Janelle Monae
The ArchAndroid
I’m supposed to be a writer, yet I’m at a loss for words.
I’ll try as best I can to explain what I’ve just experienced. Like most great albums, this one is kind of like a drug-trip. You know you’ve gone to a place unlike any you’ve ever visited before. You were aware of the strange emotions and consciousness expanding effects while you were on the drug, yet when you try to explain it to those who’ve never tried it, words seem to fail. Then again, maybe my feeble brain just can’t put into words a concept that isn’t totally in my grasp even after three listens. I do know that the first time is almost like a sensory overload. You’re not quite sure what to expect, and when you buckle-up and slingshot off into Ms. Monae’s funky yet bizarre universe there are so many sounds, words and colors to take in that another spin is almost essential.
And yes, there are colors.
This is something that she recently mentioned in an interview and I immediately dismissed as sounding artsy and pretentious. Now after taking the trip a few times I couldn’t give you a better description myself. What she (and her all-star production team) have put together is a spectrum of sound — packed and arranged perfectly into a masterfully composed (debut) full-length body of work. Co-executive producer Nate “Rocket” Wonder utilizes every kind of live instrumentation imaginable to provide Monae with the sonic playground that a brilliant musical mind like hers needs to fully explore the extent of her talents. Everything from full orchestral arrangements to xylophones, synthesizers and electric guitars projects the feel of some sort of shroomed-out, funkadelic broadway show. These lush sonic choices — coupled with song titles like “Mushrooms and Roses” and “Wondaland” — seem to purposefully call to mind the imaginative world of Lewis Carroll. And once you’ve plunged down the rabbit hole, there’s no preparation for the new and wonderful things you’ll encounter on the other side.
The album opens with an overture for Suite II, the second musical movement in her epic “Cindi Mayweather” concept series that launched with her 2007 EP, Metropolis: The Chase Suite. Next we’re catapulted right into the irresistible Latin-fused energy of “Dance Or Die,” featuring the spoken word of poet extraordinaire Saul Williams. Janelle even chooses to go (even more so than usual) into left field, taking an apparent cue from Andre 3000 and pseudo-spitting some spiritually uplifting rhymes.
From here the energy gradually begins to taper off into the jazzy bounce of “Faster” followed by the hypnotically thumping, slightly slower-paced “Locked Inside”. This energy decline should be expected when the most kinetically-charged song happens to be sequenced first. It isn’t a bad thing though, because once you’re bewitched by Jane’s spell, it’s damn near impossible to pull away. Unfortunately, the ol’ drug-trip analogy is once again the best tool I can use to describe the overall tone of this project. This is probably due to the fact that there isn’t exactly ONE overall tone. It’s more like a swirling, shifting kaleidoscope of tones. There are moments of pure mind-bendingly blissful truth… and there are moments that have you wondering what-in-the-hell you’re doing exploring this weird and scary place.
For example, the sweet and contemplative “Oh Maker” gives way to the bluesy yet unsettling funk-metal energy of “Come Alive (War of the Roses)”, on which Janelle gives the best vocal electric guitar impersonation I’ve heard since Clare Torry’s famous contribution to Pink Floyd’s “Great Gig in the Sky.”
Yea, did I mention the fact that this chick has a set of pipes that could blast the paint job off an oil tanker?
What’s even more impressive than her raw power is her almost superhuman versatility. She leaps effortlessly from squeaky staccato into to soulful midrange. She’ll channel traditional broadway chops on one track, only to shoot off into a screeching punkish wail on the next. And when you have a wonderland of instrumentation and a cabal of creative minds to back it all up, it’s only logical to consider the possibility that you’ve got a modern-day classic on your hands.
