Affirmations for Erykah

   

I hate to be less than timely, but I could not write about Erykah Badu's New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) last week, when it was released. I had not yet absorbed it. It was too dense for me to process immediately -- like the afro of raised fists, smoke stacks, unborn babies, syringes, laptops, turntables and handcuffs that frames Erykah's face on its cover, it was a lot to get around my head.

My initial reaction was to drool slackjawed in this album's wake, but then someone whose opinion I often trust more than my own told me he thought it was an unfinished mess, and that made me reevaluate everything. I think that's maybe what I needed to understand the album: it's not something to experience, per se, but something to sift through. The album offers enough material to make the brilliant-mess-vs.-messy-mess debate thrive until the third World War wipes us all out. Until then, please consider me a proud trash-picker.

I almost (but not quite!) hasten to proclaim my adoration for this album (OMG, I can't stop listening to it), because I feel biased. I feel like I have a predisposition toward getting it and loving it, because it speaks to me so directly on an ideological level (except for, you know, that whole Farrakhan thing). Below are some points on which I feel that I see eye-to-eye with Ms. Badu. Take me with a grain of salt that's even bigger than usual -- if, unlike me, you aren't feeling the way Erykah does, you might not be feeling the album.

She believes in progress - If Erykah's 1997 debut Baduizm was dinner-party music fit for an Oprah soirée, New Amerykah Part One is the soundtrack for a shrooming picnic. Nothing could have predicted the queasy concoction of a disco stomp, wandering upright bass, near-tribal clap-and-shuffle percussion and sunny horns that is "Me," or the way the keyboards disintegrate over firearm-echoing snares in "Twinkle," or "Master Teacher," which chugs along like it's wading through cosmic slop (aided by Motowny strings and looped vocals from Curtis Mayfield's "Freddie's Dead"), only to stumble into a mid-song lite-jazz stroll. Sonically, the album is out of its mind, and that's by design: it's all sort of a meta commentary on the current state of R&B. She told BET.com: "I see a change very soon and I’m just ready for music to be just so creative and expansive all across the board. And I’ma do anything in my power to inject a little bit into that every chance I get." See? She told you she was the healer.

She believes in the people - The music is meta-commentary (though its thrilling melodies elevate it beyond polemic), and consciousness runs through the album's lyrics as well. Sometimes she talks about what's going on upstairs and on the radio in one glorious swoop (when she sings, "You've been programmed," in "The Healer," she's talking about the tendency toward mediocrity of today's hip-hop, as well as our resulting lowered expectations). But mostly, it's just straightforward social commentary. She spins age-old tales that will always be worth spinning as long as epidemics persist ("They keep us uneducated, sick and depressed / They end up in blood / Doctor, I'm addicted, now I'm under arrest / They end up in blood"), and preaches to the converted so that we don't become unconverted or think we're crazy for holding onto faith in that elusive concept of justice for all. There's something deliciously impish, if not problematic, in her attempt to give power to the people - my favorite track, the relatively sparse, knocking and flutey "Soldier," is as much as a call to arms ("Do you want to see / Everybody rise to the next degree / Raise your hands high if you agree / Just say yes sir-ee") as it is a declaration of the right to bear them ("We gon' keep marchin on / Till we hear that freedom song / And if you think about turnin’ back / I got the shot gun on your back”). Malcolm would be proud.

She believes that fame is crippling - "Sometimes it's hard to move, you see / When you're growing publicly," she sings in "Me." This we all know, if we've ever looked at the Internet, like, once and bore witness to the developmentally arrested stars that occupy our current pantheon. But I can't even express how refreshing it is to hear one of them acknowledge it.

She believes that nature and nurture are not mutually exclusive - The title of "The Cell" refers to both the DNA that predisposes people to addiction ("Momma hopped up on cocaine / Daddy on space ships with no brain / Sister gon' numb the pain the same / Why? / Same DNA cell") and the prison their life becomes as a result. The title's double meaning is wondrously succinct commentary, and that fact is elucidated by the fact that the song's alternate title was once "Jail Cell vs. DNA Cell." I know this because it's in one of her handwritten notes that accompanies the lyrics of every song in the CD booklet. Said booklet is required reading and it makes buying the album (instead of pirating it) in one's best interest. So she's doing her part for the diseased music industry, too. Does her charity ever cease?

