Customer Reviews

Donkey

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

heard this in borders last nite (from a distance) and thought it was some new cd by the B52s. what a surprise! donkey?? what i heard was really punchy and fun and well produced. the cut down guitar lines, like those of Ricky Wilson, are outright slashing! all in all, a good time is to be had.

After releasing their first (self titled) album, CSS in many ways was the epitome of indie music, because they were wholly unique. The electronica, reggae, and disco-inspired music featured raw foul-mouthed lyrics performed by the sexy voiced lead singer Lovefoxx. Understandably, indie fans had very high expectations for CSS leading into their sophomore effort.

Although the new album is undeniably catchy, CSS seem to have lost their mojo. The raw screeching lyrics and gyrating rhythms of the band's prior work are now replaced by vanilla lyrics and studio-smoothed beats. While the band's first album felt entirely spontaneous, 'Donkey' feels just the opposite: over-produced and deliberately aiming for a broader audience.

I enjoy this album but the stark originality of their earlier music is all but gone.

LOVED this set by those zany Brazillian girls (and guy)! Very different than their first release, as the first reviewer explained better than I can, but I'm a big believer in letting artists explore different sounds with every new project (a la Beck or David Byrne). They do not disappoint. So tight, so inventive, yeah a little mainstream, but still rockin', good timin', beautiful CSS. Love 'em!

As much as I really enjoyed CSS's self titled ablum, Donkey shows that the band has somewhat mellowed; which is certainly not a bad thing in this case. Instead of the hard hitting chords and references that not everyone may get (I'll admit, I had to look up a few things such as "Death From Above," aparently a Canadian band from the 80's). Donkey still has some hard hitting songs (I Fly), but they have included some great duets (Jager Yoga, Beautiful Song) that just flow very well. While the first album showed some angry youthful rebellion, Donkey seems more reflective and less agressive. with the transition from CSS to Donkey, I am looking forward to the next evolution of CSS music on the next album, but if it comes out with the same rythem and flow of Donkey, I will not complain.

CSS is one of the most fun bands to listen to. I am amazed at the songs that they write. And this album is no exception. The highlight of the album for me is "Move". Donkey is a cd I can listen to over and over again. You can never be in a bad mood listening to this cd.

Anyone who has attachment to the 80s, CSS puts an edge for the 21st centuty on their latest album. Those low ratings are crazy for rating this album as average or bad. I bet you those low ratings gave trashy rap albums high ratings. If you want to feel good about yourself whether driving or working out, definitely BUY this album.

A few years back, I'm flipping through the pages of a music magazine when I happen upon an article proclaiming a practically unknown Brazilian band named Cansei de Ser Sexy, or CSS, to be the greatest thing since sliced bread (more or less). Being the blindly-led sheep that I find myself to be when it comes to music, I check out their debut, self-titled album, listen to it a few times, and set it aside. I forget about it. And then, like most, I see that dang iPod Touch commercial featuring the unquestionably intoxicating "Music is My Hot, Hot Sex" and I'm hooked. But just on that one song. For as praised as CSS was, I just never gave it the chance it deserved.

For their second album, Donkey, the raucous Brazilians are back, once again trying to party their way into my heart. Though my first listen was rather un-noteworthy (I was admittedly, pretty distracted), every listen since then has been an exciting, infectious affair that I just can't get enough. The punchy drums and bouncy bass line that heralds the start of "Jager Yoga" drew me into what has quickly become my favorite song on Donkey. The mononymous Lovefoxxx shelves singing for a more energetic, in-your-face styling of vocalization - sounding something like a subdued cheerleader. Her declaration of "We didn't come into the world/ to walk around/ we came here/ to take you out," is unbelievably catchy, and listeners will undoubtedly find themselves shouting right along with her.

