New Amerykah, Pt. 1: 4th World War Reviews

• Jazz/Funk beamed from Mars...

  
  By A24N1BAS3CU27H on 2008-02-26
  Erykah Badu's new single "Honey" is a catchy upbeat retro funk ditty which still manages to sound contemporary. It's so joyful, no wonder it was picked as the lead-off single for her third studio album proper (though I felt her brilliant "Worldwide underground" was more than just an EP). However, those looking for more of the same on "New Amerykah part 1: World war 4" (the first of a planned trilogy) will be sorely disappointed as nothing else on the CD sounds like it. Maybe that is why "Honey" gets tucked as a hidden track at the end of the CD.
  
  Erykah is like the Radiohead of Soul music. After her introduction to the world on the multi platinum, multi Grammy winning "Baduizm", she went off on a different tangent, largely eschewing regular song structure for loose but intricately structured musical movements, and cerebral, often indiscernible lyrics.
  
  Her new 11 track CD is even more off kilter and uncommercial. It can best be described as a futuristic fusion of funk and jazz beamed from Mars, and I'm sure her record label Motown must have done the same head scratching it did ages ago when Marvin Gaye presented his magnum opus "What's going on" for release. To fully appreciate it, one has to put aside expectations of regular song structure and just go with the flow.
  
  Opening cut "Amerykhan promise" sounds like the soundtrack to some seventies blaxploitation movie with alternating male narration and female harmonies set to a funky bassline and interspersed with horns. One can almost see the women with their huge afros and platforms going "I promise, I promise". "The healer/hip hop" has a haunting feel with chiming triangles, an echoing choir, and lyrics proclaiming hip hop to be "bigger than religion or the government".
  
  The autobiographical "Me" is one of the more straightforward sounding songs (sprawling and lacking a formal chorus, as does almost every other song); muted sax gently floating against a breezy seventies Marvin Gaye sound, and deeply personal lyrics like "Had two babies, different dudes/ and thought for both my love was true ... hey, that's me.", ending in a vocals/sax duet.
  
  "My people" is a hypnotic sounding song with a skeletal groove, gentle percussion, tribal sounding chants and sparse singing extorting black people to "keep on moving on", with a brief Martin Luther King excerpt ending it. Another more easily accessible song is "Soldier" with rumbling hip hop beats, ghostly harmonising and lyrics touching on black on black violence, Katrina and other issues, while some male vocal exclaims "Uh" and "Hah" intermittently. "The cell" is jazz fusion with semi spoken lyrics touching on a "mama hopped up on cocaine" and ending acappella.
  
  "Twinkle" rumbles along gently with skittery beats and a constant twinkling sound, electronic effects and disembodied harmonies, the final two or so minutes of the almost seven minutes is spent with some male voice telling us of the dire state of the times (after some strange voice speaking in what sounds somewhat like South African click, or is it a transmission from Mars??) against an eerie string backdrop. Talk about off kilter!
  
  "Master teacher" is a woozy, psychedelic sounding groove which shifts tempo midway into a lilting piano sprinkled jazz piece with subtle electronic flourishes. "That hump" is a shimmery sounding midtempo song with a creeping bassline, a chorus of sorts, and a very nice horn sprinkled Motown-like bridge. The meandering eight minute long "Telephone" is a tribute to the late producer J Dilla. "Just fly away to heaven brother, make a place for me" she sings against a gently floating jazzy backdrop (dreamy harmonies, gentle hand percussion, and fleeting horns with muted hand claps coming in towards the final two minutes).
  
  This CD might be bewildering at first, there is simply nothing else out there that sounds like it, but it is one that with time some will go, "Oh, now I get it!" while others never will. I see this making many end of year best album lists (it's on mine already), as well as Ms Badu making some more room in her Grammy cabinet.
  
  
  

• Mixed feelings.....

  
  By AT393OR1JTYNR on 2008-02-26
  Erykah Badu's new CD reminds me of D'Angelo's "Voodoo" in that it exists as sonic meditation. D'Angelo's debut also had a hypnotic vibe to it, but it balanced the commercial with his vision. Then, on "Voodoo," he joined with Questlove, whose drumming skills pretty much drove the album's sound. It was an artistic statement for sure, but one has to be in a specific mood and mindset to appreciate. I'm all for artists following their vision, making an album and not trying to appease the mainstream, but an album still has to be enjoyable. The downside to artists these days is that it seems being an artist entails making low-key, rhythm-driven music that's ultra mellow and exhibits a stream-of-consciousness vibe.
  That can be appreciated in doses, but, that somewhat strays from what makes music powerful. Such music, even when done well, can come off as ultra self-conscious. R.E.M. has been making such music for years, and while solid, it just feels cold.
  Erykah Badu makes warm music, but this new CD seems like it will sit right next to D'Angelo's "Voodoo" as an album one can respect, but doesn't listen to that much.
  I'm not saying go out and buy the latest Britney Spears slice of shallow pop, but Badu's album seems to demand too many factors to be in place to enjoy it. Even the "geniuses" in music's past offered enough balance of artistic vision and enjoyability.
  Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" is held up as pure artistic vision, but it also balances his vision with a melodic sound that incorporates commercial elements.
  Both Badu and D'Angelo need to clear out some of the smoky haze from their albums and offer a little something more for their fans. Sure, I understand artists do things out of their own desire and whims, and that's fine, but if you're going to put out an album, I don't think there's anything wrong in the potential audience wanting something that they can enjoy on a more topical level.
  In other words, sometimes I want some "fun" with the artistry, "finger snapping" with the socially conscious message, and something more than cerebral musings over mellow, smoky vibes.
  The most remembered songs and albums achieve such a balance.
  And I believe Erykah Badu can achieve it again, without making "Baduizm Part Two."
  
