Monkey Business
Posted on Thursday, May 26th, 2005 at 11:06 pm under Music.Tags: blackeyedpeas, hiphop, Music
Black Eyed Peas
Monkey Business
I’ve been wanting to hear some good new Hip-Hop for a while. This is not an easy task for me since I’m not a Hip-Hop fan perse. I mean I like Tribe Called Quest, Mos Def and De La Soul but only in small doses. Last year I ran into Black Eyed Peas and just really played it a lot. So I was glad to hear they got a new album out and even happier to hear how good it is. Ed thinks it might be a bit too commercial, but I think it’s just perfect for me. What does he know, he’s white.
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May 27th, 2005 at 8:38 am
It’s not that I think it’s too commercial, although that may be true. The production quality on this new album is great, the songs have flashy hooks and good breaks. all the motions are there, song writing, positive, introspective lyrics etc… these guys definitely have a concept that they build each song around, whether it’s re-defining an old surf guitar song that had a second life as Tarantino soundtrack or integrating their sing-songs with James Brown’s earlier sounds. but there’s just something missing. With all due respect, I haven’t listened to either the last album or this album very much. These guys (and girl) know how to cull music history, mash it up and present a pretty eclectic sound without losing the beat. That is honorable (and they even did a song with my man Jack Johnson, how cool is that?!) But there’s just something at the end of the day that keeps it off the repeat list. Maybe it’s the too fast beats that are more ‘Spring Break’ friendly then your average hip-hop act or Fergie’s shapeshifting/vanilla singing in the background. I’ve been wrong before, so I’ll have to give them more then a casual listen. And in the end you gotta give it up for local LA scene kids hitting it large.
Aug 2nd, 2005 at 8:30 pm
Interesting. Point taken. I myself am not totally engulfed in their album, but i feel that they are bringing a different style of hip hop that appeals more to the musician. You don’t see many hip hop groups with a band.
I mean in my experience, at least.
The album in my op on a scale of 1-5. deserves at least a 3.8
Funky Beats,Soulful melodies,rhythmic rhymes…
that’s cool stuff Doc.