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You have my attention... Feb 26, 2010
Okay, this album is rather strange. It's not really an album, with barely seven songs here (I say barely since two of the tracks don't even really constitute as songs), but to be honest, it packs quite the punch. I stumbled across Janelle Monae quite by accident, but I'm really glad that I found her. With a unique fusion of Jazz, Electro-Rock and Hip-Hop, Janelle delivers what can only be defined as `futuristic funk'.
The album opens with `March of the Wolfmasters', a humorous spoken word track that details the disassembly of a cyborg who falls in love with a human.
Like I said, this album is rather strange.
The album then bursts to life with one of the best songs I've heard in a long time. `Violet Stars Happy Hunting!' is just musical brilliance. The snazzy rock backdrop fitted with silky vocals, fun lyrics and an overall infectious vibe helps create an unforgettable experience. For an album that feels completely conceptual and experimental, this track takes the best elements at Janelle's disposal and crafts the best song in her arsenal. I can definitely hear the Outcast influence here, with that Electro-Jazz-Rock soul flourishing over every second of the track. The song bleeds right into `Many Moons', a fun Electro-Hip-Hop track that becomes a little too experimental towards the end. The poppish, R&B chorus is a nice touch, but the robotic spoken word feels like a failed attempt.
The interlude, `Cybertronic Purgatory', is simply stunning. Janelle's vocals are mesmerizing, and the soft guitar work is just haunting.
The album jumps back to life with `Sincerely, Jane'. I love the Electro-Jazz vibe here. It almost has a theatrical feel to it, calling to mind a futuristic stage play strung out before us. The chorus breakdown is phenomenal, the strings caressing every word floating from Monae's mouth.
I like these kinds of experiments.
For me, `Mr. President' kind of threw off the vibe for me. It feels far too commercial, so much so that it just feels awkward to me. The song isn't bad, but it doesn't do anything for Janelle as an artist. It feels like a rejected Wyclef Jean song, and I say rejected for a reason. It has an island vibe that doesn't fit with the image Janelle creates for herself on this album, and while the message carried is one that seems very relevant, it is just a bad fit for `Metropolis'. Thankfully, Janelle's cover of `Smile' follows this misstep. She totally makes this song her own, stamping it with her style so that it is unmistakably a Janelle Monae song. It is haunting, modern (err, futuristic) and flawlessly sung.
This girl can sing!
I can't wait to hear more from this girl. She has a unique and compelling style that I think, once she fine-tunes, is going to take her places.
 I LOVE IT!!!! Jan 05, 2010
It is truly refreshing to hear the extraordinary sound of J Monae. Her performances are visually stimulating as well. My sister recommended her after hearing me rant about the unoriginal compromising music of today. I just wish the media loved her art as much as I do, then maybe we could slowly rid the airplay of so much other junk. Again, I am impressed with this album and recommend this to lovers of music, art, and the truth. I look forward to the next suite! I hope this review helps.
Wish It Was Longer, Less Conceptual...... Jan 05, 2010
I live in a major college town, and have been privileged to see many different great acts in concert from several different musical genres and I think I can say that Janelle Monae has the most impressive live show that I have ever seen. She is quite a tiny person and somehow manages to fill the entire stage through her literally nonstop dancing and magnetic personality. I say all that because when I bought this cd I was disappointed in how distant it felt. The almost seizure inducing manic energy simply isn't present. And this album isn't just missing the energy from her concerts, but oddly some of her vocal ability as well. In her song "Smile" which she absolutely killed/did vocal gymnastics in concert, is rather plain and just nice instead of mind blowing on this cd. That said, this album is still very impressive, though albeit a short one, and I will absolutely buy her next one. Hopefully she will have found a way to balance her high concept art with production that is more true to who she is in concert.
Fresh Air Aug 05, 2009
After hearing the songs on her CD for the first time, Janelle's sound caught me by surprise. What a breath of fresh air! I was compelled to listen to all the elements of her sound intensely - over and over. The passion in her performance is honest and immediate. Great production value, but the strength is in Janelle's voice. Her voice is "rich". You can hear emotion, not just a bunch of meaningless throw-away riffs. I am now a Fan.
Ps: Where is the air-play???
She's wonderful! Jul 19, 2009
Metropolis: The Chase Suite is a breath of fresh air and wonderful to listen to. I read about Janelle Monae on Okayplayer last year and am happy to have finally purchased her CD. "Sincerely Jane" is my favorite song. I love the message. Her sound, creativity, and voice are all amazing. As a long time Prince fan (I'm not comparing the two), I can appreciate her individuality and the fact that she seems to "walk to the beat of her own drum." She is truly a star!
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