  

• Erykah At War With Herself?

  
  By A1QJHZUUMKZYZG on 2008-03-10
  Let me start off by saying I am a HUGE Erykah's fan. In a world of blandness and crappy songs, Erykah is one of those artists that will use music to challenge you. She is inspiring, different, creative, daring, unpredictable and a saver of soul music. On this record, I don't know what Erykah is trying to do. I usually love kilter and uncommercial music by Erykah...but I am really at lost with this project.
  
  The album starts off with "Amerykhan promise". Despite its weirdness, this is one of the few tracks I dig. The song sounds like it came from a soundtrack to a 70s blaxploitation movie. Erykah is trading lines with a male narrator and the bassline and horns are blaring. This song will surely cause some religion folks to sit up because Erykah is basically saying hip hop is "bigger than religion or the government".
  
  The song "Me" is autobiographical and deeply personal. Erykah gives us a look into her world as she confronts some of the decisions she has made in her life. This song basically tells us to accept her for who she is and nothing else because she is comfortable in her skin. The music can be described as a smooth jazz set to 70s soul.
  
  Erykah's "Honey" is retro-contemporary funk song that sounds out of place on this strange project. It's probably the only song that is radio-friendly, which explains why it is a hidden track and is the first single.
  
  "The cell" (jazz), "Master teacher" (psychedelic) "That hump" (crazy bassline), and "Soldier" (great message) deserves special recognition from me. However, it took MULTIPLE listenings for me to understand these songs.
  
  As for "My people" and the other songs, I probably will never like (and trust me, I have tried). However, I don't consider this cd a lost cause. Erykah plays by her own rules and this is why I respect her so much. So I will say this to Ms. Badu, even though I am struggling with this project please keep challenging and provoking us with your music.
  
  

• Very Disappointed

  
  By A1BRMISSXLO203 on 2008-02-28
  I was expecting a little more from Ms. Badu on this album- I was so excited that I pre-ordered it. I can appreciate the actual music, but I was looking for a little more from the lyrical side from her (well, she does actually speak, but barely sings). The whole album sounds like splices of interludes streamed together. I am going to have to screen her next album before I purchase it, to make sure there is something there worth buying.
  
  

• the scales tip strongly in Erykah's favor

  
  By A1MSARPH08VX3I on 2008-03-04
  New Amerykah - 4th World War is the album that will assuage your fears that the lighter, fluffier Worldwide Underground was to be her new direction. This album proves Worldwide was just a ho-hum side trip with a couple tunes that worked really well in concert. And yes, real horns are back! None of the fake, sterile, synth-brass of Worldwide.
  
  This is an album Marvin Gaye would be proud of, and I'd not say that about most hip-hop of the past 5 years... the worst years so far. It doesn't sound like any Marvin but it has that level of heart, yearning, hope and fine crafting of songs. You can dream and even have hope with these lyrics and melodies, rather than just bob your drunken head in the club. This album is like a bag of creeper. Amerykahn Promise and the cryptic, beautiful metaphor of The Healer sucked me right in but the rest took a bit of time. I know the deal, though. Great music isn't a trip to McDonald's for a Happy Meal. Great music isn't guzzling a pint of whiskey in 30 minutes for the quick buzz.
  
  4th World War is like Mama's Gun and Vespertine in that those first couple tuesday 2/26/08 listens didn't have me thinking it was at the level of previous works, yet I kept wanting to hear it again. 4 days and 10 listens later I was thinking this is a great album. Now I know it's a great album. This is an ocean or river when too many hip-hop "artists" and fans are scared to leave the kiddie pool.
  
  Twinkle, Soldier, That Hump and Telephone are going to melt hearts in concert. Amerikahn Promise can be a power-funk bookend, slinking in and out of Parliament, NWA, Marley or whatever else she and the band feel on that night. Honey can go either way, from major dance tune to slowed down, southern drawl soul.
  
  Still... Erykah needs at least one album where she is surrounded by totally organic masters of high improvisation rather than continuing to record with people who are going to sit at a computer for a while, only to call her after they "have a beat". With William Parker & Hamid Drake (Corn Meal Dance, Raining on the Moon, New World Pygmies, Vol. 2), on bass, traps, hand drums, ngoni, etc... and with a great kora player and sympathetic pianist, and maybe Nels Cline (Interstellar Space Revisited (The Music of John Coltrane), Destroy All Nels Cline, The Inkling) and Evan Parker (Time Lapse) when she wants things to go way out into space, she could make a really primordial, beautiful, natural sounding album of deeply inner-space music. Think Erykah and acquaintances creating their own sonic world as did Carla Bozulich on Evangelista and Hello, Voyager.
  
