https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYH3VuJhoNI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKjvEuGQ9RA
― lex diamonds (lex pretend), Wednesday, 19 January 2011 01:30 (thirteen years ago) link
Both these seem kind of lw? I still haven't heard anything by her other than "Need You Bad" that I really care about.
― The Reverend, Wednesday, 19 January 2011 01:42 (thirteen years ago) link
Those are the two best on the Sullivan, besides maybe the lead single. Don't Make Me Wait is also worth checking, but besides that it's good-but-not-great.
― Alex in Montreal, Wednesday, 19 January 2011 01:42 (thirteen years ago) link
If those are the best she's got, then the tunes are stickier on the Monae album.
― The Reverend, Wednesday, 19 January 2011 01:43 (thirteen years ago) link
By a longshot.
No arguments here.
― Alex in Montreal, Wednesday, 19 January 2011 01:44 (thirteen years ago) link
rev dont let lex pitting them against each other ruin jazmine for you!
― *gets the power* (deej), Wednesday, 19 January 2011 01:46 (thirteen years ago) link
I'm indifferent at best to the Monae but I'm not too impressed with the Sullivan either.
― Gus Van Sotosyn (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, January 18, 2011 7:27 PM (16 minutes ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink
haha this is like the most soto interjection i could imagine
*pithily condescends to all involved*
― *gets the power* (deej), Wednesday, 19 January 2011 01:47 (thirteen years ago) link
what is lw?
― lex diamonds (lex pretend), Wednesday, 19 January 2011 01:47 (thirteen years ago) link
lightweight as in lightweight jammin
― *gets the power* (deej), Wednesday, 19 January 2011 01:49 (thirteen years ago) link
My indifference to Jazmine's new stuff predates this argument so
― The Reverend, Wednesday, 19 January 2011 01:49 (thirteen years ago) link
deej doing a great job flirting with me tonight
― Gus Van Sotosyn (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 19 January 2011 01:49 (thirteen years ago) link
i dont like jazmine as much as andy k or lex (which sorta surprised me) but idk i think its also pretty good. i think in some ways its a weird comparison -- not that it was weird of dan to bring it up, because i think he was touching on something w/r/t ppl's ilx worldviews on this stuff (that tim's adjustment of might be more accurate but nontheless) but because at some level its like ... why are these being compared when they're going for such different audiences?
the 'problem' w the poll results is simply that one audience is more likely to write about music in these channels
― *gets the power* (deej), Wednesday, 19 January 2011 01:51 (thirteen years ago) link
how are you defining "in these channels"?
― Gus Van Sotosyn (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 19 January 2011 01:54 (thirteen years ago) link
a lot of ppl writing about R&B are doing so more on gossip blog-type formats & might not even consider themselves 'critics'
― *gets the power* (deej), Wednesday, 19 January 2011 01:55 (thirteen years ago) link
Sorry for being a corny indie fuck.
rmde
― The Reverend, Wednesday, 19 January 2011 01:55 (thirteen years ago) link
Oh damn, that doesn't autoreplace anymore.
― The Reverend, Wednesday, 19 January 2011 01:56 (thirteen years ago) link
ha rev i like janelle monae -- not rlly the issue
― *gets the power* (deej), Wednesday, 19 January 2011 01:56 (thirteen years ago) link
I know, wasn't directed at you, mostly Alfred and Lex.
― The Reverend, Wednesday, 19 January 2011 02:01 (thirteen years ago) link
You're one of the few people (Dan too) who's articulated why the album works. I aimed my comment at so many critics and friends -- none of whom are particularly friendly to R&B -- for praising the album in exactly the same terms. I'm sorry for offending you.
― Gus Van Sotosyn (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 19 January 2011 02:09 (thirteen years ago) link
Fair 'nuff.
― The Reverend, Wednesday, 19 January 2011 02:17 (thirteen years ago) link
Man. I get so exhausted by listening to both suites in a row sometimes that I don't end of listening to BaBopBye Ya but seriously on the first two and a half minutes of this, her phrasing is gorgeous. And I think I hear chromatic runs of chords on a piano in the distant background?
