Ok, so Im 7 songs into this thing, and so far.....it's ok. First, let me start by saying that I LOVE Ms.'Free as a Bird', and I broke my neck to get to the Wrecka Stow to pick this up. Even bought a memory card for the blackberry so I could dump it onto there.

So.. the 1st track(Haditha) begins, and its basically Meshell documenting how Elijah Muhammad forsaw what would happn in the end of days'. ok.

From that point, the let down begins for me. The Sloganeer, the song that Kicked my ass on the Live from Zurich boot, has been slowed down, watered down, and has about half the energy of the live version.

The same with Michell Johnson. It has none of the life that the live version has. Something has def. been lost in translation. Slower..Woozy, even

Things pick up a bit with Eliptical.

Article 3 sounds like Meshell is channelling her inner Mars Volta. Kinda cool.

And thats where I am now. Havent made it through the whole disc yet, and hopefullly it'll hit me with repeated listens. Dont think Ill grow to enjoy the muffled production, though.

Anybody else picked this up, yet?

I've heard that it was a rock oriented album, is that true ?

I've heard that she is still inaccessible as ever, is that true ?

unkemptpueblo said:

I will check it out.

Cinnie said:

I know there’s already been a thread on this but can someone just clarify… is Article 3 the limited edition disc but the same songs are on the The World Has Made Me...?

krayzie said:

Its got a few diff. flavors. Some rock, some jazzy-spaced out vibes, A ballad or 2. You know Meshell..its all over the place.

The more I listen to it, the better it gets. Kindaa like Bjorks Volta. I didnt get it til I stopped trying to listen it, and just let it roll in the background. The World Has Made me.. seems the same way.

JackieBlue said:

All the songs from Article 3 are represented here. If you can track down a copy of the LIve in Zurich boot( it was available on the free my heart wedsite) I'd def. pick that up too.

Cinnie said:

whats good, man?

unkemptpueblo said:

Thanks!

LOVE IT. May be a contender for album of the year for me.

eleven said:

Get out of that box, you!

This album has some more of the sampled speeches of Cookie, but this time they are more efficiently utilized. It has also the space-agey vibe of Comfort Woman, mostly delivered through the vocal effects in a number of tracks.

My problem with this cd is that it plays more like a collection of moments than of actual songs. Unfortunately, these moments don't add up to one cohesive album. It's more like a showcase of NdegeOcello's genius, production-wise. The same can be said about her past albums, but this time the display of genius seems all flash and fanfare. There are moments when she changes styles within a single song but she does it in a way that robs the music of its breath. More often than not, the tricks of the studio get tiresome after only a few listens.

My favorite track is Evolution which has the same vibe as the song Earth from Cookie. Unlike most of the songs on the album it doesn't feel cluttered.
[Edited 9/25/07 10:51am]
[Edited 9/25/07 10:52am]

forkupine said:

Hmmm I had a totally different reaction to this. Your take on this album is how I felt about Cookie. To me this feels brave and pushes forward the ideas she had already played with in the past. It's defintely NOT for everyone-- and that's fine by me. I haven't heard this stuff live so maybe that first impression hearing it live set you up for failure with the recorded stuff. I have an early version of the disc so maybe it sounds different than what came out today (hopefully i'll know for sure when i get home 2nite if amazon sent it!)

...

I agree with those who felt that these songs were more powerful live. Since I heard live versions first, the studio tracks do seem kind of muted and half done by comparison. That's just my initial take, though. I think it'll probably grow on me...



...

eleven said:

Love it too! It's a damn shame I had to get to three stores just to find it here in ATL.

paligap said:

I keep going back to Sloganeer. The live version is raw-dog.Its almost punk. The studio version is almost a whisper. I agree that it'll prob. be a grower. I was expecting a bit more venom, though.

eleven said:

I have to agree.
I, like most here, heard live versions before studio but unlike some I Like the studio versions better. Don't get me wrong, I love the live versions but they really are a different beast all together. It's all preference and I prefer studio recordings unless I'm there at the gig or watching a live DVD.
This new album surpassed my expectations and thus far is my favorite release this year. It's Comfort Woman but with more rock,jazz,ambient,psychedelic,punk,world and funk rolled into one.
BTW, the songs on Article 3 and TWHMMTMOMD versions do differ in various ways.

unkemptpueblo said:

Aside from more protection I thought it was just as good

ordered, will get it soon

I'd lick her bald head.

Ok so now i must rank

1.) Peace
2.) Comfort Woman
3.) World
4.) Bitter
5.) Cookie
6.) Plantation
7.) Jamal
[Edited 9/25/07 19:57pm]

ehuffnsd said:

sosgemini said:

i know it's the soundtrack of our relationship, but i just don't think it's as great as the others.

ehuffnsd said:

Where's Plantation in your list?
[Edited 9/25/07 19:31pm]

forkupine said:

i dunno, that just dawned on me while I was at dinner

This album is the fuckin bomb, end of story

Itunes has both A Differnt Girl(EveryNight) and Soul SpaceShip