Every once in a while you have a cultural situation where an artist has been making exceptional art for so long that the powers that be have to finally admit it, either out of pure economics or trying not to lose face for not recognizing the talent for so long. And sometimes the giant media coronation occurs when the artist has put out something mediocre or just plain terrible. Miles Davis was totally ignored by the Grammys when he was making masterpieces like "Kind of Blue" and was only finally recognized when he was doing terrible covers of Cyndi Lauper songs.
The situation is not as extreme with Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo's collaboration on St. Elsewhere, which is a decent record. It's just that both men have done better work in the past that should be recognized and studied for the genius that it is. But that's not what we're trying to sell right now.
Gnarls Barkley is a great concept of combining as the innovative producer with the colorful rapper/singer and there are great moments.
The main problem is that the great moments are so short, you feel like you're listening to an album sampler. One of the few tracks where Cee-Lo actually raps, "Feng Shui," is not even a minute and a half long. And that sucks because it's a cut that musically doesn't suck.
Sonically, St. Elsewhere is probably the best thing Danger Mouse has been a part of, with much cleaner production than his tinty "Grey Album" and muddy collaboration with Jemini. The opening "Go-Go Gadget Gospel," with its Tejano accordion synths and the super bassy church harmonies is quite the ear candy. Unfortunately again, this track is only a little over 2 minutes long. "Crazy" is, of course, the single and is one of the better-written tunes on the record. The lyrics cleverly exploit the much overused word and concept of "crazy," with Cee-Lo accusing a lover and himself of behaving irrationally at times. "I remember when I lost my mind/There was something so pleasant bout that place… Does that make me Crazy?" Other album highlights are "Smiley Faces," which could've been recorded 30 years ago by the Funk Brothers at Motown, the almost carbon copy cover version of Violent Femmes' "Gone Daddy Gone," and the closing track, "The Last Time," which, if there's one song to iTune, this is it.
St. Elsewhere will no doubt accomplish positive things for both artists involved. The shining light of capability for diversity and depth on both men's part has definitely been demonstrated. Cee-Lo's sultry vocals will surely start popping up on other artists' tracks, not unlike how the film Ray has spawned more collaborations for actor/comedian Jaime Foxx.
Danger Mouse will probably get offers to produce some rootsy R&B and rock projects. So for them, Gnarls Barkley is a threshold. For the consumer, it'll be an interesting sign of things to come that unfortunately is only 37 minutes long and costs $15. But then again, since none of us paid for "The Grey Album," maybe it all evens out.
