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[Onemic]

It's my favorite pop album of the century, so far. "pop" isn't even the right term for this awesome music.

My favorite tracks are the ballads. "57821", "Oh maker", "Say you'll Go" and "Sir Greendown" all give me chills. The girl can write such beautiful poetry. The faster tracks are also very inspiring and uplifting.

And is there a more epic ending track than "BaBopByeYa"?
Nope.
The song sounds like 5 genres put into one song. So amazing.

This whole Cindy Mayweather and Anthony Greendown lovestory should be made into a musical. :lol
The forbidden android-human love is a great metaphor for our current struggles in love . (gay love- interracial love etc.)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfwNy12Znp4

Dat lyrics. The song somehow reminds me of a Stevie Wonder track. And Debussy's Claire de Lune playing during the ending. Plus the vintage vocals. <3 <3

Definitely wouldn't consider it pop. At the very least I'd consider it an offshoot of Neo-soul. Maybe Indie-soul? I Dunno, but she seems to combine soul with indie, psychedelic, and a bunch of other shit. It's too hard to categorize:lol

 

[JCX]

Locked Inside > Faster > Dance or Die

Each builds up into a better song. I can play those three over and over all day.

I thought those were a single song when I first listened to it. So awesome.

This album is like she took the best elements out of my favorite genres and put them together.

ITA that this should be made into a musical. She is a playwright, so I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes one in the future, provided she becomes popular.

babobyeya has grown on me in the past week. It really sounds like the end song for the 2nd act of a play, which is fitting since The Archandroid is the middle of "Metropolis"

57821 is also awesome.

"Make the Bus" is good on its own, but it kind of disrupts the flow of the album.

 

[Galang]

Favorite is still Cold War, and I also love Dance or Die, Faster and Locked Inside. It's been said, but those songs do go really really well together.

 

[Beezy]

"Make the Bus" is good on its own, but it kind of disrupts the flow of the album.

Yeah, me and my friend said the same thing when we first heard it.

 

[Nachkebia]

Yap, best pop this year. very fluid and adventurous. got bored of it though

 

[JCX]

video for Tightrope Remix is out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OF3qdRaPRVE


Kinda lame. I hope she goes back to the style of Many Moons for Cold War.

 

[Scribble]

heheh @ when Monae raps. You gotta love how vain music videos are :lol

This Wondamix was a surprise (And not really a pleasant one). I thought the Cold War video would be out by now.

 

[Eric WK]

LTTP but holy god this album is incredible.

 

[Clevinger]

After listening a bit to this, I went to look at some live recordings and, holy hell, she has a pretty incredible stage performance. She kind of reminds me of Cedric from The Mars Volta, except she can actually sing really well while dancing like a lunatic.

 

[freitax]

AMAZING FUCKING ALBUM! the first medley is orgasmic.. already love her. And good ass job is still to come, this is going to be an awesome year.

 

[RiskyChris]

There really needs to be more music talk on this forum. This is really good.

Edit: Of Montreal

 

[andymcc]

There really needs to be more music talk on this forum. This is really good.

Edit: Of Montreal

it's a lot better of an album than anything Gaga will ever make, huh.

 

[JCX]

it's a lot better of an album than anything Gaga will ever make, huh.

Someone should remake this thread with that title.

 

[RiskyChris]

it's a lot better of an album than anything Gaga will ever make, huh.

Ever make? Doubtful.

I don't particularly find the need to compare the two though, considering GaGa's current style fits a mood and mindset not served by this album.

 

[andymcc]

Ever make? Doubtful.

I don't particularly find the need to compare the two though, considering GaGa's current style fits a mood and mindset not served by this album.

you're right, comparing the two is a disservice to this album. comparing this album to Gaga is like comparing Starry, Starry Night to a kid scribbling on construction paper.

 

[Raistlin]

I clicked on her myspace link and saw that Dance or Die featured Saul Williams, so I had to give it a shot ...

... am I hallucinating, or is she channeling some Busta during the verse :lol




I can dig it.

 

[Wu-Gambino]

it's a lot better of an album than anything Gaga will ever make, huh.

obviously.