― Alex in Montreal, Wednesday, 19 January 2011 02:46 (thirteen years ago) link
*don't end up listening to
Like, there's no reason why "Tightrope" should go from straightforward JB pastiche to ukeleles and turntables and "Happy birthday to you", but when it does, I lose my shit.
Apropos of nothing, that last bit sometimes reminds me of Herbert's Scale album.
― Pink Friday XIII (jaymc), Wednesday, 19 January 2011 04:39 (thirteen years ago) link
the only thing that really bothers me about 'tightrope' is the moment when big boi raps about falling into the gap & suddenly i think im in a gap commercial
― *gets the power* (deej), Wednesday, 19 January 2011 04:52 (thirteen years ago) link
The fact that she can't really sing doesn't seem to me such a problem—she compensates for her technical limitations with vaudevillian pizzazz.
http://www.slate.com/id/2281158/entry/2282198
Janelle Monae as notably technically limited among vocalists outside of classical music? How much spice does Jody Rosen smoke?
― _Rudipherous_, Sunday, 6 February 2011 18:17 (thirteen years ago) link
Some his other criticisms I can at least sympathize with, but I think he's focusing too much on the incidental mumbo-jumbo and not enough on the music.
― _Rudipherous_, Sunday, 6 February 2011 18:19 (thirteen years ago) link
Also, if he's seen her live - and surely at this point he must have - then he understands how effective said incidental mumbo-jumbo actually is, and also her place her a long continuum of mumbo-jumbo.
― Josh in Chicago, Sunday, 6 February 2011 18:47 (thirteen years ago) link
Yeah, that's by far the most bizarre criticism I've read.
― banjee trillness (The Reverend), Sunday, 6 February 2011 19:47 (thirteen years ago) link
criticism of her*
I don't know if I've said this alreadyBut I think people rag on Janelle's vox because they are mixed way loudShe's a great singer, everything about ArchAndroid is v cool except the mix... A/B it with other R&B records and you'll see, you'll see.
― Prick Squad (Ówen P.), Monday, 7 February 2011 07:32 (thirteen years ago) link
Eh? I didn't really notice her voice being too loud... If anything, I thought it was a bit lower in the instrumental mix than what is common in the pop music of the 00s; this was possibly done to enhance the late 60s/early 70s vibe many of the tunes have.
― Tuomas, Monday, 7 February 2011 10:57 (thirteen years ago) link
monae is technically limited? wtf. thats wrong. not like shes cassie.
― titchy (titchyschneiderMk2), Monday, 7 February 2011 12:39 (thirteen years ago) link
No, exactly. It's mixed like a 00s pop record. Specifically, it's mixed like an Alicia Keys record.The vox are way, way more present than any 60s/70s R&B that I can call to mind, save maybe Minnie Riperton
― Prick Squad (Ówen P.), Monday, 7 February 2011 15:09 (thirteen years ago) link
So I saw her show live last night and it was quite something. She can really move and hold an audience. During the encore she had everybody crouching down (and I mean, EVERYBODY) and singing along. Her band were so tight and she really does have a great voice - almost identical to how it sounds on record. I doubt it would have convinced any haters but if you've got even a passing fondness for her I would really recommend grabbing a ticket if you can, especially if the thought of a cross between a superstar performance and a really corny pantomine does it for you.
― o0o00h really? (boxedjoy), Sunday, 27 February 2011 11:40 (thirteen years ago) link
I relaly like Janelle. can't say I'm heavily into the 'concept' on the record, but the sound is amazing.
― angel of debt!!! monarch to the kingdom of the Fed... (San Te), Sunday, 27 February 2011 13:07 (thirteen years ago) link
I listened to the album for the first time in maybe six months and have to say I enjoyed it a lot more now the dust has settled down. I've also sneakily sequenced in Sincerely Jane between Locked Inside and Sir Greendown, and that helps. I think it could also do with loosing a couple of tracks, but haven't decided which ones.
