coltrane3 said:

Is anyone else having a lukewarm reaction to this? I mean, it's completely fine and pleasant but the lead up was that it was somehow otherworldy, and for me it's just not. And I loved his first two albums.

What is it about D'Angelo? Whenever it's even hinted that he's going to release something people freak out and act like it's going to be the best music ever made and that music will be saved.

Again, this was fine. I do really like "Charade" and the album closer "Another Life." "Betray My Heart" was a little piece of jaunty fun.

The rest seems one-note. Repetitive vamping in nearly every song. I don't know. Everyone was waiting for this? I would have rather had a Maxwell album if I had to choose.

Ahh................some sanity added 2 the discussion.

coltrane3 said:

coltrane3 said:

Is anyone else having a lukewarm reaction to this? I mean, it's completely fine and pleasant but the lead up was that it was somehow otherworldy, and for me it's just not. And I loved his first two albums.

What is it about D'Angelo? Whenever it's even hinted that he's going to release something people freak out and act like it's going to be the best music ever made and that music will be saved.

Again, this was fine. I do really like "Charade" and the album closer "Another Life." "Betray My Heart" was a little piece of jaunty fun.

The rest seems one-note. Repetitive vamping in nearly every song. I don't know. Everyone was waiting for this? I would have rather had a Maxwell album if I had to choose.

Yeah... CUZ you ain't got FUNK, bubba.

I personally am a bit disappointed that he didnt write the majority of the lyrics himself..

That's what i wanted to Hear!

What he's been feeling- directly from him.

spitty said:

coltrane3 said:

Is anyone else having a lukewarm reaction to this? I mean, it's completely fine and pleasant but the lead up was that it was somehow otherworldy, and for me it's just not. And I loved his first two albums.

What is it about D'Angelo? Whenever it's even hinted that he's going to release something people freak out and act like it's going to be the best music ever made and that music will be saved.

Again, this was fine. I do really like "Charade" and the album closer "Another Life." "Betray My Heart" was a little piece of jaunty fun.

The rest seems one-note. Repetitive vamping in nearly every song. I don't know. Everyone was waiting for this? I would have rather had a Maxwell album if I had to choose.

Yeah... CUZ you ain't got FUNK, bubba.

[Edited 12/15/14 14:02pm]

coltrane3 said:

Is anyone else having a lukewarm reaction to this? I mean, it's completely fine and pleasant but the lead up was that it was somehow otherworldy, and for me it's just not. And I loved his first two albums.

What is it about D'Angelo? Whenever it's even hinted that he's going to release something people freak out and act like it's going to be the best music ever made and that music will be saved.

Again, this was fine. I do really like "Charade" and the album closer "Another Life." "Betray My Heart" was a little piece of jaunty fun.

The rest seems one-note. Repetitive vamping in nearly every song. I don't know. Everyone was waiting for this? I would have rather had a Maxwell album if I had to choose.

I absolutely understand where you are coming from, I really do. But the thing is that I didn´t have any expectations in the first place, and all these years I never thought that D´Angelo had really disappeared (most orgers know I never lost faith in him), and I am used to his sketchy style, his constant vamps, his meandering grooves and mumbled vocals....as far as proper, memorable songs go, Maxwell and Prince are probably a bit ahead of D´Angelo but regardless, I absolutely LOVE this new album, and it sounds exactly the way I wanted it to sound.

When I bought, for example, Erykah Badu´s last two albums, I liked them too, but found them way too sketchy and unfinished but with her ( and Prince and Maxwell) the expectations are different.

D´Angelo´s first album contained some memorable melodies but Voodoo and most of the tracks he was featured on were not exactly melodic. So what? That´s his style, and I love his style.

.

I wouldn´t say that this one is better than the previous two albums but it is definitely a very strong album although I must admit it does sound a bit .....well,.....lazy?

Love this album !

.

