Customer Reviews

Funkentelechy Vs. The Placebo Syndrome

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In 1983, at 11 years old, music was already a major part of my life. In Jr. High School everyone was either listening to Culture Club, Huey Lewis, or Lionel Richie, while I was in the dusty stacks pulling stuff like U-Roy, Fatback Band and Trouble Funk from my childhood Mecca, the KLAATU record shop in Heidelberg, Germany.

Then one day at the Library (of all places), I uncovered the craziest album I'd ever seen or heard; whacked-out pimpadelic alien motherfletchers brandishing Bop Guns at Sir Nose (D'Void of Funk? What the Fu-?). Man, I had no idea I was about to be recruited to be a soldier in the Army for Uncle Jam.

But there it was, from the massive horns, to the heart puncturing bass, building up and breaking down all the preconcieved notions I had about music. Now, 23-years later, we all know that this is one of the definitive dance records, so I won't even bother to go into tracks like Bop-Gun and Flashlight, because if you're here looking this album up, you've probably already heard those tracks. "Wizard of Finance", my second favorite track, feels like it jumped over from a Funkadelic album, and no matter where you are, or what you're doing, you MUST sing along when it comes on.

But, through all the dance-able tracks, the one that really got me was that swampy groove of "Placebo Syndrome". This, to me, was the hamhock in my cornflakes. This was the template that I would later require of all my "lay-back, smoke-some-sheeba and ut-the-headphones-on-ten" jams like Bootsy's "Sacred Flower" & "I'd Rather Be With You", or Funkadelic's "I'll Stay" and "Maggot Brain". The sweet Parlet harmony crossed with the rasp of Gary and that Synth whine still strikes a chord with me.

So there you have it, when it comes to the party, there is none better, but when the party's over, and your girl's passed out next to you, put on the phones and groove to Placebo one last time before drifting off to visit the Mother Ship.

I have owned Parliament's Mothership Connection for a long time. I have always said that it was the greatest funk album of all time. When I got Funkentelechy, I was truly blown away. This album is so good, that I think it actually passes Mothership Connecetion as the ultimate Funk album and Parliament's best album. Flashlight is really a great song, but my favorite on the album is the incredible Bob Gun. All the songs are great and pure funk. Get this album.

Parliament's superlative follow up to The Mothership Connection.

The finest blend of funk, rock & dance music, at a time when James Brown was going through a dry period and Sly had pimped himself out.

Clinton, Collins, Worrell & Co. were truly unsung magicians, who deserved a lot more publicity then they received through their career. They are hardly known outside the US, UK and Australia. Yet they are probably the biggest influence on rap and hip-hop music.

Back in 1977 I went to the record store and saw them opening the boxes and pulled the album out. I was already a die hard P-Funk fan. When I took the album home, i knew i was in for a treat. "Bop Gun" had to grow on me but I loved "Sir Nose D'Void Of Funk". George Clinton was brazen at times about his drug use. AS one of the other review wroters said . "Look at the album cover". It looks as if he is snorting cocain on the sly. Same thing with the "Trombipulaton" album with stuf like. "Eeny Meeny Miney Tootie, Ring around the blowsee". In any event I was naive that time. I thought he was just being cool in the suit he had on. "Funkentelechy" is a asong about "sublimnal suggestion" in which George (in his strange way) was trying to make us aware of somebody wants our minds. Overall the music is dynamic but when I heard Flash Light, I could not stop playing that song and could not believe how funky that song was. This is a great album. Musically, & Vocal wise. Put the title cut on and get down with the get down.

FUNKENTELECHY VS THE PLACEBO SYNDROME is one of the most essential recording in the late 70's, and follows closely behind MOTHERSHIP CONNECTION and is on the same level as MOTOR BOOTY AFFAIR. Each song is innovative and showcases the imagination these guys had, whether they were drug-influenced or not. This is a continuation of the space theme, but unlike CLONES OF DR. FUNKENSTEIN, they stick to the concept without seeming repetitive or old. They also don't try too hard to make hits, as CLONES did, and it seems very natural coming from George and the boys. By this point, 3 of the original 5 Parliaments had left, including Fuzzy Haskins, Calvin Simon, and Grady Thomas. Though their contribution's were great on earlier Funkadelic and Parliament releases, they proved to be dispensible on this record. The first song, "Bop Gun" lets you know that it's going to be funky throughout the whole album. It has an irrisistable rythm-guitar riff and great vocal's by Glen Goins, telling about this weapon to make funkless people funky. This is the last Parliament lp in which we hear Glen, due to his untimely death soon after the album's release. "Bop Gun" also features a pounding bass by Cordell Mosson and really sets the tone for the album. The second track, "Sir Nose D'Voidoffunk" is outstanding. It introduces the nemesis of funk, Sir Nose, who refuses to dance. Sir Nose would be prominant and a major force on future Parliament releases. The song features a loose and funky bass with great horns and vocals by the Nose and Starchild. "Wizard of Finance" is definitely a trip back to when George and the other 4 Parliaments were coming up with music in the barbershop. It is a great dowop-inspired track with nice showing by the Horny Horns and keyboards, by the hero of this album, Bernie Worrell. That leads the album into the monster song, "Funkentelechy," worth every second of the 10:59 duration. Complete with a great bassline by Mosson, a vocal appearance by Dr. Funkenstein, and the introduction of the "pleasue principle," you can't go wrong. And like every Parliament song, the brass section is magnificent. "Placebo Syndrome" tells of the syndrome that is disco. It is by far the weakest track on this album, but it's a nice mellow listen with more good keys. Then, the last song is upon us. Bernie Worrell at his all-time best. Maybe the most notorious Parliament song next to "Give Up the Funk." The introduction of the bass synth. Nonother than "Flash Light." An ingenious synthesizer that is made to have the same effect and sound as a bass gave Bernie freedom to create practically a whole song by himself. Beyond the fact that it is one of the greatest dance songs of all-time, you can hear the battle between Starchild and Sir Nose for giving up the funk. The funk overcomes the funkless as the album comes to a close, and we are left with one of the greatest albums, regardless of genre, known to man. P. Funk was a genre that many people missed, but those who caught on would have the funk for the rest of the days. If these guys had been marketed more like some of the other bands from back in the 70's, a lot of people would be looking at Parlaiment Funkadelic as one of the greatest bands in the past 50 years. This album proves it. This is the most essential Parliament album next to MOTHERSHIP, and this lp really sticks to it's theme, much like MOTOR BOOTY. A must for all P. Funk fans.

