Cindi Mayweather, Android of highest rank, is the muse of the musical genius that we identify with as Janelle Monae. Ms. Monae’s latest release The ArchAndroid is not only a musical experience shaped by elements of art music, funk and sub-genres of rock ranging from psychedelic to punk. This album has a very timely message in an era where being a follower is encouraged in Twitterville. The relevance of her message is about transformation of self in becoming confident and comfortable with whom you are in your place in the world. In August 2007 Ms. Monae introduced us to Metropolis with the first suite of her debut EP album called The Chase. Ms. Monae’s creativity has no limits and won’t be contained, and I mean this literally. Sean “Diddy” Combs has given her and Wondaland Arts Society creative freedom over the entire project. This is groundbreaking when a record label allows an artist this freedom of expression. As time passes we will be further submerged into the world of Metropolis through the Emotion Picture of the Mind. This thrilling concept is where every song on the album will have a video to accompany it to visually explain the story within the music. After following Ms. Monae’s work and story line of Metropolis I’m intrigued and I now understand why so many people are mesmerized by the stories of Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings or the Twighlight series. These fantasy worlds allow you to escape reality and become apart of a different world. Metropolis allows you to believe and dream in something greater than what is and what is to come.
The most recent piece to the story line can be found on the album’s insert. It’s very interesting and I find myself wanting to connect-the-dots about what is the possible origin of the Palace of the Dogs Arts Asylum, why is her patient number 57821, is there significance to the year 1954 and who is Max Stellings? Just between you and me, I looked up the year 1954 for significant events that happened that could possibly shed some light, and I discovered the National Negro Network was established, which was a radio show that broadcasted a very popular soap opera, segregated schools were ruled unconstitutional, the words “under God” were added to the pledge of allegiance, the Hodges Meteorite was the first documented object to hit a person from outer space and the Godzilla movie premiers in Tokyo. The meaning behind 1954 could mean anything or it could mean nothing at all. The anticipation is having its way with me, and I must admit I want to know what to expect next. Another fun tidbit that continues to entertain is that the track notes are full of goodies that will make you grin. The inspiration for each song is included, for example, the song Dance or Die was inspired by Li’l Ze from City of God, Fela’s cigarettes and Bob Marley’s smile. So cute. Also, the credits for each song has a spin on it as well. Instead of the repetitive recorded by, vocals by instruments played by or featuring labels. You will find “Shining Strings”, “Lead Vocal Explosions”, “Nuclear Drumming” and the one that made me lol was “Tip Talk” which replaces the redundant use of the word featuring to represent a guest artist. It’s perceived that her team put much effort into making this album stand out from the rest with all the minor details, yet in reality they were all probably just sitting around and free-styled everything, ya know....it’s just what geniuses do. Anywho, evidently all the love and goodness poured into this project is translated by the visual presentation and the music.
I didn’t know exactly what to expect as I pressed play, but from the name of the first song called Suite II Overture I prepared myself for the unexpected. As it commenced I immediately visualized myself inside a theatre with others awaiting the symphony to perform. There was silence, then we heard the strings tuning, then the applause of the audience assured me that the show was beginning. The bigger than life strings played vivace, the woodwinds played softly, then the rumble of the timpani was felt, the chanting choir haunted, then other cosmic sounds whirled by my ears as if I was boarding a starship from Star Wars or something then it hit me. This is the soundtrack to the trailer for The ArchAndroid album. After the overture the program music begins with a deep bass line, the eloquent spoken words of Saul Williams another “Thought Leader” that contributed to this project. I’d rather not give too much away about the musical content of the album because I would feel like I was telling you about what happens during the movie before you see it.
As an engineer I love this album because I can hear all the timbres of the different instruments used with optimal clarity. I also appreciate the recorded live instruments, especially the drums, the crack of the snare was captured so well I felt like I was in the room with the drummer. To be honest when something sounds so great to me I can visualize it just from hearing it. Weird I know or maybe it’s my super powers. *wink* As a side note live instruments always add a beautiful quality to recordings. I would also like to add many of the sounds on this project had me question how did the engineer achieve that effect? Love it!
As a producer I love this album because it had a comfortable consistency that is attributed to working with the same recording, mixing and mastering engineers and musicians, but at the same time no two songs were exactly alike. I also appreciate that they used classic instruments like the Mellotron to explore with music creation.
As a songwriter and artist I love this album because in the words of Janelle Monae from the song Neon Valley Street every “song reached my heart, my ears loved the sweet melody, every note, every chord and the strings made me smile.” The lyrical content of this album is powerful, thought provoking, uplifting and elegant. The song that gets me going every time is Come Alive (War of the Roses). The energy Ms. Monae exudes on this track had me out of breath, particularly when she belted out the strongest, fluctuating scream with her vocal instrument that rivaled the singing of the electric guitar playing along side of her. Amazing. I also enjoyed how she played with her breath at the very beginning of this song, so pay attention to that minor detail that has a major impact.
