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| From | "Michael Bennett" <mrhonorama@hotmail.com> |
| Subject | More Outkast thoughts (was Re: L.A. has a new "indie" alternative radio station) |
| Date | Sun, 04 Jan 2004 20:59:56 -0600 |
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Before I add my two cents, I've really enjoyed reading the comments on this
thread, showing off Auditeers at their best -- folks stating opinions,
keeping open minds and thinking in a friendly manner.
Jason's post struck me -- I'm an Outkast fan (a late comer, starting with
STANKONIA) and dig the new disc, vacillating between thinking it's genius or
just really damn good. But is it groundbreaking? Beyond the fact that the
Andre disc shows his love for Prince, George Clinton and others, the notion
of a pop rock album blending black and white music (I tried to figure out a
more artful way to phrase it, but couldn't it), and not in some macho
rap-rock way, isn't novel.
During the early '80s, there was a lot of cross-pollination -- it's why the
era that immediately followed punk is still beloved by me. Artists trying
to incorporate other styles wasn't some bizarre thing -- everyone did it.
Whether it was The Clash trying reggae and rap, Afrika Bambaata morphing
Kraftwerk into hip-hop, David Byrne and Brian Eno going to Africa in the
studio, or R & B acts adding 'new wave' elements (on great singles like The
Dazz Band's "Let It Whip" or Devo guesting on Jermaine Jackson's "Let Me
Tickle Your Fancy", commercial recording artists were trying to bridge gaps
and getting cool results.
It still happens today (Nelly Furtado is an example), but it's so rare.
This isn't to diminish the Andre disc (not to slight Big Boi's disc -- it's
very good, but it's accomplishment is more lyrical/thematic -- the music
tracks are more straightforward) -- but I don't know if it's so much
groundbreaking as liberating -- maybe others will realize you can experiment
and have fun while doing it.
Mike Bennett
Record reviews and more at http://fufkin.com
>From: DanAbnrml9@aol.com
>Also, as a more general reply to many... if you haven't heard OutKast's
>"Speakerboxx/The Love Below" then you honestly don't know what you're
>missing. If
>you harbor deep seated hatred and fear of hip-hop in general, then it won't
>change your mind, but it's one of the most kaleidoscopic, fun, and
>forward-looking albums I've heard in a long while. There's a little of
>everything (and on
>Andre's disc in particular there are some shades of power-pop, jazz, funk,
>and
>rock). I haven't yet decided whether or not it'll be in my personal top 10
>for
>the year or not, but it is undoubtedly the most *important*
>record--artistically, commercially, and culturally--released this year.
>Consider that only 12
>months ago the same distinction was bestowed upon a violent homophobe who
>scored
>the biggest single of the year with a revamped "Eye of the Tiger" and it's
>obvious we've come a long way in a short time.
>
>--Jason
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