"The Lady Killer"Cee Lo Green
Released: Nov. 9th 2010
"They Lady Killer" is drenched in references to the past. It's palpable. The intro is filled with the 1960's and I feel Shirley Bassey is smiling somewhere. So is John Barry and I feel this album is epic enough to his liking. "The Lady Killer" takes no prisoners. It's do or die. And Cee Lo has admitted to reining in some of his creative urges to make hit songs. This album is definitely an attempt to be big, in a silly reach-for-the-stars way. But, once I overcame the kind of over-the-top performance and probably on my 3rd listen, I really grew to really enjoy the album. Here's the best track on the album, and probably the best single of 2010, in "F&@# you" below: (Be warned, this is the unedited version so if you're offended easily, don't watch it).
I really like that the album has an intro and outro, because I feel it's a cohesive piece. I feel album structure is somewhat of a dying art with the advent of torrents and online sharing and hit songs. This album deserves to be listened to as a whole.
Songs I really like: F&*$ you, It's Okay, Old Fashioned.
Cee Lo Green said to the Guardian: "For too long I've been underground and underdog, and I need to be seen as the thing to do: 'This is the direction to go in – follow this man.' I think I'm needed – as an artist, as an individual, as an entity, an enigma, an exhibitionist, an entertainer; as an alternative. So we sat down and weighed up the pros and cons, because you don't seal a deal with one single solitary opinion. Tolerance, compromise, understanding, acceptance, patience – I want those all to be very sharp tools in my shed."
I think this quote symbolizes what Cee Lo is striving for: fame. He wants this to be one of the greatest records out...but it fails on that account. It's not the best, but not for lack of trying. It just doesn't have the exacting precision and likability that determines popularity. The album is ultra cool and has the feeling of Motown, but I feel something is lacking.
Overall:
That being said, this is an excellent album. It has the bravado to take on the 1960's and the integrity to create some interesting sounds. Cee Lo has a voice that blends love and sex and hate and loneliness all in one. His lyrics are about power and male egos. I won't say this album is life changing because of a few songs that aren't really that interesting. But, I would highly recommend giving this album a listen.
-Soren Nieminen
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