  Don't bother with all the reviews written after 1 listen. Some were obviously written DURING their 1 and only listen. This is a heck of a collection of new songs. Badu is Back!
  
  
  
• BRILLIANT!!
  By A1RG1W2S3HNOWB on 2008-02-28
  WOW!! This album has had so many mixed reviews, from what i've seen online. If people understand Erykah, they will know that she is NOT your everyday kinda woman! She is a deep,sacred,virtuous, unique black woman on a WHOOOOOLE other level, and she is on her journey to even higher, spiritual, creative heights, both personally and musically, and boy am i travelling with her!! lol...
  I'm loving this album!! i guess being an old soul helps (i'm 25 and LOVE 70s funk, from vicki anderson to james brown, and classic soul) and i also love Madlib's beats from the albums he has out at the moment, and the work he did with Madvillan. The man's a genius! And of course i'm a huge neo-soul fan :).. I just can't wait to listen to it some more, so i can delve into the lyrics and even more of the production! I'm loving the whole album, but especially 'me', 'soldier', 'the cell' (man what a beat!), master teacher, honey and telephone..
  
  This is MOST DEFINITELY different from her previous albums, so i wouldn't advise anyone who hasn't listened to it yet, to listen to it with her previous work in mind! If you're a commercial head, u won't like this album or 'get' it, SIMPLE lol.. You'll only like 'honey' lol, but if you're a deep neo soul/alternative/funk lover, u will luv it!.. If you're an Erykah fan and disappointed with this album, after a few more listens i think u will begin to feel it, especially if u embrace her individuality! :)..
  
  At the end of the day, it all depends on your personal musical tastes and also by viewing Erykah for MORE than just the music, and not to 'pigeon-hole' her music, and by capturing her essence as a person and the essence of her music, and understanding and appreciating that people grow and change...
  
  
• Truly "New" Amerykah.
  By A23IOPI0D1OG7V on 2008-03-08
  This is the kind of work that will initially confuse and confound a lot of fans but will be hailed a masterpiece years from now. Well...I'm not waiting that long. "4th World War" is the deepest, most organically funky album Ms. Badu has produced yet and it finally does something I was beginning to lose hope of ever happening; it raises the bar! R&B is usually a big yawn to me with copycat divas, generic crooners and phony 'neo soulsters' flooding the market with a glut of pedestrian, unlistenable works, so it's extremely pleasant to hear an already established and popular artist take some risks and produce an unconventional, loosely structured, ridiculously brilliant and crafty work from deep inside her mind, by sheer will, it just works. Mind you, "4th World War" isn't just great because it's different; it's great because it covers a myriad of topics (love, hate, paranoia, depression, war, sexism, addiction, love for hip-hop, aging, maturity) at such a blinding pace and without being preachy that the happy listener feels both exhausted and exhilarated after the experience. Erykah has done it again. Don't miss this one! A Masterpiece.
  
  
• Its Been To Long.... Welcome back!!!!
  By A1II5KYQFLKMB8 on 2008-02-26
  I'll say this much for E. Badu, she is not one to rest on laurels. Nu Amerykah is a truly experimental if not daring project that requires you listen to it several times over. I instantly fell in love with Baduizm and Mama's Gun (one of my favorite CD's ever), I also continue to have a deep appreciation for World Wide Underground. With all that, I was expecting the same response to her latest effort. I was drawn to parts instantly, such as Me, That Hump, Telephone, and of course Honey. The rest of the albums tracks are slowly growing on me. The concept of Amerykah is truly intriguing, and I believe that the album needs to be taken as whole to truly "get it". I am giving myself several more listens, before I make up my mind. All in All, I am just happy to have a new effort by one of my favorite artists again.
  
  
• Her Worst Effort To Date
  By A29RF2Z8YYSVZ0 on 2008-02-28
  As someone previously stated, this CD sounds like it came from Mars. How a talented lady can output such a horrific mess is beyond me. Her first CD was a masterpiece. This, however,is very scattered, frantic and highly unlistenable. Erykah, what were you thinking?
  
  
• Revolutionary, Futuristic, Soulful and Creative
  By ANMM9PJ6TM4BM on 2008-02-28
  Okay people, now you know Erykah doesn't obide by the rules, she creates them on her spiritual/soulful/creative journey. I've been waiting for this CD since Worldwide Underground and I must admit, Erykah had me scratching my head so hard, that I needed dandruff shampoo ;-) Her new style kinda reminds me of "Jamiroquai", the European artist that I adore.
  
  I knew Erykah was gonna come out with something totally different and I knew I wouldn't catch it with the first listen. As I was driving my kids to school, I was like is this what I've been waiting for because the only songs that stood out were "Telephone" and "Me" so I played them over and over until I arrived at the J-O-B!!
  
  But "LAWD" on the way home, the light started to shine and I'm lovin' Me, Soldier, That Hump, Telephone, Twinkle and Honey. I must say, I wished she show cased her vocals a lil more, but everyone knows that E Badu can get down like James Brown with the vocal range. Like the other guy said, you can't be into mainstream music and love this CD because it will go straight over your head. E Badu is my favorite artist and you really can't compare her to anyone but herself. This is what she was born to do and how many artist can take years off and still have people biting their nails for the next CD.
  
