Customer Reviews

Chupacabra

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

So what's a 48 year-old, middleclass white guy doing listening to this CD? Having a ball, that's what! Like one of the other online reviewers, I saw Imani on Sessions at West 54th. I was blown away by the creativity and joy of her music, and her totally unaffected performance style. I ran out and bought Chupacabra and have played it extensively. In my humble opinion, there isn't a clinker in the whole CD. Her mix of hip hop, jazz, and samples from folks like the Doors and Donovan is a gas, while her lyrics are smart and funny. This is great summer music with a really funky urban vibe -- something one appreciates when living in Boise, Idaho! Imani, I'm a fan!

Why Imani named her debut album after the infamous goat sucker is anyone's guess but Imani's, thankfully the CD is not a "sucker". I had already heard of "Legend of a Cowgirl" (which features a sample of Donovan Leitch's "Sunshine Superman") thanks to the massive airplay it recieved in my city, however it wasn't enough to actually get me out and buy the CD, that is until I saw her perfrom on Sessions at West 54th. Her performance was captivating as well as hysterical. I immediately became obsessed with getting this CD.

The only drawback I can think of that this CD might posses is simply the fact that it does not even begin to capture the raw and vibrant enegergy Imani injects into her live performances, but still on its own the CD does quite well.

Imani fuses styles folk, funk and hip-hop like it "ain't no thing like a chicken wing", the grooves are slick and funky with a light air that passes through tracks like "I'm a Tree" amd "Its All About Me, Me and Me" and then breaks out with just straight up funk like "Karma and the Blizzard" (a personal favorite of mine from her Sessions performance) however on "One of These Days" Imani really lets her skills shine through and her lyrics as well as her vocals will have you singing along out loud with the girl.

If you are on the look out for an artist with a fun style as well as a great sense of humor about herself and her craft then I could not recommend anyone better than Ms. Coppola. She does not disappoint.

Ok. This CD is now ten years old and me, now 48, shouldn't be writing about a 20 year old's debut effort. But this CD is still fun, imaginative, and the girl's got a great voice.

There's a lot of wonder in this effort and I think children will immediately take to it (say, those in the 8-12 year old range). But what do I know? I'm not a parent. This is fun stuff: have a summer barbecue, put this on, and let the good times roll. She's a winner.

I found out about this CD when David Byrne did a "best of '97" list on his old bulletin board. If I recall correctly, Imani did some backup vocals on Byrne's 'Look into the eyeball'. In any event, the CD was infectious back in '97 and '98, and it continues to hold its own almost a decade later. Comparisons to Beck are valid, since Imani, like Beck, uses samples intelligently, but also adds in instrumentation and guitar licks of her own. This is a great, upbeat, psychedelic CD. I just found out she did a follow up in 2004, and can't wait to hear it. Here's yet another musician who should have a huge following, yet for one reason or another, doesn't hit the popular radar screen. More proof the music business is totally messed up and in need of immediate repair.

Everytime I listen to this CD, the flowers bloom and the grass grows greener! I originally bought it for "Legend of a Cowgirl", but I fell in love with all the songs, especially "I Like It" and "Karma and the Blizzard". If Imani ever does a show in Montreal, she can count on my being there! Keep at it Imani, you're truly great!

Its a shame that this woman has not release a new album. Her debut was so refreshing and different that it scared people away from her. An artist like her should be given a second and a third chance. Instead we are force to listen to the same pop garbage that's on current radio. My favorite songs are "Forget Myself" about her obsession with another woman's man and "I Am a Tree", which is about turning off your tv and enjoying nature. She is so far ahead of her times and her vocal abilities are amazing. I highly recommend this cd.

This cd surpised me to death. I didn't know what to expect, because I had only heard one song from the album ("Legend of a Cowgirl"). I am glad I did. This is one of my fovorite albums of all time, and has heavy rotation in my cd player despite the deluge of rap and r+b titles that raid my room. This album is for people who like old school hip hop, alternative or are just open minded when it comes to music. Definately not a hard album though. No metal this time around. Imani I love you.

Her tailor-made radio hits "Legend of a Cowgirl" and "I'm a Tree" are just the beginning of this uniquely remarkable album which mixes r&b, rap, soul, and dance like no other solo artist can. The lyrics are slick and clever. The melodies are ingenius and impressive. And the whole album has a sound that slides in and out of oceans, beaches, meadows, cities, hills, and tropical settings. It's like a journey that begins and ends pretty much the same way: in an unsettling manner. Which I think is the best thing about this album.

My absolute favorite songs are "Piece" and "Forget Myself". They are the best examples of this album's expansive levels of musical and emotional depth.

If Imani ever comes out with a sophomore release, I'm gonna have the FIRST copy.

Oh yeah, and stay tuned about 15 mintues after the last song, there's a bonus song that starts (about) 19 minutes into track #11. It has a disturbing Marilyn Manson quality about it. You'll see what I mean.

THE FIRST TIME I saw Imani Coppola was on a PBS special, not sure exactly what it was. I didn't catch her name so I spent the next two days trying to track down PBS programming to see who was on at the time. It was time well spent.

This is one of my favorite albums-- and I love "Naked City".

Everyone friend I've introduced the cd to loves it. too. Finally some clean, refreshing music from a truly talented artist.

Imani Coppola is one of THE most overlooked artists. Ever. But this is still a good debut, with the exception of "My Day At the Ocean", which is creepy. The other songs, especially tracks 1, 2, 3, & 8 are wonderfully lighthearted. Pigeon Penelope may be confusing at first, because it's hard to tell who's telling the story: Ms Coppola or some pigeon named Penelope. The song is just silly, along with I'm A Tree. Buy it; it's a good album to have on your iPod. BTW, does anyone know if the CD-Single for "I'm A Tree" is promo-only? I desperately want to hear the Tom Lord-Alge & Soul Kitchen remixes.