 

[JCX]

Monae is like Gaga, but with substance.

I already want the last chase suite. If "BaBopByeYa" is any indicator, the finale should be even more epic.

 

[RiskyChris]

you're right, comparing the two is a disservice to this album. comparing this album to Gaga is like comparing Starry, Starry Night to a kid scribbling on construction paper.

Well if you gotta tear something down to enjoy your music, more power.

 

[Threi]

argh i keep forgetting to pick this album up

it sounds like something I would like too

 

[JCX]

argh i keep forgetting to pick this album up

it sounds like something I would like too

It's really good. Likely my AOTY.

 

[Galang]

I definitely would pick it up, I finally managed getting around to buying her first cd as well. Thought I completed my set, but didn't realize she has an album called the Audition. Will have to look into that one later.

 

[blame space]

you're right, comparing the two is a disservice to this album. comparing this album to Gaga is like comparing Starry, Starry Night to a kid scribbling on construction paper.

jesus christ dude just stop

 

[Clevinger]

:lol

 

[Ollie Pooch]

Monae is like Gaga, but with substance.

I already want the last chase suite. If "BaBopByeYa" is any indicator, the finale should be even more epic.

Their music sounds nothing alike. And they're not really even similar at all, unless you're just comparing them because they're both female.

Anyway, awesome album.

 

[RiskyChris]

Their music sounds nothing alike. And they're not really even similar at all, unless you're just comparing them because they're both female.

Nothing even remotely alike. "GaGa w/ substance" doesn't make sense. At all.

 

[Galang]

GaGa's name seems to appear on almost every thread here

Spoiler

and the internet

. She's become the posterchild for comparisons, especially in music.

Any word on how Archandroid II + III is doing?

 

[Spire]

Hey, this is pretty good. I'm glad I clicked this thread.

 

[Larson Conway]

Love, love, love this album. Say You'll Go is on play everyday

 

[JCX]

I, among others, compared the two, not because of their superficial sounds, but because of their process. In contrast to other popular female artists, they both are the driving creative forces behind their personas. They put effort into their entire image and live shows through artistic groups (Haus of Gaga, Wondaland Arts Society). They both, to some extent, embrace androgyny and reject traditional beauty norms for females, especially female singers.

I am not saying that "Telephone" sounds like "Tightrope". I'm saying that their methods seem to be more similar to each other rather than someone like Ke$ha, and that is why the comparisons have been made and likely will continue as Monae (hopefully) gets more popular.

 

[MightyHealthy]

Nothing even remotely alike. "GaGa w/ substance" doesn't make sense. At all.

Yep...if you're looking for a better comparison, look no further:

Res w/ a better shot at stardom

makes plenty of sense.

 

[K.Sabot]

Unpopular opinion, but I think the last part of the album starting at Suite III is undoubtedly superior to the first section.

 

[MightyHealthy]

Since some of you are just checking out her music, I just wanted to post my favorite song of hers, "Call the Law" from the criminally underappreciated OutKast Idlewild album:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHoFY4BzBns (I fell in love with her after first listen)

she sings her ASS off on this...had me checking for her eventual Metropolis: Suite I.

and here's the other track she added vocals on from the Idlewild album, just sings the chorus though:

"In Your Dreams" f. Killer Mike - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNX4wCbdI8Q

 

[Scribble]

I, among others, compared the two, not because of their superficial sounds, but because of their process. In contrast to other popular female artists, they both are the driving creative forces behind their personas. They put effort into their entire image and live shows through artistic groups (Haus of Gaga, Wondaland Arts Society). They both, to some extent, embrace androgyny and reject traditional beauty norms for females, especially female singers.

I am not saying that "Telephone" sounds like "Tightrope". I'm saying that their methods seem to be more similar to each other rather than someone like Ke$ha, and that is why the comparisons have been made and likely will continue as Monae (hopefully) gets more popular.

I agree. Lady Gaga will inevitably release a monster-themed The Archandroid (Hey, they both have fantasyish motifs behind their work). I don't think it'll be a masterpiece as some of her fans seem to think, but Gaga clearly has interests outside of Telephone and Bad Romance.