  Erykah, keep doin' you and whether it's good or bad you must be doing somthing right, because they can't stop talkin' about you. As long as you and Jill Scott are in the industry, I'll always have something to look forward to.
  
  We love ya chick!
  
  
  
• Not For Listeners With Pedestrian Tastes
  By AW8XD4C1OCLEZ on 2008-03-01
  I had to give my review the title above in answer to the people who gave this CD 1's. Don't buy this CD if you want ten tracks that are like "Honey." If you are familiar with Badu you should realize that you will get no such thing. Moreover, if you are truly receptive to Badu as an artist, I don't know why you'd want her to reign in her creativity in that way.
  
  This is a very funky album, on par with "Mama's Gun," but definitely something new and different. A lot of the songs have codas (a concluding musical section that is formally distinct from the main structure) which is perfectly fine with me--one of my all-time favorite Badu songs is "Green Eyes" which is in three movements. If you are such a philistine that classical music structures bother you, again, I wonder how you came to be familiar with Erykah Badu.
  
  For me, two of the three Madlib-produced tracks are real standouts on this album-- "The Healer" and "Twinkle." (I'll allow the philistines this one point--the exhortation at the end of "Twinkle" is quite intense and, after listening to it twice, I skip to the end or to the next track). I always appreciate the intimacy and sincerity of Erykah's work which is obvious in the tracks "Me" and "Telephone." In order for Badu to make the funk-driven, personal statement that she makes in "New Amerykah" every track is necessary, particularly "Amerykahn Promise." It's a true intro to the CD and it sounds like George Clinton was in the studio with her when she made it. I don't love every track on the CD, but I don't hate any of them and I don't think that any of them are filler. Here, Badu is thoughtful and inspired. (Notice that I haven't made any comparisons to "Worldwide Underground").
  
  
  
  
• What a disappointment!
  By A12LFU2SX2ZEUY on 2008-03-27
  There's a big difference between being edgy because that what you are and being edgy because that's what you want people to BELIEVE you are. Erykah has moved from the former category to the latter with this disjointed and musically uninspired offering. With the exception of Honey (which is o-kay---but sounds like something that should have been on her first album)), everything on New Amerykah just falls flat. If you're an Erykah fan, skip this one. Otherwise, you'll be just as disappointed as I was.
  
  
• Before the set starts...
  By A2C5VLIJMDPWHI on 2008-04-08
  I try hard to find pros and cons in any product to keep it unbiased, but I have zero pros for this CD. I was so excited to hear it and looking forward to what was new on Ms. Badu's mind. It's already difficult enough for artists to get consumers to buy their CDs when bootlegs and downloads are far easier (and cheaper) to come by, but I'm anti-bootleg and try to support the artist. But my issue is when I get a bad product and have to once again shrug my shoulders at bootleggers who said, "I told you you shouldn't have bought that." As long as Badu has been gone, I would've hoped she could come up with more than ten songs, and to top it all off, most of the songs are someone talking or humming. I DIDN'T PAY FOR A CD TO LISTEN TO INTERLUDES! Ludacris has actually mastered interludes and intros--he starts his albums off by annihilating the beginning song to make consumers so amped up that they want to hear the rest. I listened to "Amerykahn Promise" and grew nervous. The first five songs sound like what you hear before a poetry set starts just to test the mic, not the real performances. I got all the way to number six before I finally found a song I could halfway vibe with. I'm a little put off by the scattered notes in the thank yous and words. Please let somebody type that from now on. I know it appears more personal, but it comes off looking so unprofessional. However, I was more interested in reading the words to the songs than I was listening to the album. I'm sorry, Ms. Badu, but I've loved all of your other albums. However, this one is being sold promptly.
  
  
• She's Not Done - This is Just Part One
  By A2V47ZBNN357SQ on 2008-02-27
  J Dilla is no longer here to contribute to the Badu sound. This why this cd suffers. The only song that sounds warm and fuzzy on this project is the Dilla inspired Telephone - how ironic. Understand the significance of J Dilla not being on this project. Understand the significance of Common's project not being a gem due to Dilla's absence. J Dilla was the hub and the other artist are the spokes such as Q-Tip, Badu, D'angelo, Talib Kweli, James Poyser, Common, Slum Village, Questlove, and not to mention his influence on Dwele and Madlib. Now about this cd...
  
  The average rating for this project was 4 stars at the time of this review. Keep this in mind - this is a 2 cd release. The first cd will not be like the second cd. The part one release is the hip hop version - she has 2 songs that mentions the greatest hip hop producer of all time - J Dilla (with Madlib as the 2nd best producer of all-time). Telephone and the Madlib produced The Healer mention J Dilla. I'm sure the second cd release will be totally different than the part one release. She does not want 2 cds that sound alike. SA RA, Karriem Riggins, Madlib, and 9th Wonder are hip hop producers for the most part. On the second cd release she will probably have more James Poyser, ?uestlove, Pino Palladino, and Bilal Oliver. So we must really rate this cd based on both releases and not just the first one although the first cd is all we have to go on right now. Just wait for cd #2 and see the picture in it's totality. This cd is fast and shifty and shows the hip hop influence on Erykah. The second cd will probably have gems in the same bane as Green Eyes or Next Lifetime. Don't condemn Erykah or this project until you hear the 2nd cd. Only then will you fully appreciate this first cd release. SHALOM.
  
