Janelle Monae - The ArchAndroid
 (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.

back to the ratings..

Track By Track

-- 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

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