Speaking of Maxwell...as much as I love Urban Hang Suite and Embrya (two timeless masterpieces), I kind of lost track after Now. I still like him , still kind of follow him but promising a trilogy and THEN making us wait for the first part, and then not really follow it with two sophomore parts is almost just as bad as making fans wait 14 years.

coltrane3 said:

Is anyone else having a lukewarm reaction to this? I mean, it's completely fine and pleasant but the lead up was that it was somehow otherworldy, and for me it's just not. And I loved his first two albums.

What is it about D'Angelo? Whenever it's even hinted that he's going to release something people freak out and act like it's going to be the best music ever made and that music will be saved.

Again, this was fine. I do really like "Charade" and the album closer "Another Life." "Betray My Heart" was a little piece of jaunty fun.

The rest seems one-note. Repetitive vamping in nearly every song. I don't know. Everyone was waiting for this? I would have rather had a Maxwell album if I had to choose.

I absolutely understand where you are coming from, I really do. But the thing is that I didn´t have any expectations in the first place, and all these years I never thought that D´Angelo had really disappeared (most orgers know I never lost faith in him), and I am used to his sketchy style, his constant vamps, his meandering grooves and mumbled vocals....as far as proper, memorable songs go, Maxwell and Prince are probably a bit ahead of D´Angelo but regardless, I absolutely LOVE this new album, and it sounds exactly the way I wanted it to sound.

When I bought, for example, Erykah Badu´s last two albums, I liked them too, but found them way too sketchy and unfinished but with her ( and Prince and Maxwell) the expectations are different.

D´Angelo´s first album contained some memorable melodies but Voodoo and most of the tracks he was featured on were not exactly melodic. So what? That´s his style, and I love his style.

.

I wouldn´t say that this one is better than the previous two albums but it is definitely a very strong album although I must admit it does sound a bit .....well,.....lazy?

Love this album !

.

Speaking of Maxwell...as much as I love Urban Hang Suite and Embrya (two timeless masterpieces), I kind of lost track after Now. I still like him , still kind of follow him but promising a trilogy and THEN making us wait for the first part, and then not really follow it with two sophomore parts is almost just as bad as making fans wait 14 years.

D has cats covering his tunes already....

-

-

IstenSzek said:

oh wait, here they are:

http://www.metrolyrics.com/news-story-dangelo-black-messiah-lyrics-revealed.html

thanks for the link. couldn't understand a damn word he sung

Ego101 said:

I personally am a bit disappointed that he didnt write the majority of the lyrics himself..

That's what i wanted to Hear!

What he's been feeling- directly from him.

If you check the writing credits of Voodoo the only track that was written solely by D' is One Mo' Gin. Although I did think this a bit at first I dont think D' has ever had a reputation as a songwriter or lyricist... it's all groove based and I assume from past interviews that the music comes first and lyrics are written after.. or at least with the emphasise on the music.

After a full day of listening Im really starting to appreciate the album ..definitely have favorite tracks already. (I cant believe how nice Really Love sounds) A couple of track haven't really done it for me but as I listen more maybe they will grow on me.

Whats everyones thoughts on "The Door" ?? For me its very Un-D'Angelo like in terms of its conventional structure and seems a bit at odds with the rest of the album.

KingSausage said:

This is the best album I've heard in years.

Uh yeah, this is pretty amazing. Love me some AOA also so I am quite pelased with how 2014 is ending up.

D's written some nice lyrics on his own on his 1st two albums.

thebongobaron said:

Ego101 said:

I personally am a bit disappointed that he didnt write the majority of the lyrics himself..

That's what i wanted to Hear!

What he's been feeling- directly from him.

If you check the writing credits of Voodoo the only track that was written solely by D' is One Mo' Gin. Although I did think this a bit at first I dont think D' has ever had a reputation as a songwriter or lyricist... it's all groove based and I assume from past interviews that the music comes first and lyrics are written after.. or at least with the emphasise on the music.

After a full day of listening Im really starting to appreciate the album ..definitely have favorite tracks already. (I cant believe how nice Really Love sounds) A couple of track haven't really done it for me but as I listen more maybe they will grow on me.