  
• Creativity at its finest...Can I ride on your mothership Ms. Badu?
  By AU3XJ9QXC74SI on 2008-02-28
  I have read the reviews that stated that they hate this CD but if you have been a follower of Ms. Badu, U should have known that she is not the type of artist that will give U something that fits tightly with what is going on commercially in music. She is an artist blazing her own trail...thank God...This CD is simply brilliant. From the opening track "Amerykahn Promise" to the closing track "Honey," (which is the most commercial song on the CD) this is a CD you will have to LISTEN to a few spins to digest where she is coming from these days. Blending hip hop with funk with R&B soul with social commentary can be quite daunting to figure out for the casual listener. But the ease that she has done it on this CD is a testament to Ms. Badu talent. Listen to the hip-hop/soul kissed "Solider" or the three part "Master Teacher" featuring Bilal will make U say why can't we get music with this much depth on the radio. For those individuals who didn't get it the first time out, listen to the CD again and OPEN YOUR MIND and let the groove capture your imagination. Thank U Ms. Badu for creating the first off the hook CD for 2008. The terms "classic" and "masterpiece" are sometimes used to loosely but I can't help but feel that 10 years from now, this CD will be praise as being classic/masterpiece...don't sleep on this experience.
  
  
• Great CD
  By A3I5QJ64G3WDVK on 2008-02-28
  Ask yourself, 'is it possible for Erykah Badu to make a bad cd?' The answer is no and I can't understand why people wouldn't like this cd. I have all of her albums's and this could possibly be my favorite. The beats are nice (you can't really go wrong with 9th Wonder and Madlib) and her vocals are typical erykah badu - amazing. Soldier, the healer and honey are definitely the best tracks at first listen but after a few listens, I'm sure I'll like them all. New Amerykah is definitely a must have for people that know what good music really is. I would also recommend that you pick up that new Little Brother cd - its hot.
  
  
• New Amerykah is Unique and Fresh
  By A2QKFU3PWGNRF5 on 2008-03-04
  It only took one listen to "Me" and I was hooked. I like this new direction and sound from Erykah, which demonstrates her unique and independent thoughts and sounds in an artful manner. This album definitely strays away from the Erykah releases of the past. I haven't had a chance to listen to every track on the album and that may take awhile since I haven't stopped listening and enjoying "Me", which has a jazzy mezmerizing beat accompanied by jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove. I have listened to "Telephone", which also has a really nice, rich bass sound underscored by Erykah's soft and inspirational lyrics dedicated to Dilla (see CD jacket information for more details). This CD so far is great to me; however, it may not be for everyone, and especially those seeking the same old or not very accepting of an artist exploring new ground. It is definitely not for listeners with narrow musical interest or those that tend to lean toward one musical genre. I am prepared and ready for Part Two and hope it also contains jazz, rock, funk and R&B elements.
  
  
• If Ya didn't like this cd it wasn't for you...I love Badu
  By ALT4JFEFKG3A5 on 2008-03-05
  I have to at admit it took a minute for WorldWide Underground to grow on me but once it did (had to play it real loud)...I was hooked...and Mama's Gun is one of best cd's ever made...def in my all around top 10...This New Amerykah Pt 1 didn't take long...I knew to play it real loud...Its rocking from the 1st cut to the last...
  Badu is an artist ...underground...dope beats...ever changing but remaining the same...true to her art...if ya don't get it then ya just won't...
  I love Badu...she has a great spirit and keeps it funky...
  Like I said if you don't like this cd than it wasn't for you...
  
  
• Not your Conventional R&B Album, but brilliant
  By A1QEWOSV05RYEO on 2008-03-09
  With NEW AMERYKAH, PT. 1: 4th WORLD WAR, Hip-hop/neo-soul star Erykah Badu brings R&B to sonic proportions. Anyone who has been following Badu since 1997's brilliant debut BADUIZM knows that Ms. Badu is certainly not your "typical" R&B star. Badu is rich in the influence of the mystical, spirituality outside of what most would deem "normal" conventions, which has always translated into her music. Combine this with a five year hiatus (2003's WORLDWIDE UNDERGROUND EP was her last release) and heightened sense of politics, and you get the chanteuse's most colorful and most puzzling album, 2008's NEW AMERYKAH. No surprise, most people won't understand it, even following several listens. Critics will both adore it while others will practically "damn it to hell". Either way, this is an innovative, creative endeavor on the part of Ms. Badu.
  
  The album starts off with a bang with the funky "Amerykahn Promise" which is less about singing and more about Ms. Badu's political ruminations. To call it a strong vocal performance would be an overstatement, but it certainly does make a statement - whatever that statement may be. "The Healer/Hip Hop" is a certified hit, one of Ms. Badu's best. The production is first rate and Badu's lazy, Billie Holiday influenced vocals are stronger than ever as she croons "this one is the healer, hip Hop". She also namechecks the late J-Dilla in this awesome track. "Me" keeps up the speed and is perhaps the most mainstream track up to this point. Think mainstream Erykah when you listen to "Me" as opposed to artsy, indulgent Erykah. Three tracks in, NEW AMERYKAH is certainly something to talk about.
  