But for as catchy as CSS has always been, they've also spent the majority of their time straddling the line between enchantingly obnoxious and downright annoying, rarely crossing over to the dark side. On first single, "Rat is Dead (Rage)," however, Lovefoxx's vocals are highly off-putting. The first time I heard her say, "She screamed so LOUD," chills went up my spine. By the last time it comes around, I practically felt like glass shattering. Fortunately, she and the band make up for their misstep with the contagious dance epic, "Let's Reggae All Night." The production here is among the album's best, with a very cool 80s new wave-esque sample playing at the end of every bar. This one is definitely a favorite.

While the first three songs on Donkey are in no way revolutionary for CSS, fans will immediately notice a new level of polish on the album that will either be a welcomed addition or an upsetting annoyance - the disappearance of dirty, sexy, punk stylings for a more poppy, clean sound. Kiss those dirty guitars goodbye. The added polish gives the band an uncanny resemblance to Canadian pop band, Metric, a personal favorite. This new approach isn't limited to the album's first tracks, however, but spread across the entirety of Donkey. The good news is that, aside from "Rat is Dead (Rage)," this is an incredibly solid pop album, severely lacking in the dud tracks that often populate the genre.

Highlights include the thick, wet synths and sliding guitars of "Left Behind," the 80s pop stylings of "Move," and the inescapably sweet chorus of "Believe Achieve" ("I believe that love was created just for me and you. People say it's not, but I know it's true!"). But every song on this album is great in its own way, and all of them will get you moving whether you like it or not. You may not feel the need to get all sweaty and dirty, as CSS's debut undoubtedly inspired, but Donkey is far from a sophomore slump. If anything, it proves the universality of great pop music and its ability to take so many different forms, yet always inspire the same, jubilant reaction. If you feel like dancing, grinding, or just getting downright rowdy, Donkey comes highly recommended.

Key Tracks:
1. "Jager Yoga"
2. "Let's Raggae All Night"
3. "How I Became Paranoid"
4. "Move"
5. "Believe Achieve"

8 out of 10 Stars

I like this disk. I saw one reviewer compare them to Blondie... OK, but I thought that they sounded more like No Doubt - fun party music.

This is supposed to capture their "live" electricity, and I look forward to them getting up to the Philly area some time.

Evolution is what progress is all about, and CSS goes from Brazilian punk sung in sexy slang to electronic, multilayered masterpieces on their second seminal record. They may be tired of being sexy, but there's no signs of lethargy on Donkey, an album that lands Sao Paolo and SubPop on the forefront, as they should be.

Actually, there are a few reasons I'm writing this review. Yes, you should definitely buy this album now. But don't be fooled by the chatty reviewer from Conroe, Texas. First, CSS is not Metric. I love both bands but to say that CSS has "an uncanny resemblance" to Metric robs the former of its completely original style and trailblazing personality.
Additionally, I would counter that "Rat is Dead" is in no way a "misstep." In fact, it's a powerful and meaningful song, one of the many standouts on Donkey.

In keeping with the evolution of sound, CSS dropped some of its edgy thrash in favor of keyboards and stronger harmonies, and the Lovefoxxx/Adriano Cintra duo is the driving force that makes CSS critical. SubPop issued a 3-song bonus disc with two outtakes that should've been included on Donkey, mainly because they honor Cintra's low profile impact on the band's massive sound. SupPop does CSS right by including a thick CD insert full of funky art, notably the mirrored donkey head that reveals the fine facets of each CSS performer. (See the back cover.)

Party onward with the only band to ever use the word "reggae" as a verb.

For those who loved CSS because of gritty guitars, culturally sarcastic lyrics, and hot hot sexiness, this album has none. Okay, maybe some. However, listening to their last self-titled album now brings the sadness of knowing what they became.

I mean really, two songs on this album are called "Beatiful Song" and "Believe Achieve". "Let's reggae all night" is catchy enough to make my playlist. The low points of this album sound like an underproduced Britney Spears song, with lyrical content to match.

I want my witty guitar-driven CSS back.