Not her normal "uniform", but a great look nonetheless!
Happy Friday’s Eve! This week is a first for me on this blog; yesterday, I did my first book review (hope you guys enjoyed it), and today I’m doing my first album review! I have a very eclectic taste in music. Where most people like artists and will purchase anything they make I like songs and will have my buddy make me a mixed CD as opposed to going out and buying someone’s album. There are very few artists whose album I will buy as soon as it comes out. I can honestly say that Janelle Monae has now been added to that short list.
I purchased “The ArchAndroid: Suites II and III” before Christmas. Off the strength of her single “Tightrope” with Big Boi of Outkast and her appearing on the “Idlewild” soundtrack, she piqued my interest and got my attention. If I had to rate this album, I would give it 5 out of 5 stars!!! It’s absolutely fantastic!!!! Once I started listening to this, I took it with me everywhere. It was always playing in my car, I had it with me at the PT job, and I even snuck and brought it to my day job as well!!! I can’t put her in a genre; she’s in one all by herself. She’s the female version of Prince…and ya’ll know how I feel about him. The musical arrangements are amazing, her voice has so much range, and none of the songs sound alike but they go together. The Intro reminds me of “Black Swan”, in the sense of being music from a ballet. My favorite track is “Faster”. I also love “Say You’ll Go” and “BabopbyeYa”. I can honestly say there’s not one track I don’t like, and it’s very rare that that happens.
All of you should go get this album, via CD, iTunes, or whatever means you purchase your music. She taps into all genres of music and is just a really talented musician. LOVE HER!!! (And you will, too!) If you’ve listened to the album, what do you think? Until next time, I’m just a Southern girl…in the city!
Today’s Black History Month fact is about Ella Fitzgerald. Ella, also known as Lady Ella or the “First Lady of Song”, was the first Black woman to win a Grammy. In 1958, the first year the awards took place, Ella won for Best Jazz Performance, Individual and Best Vocal Performance, Female. Before her death in 1996, she would go on to win 11 more Grammys.
Southern Girl in the City 
Love, love, love this album! I downloaded it several months ago when it was an Amazon $5 MP3 deal. Like you I had only heard “Tightrope” and I thought “Ehh, I like the song and it’s only $5 so why not?” Absolutely best $5 I’ve spent in a while…lol
My favs are “Mushrooms & Roses”, “Oh, Maker” but I had “Neon Valley Street” on repeat for about a week non-stop. It’s like when I walked down the street the lyrics and melody gave confidence to my steps…I don’t know how else to explain it except I became one with her music. Definitely a rare find in today’s pop culture and yeah I have to agree she’s best described as a female version of Prince – uncategorizable. Dang, you gonna make me listen to the album on the way home! 😉
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