  "My People" throws another curve ball. It begins with a radio broadcaster stating "I'm a bad motherf***** and I don't mind telling you". Then Erykah mumbles through a repetitive hook ("my people") with a few inserted ad libs. Not exactly conventional, but interesting to say the least, which is the general sentiment of NEW AMERYKAH. "Soldier" brings Erykah back to the mainstream for one of the album's strongest tracks. The production is conventional and Erykah sounds top notch. On "The Cell", Badu experiments once more, but she combines the best of the experimental and the accessible here, which makes it much better than say "My People".
  
  "Twinkle" is another experimental track, but it is effective, if not stellar. "Master Teacher" is truly political in which Erykah mentions anti-slave sentiment making parallels to the past. "That Hump" is another five-star track in which Badu has never sounded better. Erykah sings her head off on this one and the production is ingenius. "That Hump" is followed up by the excellent "Telephone". NEW AMERYKAH is definitely more foward steps than back steps, despite how odd it really is. Finally, standout first single "Honey" shows up, albeit a bonus track. As strong as it is, there are tracks just a strong as "Honey" if not stronger. If you tend to favor more mainstream Erykah, "Honey" and similar tracks such as "Me" or "Soldier" will be more up your alley.
  
  While NEW AMERYKAH isn't perfect, it is nearly, even if it is in some sonic facet as opposed to a mainstream R&B facet. It is more experimental than neo-soul, though there is plenty of soulful backdrops coupled with hip-hop sensibilities to grap onto. Honestly, I had to listen through NEW AMERYKAH before I could truly begin to understand it or even hope to review. With that said, this album is one that could possibly stand the test of time where innovation and such is concerned. A bit over the top sometimes, but genius always in my opinion. 4 stars.
  
  
• Badu is Back!!
  By AIGYHSBQBXT5W on 2008-03-16
  I ran to get this cd on my lunch break the day of release and have been listening to it ever since. I must say that this is a MUCH BETTER effort than the last release, but Mama's Gun will remain my favorite until further notice!! I wish there was more content, hence the release of a part 2, but I want it all right now!! I hope that part 2 isn't just a contractual release with songs considered not good enough to be released the first time around....
  
  
• WTF was this?
  By A1XAXFLET6GL1D on 2008-03-16
  Okay Seriously!!!! This album sucks big time. I told my sister not to get the album but she got it anyway because she thought the song "Honey" was on it. Well, when we got in the car and listened to it, we both had a frown on our faces. First off, how are you gonna come out with a single and the song is not even on the album? We thought maybe it was a typo and they forgot to list it, so we skipped over the songs and to our dismay the song was not on there. We listened a few mins to the other songs and it was just downright terrible. We have decided to send this album back to the record company and tell them to take this album and shove it. Erykah, this is the worst album you have ever recorded. I'm sticking with the first album Baduism.
  
  
• Radical Erykah
  By A70YTUFJY5HXN on 2008-03-15
  Erykah Badu serves up a cocktail of 70s funky soul, hip-hop and jazz over which she sings her songs of truth - songs that some might find challenging. It's a slight change of direction for Badu in the sense that there is a more edgy, political style to her lyrics on this one. She reminds me in places of the group Undisputed Truth who were pretty radical back in the day.
  
  I've always had love for the lady. Her 1997 debut Baduizm was an almost orgasmic blend of solid hip-hop beats and deep modern soul vibes but she has since steadfastly refused to return to the formula that gave her huge commercial success and essentially put her indelible mark on the musical map. I was saying to someone just recently, that I have the utmost respect for any artiste who does what she wants to do, as opposed to what everyone else is doing or what might make good radio, good sales or whatever. More people should be like her. I'll take authentic over popular any day as long as I like how it sounds, no matter how "wierd" or "strange" the masses might think it is.
  
  Well, she's definitely doing what she wants to do on this one. Artistically, I think it's courageous, authentic and admirable. Commercially though, while I'm pretty sure no one knows it more than the lady herself, I think it's a bit of a gamble. But what do I know? The album entered the Billboard Top 200 at a very respectable #2 and currently stands at #6. She's in at #2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart (but for Janet's Discipline, she probably would have entered at #1) so right now, the gamble seems to be paying off. (Whatever favour she might find in the charts here in the UK will not be evident until tomorrow).
  
  Among my personal favourites are the blaxploitation era-styled opener, "Amerykahn Promise", produced by Roy Ayers, Edwin Birdsong &
  William Allen and featuring vocals by Ramp; the message-laden "The Healer", produced by Madlib; the very personal mid-tempo shuffler "Me", produced by Badu & Shafiq Husayn and featuring horns by Roy Hargrove; "Soldier", another song with a message, produced by Badu & Kariem Riggins and featuring guest vocals by Bilal; the utterly funky, bass-driven "The Cell" (another message!), again produced by Badu & Husayn; "Telephone", the beautiful ballad tribute to J Dilla (she also gave him a shout on "The Healer") produced by Badu, James Poyser and Ahmir '? Luv' Thompson and of course, the 9th Wonder-produced 'bonus track' (and lead single) "Honey" - though I have to admit; the song, when I first heard it on disc, did not have the same impact that it did when I first saw the video.
  
