Today we spotlight the music of DJ Danger Mouse (Brian Burton) and Cee-Lo Green (Thomas Callaway), the duo known as Gnarls Barkley. Blake has mentioned that he’d love to work with them, so let’s take a look at the men behind the costumes.
Before teaming up with Cee-Lo, Danger Mouse gained notoriety in the music world when he released The Grey Album, a mash-up of an acapella version of Jay Z’s The Black Album and The Bealtes (The White Album). Although the result was a critical success, Danger Mouse neglected to obtain permission to sample the Beatles’ work and EMI (who owns the rights to The White Album) promptly blocked further distribution of it. The Grey Album then became a poster child of sorts for those who believe sampling should be considered “fair use” in the world of copyright law. *ahem – it’s easy to find a bootleg copy*
Some peeps believe The Beatles should be off-limits, but I’m a fan of The Grey Album and recommend this article on the album’s production. Standout tracks for me include “99 Problems” (sampling “Helter Skelter”) and “Encore” (sampling “Glass Onion” and “Savoy Truffle”). You gotta check out this clever video of “Encore” if only to see “John Lennon” break dance (sorry purists).
In addition to The Grey Album, Danger Mouse produced Demon Days, the second studio album from The Gorrillaz, which features the hit “Feel Good, Inc.” This work earned him a Grammy nomination for production.
Cee-Lo and Gnarls after the jump!
Cee-Lo Green began his career in Atlanta’s hip-hop community as part of the Goodie Mob, whose song “The Dirty South” inspired the name for a style of rap music that emerged in Southern cities in the 1990s. After leaving Goodie Mob, Cee-Lo signed with Arista and released two solo albums, Cee-Lo Green and His Perfect Imperfections and Cee-Lo Green… is the Soul Machine. I haven’t heard Perfect Imperfections, but Soul Machine impresses. He and his buddies (Timbaland, Pharrell Williams and Jazze Pha, for starters) blend rap, old school r&b, gospel, and funk in creating an eclectic but seemless album. I’m still not sure if I prefer Cee-Lo channeling Al Green on the smooth, summery “All Day Love Affair” or going all gangsta on tracks like “Scrap Metal.” In the end it doesn’t matter, because Soul Machine provides both and more.
Unfortunately, Cee-Lo’s sales didn’t impress Arista, who dropped him after Soul Machine. His single “I’ll Be Around” feat Timbaland failed to chart on the Billboard 100, although it did reach #52 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. You can see the video here. Too bad. This album deserved better sales, especially considering the carp that usually dominates the charts. Buy it!
Danger Mouse + Cee-Lo = Gnarls Barkley
What do you get when you mix the sometimes creepy, scruffy vocals of Cee-Lo with with wicked beats from Danger Mouse? That would be Gnarls Barkley’s 2006 release, St Elsewhere, an eclectic blend of hip-hop, rock, dance, soul and funk that debuted at #1 in the UK and peaked at #4 in the US and took the 2007 Grammy for “Best Alternative Album.”
Gnarls scored their biggest hit off the album with their crossover single “Crazy” which, well, celebrates ze crazy! How can you not want to roll down the car windows and groove to lyrics like “I remember when… I remember, I remember, remember when I lost my mind. There was something so pleasant about that place,” especially when combined with infectious music from Danger Mouse, who says the song was inspired by the scores of old spaghetti Westerns. Of course, there’s also the fun cover of the Violent Femmes’ “Gone Daddy Gone” and the utterly danceable “The Last Time” to keep you moving.
It’s not all fun and games, though. Combine Cee-Lo’s scratchy and sometimes eerie vocals with Danger Mouse’s equally haunting arrangements and you get the seemingly tongue and cheek “Boogie Monster” and the goth-inspired “Necromancer.” Simon sez, “I don’t know if I quite understand that song. It’s some sort of strange goth/hip-hop hybrid about necrophilia. Frankly, I hated it.” Well, I disagree, but you know Simon. Ahem. Anyway, the album’s most intense track for me is “Just A Thought” which smacks of desperation and denial with lyrics like, “And I’ve tried… everything but suicide, but it’s crossed my mind. I prefer peace, but essentially I’m an animal… what do I do with all the aggression?” and later shrugs off the idea of suicide as “just a thought.”
St. Elsewhere was easily one of my favorite albums of 2006. I highly recommend you give it and the other works mentioned here a listen. Mmm, kay?
