Elephunk [PA] - Black Eyed Peas > Reviews > Funkin' Good

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Standard
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
Value for Money

Advantages:	So many musical styles
Disadvantages:	One rock track that doesn't work

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

The Black Eyed Peas became hot property after the release of their single ‘Where is the Love’ during the latter part of 2003. Despite having been around since 2000, the group had struggled to find their niche in the music market, although they always had a hardcore following. Maybe it was the decision to have Justin Timberlake appear on the single, that ensured its success, but the band went on to have another hit single ‘Shut Up’ at the end of the year.

Will I. Am and Apl. De Ap met in the USA, their home country while they were at high school during the year of 1989. Deciding to set up a band, Atban Klaan were formed, and managed to secure a recording contract although everything went per shaped soon after. Undeterred, the boys met with Taboo, who became the third member of the band in 1995, and decided to re-name the group The Black Eyed Peas. After securing a recording contract with Interscope Records in 1995, the band released their first album in 1998. Featuring a guest appearance from Macy Gray, the album did not sell particularly well, neither did their second release, also featuring the dulcet tones of Ms. Gray. Deciding not to waver from their distinctive MC and rapping style of music the group went back to the studio in 2001, with their new female vocalist Fergie, to record their third album, timed to coincide with the release of ‘Where is the Love?’

‘Elephunk’, was released in August 2003 and can be purchased from www.hmv.co.uk for £8.99 or from www.play.com for £7.99.

The opening track ‘Hands Up’ has a Twenties quick step influence and is a fine start to the album. The energy in the song shines through and one can almost imagine this being used as a song to get an audience warmed up before a concert. The use of the trumpets and other brass instruments in the track create a blend of jazz and hip hop and sets the tone for the album well.

‘Labour Day’ transports the listener back to the Eighties, with its strong Soul Funk influences and is slightly reminiscent of the Rose Royce feel good vibe. Although a slow song, the wonderful vocal effects in this seem to liven and jazz it up no end, and is a song of celebration and partying, ideal to get the listener in the mood for a night out. Male vocals take the lead, with Fergie’s backing adding a Madonna influence to the song.

Fergie could almost have borrowed the opening lines from this track from Gloria Gaynor. Her amazing strong vocals are joined by a rapping chorus, in this very un-politically correct song that reeks of soul and bass fused with some Eighties funk. The song is so upbeat it is impossible to keep the feet still and is another feel good track.

“Bop your head like epilepsy, up inside ya' club or in your Bentley
Get messy, loud and sick”

‘Hey Mama’ has a Latin influence and features the vocals of Tippa Irie. A light-hearted look at members of the opposite sex, one can almost imagine the male members of the band sliding up to women in a night club with their one liners. A strong blend of funk and dancehall influences make this track a winner.

‘Shut Up’ is a tale of a relationship entering rocky ground. Fergie shines on this classic track, and her vocals are the strongest on the whole album, her rich tones blending fantastically with the guttural male vocals. The bassline dominates the track as the male and female argue about their relationship in a funky-fused spat. Despite the seriousness of the song, I defy anyone not to be jiggling after the first few bars of the song. Fantastic.

The lyrics on ‘Smells like Funk’ are probably the silliest on the album, but the band leap into the track, positively strutting their funky stuff by this point of the album. The listener even ends up believing the lines “Cause if you know that if it smells like Funk then it must be us, if you smellin' Fat Funk then it must be us”. A riff borrowed from ‘Putting on the Ritz’ and the strong dancehall influences turn this song into another contender for top spot on the album.

Yet another style emerges with the track ‘Latin Girls’. The song is a celebration of the female species and is a peach. As the title suggests, the track has strong Latin influences with the maracas, piano and horns used to maximum effect, with the male members of the band even spouting some Spanish for good effect. The outcome? A strong track in which the almost breathless female harmony takes centre stage, in a Latin fiesta.

The mood moves to jazz for the next track, ‘Sexy’, another celebration of women, and Fergie’s sexy deep throated tones, make the song complete. Although the track slows the album down in tempo, one can imagine swishing round the dance-floor bossa nova style, with this playing in the background, despite the lyrics being very sexually oriented.

‘Fly Away’ is the only track on the album written by Fergie, and although the boys start off with an impressive rap introduction, Fergie soon butts in to take over the vocals. Sounding very similar to Nelly Furtado, the track mixes a blend of electric guitars with hip hop and a slightly rockier edge in a tale of a relationship end and the couple deciding to spread their wings and find pastures new. Brilliant.

The mood slows once again with the onset of ‘The Boogie that be’ and goes back to funky overtones with a heavy bassline. Black Eyed Peas do the funk sound so well, and this is one of the strongest tracks on the album. Influences of Eighties band Brass Construction make this a funk collaboration to be proud of, with the band sounding so laid back they are almost comatose. Fab.

‘The Apl song’ tells the tale of growing up in the Philippines, and Apl de Ap takes lead vocals to sing part of the song in his mother tongue. A slow song, interspersed with raps provided by the other band members, Ap proves that he is worthy of taking the lead in any future releases by the band.

‘Anxiety’ sees the band completely change direction to a very heavy rock based sound. The song, a collaboration with Papa Roach, telling of various low points in the band members lives, veers so far away from the rest of the album, it leaves the listener wondering whether the band will be able to get back on track. Sounding like Nickelback on a bad day, this is the thorn of the album.

The band finish the album off with the wonderful ‘Where is the Love?’ on which Justin Timberlake makes a guest appearance. From the opening sound, the beat of the song demands attention and literally grabs the listener by the scruff of the neck. The band ruminate on the state of the World today and the boys prove that not only can they rap, but can provide melodious harmonies as a backing track as well. Peace and love abound in a fine ending to a near perfect album.

The album certainly lives up to its name. Just about every blend of funk possible is included, fused with hip hop and rap, with the exception of the one rock based track ‘Anxiety’. The band are not afraid to experiment, and the huge diversity of the musical styles on the album make it a masterpiece. Although not lyrically strong, the outstanding musical collaborations on the album put it on a pedestal where it rightly belongs.

‘Elephunk’ is quite possibly one of the best albums I have ever purchased, and is a testament to the two years it took the band to produce. The Black Eyed Peas have certainly made an impact on the British public, and their amazing talent for just about every type of musical style imaginable will ensure that they go from strength to strength and earn a place in musical history.