cntaur5's Full Review: Speakerboxxx/The Love Below [Edited] by OutKast
Does anyone remember the 1995 Source Awards when Outkast was booed? I’m wondering what the naysayer’s are saying now that this album is being promoted as the best album of the year? Right now one of this albums songs is number one on Billboard Hot 100 for 2003. A good Disc Jockey knows to have the most popular music when working a pre-teen party. Fortunately, I picked up OutKast latest CD; titled, “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below”. Even bedroom DJ’s who spin as a hobby; have to get what their customers want. However, despite what the public demands, I’m maintaining my standards in the business only purchasing the [CLEAN] [ENHANCED] edition. As long as I spin for the public I will never ever play profanity.
Right now the group OutKast is getting more publicity and radio airtime than any other hip-hop group in the music industry. Although labeled as a rap group, after listening to their latest album, I would definetly say, “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below” is a lot more than traditional southern styled rap. OutKast, presently has two extremely popular singles from this CD that are currently in heavy rotation, plus there are several other songs that I’m sure will be chart toppers in the very near future.
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below is a uniquely designed 39 tracks double-solo-album project from André Benjamin and Antwan Patton. Listeners get a nice slice of variety as the two artists explore the non-traditional sides of hip-hop. And despite the critics who claim the industry is not ready for their flamboyance, the two have mastermind approximately 146 minutes of zany tunes that hit almost every genre of music. There is no falling asleep on this album, you can toss both CD’s in the air and neither of them will land in your system equally.
The first track on disc 1: Speakerboxxx is a short and lovely introduction with snare drums and female vocals harmoniously singing, “speaker box”. The first track on disc 2: The Love Below the CD’s title song, “The Love Below” is an introduction with waltz like music and old blue eyes Frank Sinatra styled vocals. Despite the difference in music, melody and song, Big Boi and André 3000 both offer their version of southern hospitality with a polite and welcoming introduction to their listeners. Speakerboxxx second track, Ghetto Musick has a nice ‘drum ‘n bass’ tempo with a twist of funk as the songs title lives of to the beat in its play upon words. The only thing ghetto about this song is the words; the music is strictly electronic dance as it shifts from punk beat to bouncing woofers. Unlike The Love Below; the second track, Love Hater, which starts off with a Jimmi Hendrix sounding guitar intro then leaps to a lounge like solo, sang by André. Both of the second tracks are off the beaten paths offering a glimpse of the uniqueness that’s made both artists so successful.
Disc: 1, track 4. Happy Valentine's Day is a song that I’m predicting will eventually be one of those chart toppers primarily based upon its old school Parliament Funkadelic feel. And ironically, track 4 on the second disc titled Bowtie keeps with that same old school funk sound as if both musicians are going tit-for-tat. What makes the tracks different is Bowtie’s has more of a heavy hitting horn sound and powerful funky rhythm.
Big Boi and Andre 3000 took off in different directions on the next tracks. Disc 1, 5th track, “The Way You Move” is the go to popular track on this disc. From the intro to the lyrics, it’s easy to see why this song gets so much airplay. The Way You Move is my favorite song on this disc. Disc 2, the 5th track, “Spread” which has not gotten its moment in the mainstream spotlight yet, is a vulgar song which lives up to its title despite the fact that it’s been edited. If you have not figured it out yet André 3000, wants to talk about the ‘birds and the bees’ only he adds horns and piano with a bouncing bassline. Obviously, it's not really that creative, as far as the lyrics especially since his only aim is to get laid, but the beat is original.
Disc 1: Speakerboxxx, track 6 The Rooster, starts with Big Boi, starts off with a Mexican matador sounding horn introduction, then we are asked to hold on while he takes a long puff, and suddenly the heavy hitting beats kick in with roosters crowing in the background. I couldn’t believe disc 2: The Love Below, track 6. titled, “Where Are My Panties”. Although this is not getting play on the radio stations, it’s in heavy rotation in the underground club circuit. André 3000’s intentions couldn’t be made any clearer than if he ran down the street naked with a sign hung around his neck reading, “groupie’s wanted, apply within”. Clearly he is full of himself especially if he thinks someone’s going to fall for the cheesy lines on these verbal hallucinations. But then again, after meeting André 3000’s in Atlanta, GA and seeing his fan’s reactions, after his performances I would say the lyrics on the song are highly probable. My only warning here is mothers, fathers, hide your daughters André 3000’s has lyrics for them.
Disc 1. Track 9. Church, is a funky song with a strange message, the song may not be played at my local church, but there is a bit motivation in the music. Overall, though, this is a really good song that comes together pretty well. Disc 2. Track 9. Hey Ya! is the first and most requested song on this disc. Hey Ya! is where classic R&B mixes with real funk. Warning: contains catchy, intelligent hooks that’ll make you like OutKast! In fact the radio has fallen in love with this song. So much so that the melody is on repeat play in my brain. What these songs lack in structure they make up for in spaced-out grandeur.
Just how eclectic is André 3000’s Disc 2: The Love Below? Well, when was the last time you cranked up a hip-hop song featuring Norah Jones? 17. Take Off Your Cool featuring Norah Jones. Magically, the eclectic’s song works despite the fact that he has tossed hip-hop and the kitchen sink into this formula in this puzzling groove. Big Boi’s 17th track D-Boi is an interlude about getting your own. Nothing wrong with that when you cranking out hit after hit and you’ve got plenty of tracks to play with.
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below harbors a new found maturity and a lot of new chords for the group OutKast. The result is that this is their most accomplished record yet. You get a heavy dose of street dialog, mixed with several well known featured guest. The album is a wonderful collection of OutKast diversity and versatility as musicians. Both disc go the distance, running on hip-hop, pop and funk music, equally Speakerboxxx and The Love Below are among the best hip-hop music released in 2003. Even though some of the material is still a bit vulgar for my taste, there is a market for this material. The teeny-boppers lined up around the decks asking, “Do you got that new Outkast?”
DJ’s I’m sure you’ve already added this to your collection, regardless of what genre you spin in, if you haven’t gotten it yet, you’ll probably have to take a number behind the droves of hip-hop fans especially if you are trying to find the rare [CLEAN] [ENHANCED] version. OutKast official home page with news, biographies, lyrics, songs and pictures www.outkast.com. You can also visit this site for the track listing to Speakerboxxx/The Love Below.
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Getting ready to go out
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