I’m crazy for “Crazy” (which by the way, you need to fix the link) but had no idea they covered the Violent Femmes song. That video is hilarious! As a child of the 80’s, that song brings back a lot of memories.
Thanks, Theresa, for catching that. Link is fixed! Oh, and I saw the Violent Femmes a few years ago at a street fair and it was so much fun. Definitely a blast from the past!!!!
great article :)
Wow..high demand….I looked up “The Grey Album” and found some copies, but a sealed original at the following link was going for like $90.00. Dang.
I love controversy, and thought provocation, so I of course enjoy Gnarles Barkley. Personally, one of the best things about this music is all the crazy samples. (Which, in my opinion are legit. It is not as if they are trying to front like the sounds are their own. It is like any forward thinking movement. We use what has come before us to progress further ahead. It is almost paying homage to those songs and noises they sample. But I guess people don’t get that.) I am not sure how many of you have actually tried to use samples in music, or loop music for that matter, but it takes a pretty impeccable skill set to do it well. You can always throw a lot of sounds together, but these guys blend the most surprising combinations together, such as accordions and telephones, tv snips and chainsaws, and somehow create music I want to play over and over again. Skills.
Applying effects to vocals sounds easy enough, but to do it with style, and in a way that is new and fresh sounding is somewhat rare these days. The song “Crazy” is one of my favorites. If you didn’t watch the video on youtube that was linked in the original write up you should check it out now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nekInx7DV0o
I was wondering why I wasn’t surprised when Blake mentioned working with the guys from Gnarles, and after I watched the video for “Crazy” again, I realized why. It reminds me of Blake’s style. It is sort of an abstract, artsy, soulful, flavorful, sexy, luscious vibe of brilliance. Just rays of music and art flowing from these guys, and that is what I reminded of when I hear Blake Lewis compose, sing, and produce. I truly hope these guys team up, collaborate, or whatever they may do, because it could be spectacular.
Man, the underground music scene should give a big up to TeamPlaid. Lots of folks read this now…and to highlight these musicians for people who might have only been familiar with American Idol type music, is a pretty valuable service to the music makers. All of you responsible for this are pretty fantastic…..*applause*
Delurking again because I would like to give this site a loud *applause*, too!!! Fiona Lattimer is totally right, I am one of those folks that didn’t (and still don’t) familiar with these underground music, but I really do appreciate you all putting this out. Thanks pj!!!!
ETA, because of these efforts, I think I get to know more about music in general, how great is that!?
Thanks for these music background and influences posts. One of the reasons why Blake (and Elliott last year) was my favorite contestant is because of his taste in music and his influences.
Another great spotlight, pj. :) You really have a gift for writing girl. :)
Great spotlight! I’m going to check the used CD store, but if you want The Grey Album, where there’s a t*or.re/nt there’s a way *snicker*. It’s got a good, confusing sound. These spotlights are the best!
Oh… not sure if this belongs here, but I think so… KJ Sawka’s solo album (that we’ve been jamming to for weeks now!) comes out in stores tomorrow. Here’s the myspace bulletin:
Jenlar, i knw that cd rocks..i bought it all of it on itunes, plus the other cd’s. my fave is Ancient Wedding!…
I’m glad y’all are enjoying the features. It’s good to know.
Jenlar, thanks for the info on ASD’s album. I don’t have it yet, but plan on picking up a copy or downloading it. We are planning to feature them sometime down the line.
PJ, this is a GREAT feature. Thanks for pulling it all together. I LOVE Gnarls, but I hadn’t really listened to each of their solo stuff. I’ll check that out, fo sho!
I’m also glad to hear that you are all enjoying the feature posts. We’ve always wanted our site to be quality over quantity. That’s part of why we chose to do these spotlighting posts. So it really makes me excited to hear that y’all are enjoying them. :)
I finally got the chance to read this - excellent piece, pj! I didn’t know they stopped distribution of The Grey Album. I think Gnarls Barkely (or even just Cee-Lo or Danger Mouse) would be a great collaborator for Blake.
I just did a little housecleaning to keep this thread on topic.
Laura, I moved your links to the Blake videos over to Tour thread so peeps wouldn’t miss them. That’s the area for general talk about Blake.
I also deleted the links to the tour interviews since they are not on topic for this thread and are posted in the new thread. Thanks for posting them, however. :)
Also, The Mob Law has posted a new video on youtube. I posted the link to that in The Mob Law feature thread for those interested.