She believes in the power of subtlety - "My People" may just sound like a three-and-a-half minute ride to nowhere, as Badu chants "Hold on / my people" repeatedly over Madlib's microtones and piston-like percussion. It isn't until you listen, like really, really listen, that you're able realize there's an actual song, however freely associative, that lurks underneath. Also, Badu's voice keeps its tempered tang most of the time throughout New Amerykah Part One, which is such a nice contrast to the music: she's put together while her sound is all over the place. However, when she does take it to church, she can knock your ass on the floor her poor character's brother sleeps on in "That Hump." She pours so much emotion into the lines, "I’m livin’ check to check / Just tryin’ to pay my rent and I can feel it comin’ down around me / And these children / A boy / A little girl, and she’s so pretty / Oh, feel me / We just need a better house." They sound not trite, but like an entirely new look.

She believes in the power of staying true to yourself - All of the sonic globetrotting and hallucinatory experimentation is wonderful, but it's on the album's most straightforward track, "Telephone," that Badu hits her emotional high-point. An ode to the late Dilla (it was inspired by a story his mom told Erykah the day he died and recorded the day after his funeral), it's full of the Baduisms you'd expect if you were only familiar with Erykah's first album. It's a slow, jazzy repetitive little thing that takes over seven minutes to unfurl, and I love how simple it is. It's as though tragedy has forced Erykah back into the musical womb, and instead of sounding regressive, what comes out is beauty. May all of us be heralded with such a stunning obituary.

Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Yes sir-ee. Amen.

Comments

[Noel]

I can't wait to hear the album. The few tracks I have heard are so amazing.

[Ian]

I ate up Worldwide Underground and from the reviews I've read so far, this is nothing like it. So that worries me a little...But your review's making me seriously consider shelling out the 10.99

[Shawn-Shawn]

I too am having trouble saying much about this album just yet because it unfolds in a different way each time I listen to it (I've had it on repeat since last Tuesday). What I love about it is the way that Ms. Badu has created a sort of militant, post-Civil Rights blaxploitation-inspired album that still feels utterly modern in its sound and lyrical content. It's an experimental, loosely-structured album that still maintains a very clear point of view.

"Telephone" is achingly beautiful, and hopefully indicative of what's to come on Part II of the album (due out in June, Badu has said that it is the "emotional" counterpoint to Part I's political edge). Right now, "Soldier" is on repeat for me, probably because, in many ways, it's the most easily accessible track.

I spent yesterday listening to all of her albums straight through, chronologically, and I can easily say she is one of the most progressive forces in music right now.

[jtalia]

i already love "telephone" and "me" for her duet with the trumpet

fly away, put in a word for me...

[RD]

@Ian: Really? Most of Metacritic's reviews love this album, except for Rolling Stone. Then again, in my opinion, Rolling Stone's felt iffy and/or hated the majority of R&B records released in the past few years or so. I think the highest rating I've seen on a Rolling Stone review for an R&B album in the past few years (that was not a re-release) was 3.5 stars.

[vince]

i've had the album since early last week, but haven't had the time to sit down and listen to it. your review only makes me that much more eager to get to it. fuckin' schedules.

[BlackRaspberry]

I'm inclined to agree with you in the "brilliant vs. mess" deabte, and I'm not even a Badu stan. I've always tried to pay attention to what she's doing, but I don't own any of her albums

But ever since "The Healer" leaked (thanks for that, btw), I've been loving the sound of this album. In terms of the music, she's really the black Bjork, and that's the highest compliment I can give a musician.

[Brandon H]

I haven't heard the album yet, but thanks for the review. I'll definitely check it out.

[AmazonRed]

I feel like with every E. Badu album (except the first, i ate that shit up immediately) it takes a few listens to 'click'. Glad my moment came last Wed... Been listening to it so much it's now on moratorium...

LOVE the review... LOVE u!

[dodger]

never listened to Badu album before this one, though i had heard of her and i remeber that roots video OK. Anyways she's certainly hitting her stride here, good album start to finish though not all songs commanded my attention. The Cell definatley the standout track. I think with sequel albums one of the sequels has to suck badly, if this is the suck then the next one will be pretty sweet.