  One or two of the songs don't work for me at all; the first half of "Master Teacher" is a good example, though the jazzy second half of the song more than makes up for it. "That Hump" is another. It's just a bit too untidy for my liking. The song was born out of a jam session, apparently. It shows. The album as a whole takes time to appreciate but is well worth it once you get there.
  
  A wee bit of trivia: the songs on this album are not all the lengths stated on the CD back cover. "Amerykahn Promise", for instance, is 4mins 16secs long (and not the 3:40 noted); "Me" is 5mins 36secs long (not 4:24); "Soldier", 5mins 3secs (not 3:55); "The Cell", 4mins 20secs (not 3:36); "Twinkle", with its emotional but totally on-point tirade towards the end, 6mins 56secs (not 4:02) and "Master Teacher" is 6mins 47secs long (not 3:37). There may be other examples on here; I didn't have the time to check all 11 songs. It's probably an unimportant detail but I wonder what the deal is? Oversight or intentional error? Another message? Does anyone know?
  
  
  
• (Throw)Back to the Future with New Amerykah
  By A3E1WX0ZNI6ACB on 2008-02-27
  I have been a fan of Erykah Badu since "Baduizm" and the progression of her music and artistic expression has always been impressive. This time, she jumped about ten light years ahead of the "neo soul" field with New Amerykah..Her astounding comprehension of Funk, Soul, Jazz and Hip Hop has never been more apparent, and Badu and her brilliant bunch of producers deftly manipulate the best elements of these genres to create a truly futuristic, yet sentimental album at the same time. Also, we have never seen such stark socio-political statements woven in the music from Badu before. This album is not for the casual consumer of urban music. For a trendy, disposable, and utterly forgettable experience, check out Janet's Discipline. If you are in search for the next ground-breaking hip-hop/soul/r&b album, New Amerykah is your answer
  
  
• enough is enough and too much is too much man.....
  By APGBL4TWU47NI on 2008-02-27
  i dont know what to write really....i love E. Badu. ive been a fan since '97. i love her originality, i love the love that she has for the seventies era...that's me all the way. im an early 70's baby and im cut from the same exact cloth...i dig, recognize, and acknowledge with all love her flow. she implements her respect for the greatest artists of our time and before our time in her music and videos. Honey is the highlight here. the video is beautiful. i even dig the beginning of the album w/the old school blaxploitation movie trailer voice and the music that was jammin after that. but....that's it man. im tired of the deepness being too deep that you can't even swim back up to shore to take a breather man. i know what she is implementing on this album - and i dig it.....but enough is enough and too much is just too d*** much. it's unneccessary. you can make your point as far as what you believe in without all this stuff.
  
  
• Don't Be Afraid
  By ARK9BZROW37HZ on 2008-03-06
  Don't be afraid of what you don't understand. Sister Erykah is just trying to tell you what's going on and how she sees it. I know a lot of folks don't have the patience to sit through this album and actually listen to the words, but there are a lot of true Badu fans, and kids, all of her music so far has been leading to this. I feel blessed that there is a mainstream artist, with more than her foot in the door, spreading this message around the world. This is not a compilation of music to be taken lightly, the words express her feelings, and you can feel everything through the steady, meditative beat. Don't go digging for the radio hits, you won't find them. Just appreciate what we've been given, and enjoy the ride.
  
  
• Underground Hip-Hop/Soul with a Space Age Jazz/Funk Appeal !!!
  By A1AJSTQ2UNZ3B8 on 2008-03-08
  When I first read the mixed reviews for New Amerykah, I somewhat had doubts of buying this CD, but when I went to Best Buy and noticed that the New Amerykah CD's were completely sold out and had to re-order another quantity, I knew I had to cop it. A week later, I picked up the CD and just finished listening to it yesterday and Erykah Badu finally put my doubts to rest and came through with assurance. New Amerykah is a blast of clean; fresh air that doesn't sound like anything else right now. This is exactly what music desperately needs right now with an unconventional approach that's deep, yet moves progressively in the right direction and relevant with the times. With some of the reviews complaining that she's losing direction, one needs to understand that if an artist wants to evolve, they have to challenge the 'status quo' and not become subjectively complacent to the same commercial cookie-cutter formula that the radio is constantly feeding us. Every once in a while, you just have to go against the grain and take that risk to take your creativity to a new dimension. Fortunately with New Amerykah, it was a risk that was calculatedly wise that paid off brilliantly. New Amerykah, in my opinion, is her best and most innovative LP to date. I definitely can't wait for pt 2.
  
  
• Brilliant release!
  By A3B578ZKMFYKT8 on 2008-03-13
  It's jaw-dropping how Ms. Badu can flip from Neo-Soul Princess to Neo-Soul Priestess. Yep, it's hard. Yep, it's deep. And yep, it's brilliant!
  When the music ends, it feels like a multi-disc release. And with that, my only complaint is not having the second disc to keep the vibe alive. Although I can't see them all coming this hard, I can only hope that New Amerykah, Pts. 1-3 are complete and that this isn't "a test."
  
