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Gnarls Barkley: The Odd Couple

Contributed By: Dan Schwartz
Created On: Sunday, 23 March 2008
Hits: 42

The Odd Couple

We know, we know. This wasn’t supposed to be out until April 8. Well, guess what? Surprise, motherfuckers! As the music industry crumbles brick by brick, artists and labels are resorting to all sorts of crazy tricks to get you to part with your discretionary dollar, and pulling last-minute release date switches is just one of ‘em. (Fair warning: The Odd Couple’s early drop came on the heels of the announcement from the Raconteurs that their second release, Consolers of the Lonely, would be arriving out of nowhere on March 25.)

As buzz-building maneuvers go, an early release has to be one of the safest and cheapest – not that Gnarls Barkley were exactly hurting for press after launching a thousand blogs with 2006’s St. Elsewhere, but whatever – and it’s paid off for the duo thus far, spreading Odd Couple release stories across the Web like a virus. (It’s also pissed off a few stuffed-shirt critics in the process, inflaming the oversensitive feelings of guys who are accustomed to hearing whatever comes out before everyone else, but again: Whatever.) All things considered, not a bad beginning for the sophomore album from what originally seemed like a goofy one-off side project for Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse.

The thing about goofy side projects that unexpectedly take off, of course, is that you can’t surprise people twice; what seems fresh the first time around can wind up getting you pigeonholed the next time you try it. Luckily for Gnarls Barkley, their gimmick, such as it is, relies less on any particular sound than its members’ overall willingness to ignore boundaries and expectations – and if you were worried that success might have spoiled them, good news: It hasn’t.

For listeners who crave something different and don’t care how they get it, The Odd Couple will be a sweet breath of fresh air – and honestly, there’s absolutely no quibbling with the craftsmanship and sharp wit behind these songs, or the album’s perfect 39-minute length. For everyone else, however, listening to these songs will occasionally have a discombobulating effect – like a not-quite-nightmare about wandering an alien planet. This is about as interesting – as smart – as mainstream pop gets these days. That it still isn’t particularly friendly probably says something about the modern music industry, but why quibble? Difference for difference’s sake can be its own reward. Here’s your proof.