Listened to: MP3Alright, I’m at least partially convinced that George Clinton formed two different bands (Parliament and Funkadelic) at the same time just to confused the hell out of me, but let’s leave that aside (But if you know why, please inform me).
The album bust right in with the title track, an awesome dance track, with a deeper meaning. Several references to God seem to allude to the biblical idea of using dance as a means to get closer to God. Lyrically, it seems also to allude to the power of the “groove” to unite people. I’m not one for dance music, but I can appreciate what a fantastic track this is regardless. The masterful instrumentation, the lyrics, the vocal techniques still used to this day. If I had to sum up dance-funk in one track, I think I might know what to go with.
The second track, “Groovallegiance”, continues the theme of unity through music. The vocals on this track seem to blend Marvin Gaye with Bob Marley, and despite what many would say, I’d say this puts the previous track to shame. It blends genres phenomenally, the instrumentation., while great, will odds are go unnoticed by most because the vocals riffs and harmonies are some of the best you’ll ever hear. However, one cannot deny the finesse of the bass playing on this track, particularly when the bass solo comes in. To be honest, if after these two tracks alone you’re not convinced this album deserves its place on the list, well…on to track three.
“Who Says A Funk Band Can’t Play Rock?!” decides to disprove the belief stated in it’s title. Those guitars are pure rock and roll, with a true funk treatment. Funkadelic became rock stars for 6 minutes, and to be honest, on this track, Funkadelic was a better rock band than some of the actual “rock” albums I’ve had to review on this blog. This funk riff playing over the guitar solo seems to blend genres in a way every other band wishes they could. It’s rock you can dance to, and I think were Hendrix alive to hear it, he’d be jamming to it every night. I mean that sincerely.
Now, the one track I could live without on this album happens to be the longest track on here, “Promentalshitbackwashpsychosis Enema Squad (The Doo-Doo Chasers)”. There’s just nothing terribly special about it, plus it’s a song all about shit. Seriously, this sounds like one of those crappy tracks off a Marvin Gaye album, except about crap. Yeah, I could do without this one, as it’s in no way as good as the three before it. I’m only halfway through, and it hasn’t changed at all, and it’s talking about “sweet and sour bowl movements”. Basically, this track sucks.
“Into You” brings that air of sexiness to funk music that’s been missing on the last four tracks, unless track four is the kind of stuff you’re into. Listen to that deep, sultry voice singing notes that would make Barry White jealous. Though funk music can be danced to, you can also do something else, and all you need to do is switch an n for a c. The harmonies are again phenomenal, and the bass vocals playing off the bass riff is fantastic, making the vocals just another instrument, especially when the higher voice comes in like a guitar solo. If you’re gonna look up one track off of this, I recommend this one. It’ll ease you Into the awesomeness of this album.
The album’s last track, “Cholly (Funk Getting Ready To Roll!)”, is also the album’s shortest and most story-oriented lyrics. As wikipedia well puts it, and yes, I’m quoting wikipedia, “This song deals with a man once interested in classical music who is introduced to funk and phone cords by some friends of his: at first, he is doubtful of it, but he eventually grows to love it.” That feeling is the same you get with the track itself. Unsteady at first, but by the end, you feel as you do with the rest of the album, except maybe track 4. That even if it’s not your kind of music, it’s a masterpiece.
Overall, this album is highly worth looking in to. Give it a listen one day, it’s only a half an hour or so, and I promise you, you won’t be bored.
-Mike
See you tomorrow (later, since my house was having power problems) for #273: The Slim shady LP, featuring another guest spot from Josh Paige.
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