― Inevitable stupid dubstep mix (chap), Sunday, 27 February 2011 16:45 (thirteen years ago) link
"Sincerely, Jane" is her most overrated song imo.
― banjee trillness (The Reverend), Sunday, 27 February 2011 21:36 (thirteen years ago) link
I think it's astounding.
― Inevitable stupid dubstep mix (chap), Sunday, 27 February 2011 22:13 (thirteen years ago) link
Yeah a friend of mine who's living in the UK for 6 months went to the birmingham show and he was babbling with happiness afterwards, he had such a great time.
― gnarly gnarlingtons in my life (Trayce), Sunday, 27 February 2011 22:14 (thirteen years ago) link
So I saw her show live last night and it was quite something. She can really move and hold an audience. During the encore she had
everybody crouching down (and I mean, EVERYBODY) and singing along. Her band were so tight and she really does have a great voice - almost identical to how it sounds on record. I doubt it would have convinced any haters but if you've got even a passing fondness for her I would really recommend grabbing a ticket if you can, especially if the thought of a cross between a superstar performance and a really corny pantomine does it for you.― o0o00h really? (boxedjoy), Sunday, February 27, 2011 11:40 AM (Yesterday) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink
― o0o00h really? (boxedjoy), Sunday, February 27, 2011 11:40 AM (Yesterday) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink
just seen the mcr show with my daughter and hugely impressed. her stage presence is fascinating, highly skilled performance but without hipsterness, attichewed, ego. spontaneity *can* be very drilled, but she and the band found completely the right balance.
― utterfilth (whatever), Monday, 28 February 2011 23:03 (thirteen years ago) link
sorry for formatting idiocy.
― utterfilth (whatever), Monday, 28 February 2011 23:04 (thirteen years ago) link
yeah i was at that gig last night too. hadn't heard her stuff before (well the odd youtube vid but didn't like much) but was blown away by the whole show, delightful life-affirming stuff. she badly needs a Big Pop Hit as she's too brilliant not to be gaga-level massive in the next few years
― NI, Tuesday, 1 March 2011 13:00 (thirteen years ago) link
I was playing this on the way into work and it basically reminded me that it is a blessing to be alive
― goth barbershop quartet (DJP), Tuesday, 1 March 2011 13:02 (thirteen years ago) link
Yea I spun it again thw other day and it was like nectar
― BIG CHARLIE aka the sheendriver (San Te), Tuesday, 1 March 2011 13:38 (thirteen years ago) link
count me in for hoping she takes "the leap" into superstardom as well; she's way too damn talented
― frogbs, Tuesday, 1 March 2011 14:09 (thirteen years ago) link
"she badly needs a Big Pop Hit as she's too brilliant not to be gaga-level massive in the next few years"
OTM. I was at the Birmingham show last week - amazing in both how great she was live and how she was still only playing relatively small venues.
― unpredictable johnny rodz, Tuesday, 1 March 2011 14:24 (thirteen years ago) link
I was also at the Manchester gig yesterday - it was wonderful. It would be a dman shame if she doesn't become more popular in the next year or so.
― AlanSmithee, Tuesday, 1 March 2011 17:48 (thirteen years ago) link
Good album. I think this has a much more unique sound than many would give it credit for. There is some precise variant of brooding that runs through much of it that feels distinctive to me. I don't recognize that as an imitation or twin of anything else.
― Khalifa Hilter (_Rudipherous_), Tuesday, 12 April 2011 15:49 (thirteen years ago) link
Yeah I had another listen to it and it definitely has broken from "flavor of the month" to "something I will listen to for a long time". It reminds me Sufjan Stevens Illinois album for some reason, maybe because it's a critical favorite in spite of being so damn long, but I really hope she doesn't go down the same path of burnout. She seems to be way more talented, so who knows.
― frogbs, Tuesday, 12 April 2011 15:55 (thirteen years ago) link