Elephunk [PA] - Black Eyed Peas > Reviews > Smells like funk...??!

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	Funky !  !
Disadvantages:	Some boring songs on the album !

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

The Blackeyed Peas- Elephunk
Interscope records, licensed to Polydor Ltd (UK)

The "peas" are also known as Will.i.am, Fergie,Taboo and Apl.de.ap.

The peas have been around in the hip hop music scene for years know, and true die hard hip hop/RnB fans may say that their commercialisation has spoilt the genre.
However, as one of these fans, I am nothing but impressed with the album.

I tend to buy albums that reflect in a certain memory in my life. When the peas released Shut Up and it was played throughout the whole of my girlie ski trip to South Germany and became our sound track! From then on, we all had to get it!

As a musician myself I can appreciate the fine form of all things musical, but particularly the catchy tunes with a range of rythmical influences such as salsa and latino which i love. In a nutshell then, its just down right funky!

In my opinion, the album is very good, strong and powerful. No two songs are the same in style, each has a different influence usually the beat and rhythm.

The Album

1 Hands Up-
An awesome start to the album, with a very heady jazz influence with the corps of Saxophones, typical jazz woodwinds and a very catchy syncopated rhythm, a great way to start the album.

2 Labor Day- (it's a holiday)
Great, summer chill out tune- to the bank holiday anyway!

3 Lets get retarded (The single was "Lets get it started"- a lot less offensive!) Still as catchy as the released ammended one!
Big phat beat and good rapping!

4Hey Mama-
Another released trackm reached quite high in the charts and was used as the first Ipod commercial tune! One that you cant help but shake your bon bon too! Again ripped up the clubs!

5 Shut Up-
So catchy, i think it got to number 1, definitely number 2! My holiday anthem! The beat is oh so catchy, the lyrics are a bit depressing, a guy and a girl arguing full on, but the melody and the beat overcome the bickering and you just dance singing away to Shut up, Shut up Shut up ..... The rap bit its good aswell, you will know all the words after a few plays!

6 Smells like funk
A chilling out song, relaxed beats and bass and a good melody.
This one will grow if you dont like it at first!

7 Latin girls
Gorgeous latino rhythm, nice words, nothing too shocking. A good one to smooch to, and have a little salsa.

8 Sexy
Another grower! Track 6-12 are purely album songs that haven't been relaesed. These are all well composed but not as good as the released songs.

9 Fly away
Very good lyrics. An ok tune

10 The boogie that be
A very big bass line, and beat. You will be boogying to this one. Complete with a rap section!

11 The apl song
ok, not the best on the album

12 Anxiety
not my favourite by a long shot!

13 Where is the love
What an Anthem, if you buy this album just for this song then do it. The words are so touching and it really makes you stop and think. This song unites people and the melody is very well composed. Sing at the top of your voices!!

14 Third eye
ok, fair.

Overall, this is a good album to have in your collection. In my opinion there are 5 good songs on the album that I bought the album for. The rest of the album is made of good songs that you'll grow to like. I love the whole album now.

I also had the special edition, with 2 bonus tracks
Rock my Sh*t and whats going down. These are fair.

The album art is very catchy, with each, member taking a corner with a mean looking elephant in the middle! Its blues and creams.

The album is parental advisory and I wouldn't want a child under
15 listening to this, however, I think i may be a bit wishful on that one. There is what could be offensive material on the album, and strong reference to sex in some songs and is gritty in places.

Its a worthwhile investment if you like your Hip Hop cross with RnB

Thanks for reading - Naomi x