  Apr 11 2008 ADDENDUM:
  I'm amazed at all the 1-star reviews here. It seems that most were expecting a CD dripping with Honey. Honestly, Honey is my least favorite song... perhaps because it's the most commercially accessible. Odd that it appears to not have been intended for this release. I even read that someone's CD didn't even include it... maybe an early pressing or a promo.
  
  Anyway, I love this dics even more now. There are some incredibly beautiful and important messages here. The beats are, more often than not, hard (as hinted at in my original review) but war isn't pretty. Is it?
  
  I've caught vid clips on Youtube and these songs work extremely well live. Try locating "That Hump." Heavenly!
  
  This isn't the type of CD you pop in your car and blast while speeding away from the mall. Give it a 2nd listen.
  
  It needs your "undivided" attention.
  
  
  
  
• This is what happens when an artist HAS musical direction...
  By A29KBBK7SQ7JQD on 2008-03-20
  I'll make this short but "New Ameryah" is an album that the music industry NEEDS right now, especially with this being a political year. R&B was hanging by a thread--seriously--and I'm glad Erykah's back to rejuvenate music. We find a very different Erykah on this album, which is dark, murky, political, psychedelic, beautiful. The music's off-kilter and speaks volumes of what has been going on for ages (drugs, poverty, depression, politics). But it works. And the songs flow nicely together. Most won't get it on the first listen and might be challenged to keep up with Erykah's creative pulses. But if you wrap your mind around it, then you'll get it. I'm finding that the people that are most disappointed are the ones that expected that "Mama's Gun" feel. But real artists change and the fans should let them. Badu has artistically grown and this is a very nice progression. She's speaking a lot of TRUTH on this substantial album. Can't wait for Part two in July and the Edith Funker project later this year.
  
  Highlights: Amerykah Promise, Me, Soldier, The Cell, Twinkle, Master Teacher, That Hump, Telephone
  
  
• This album is for hip hop heads and funk lovers only
  By A2OEQWI54AG13B on 2008-03-24
  The first spin through New Amerykah Part One is weird, because none of the songs sound like Honey, or much of Ms. Badu's past material. No live instruments this go-around, little deeply soulful tracks here, but good music nonetheless. I appreciate Erykah remembering J Dilla and showing much respect with many of the tracks on this CD either dedicated to him (The Healer, Telephone) or working with people who were close to Dilla (Sa-Ra, Karriem Riggins, Bilal, Madlib).
  
  Personal standouts for me include That Hump, Soldier, The Cell, Master Teacher and Honey. One thing that kills a few of these tracks for me however is some songs, including Honey, Me, My People and Twinkle have stuff added to the song that seems unnecessary. Or, if the additions had to be done, I'd rather them be an interlude or postlude. It's bad because I'd love to add Me to a party mix, but when the last minute or so sounds awful, I've gotta pick something else. The lone song where the change-up sounds really cool is Master Teacher.
  
  I do like the new sound, but judging from the reaction of many Erykah fans here and elsewhere, I'd love to see Erykah go back to the sound we're accustomed to hearing from her on New Amerykah Part II. But for fans of hip hop and funk, and for Erykah fans who can get used to something new, this album hits most of the right marks.
  
  
• So Good I Get Goose-bumps
  By A22L279QKAKQS7 on 2008-03-24
  Absolutely can't get enough of this CD. I was ready to totally give up on the music scene - then Erykah delivers this insightful and intelligent collection of tracks. This CD is beyond entertainment.
  
  I hadn't listened to Erykah for quite some time. Then, I happened to catch her live mini-concert on cable a few weeks ago. I found myself intrigued by something she was doing with the music arrangement for a couple of the songs. She'd insert an instrumental pause by telling the band to "hold-on", she'd say some lyrics acapella, then she'd start the beat back up again by telling the band to "come on". It was really smooth. She also has a super-cool, seventies style of dance - sliding one leg out and to the side. Then dragging it back in again almost like an old-school pimp. If I had to give that move a name, I would name it the "Original Gangsta Lean".
  
  I bought the CD the first chance I got. I was a little disappointed that the instrumental pauses used for the concert weren't on the "Me" track. I wondered if I'd made a mistake with this purchase. But, after listening to the entire CD a couple of times, I'm in awe of Erykah and her band's talent.
  
  Initially, I liked the "My People" track the least. Surprisingly, it has turned out to be the song that now gives me goose-bumps. The way the different instruments and voices rise and fall throughout the track is powerful and beautiful at the same time. Simply soul-stirring. The bass is perfection. I don't know how anyone with an ounce of rhythm in their body could not love this track.
  
  To all you dis-believers - just give it a chance. Get in a quiet place, perhaps in a meditative stance, pop in this CD, and open your mind to the evidence of Erykah's musical growth. Next thing you know, you'll be blasting these same tunes in your car while doing the head-bop like a teenager.
  
  I hope Erykah doesn't let the negative reactions of a few discourage her from keeping R&B and Neo-Soul honest, political, challenging and truthful. I hope she doesn't sell-out for kudos from folks who will listen to this CD expecting just more of the same.
  
  LOVE THIS CD!!!
  
  
  

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