Gnarls Barkley - 'The Odd Couple' (Warner) Released 31/03/08

Nowhere near as erratic as their previous effort, Gnarls Barkley’s new album sounds more like a 60’s Motown record than a futuristic baby with behavior problems. While some may question the duos choice to put together a project that sits at the opposite end of the scale to that of their platinum selling ‘St. Elsewhere’, the music contained on ‘The Odd Couple’ is in fact excellent.

Abnormally soulful and, without doubt, very agile; Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo Green have entered a new realm of funk with this release. This type of funk isn’t dirty like the type Rick James used to make, and it sure as hell isn’t as bent up as the kind of funk that Bootsy Collins threw in to the mix. Gnarls Barkley’s funk is a combination of the two with hip-hop vocals for extra flavor and worldly beat samples to allow listeners everywhere the chance to relate.

Opening with the slow and sophisticated ‘Charity Case’, complete with a jazz drum riff and occasional guitar lick, the song sounds like Hot Chip on a soul tip. Its mid-tempo flow allows Cee-Lo to ride the track like a pro surfer on tour. Without a single foot put wrong, everything from the featured female vocals to the catchy inhale/exhale hook do what they’re supposed to, and that’s prepare you for an album full of quality joints. One of these joints includes the bizarrely arranged ‘Open Book’. Complete with jungle sounds and some off the wall production the track mirrors the closing credits of an epic movie. There’s also the string happy ‘No Time Soon’. With some thought provoking lyrics, courtesy of ex-Goodie Mob member Cee-Lo, the beautiful underscore, which hears more and more effects added as the track goes on, allows you and your brain to drift off to somewhere of a more relaxed nature.

While ‘Blind Mary’ sticks out as the only cut that feels a little out of place, due to its dull tone and sleepy production, some of the album’s speedier moments – ‘Going On’ and ‘Suprise’, take a few listens to fully appreciate them but once you do you’ll be singing Gnarl’s Barkley’s praises for years to come. This album is a marvel in the eyes of those who value the effort put in to making great and non-conforming music. While it’s unlikely it’ll follow the success of ‘St Elsewhere’, partially due to its early release because of an internet leak, in many ways 'The Odd Couple' trumps its predecessor.