Whats everyones thoughts on "The Door" ?? For me its very Un-D'Angelo like in terms of its conventional structure and seems a bit at odds with the rest of the album.

LittleBLUECorvette said:

when does the Physical copy hit stores, tomorrow?

Yeah, I'm surprised this hasn't been revealed yet. Maybe another week? That's how it worked last year with the "Beyonce" surprise release.

Nick715 said:

LittleBLUECorvette said:

when does the Physical copy hit stores, tomorrow?

Yeah, I'm surprised this hasn't been revealed yet. Maybe another week? That's how it worked last year with the "Beyonce" surprise release.

Physical CD available on Amazon now.

I'm surprised no one is talking about how this album was already pressed, in my Target store at 10:00AM, had a listening party that everyone knew about, was obviously finished for some time, and NO LEAK!!!

He has some dedicated people working for him!

CynicKill said:

LittleBLUECorvette said:

CynicKill said:

I'm surprised no one is talking about how this album was already pressed, in my Target store at 10:00AM, had a listening party that everyone knew about, was obviously finished for some time, and NO LEAK!!!

He has some dedicated people working for him!

It's a Target?

>

It sure as hell is!

I went early because last week when I went after work they sold out of every single copy of J Cole's non publicized album! I guess it shows talent will sell no matter what.

CynicKill said:

LittleBLUECorvette said:

CynicKill said:

I'm surprised no one is talking about how this album was already pressed, in my Target store at 10:00AM, had a listening party that everyone knew about, was obviously finished for some time, and NO LEAK!!!

He has some dedicated people working for him!

It's a Target?

Are they sellling or waiting until Tuesday?

spookEElectric said:

Graycap23 said:

LittleBLUECorvette said:

CynicKill said: It's a Target?

Are they sellling or waiting until Tuesday?

>

I have a physical copy in my hands as we speak. It was 13.99.

babynoz said:

deebee said:

Just listened and I'm already leaning out of my window, calling "Merry Christmas!" to random street urchins in the snow. When the album drops in a couple of days, I suspect I'll be tossing them a bag of coins to run and buy the fattest goose in the shop.

God bless us, everyone.....with razzle berry dressing

...and chicken grease.

2freaky4church1 said:

Nobody is angry at the racism on 1000 deaths? Khalid Muhammad?

Check the OP for D's own clarification regarding the title and general idea behind the album. It should give you a vague idea of what the context of the clip's use is. I don't think D is trying to paint the guy in a positive light.

Also, friends, I come bearing news: #BlackMessiah has been trending on twitter for the past three or so days... currently sitting at the umber four position. Well done D and team. What an epic release plan.

Also, does anyone know what language the sample at the start of Really Love is in? And if so, can you translate it too?

Brilliant, incredibly solid album. A musically rich, deep journey.

Love the way he references Prince's (unreleased) 'The Line' at the beginning of 'The Charade'.

Ain't That Easy & 1000 Deaths are pretty damn good! not awe inspiring masterpiece good. But very fucking none the less! Sugah Daddy is still meh to me. Still gotta listen to the rest.

purplethunder3121 said:

Nick715 said:

Yeah, I'm surprised this hasn't been revealed yet. Maybe another week? That's how it worked last year with the "Beyonce" surprise release.

Physical CD available on Amazon now.

Thanks!

coltrane3 said:

Is anyone else having a lukewarm reaction to this? I mean, it's completely fine and pleasant but the lead up was that it was somehow otherworldy, and for me it's just not. And I loved his first two albums.

What is it about D'Angelo? Whenever it's even hinted that he's going to release something people freak out and act like it's going to be the best music ever made and that music will be saved.

Again, this was fine. I do really like "Charade" and the album closer "Another Life." "Betray My Heart" was a little piece of jaunty fun.

The rest seems one-note. Repetitive vamping in nearly every song. I don't know. Everyone was waiting for this? I would have rather had a Maxwell album if I had to choose.

Ok, can we agree on a few things?

