Outkast - Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
A bit, no a lot, of a mixed bag - but on the whole a truly incredible offering over 2 CDs!
As mentioned by another reviewer, The Love Below is definitely the stronger CD, although there are great tracks on both. The spectrum of different music styles and techniques on show is awesome, and it isn't all guns/drugs/'hoes' like all the other hip-hop albums of late. There is also humour scattered throughout, as Outkast never take themselves too seriously, although they have a lot to be proud of.
The Love Below : the opening orchestral intro instantly lets you know you are about to hear something unique. 'Love Hater' is the first offering, a shuffly piano-laden jazz affair, not the strongest track but a good warmup. This is followed by an acoustic interlude of surprising musical quality, considering it is a bit of a humourous talkover. 'Happy Valentines Day' is not to my particular taste, but it's not a track which you would actively skip on the CD player. 'Spread' is one of the stand-out tracks for me - I struggle to define the genre, but it is sublime, whatever it is. Tapping beats are combined with melodic synths, a catchy soulful-sounding chorus and great piano and saxaphone solos. Another humourous interlude brings in the next stand-out track - 'Prototype'. This is a downbeat soulful track, with a toe-tapping beat and soft guitar chords. As with 'Spread', more exquisite vocals seal the deal.
'She Lives In My Lap' is another genre cruncher, which at points sounds like late-Prodigy meets Stevie Wonder! Next up, is the legendary 'Hey Ya!', which really needs no introduction. Such a feel good sing-along track, which just makes you want to dance. As a DJ, this is also one of my favourite songs to play, and it always goes down a storm whenever I play it, despite it being over 3 years old. 'Roses' calms things down a bit, and has a real air of class about it, which contrasts with the mostly crude lyrics. The retro keyboard synths make it for me. The best and funniest interlude I've ever heard in 'Good Day, Good Sir' follows, and always raises a smile for me. This is followed by yet another great track - 'Behold A Lady'. Hip-hop beats complimented with electronic sounds and catchy vocals somehow combine to make an irresistable track. One of the best intros to grace a track introduces 'Pink & Blue', which by contrast to the upbeat intro, is a dark and downbeat offering, lightened up by synths at the end. The other exceptional tracks for me are 'She's Alive', and 'Vibrate'. I really am struggling to describe the soudns on offer here, so all I will say is buy this, and you will not be disappointed! Oh, and that's without even mentioning Speakerboxxx.....Read full review
