2008 Woodie Awards
[critic]al thinking
Issue date: 3/4/08 Section: Arts and Entertainment
Badu offers a new Amerykan history
Record Review Magdalena Jensen
Erykah Badu
New Amerykah, Part One: 4th World War
(Motown)
3.5 Stars
With "New Amerykah, Part One: 4th World War," Erykah Badu seeks to bring a new awareness to her audience, just not her previously expounded wisdom of righteous love. This record seeks to educate her listeners in the political and social injustices of our era.
She, most unfortunately, falls slightly short of this goal; Badu fails to deliver the truly intelligent, rousing words of someone like Michael Franti. That said, this is still a great album.
Erykah Badu's sexy croon flows beautifully with beats from producers like Madlib and Shafeek Husain. She scats, do-wops, busts some spoken word and experiments with some horn accompaniment.
Track five, "Soldier," encourages her audience to think twice before joining the army: "You get the wake up call, you saw the buildings fall, both times were the final call. Get your money dollar bill, y'all, both times were the final call."
The spoken word on "Twinkle" injects some much-needed insight, but the furious "I want you to get angry" doesn't quite redeem the lack of positive, peaceful insight on the re¬cord. Much like in her previous three albums, Badu mixes funk roots with groovy beats and a sexy voice.
This album, the supposed first of a series of politically motivated records, delivers much of the same Erykah Badu we know and love.
There's nothing to hate on, there's just a bit more to hope for in the coming records. However, if all you want in a record is better music, less message, this album will not disappoint.
Spaniard releases music for Magical Realists
Record Review Andrew DeTullio
El Guincho
Alegranza!
(Mistletone)
3.5 Stars
El Guincho can only partially thank Pitchfork Media, the ever-present and powerful measuring block of independent music on the web.
Record Review Magdalena Jensen
Erykah Badu
New Amerykah, Part One: 4th World War
(Motown)
3.5 Stars
With "New Amerykah, Part One: 4th World War," Erykah Badu seeks to bring a new awareness to her audience, just not her previously expounded wisdom of righteous love. This record seeks to educate her listeners in the political and social injustices of our era.
She, most unfortunately, falls slightly short of this goal; Badu fails to deliver the truly intelligent, rousing words of someone like Michael Franti. That said, this is still a great album.
Erykah Badu's sexy croon flows beautifully with beats from producers like Madlib and Shafeek Husain. She scats, do-wops, busts some spoken word and experiments with some horn accompaniment.
Track five, "Soldier," encourages her audience to think twice before joining the army: "You get the wake up call, you saw the buildings fall, both times were the final call. Get your money dollar bill, y'all, both times were the final call."
The spoken word on "Twinkle" injects some much-needed insight, but the furious "I want you to get angry" doesn't quite redeem the lack of positive, peaceful insight on the re¬cord. Much like in her previous three albums, Badu mixes funk roots with groovy beats and a sexy voice.
This album, the supposed first of a series of politically motivated records, delivers much of the same Erykah Badu we know and love.
There's nothing to hate on, there's just a bit more to hope for in the coming records. However, if all you want in a record is better music, less message, this album will not disappoint.
Spaniard releases music for Magical Realists
Record Review Andrew DeTullio
El Guincho
Alegranza!
(Mistletone)
3.5 Stars
El Guincho can only partially thank Pitchfork Media, the ever-present and powerful measuring block of independent music on the web.
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