I don’t know, maybe I’m just spewing platitudes because I bought into the hype (and trust me, there was a lot of it). I gave the album 5 stars not just because of its infectious innovation, but because of its musical importance. No matter what your tastes may be, The ArchAndroid warrants a listen. Go experience this genre-defying masterpiece for yourselves, but please don’t do it through a crappy pair of 2 cent earbuds like I did (the first time). Either allow this the dignity of being played through a quality sound system or go invest in a pair of Beats by Dres. This is far less an album than a cinematic experience.
Fix a drink, lay back, take the ride.
Beats by Dr. Dre? That was your attempt at a joke, right?
This album is incredible and the production quality certainly warrants being listened to through a high end sound system or headphones…so then why ruin it by suggesting Beats by Dre as an option. Try listening with more accurate headphones like the B&W P5 headphones and you’ll really hear the beauty of this disc.
By the way, I’m an indie/alternative fan with very little interest in R&B/hip hop but this is a serious contender for album of the year.
Haven’t bought an Album/CD in about a millenium…picked this one up due to listening to the “Metropolis” EP from a friend 2 years ago. Superlatives wouldn’t do this release justice. HER brilliance of vision along with the Wondaland production team and their focus makes this an irresistable force to truly be reckoned with. Extremely well crafted and thought out. The sinewave sweep in which one is taken was a bit much the 1st listen around. Upon further listening, this young woman (I’m 48) is simply awesome. Being creatively uninhibited is not new in the music industry, but hers is so refreshing as to be bordering on revelation. Sean “Diddy” Combs should put his full weight behind her without compromising her creativity. 5 stars out of 5 in my book.
[...] Ray and the captain of the All City Chess Club lend bars to the re-worked lead single from the best album of the year so far. Matter of fact, Janelle’s got some bars too… and she kills it. Is there anything this [...]
[...] URB [...]
[...] the creativity keeps flowing. Watching Janelle Monáe’s creative energies and synthesis of high culture and pop culture, sci-fi and retro, the Cowboy can’t help but [...]
She really is amazing. Cover of URB summer 2007, y’all.
First this review was freaking AWESOME – THIS ALBUM is fucking KRAZY…I cant stop listening to track 1 thru 18. My opinion /its really that good – I was on the verge of saying she’s a mix of Santigold, Estelle, James Brown & that chick from Groove Theory ( sorry chick from Groove Theory – I forgot your name, Amil somthing ) but to compare her to anyone would be a discredit just simply due to the fact that she’s so fucking refreashing & DOPE! I cant wait to see her live with BADU in Philly come next month because IMA BE (In my BLACK EYES PEAS voice ) dancing in the freaking aisle! FUCKING GREAT ALBUM
Ha! What a coincidence. Hopefully I’ll be at that very same show. That is if the press-ticket gods see fit to allow me the honor.
Great review for a great album. Janelle has left us all speechless. That album cover is just as epic as the music itself. Listening to the cd is like taking a trip to the future. I can’t wait to see the ‘visuals’ to all of the songs!
I haven’t got money for super-expensive headphones, but I got a decent pair and I can hear how mind-blowingly AWESOME this album is!
…looks like you captured the absolute magic of this musical experience…once you go down the rabbit hole before you know it, you have tears in your eyes singing “wondaland…” an groundbreaking experience
I wish you were my waiter…everywhere. You are completely correct. This album is one of the greatest experiences of my life. Buy the album. fix a drink. lay back. take a ride.
Splendid. Absolutely splendid. This album takes me there – drops me off and picks me up after soccer practice or something. it’s so willy wonka, alice and wonderland, the matrix and woodstock all in 1.
Fav album since….forever.
i love that the music on this album is so difficult to categorize.
“Jammin” pretty much sums it up.
This album warrants a listen or 2, or 5. It’s absolutely incredible in it’s inception and execution. Those mad minds at Wondaland are no joke. Their talent is sickening.
Amazing album. My ears feel blessed.
Totally agree. This album is what we like to call Jammin.
i totally agree… one word for Janelle Monae, Wondaland Arts Society, and ArchAndroid – McJammin !!!
9 full paragraphs isn’t really a loss for words, mang