(Bad Boy Records)
- reviewed by Danitha Jones
Anytime I would see Janelle Monae on a red carpet or in a magazine I would think, "Oh Boy." Here was this miniature female with an afro-Mohawk and a tuxedo... who is she? Our Lady Gaga?
I usually link weird style as a cry for attention in the entertainment world but in the case of Janelle Monae I must admit I was wrong. Her uniqueness compliments the originality behind her music.
Every time I listen to The ArchAndroid, her recently released debut album, it takes me on a ride through a musical wonderland. Monae's voice, originality and adaptation to each rhythmic composition are amazing. She successfully defies genre boundaries and mixes pop, rock, hip-hop and soul into one album while also finding a way to blend instrumentals in as whole tracks, which is pretty unique and adds to the album's cinematic feel.
"Dance Or Die" immediately takes me to a Chicago's "Cell Block Tango" because of the way Saul Williams recites powerful words. On this track, Monae raps at a mile-a-minute.. more..
- reviewed by Danitha Jones
Anytime I would see Janelle Monae on a red carpet or in a magazine I would think, "Oh Boy." Here was this miniature female with an afro-Mohawk and a tuxedo... who is she? Our Lady Gaga?
I usually link weird style as a cry for attention in the entertainment world but in the case of Janelle Monae I must admit I was wrong. Her uniqueness compliments the originality behind her music.
Every time I listen to The ArchAndroid, her recently released debut album, it takes me on a ride through a musical wonderland. Monae's voice, originality and adaptation to each rhythmic composition are amazing. She successfully defies genre boundaries and mixes pop, rock, hip-hop and soul into one album while also finding a way to blend instrumentals in as whole tracks, which is pretty unique and adds to the album's cinematic feel.
"Dance Or Die" immediately takes me to a Chicago's "Cell Block Tango" because of the way Saul Williams recites powerful words. On this track, Monae raps at a mile-a-minute. "Locked Inside," "Sir Greendown," and "Oh, Maker" showcase her soulful voice, whereas "Make The Bus" and "Wondaland" gives us a different rock-like sound. The powerful lines: "I'm trying to find my peace/ I was made to believe there's something wrong with me/ And it hurts my heart/ Lord have mercy ain't it plain to see/ That this is a Cold War/ Do you know what you fighting for?" are from "Cold War," a track that along with "Tightrope," can free anyone's mind with its thought-provoking metaphors and deep content.
The fact that I am able to distinguish Monae from other generic singers, new and old, and appreciate the classic music that she has to offer is remarkable. The acceptance of Janelle Monae's originality by music lovers may change the music world as we know it.
Goodbye, one-hit wonders. Hello, true talent.
| -- Degrees -- | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 80 | 90 | 100 |
| 1. Suite II Overture |   | |||||||||
| 2. Dance or Die | | |||||||||
| 3. Faster | | |||||||||
| 4. Locked Inside | | |||||||||
| 5. Sir Greendown | | |||||||||
| 6. Cold War | | |||||||||
| 7. Tightrope | | |||||||||
| 8. Neon Gumbo | | |||||||||
| 9. Oh, Maker | | |||||||||
| 10. Come Alive | | |||||||||
| 11. Mushrooms & Roses | | |||||||||
| 12. Suite III Overture | | |||||||||
| 13. Neon Valley Street | | |||||||||
| 14. Make the Bus | | |||||||||
| 15. Wondaland | | |||||||||
| 16. 57821 | | |||||||||
| 17. Say You'll Go | | |||||||||
| 18. BabopbyeYa | | |||||||||
Chicago Tribune - 4 stars "Loaded with vivid imagery and sound effects that resonate like movie scenes.. In some ways, it sounds an awful lot like an album her fellow Atlantans OutKast might've made... but Monae's a big enough talent to command her own space and persona."
Pitchfork - 8.5 "Monae's sci-fi mythology is an inspired addition to the rich canon of Afrofuturist art, but it's not necessary to buy into her elaborate high concepts to get the basic appeal of her music. Her imagination and iconography deepen the record as an experience and give her license to go far out, but it ultimately serves as a fun, flashy framework for pop songs with universal lyrical sentiments."
Concreteloop - - "Just promise us Suite IV will be as epic, magical and creative as The ArchAndroid."
Steam Meter Rating
The music simply speaks for itself..it is utterly magical in scope and in execution...an amazing exploration of the human imagination..
This music brings out so many emotions within me. What an amazing journey I've been on since the purchase of this album! I've danced, laughed and cried so hard, more than I ever had in a very long time. My parents and I have been listening to Janelle non-stop from the day we bought the album. What other young music artist out today can have that effect on both the young and old generation? None! Wondaland is a team that literally started from the bottom up and is making an incredible mark on musical history and the world. Thank GOD for the imagination and passion that is clearly present on "The ArchAndroid". Please support and BUY this album!
the reason why i listen to music is to be inspired. the archandroid accomplishes this to the nth degree. i like that janelle didn't play it safe when with such an amazing, pure, unique, and strong vocal she could have made a solid, safe, soul/r&b album. instead she pushed herself, experimented, dabbled in rock, soul, classical, operatic notes that also push the listener. she brought imagination to her album and i haven't been able to describe an album using that word in a long time. major kudos to janelle and the wondaland crew for taking wonderful risks and refusing anything that looks or sounds like a box.
a great investment in your future...
why is 100 the highest?? this album is music redefined. i haven't been able to listen to anything else, and i don't plan on it.
Amazing album! I can't explain the emotions I feel when I listen to this album, which has been on repeat since I purchased it May 18th! I fall in love with it every time. Such a musical masterpiece that has the ability to transform and renew your mind and the music industry. Janelle's music touches all generations and breaks all genre boundaries. I believe it is the album of the year and the decade! Go out and BUY and support great music!