in the gospel and blues traditions of the Southeast, merging
timeless soul with experimental funk and hip-hop. He confirms reports
that his dramatic voice and soul-rummaging lyrics appear on portions
of St. Elsewhere.
It’s a complex record, to be sure. It employs the
full spectra of pop music and human emotion. They are responsible
for Crazy, the first single ever to make it to number one in Britain
on the strength of download sales alone. Other tracks, spry finger-snapper
“Smiley Faces” recall "Songs In The Key Of Life"
and “Good Vibrations” in equal measure. “On Line,”
a lament for the lonely and ambitious, could be a tricked-out G-funk
holdover. Often dark and unpredictable, St. Elsewhere nevertheless
retains its sense of joy throughout. Even Cee-Lo’s darker moments,
his introspection on “Necromancer”, and the chilling “Just
A Thought,” on which our hero fights off suicidal ideation, flourish
in their lush, funky surroundings.
Perhaps Gnarls Barkley will never fully reveal himself.
But if 'St. Elsewhere' is any indication, his music bears Marvin Gaye's
depth of feeling, Jeff Buckley's emotive theatrics, and wild courage
not seen since Prince's prime. Behold the most exciting debut of 2006.
A psychedelic soul masterpiece. Gnarls Barkley may not be easily located,
but he won't be a stranger.
'St. Elsewhere' is out now.