 

[SapientWolf]

it's a lot better of an album than anything Gaga will ever make, huh.

This is like GAF's version of Godwin's rule.

 

[Majmun]

Unpopular opinion, but I think the last part of the album starting at Suite III is undoubtedly superior to the first section.

Yeah, and the Suite III interlude is beautiful.
Make the Bus is the only track I kinda dislike in Suite III. The ballads are just divine.

Come Alive, Mushrooms & Roses and Make the Bus are the only tracks in this album I can't get into. I LOVE the rest.

 

[Scribble]

Hmm, I'm not sure I like Cold War (Wondamix). Reminds me of Coldplay's 'Clocks'

 

[Chinner]

this has finally been released in the uk, gonna pick it up and give it a proper listen today.

 

[Majmun]

Yep, bought it today

I couldn't find the Metropolis record anywhere. The record store had to order it from the US...

 

[JCX]

Hmm, I'm not sure I like Cold War (Wondamix). Reminds me of Coldplay's 'Clocks'

Yeah, neither wondamix was as good as the corresponding original.

I just want the video for Cold War soon!

 

[TrAcEr_x90]

My friend recently interviewed her. Let me just say this, she is a bit out there for sure. Not sure if its an act, part of her persona, or she was serious. He had a hard time keeping up with her answers for sure. Long tangents about androids! awesome music though!

 

[Galang]

Yep, bought it today

http://i27.tinypic.com/2003dzk.jpg[IMG]

I couldn't find the Metropolis record anywhere. The record store had to order it from the US...[/QUOTE]

Nice, I couldn't find Metropolis in stores anywhere either. I ended up ordering it from Amazon in early - mid June, but it's still on back-order. I got an e-mail today, saying they're still waiting =_=


[QUOTE=TrAcEr_x90]My friend recently interviewed her. Let me just say this, she is a bit out there for sure. Not sure if its an act, part of her persona, or she was serious. He had a hard time keeping up with her answers for sure. Long tangents about androids! awesome music though![/QUOTE]

That's awesome :lol

 

[Stumpokapow]

This album is pretty badass. It (well, tightrope) has been getting a ton of airplay on CBC Radio Two up here in Canada.

 

[Crumpet Trumpet]

I finally heard this album yesterday (late as usual, I know). It's amazing, so far my album of the year.

 

[anaron]

"Faster" has been stuck in my head for two days straight. <3

 

[Majmun]

Nice, I couldn't find Metropolis in stores anywhere either. I ended up ordering it from Amazon in early - mid June, but it's still on back-order. I got an e-mail today, saying they're still waiting =_=

You really can't find Metropolis in the stores. But you seem to be out of luck when it comes to ordering the record...
The record store called me today. Metropolis had arrived.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=22382774&postcount=448

That was pretty fast. The guy told me they had to order it from the US. Don't know how they did it so fast. (I live in Holland)
But yeah, I'm not complaining. And it only cost me €10

 

[Pinko Marx]

She's really pretty, but god damn that hair style is atrocious.

I like the pompadour.

 

[Majmun]

Are there any similar artists like Janelle? I should check them out...
I still can't get enough of her.
Also listened to "The Audition" the last couple of days. It's pretty good. But sounds so simple compared to Metropolis and Archandroid.

When will the Cold War video be released btw?

 

[Empty]

i haven't been able to stop listening to this album since i downloaded it a few weeks ago as a holiday album. definitely one of the best pop albums in ages. genre-hopping, fun, refreshing, suprising, full of variation yet coherent as hell, and very little filler. a real delight. i started by loving the energetic trio of 'dance or die', 'faster' and 'locked inside' most, and the way they mesh with eachother is great, but now my favourite is 'neon valley street', the lush sweeping sounds are great, the cool instrumentation faintly in the background, a light beat, then when she starts bringing in the rap :swooonnn, it's so chill and wonderful.


i've been listening to her 2008 EP on spotify and it's aces too. many moons is soooo good.

 

[Threi]

Are there any similar artists like Janelle?

The closest I have in my collection would probably be Gnarls Barkley