Funk On.

Whom but this band could play R & B, Funk, Rock & Roll and Disco and chart hits? Folks, this played whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted? How many bands have done that? The Beatles, The Who, Lead Zep? I think not!

My friends, sometimes music should be made without the hassles associated with acceptance. Artists should create work that stretches the boundaries of the imagination. This is good for all involved. When you listen to a Parliament record, you are hearing a profound music lesson. With that said: Go listen and learn.

Robert (Lover Of Music)

Really, who can resist bursting out laughing when George shouts that line out in the middle of Flash Light? Not me, that's for sure. This is a classic, arguably the best Parliament album (though one could make a case for Mothership Connection). Like Mothership Connection, it's a concept album that doesn't take itself even remotely seriously. On the contrary, it's a riot.

First off is Bop Gun (Endangered Species). What a song! Funky bassline, great ensemble vocals, cool horn chart and an awesome fake ending... classic stuff there. Then comes the first of the two ten-minute grooves: Sir Nose D'voidoffunk (Pay Attention - B3M), which introduces ol' Smell-O-Vision himself, Sir Nose D'Voidoffunk. This song is arguably the funniest in Parliament's catalogue, and certainly one of the funkiest. The clever, charming Wizard of Finance is a more Motown-sounding song, with a great bassline and horn part. It's funny, too!

Now for Funkentelechy, arguably Parliament's best song EVER. It's a monster eleven-minute groove that'll have you dancing and laughing at the same time. The basic concept of the song: choose funk (which stands for all that is good) over the fake, material things in the world. Maybe I'm overanalyzing, but whatever. It's great. Placebo Syndrome is probably the weakest song here, but it's still pretty good, with a solid groove. The Placebo Syndrome, if you were curious, is disco (which stands for all that is fake and material). The whole thing closes out with Flash Light, which revives the Nose. This ended up their biggest hit, a masterpiece with great bassline, a hilarious chant taken from a Bar Mitzvah, cool fake ending, and Clinton yelling out "Dance, sucka!" - two words that sum this album up perfectly.

Ah, yeah... THIS is how ya play funk!

One of the best albums ever, period. Timeless classic.

One thing: The lyrics are mostly about cocaine addiction. Look at the cover people!

Funk is the antidote for the placebo syndrome.

On a second level addiction becomes a metaphor for consumerism and greed.

This album is so much greater than the sum of its parts - which are all brilliant by themselves:

1. Endangered species / When the syndrome is around / don't let your guard down / All you got to do is call on the funk

2. I am Sir Nose'd D'Voidoffunk / I am the subliminal seducer / Syndrome Tweedle-dee-dee-dum Humdrum Don't succumb

3. If I were a wizard of finance I would probably invest my life in you

4. Mood control is designed to render funkable ideas brought to you by the makers of Mr. Prolong better known as Urge Overkill The pimping of the Pleasure Principle / Mind your wants 'cause there's someone that wants your mind / Do not respond This has been a test Ha ha ha ha ha! And once again the Pleasure Principle has been rescued with the aid of the funk!

5.When all the smiles are out of town / When your ups lift you down, your placebo is too weak, you're in the Syndrome

6. Most of all he needs the funk / Help him find the funk / Shinin' on the funk / Everybody's got a little light under the sun

I once interviewed GC when I was young and naive and asked him if Sir Nose was an alien. GC said: 'No. He's a cool white dude.' I didn't get it then...

Yo this is the mood control....Need I say anything else? This masterpiece of dance/funk and just plain fun camE out hardbody!

It starts off with Parliament/Glenn Goins "On Guard, Defend Yourself!". The Pfunk was letting you know that if you are devoid of funk, you are gettin' hit with the Bop Gun! And the ever famous Sir Nose D'Voidoffunk.You got to be out of your natural mind or at least from out of space to come up with those lyrics! The music is smooth and Bootsy Collins just ripped that Bass line!Now outside of all that and the never dying Flashlight, my all time favorite is "Funkentelechy". Parliament's musical performance on this was slammin' From the Drums/Bass/Guitars setting it off and Ray Davis' "Yo' this is the mood control......."sets you in a place where you are on the Mothership chillin'. I know, musically, I've been there! You really need to sit back and let this cut do it to your earhole! It is like being on the Mothership kicked-back with some Kool-Aid playin' spades and tellin' "Your mother is so fat" jokes! Funkentelechy is not just a song but an experience----"How's you Funkentelechy?=-----FUNK ON---YO HO!!!!!

Parliament did more with less than fifty minutes than most of today's current crop of stars with their overproduced, vocally enhanced, overstuffed-at-70-minutes releases.

"Bop Gun" and "Flashlight" are TRUE classics.