[Gus]

I totally agree with AmazonRed in that each Badu album is a puzzle at first but soon the pieces just go together and it's music magic.

I love Badu and I love New Amerykah. I'm so proud I can sing the chant in the Healer ("Hamduleelah...") Her cipher will keep moving like a rolling stone.

I wonder if it can be the first Badu album to reach #1 on the charts, it's #2 right now behind Janet. She's always so close.

[Jaso]

I live in Canada and the album just came out yesterday, I've been listening to it on loop all day and I'm just loving it more and more. The "Mad as Hell" bit from "Network"? Amazing, I never thought I'd hear that here. Telephone is amazing. And I love, love, love Honey, especially after seeing the video, it's so much fun.

[Lea]

Anyone who feels the need not only to "salute" a sack of shit like Farrakhan (and to insist he's not an anti-Semite, which to me makes her as bad as he is) but to actually say that in a song isn't worth the time, money, or mental effort to listen to. I'm sorry, but ignoring someone's admiration for a hateful bigot because she's put some funky beats together is ridiculous. Rick, I love your ANTM recaps and you crack me up most of the time - and your cat rules - but I have to disagree with you here.

And sure, people are allowed to have their opinions, including Ms. Badu, but so am I - and my opinion is she's a hypocrite and a traitor to her own people for admiring the idea of hatred for an entire group of people based on nothing except who they are...I assume she knows black people have been victims of the exact same thing.

[KatieRae]

i think more than anything, i love reading fourfour because you delve into my deepest need to find understanding on an intellectual level. and even though i don't know you, i can imagine you speaking these things instead of writing them. and also, you give me something to do besides pay attention during my classes.

[BayBB]

Thank you for reviewing this album Rich. I adore it and have been curious to read what you think of it! Personally, I think it's her best. It took me a good 2 time of listening to it before I could wrap my brain around it but it was worth it. Loves it!

[James Derek Dwyer]

I love this album- loved Worldwide Underground too. She's a real deal.

[Chaka]

I think it's OK. There are definitely gems (Telephone, Soldier, That Hump), but I feel like something is missing.

I understand that she's planning on releasing a few of these over the next year. As I sat listening to this, I wished that she would just release them all at once so I can absorb/understand her work as a whole. I feel like it might reveal something. Surely, she wants us to take it in in pieces. But it really does feel unfinished as is.

[Someone Whose Opinion Rich Often Trusts More Than His Own]

Umm... I didn't know you held my opinions in such high regards.

But anyway, after sitting with the album for awhile, it's not nearly as much of a mess as I initially thought. I still think it sounds unfinished in places though. I refuse to make any final comment on the album until 2010.

[BlackRaspberry]

I think it's also worth mentioning that "My People" is a sort-of tribute to Dilla as well, as he used the source material for the track "People" on his final album, Donuts.

[Billy]

love this girl.btw, I saw this pic before on a celeb site called ‘MarryMillionaire dot com’! Is that fake or real?

[Junkie4Kelis]

If people only knew how powerful this album is!! I can't stop listening to it!

[Om]

Dammit Rich! You said everything that I wanted to say about this album. My friend aren't filling it, but if they only new the awesomeness Erykah is packing into this Album! Can't wait for Part Two! Thank you again for sharing your review; I've been listening to her Album since I bought it from FYE . . . If only there was a local record store, I would've bought it from there, just for the support!

Kudos

[cutell]

i saw this pic on a celebrities and wealthy website named "MarryMillionaire.com". a bit curious.

[Lisa]

I absolutely agree. This is an awesome, awesome album and I too cannot stop listening to it. It's too bad there are so few artists out there who are really creating such amazing, CREATIVE work.

She is truly unique.

[onlytheone2]

Hahaha!! It was all a prank on the paparazzi!! Its that new show on E! Pop Fiction. Its freakn awsome. The celebrities play pranks on the pap. What a genies idea. Paris Hiltons one was great all the pap bit right into it. Shes not religious come on people. I love this show. Heres the link you wanted.

http://www.eonline.com/on/shows/popfiction/index.jsp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41Iw4qvy8jQ