As a fan I love this album because it is a breath of fresh air and it’s full of substance. It was so easy to sit back and listen to this album from beginning to end, and honestly I don’t know how many times I’ve listened to it. I’ve stopped counting. I just love how she experimented with many musical styles, taking elements of the past and building upon them with her own unique style. Janelle Monae is completely normal and genuine, even though, she personifies herself as an android. I think she figures society is going to label her an outcast for being different from the norm, so she might as well beat “them” to the punch and tell everybody “I’m an alien from outer space.” This is only the beginning of Ms. Monae’s journey she isn’t going anywhere and we can expect more out of this world material from her. She is sculpting her home in musical history with ease, and I believe she will leave a virtuous legacy. She has a purpose and she knows her purpose and her source. Janelle Monae please continue to use your “super powers for good and not evil.” I know you will.
Janelle Monae’s website
http://www.jmonae.com/
The W.A.S. (The Wondaland Arts Society) blog
www.wondaland.blogspot.com
The most recent piece to the story line can be found on the album’s insert. It’s very interesting and I find myself wanting to connect-the-dots about what is the possible origin of the Palace of the Dogs Arts Asylum, why is her patient number 57821, is there significance to the year 1954 and who is Max Stellings? Just between you and me, I looked up the year 1954 for significant events that happened that could possibly shed some light, and I discovered the National Negro Network was established, which was a radio show that broadcasted a very popular soap opera, segregated schools were ruled unconstitutional, the words “under God” were added to the pledge of allegiance, the Hodges Meteorite was the first documented object to hit a person from outer space and the Godzilla movie premiers in Tokyo. The meaning behind 1954 could mean anything or it could mean nothing at all. The anticipation is having its way with me, and I must admit I want to know what to expect next. Another fun tidbit that continues to entertain is that the track notes are full of goodies that will make you grin. The inspiration for each song is included, for example, the song Dance or Die was inspired by Li’l Ze from City of God, Fela’s cigarettes and Bob Marley’s smile. So cute. Also, the credits for each song has a spin on it as well. Instead of the repetitive recorded by, vocals by instruments played by or featuring labels. You will find “Shining Strings”, “Lead Vocal Explosions”, “Nuclear Drumming” and the one that made me lol was “Tip Talk” which replaces the redundant use of the word featuring to represent a guest artist. It’s perceived that her team put much effort into making this album stand out from the rest with all the minor details, yet in reality they were all probably just sitting around and free-styled everything, ya know....it’s just what geniuses do. Anywho, evidently all the love and goodness poured into this project is translated by the visual presentation and the music.
I didn’t know exactly what to expect as I pressed play, but from the name of the first song called Suite II Overture I prepared myself for the unexpected. As it commenced I immediately visualized myself inside a theatre with others awaiting the symphony to perform. There was silence, then we heard the strings tuning, then the applause of the audience assured me that the show was beginning. The bigger than life strings played vivace, the woodwinds played softly, then the rumble of the timpani was felt, the chanting choir haunted, then other cosmic sounds whirled by my ears as if I was boarding a starship from Star Wars or something then it hit me. This is the soundtrack to the trailer for The ArchAndroid album. After the overture the program music begins with a deep bass line, the eloquent spoken words of Saul Williams another “Thought Leader” that contributed to this project. I’d rather not give too much away about the musical content of the album because I would feel like I was telling you about what happens during the movie before you see it.
As an engineer I love this album because I can hear all the timbres of the different instruments used with optimal clarity. I also appreciate the recorded live instruments, especially the drums, the crack of the snare was captured so well I felt like I was in the room with the drummer. To be honest when something sounds so great to me I can visualize it just from hearing it. Weird I know or maybe it’s my super powers. *wink* As a side note live instruments always add a beautiful quality to recordings. I would also like to add many of the sounds on this project had me question how did the engineer achieve that effect? Love it!
As a producer I love this album because it had a comfortable consistency that is attributed to working with the same recording, mixing and mastering engineers and musicians, but at the same time no two songs were exactly alike. I also appreciate that they used classic instruments like the Mellotron to explore with music creation.
As a songwriter and artist I love this album because in the words of Janelle Monae from the song Neon Valley Street every “song reached my heart, my ears loved the sweet melody, every note, every chord and the strings made me smile.” The lyrical content of this album is powerful, thought provoking, uplifting and elegant. The song that gets me going every time is Come Alive (War of the Roses). The energy Ms. Monae exudes on this track had me out of breath, particularly when she belted out the strongest, fluctuating scream with her vocal instrument that rivaled the singing of the electric guitar playing along side of her. Amazing. I also enjoyed how she played with her breath at the very beginning of this song, so pay attention to that minor detail that has a major impact.
As a fan I love this album because it is a breath of fresh air and it’s full of substance. It was so easy to sit back and listen to this album from beginning to end, and honestly I don’t know how many times I’ve listened to it. I’ve stopped counting. I just love how she experimented with many musical styles, taking elements of the past and building upon them with her own unique style. Janelle Monae is completely normal and genuine, even though, she personifies herself as an android. I think she figures society is going to label her an outcast for being different from the norm, so she might as well beat “them” to the punch and tell everybody “I’m an alien from outer space.” This is only the beginning of Ms. Monae’s journey she isn’t going anywhere and we can expect more out of this world material from her. She is sculpting her home in musical history with ease, and I believe she will leave a virtuous legacy. She has a purpose and she knows her purpose and her source. Janelle Monae please continue to use your “super powers for good and not evil.” I know you will.
Janelle Monae’s website
http://www.jmonae.com/
The W.A.S. (The Wondaland Arts Society) blog
www.wondaland.blogspot.com