now that I think about it, isnt Lupe that dude that sounds like Jameriqui ... that song "crazy" ... not a fan myself but I can understand the new generation apeal
Crazy is by Gnarls Barkley. That is definitely on my top-of-the-year list. I saw them live this summer and they weren't that great. But the disc is brilliant.
I'm sure it will be a little controversial, just because it's *gasp* pop. But it was unique, intelligent, and loads of fun. I mean, using soul in hip-hop isn't a new idea, but it usually comes in the form of a sampled Curtis Mayfield or Gil Scott-Heron sample worked into a hook. Putting one of the most creative hip-hop DJs and producers working today in collaboration with an actual soul singer twists both genres in fascinating ways.
Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo each have a unique style, and they both seem to get equal representation in the final product. It's nice when you get a true collaboration like this, without one person drowning out the others' contributions.
The lyrics are clever as well. Who else could make a concept album about mental illness sell as many copies as this one?
And I've got to respect the fact that they had the nerve to release a disc in 2006 that runs less than 40 minutes. In the days of vinyl, this was nothing strange. But most people today, particularly in this genre, feel like they have to fill up most of an 80-minute disc or the fans will feel ripped off. So they put in their good ideas and fill it out with whatever crap they can crank out by the deadline. This disc is a lean, compact nugget with practically no filler, and it always leaves me wanting more. It's as though someone went to iTunes and bought just the good tracks from one of the best albums of the year.