1. Due to whatever sort of stuff influences what's going on in the brain, we can see that people are influenced/caused to like different albums, song, types of music, musicians, etc. to varying degree.

2. Sometimes people can get excited for something, a lot, especially if they're happy to know that thing is coming.

3. Sometimes more than one or two people get excited for a thing, leading to a widespread collective excitement for said thing.

Now, what's the problem here? It just seems like you're surprised by the idea that any group of people can get hugely excited over something you yourself don't particularly like. I don't mean to compel you or anyone else to like the album any more or less. I just mean that, the discussion you're trying to start, which has been repeated again and again and again so many times till exhaustion, is just futile and pointless.

Breaking the Voodoo curse: D'Angelo, Black Messiah, and the perils of perfection

After 14 years of near silence, the savior of soul set the internet on fire last night

• By Ben Popper
• on December 15, 2014 03:10 pm

6

I heard D'Angelo for the first time at the turn of the new millennium, and like many people, I felt that I had stumbled onto the savior of modern music. His 2000 masterpiece Voodoo was a completely unique mixture of funk, R&B, gospel, and hip-hop: the guiding star of the nascent neo-soul genre. It went to number one on the Billboard charts, sold millions of copies, and won numerous high profile awards. You could be forgiven for asking, "How is he going to top that?"

The answer was brutally simple: he didn't. For the last 14 years D'Angelo has been silent, save a few middling singles and numerous rumors about his health, sanity, and the progress of a follow up. And then, without much warning, it arrived at midnight last night, a 12-track album entitled Black Messiah. For a man whose career essentially missed the modern internet, new music from D'Angelo did not fail to set social media on fire.

I feel conflicted about critiquing this record, mostly because I'm just overjoyed that D'Angelo feels comfortable and confident to make and release new music. I'm rooting for him, in other words, in a way that I don't for most musicians. Voodoo was such a powerful antidote to the stuff that passed for R&B at my high school, hits from teeny boppers like Britney Spears, N'Sync, and 98 Degrees.

Black Messiah doesn't measure up

If I'm being brutally honest, however, Black Messiah doesn't measure up. The greatest joy of Voodoo was D'Angelo's vocal range, alternating from silky smooth to ragged gospel to lascivious funk. He plays with that diversity on this new album, but to me his vocals sound far less distinctive and are often buried beneath a layer of distortion that smothers the transcendent sensation I get listening to tracks like Voodoo's "Untitled (How Does It Feel)."

On "How Does It Feel," D'Angelo's voice is double- and triple-layered, crafting elegant harmonies with himself. The instrumental backing is minimal, building to a series of crescendos around his aching vocals. It was a rare instance of an artist baring himself completely — both musically and, in the unforgettable video, physically. It made him into a sex symbol and, more than decade later, hasn't lost any of its power. The video is four and half minutes, but for the real experience, listen to the full album version and wait for that moment six minutes in (Six. Minutes.) when he completely lets loose.

The new D'Angelo sounds like what it is: the tortured follow-up to an album that cannot be topped

All of which is to say, Black Messiah is music that I like. It's full of live instrumentation, interesting arrangements, and strikingly human vocals that stand out against the majority of singers on the charts and in the clubs these days. There are weird digressions and also tight grooves, but ultimately the new D'Angelo sounds like what it is: the tortured follow-up to an album that cannot be topped, plagued by 14 years of self-doubt from the singular genius at the center of it.

On "Back to the Future (Part I)," D'Angelo sings "So if you're wondering about the shape I'm in / I hope it ain't my abdomen you're referring to." That's a sly joke about his personal struggles with substance abuse and weight gain, a nice moment where he shows a sense of humor about the demons that have kept him silent for so long. I think that's why I feel like such a heel for reviewing this album. Every album cannot be a new Voodoo; hell, it's possible he'll never reach those highs again. I'm just happy D'Angelo is back, and apparently the rest of the internet is, too. I hope this record, whatever its flaws, means we can expect more new music from him, preferably sooner than 2028.