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Editorial Reviews
Good Things marks a shift in methodology from personal to political for Aloe Blacc, who refers to the project as his report on present conditions the misappropriation of wealth, pillaging of resources, a universal lack of compassion, and the struggle to survive. Ethereal production from Truth & Soul's Leon Michels and Jeff Silverman mask a foreboding undercurrent in which Aloe crafts lyrics both thoughtful and thought-provoking. Nowhere is this more evident than on lead single, "I Need a Dollar" chosen by HBO as the theme music for the series How to Make It in America.
The first-generation American offspring of Panamanian parents, Aloe has become what writer and activist Amiri Baraka once said of John Coltrane: He is a singular scope of feeling...a more fixed traveler who has found cohesion in art and life. The path from his debut Shine Through in 2006 to Good Things is akin to the maturation of Marvin Gaye between That s the Way Love Is and the What's Going On masterwork that followed. Aloe has never purported to be any heir to Gaye, but musically, Good Things and What's Going On are companion pieces as both albums establish a character for the artists that sets them apart from the sea of performers making very vivid and discernible yet normative and conformist statements about who they are and what they do. Good Things is a definitive declaration that places Aloe directly in the framework of modern soul.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Aloe Blacc's CD was reccommended to me by Amazon and I'm glad for the pointer as I'd probably have missed this otherwise. I love his rich tenor voice.
With a retro Soul sound remniscent of Curtis Mayfield or Marvin Gaye, his lyrics touch mainly on social issues. Opening cut is the groovy "I need a dollar" with darting horns, an insistent piano riff, and lyrics told from the view point of someone laid off. "Green lights" is organ-driven Soul, while the guitars in the funky "Hey brother" sound like they stepped out of Shaft.
Other standouts are the lilting Reggae "Miss fortune", the falsetto-sung laid back "Life so hard" (with theatrical strings, a great echoing guitar solo, and lyrics touching on hunger, war and more), the breezy "Femme fatale", the bouncy "Loving you is killing me" (with nice layered harmonies), "If I" ("If I sang a song, would you sing with me / if I shed a tear, would you cry with me?"), and the Gospel-tinged "Momma hold my hand" (with autobiographical lyrics remniscing on his childhood).
The production is light and free, perfect for this uplifting CD. Highly reccommended!
With a retro Soul sound remniscent of Curtis Mayfield or Marvin Gaye, his lyrics touch mainly on social issues. Opening cut is the groovy "I need a dollar" with darting horns, an insistent piano riff, and lyrics told from the view point of someone laid off. "Green lights" is organ-driven Soul, while the guitars in the funky "Hey brother" sound like they stepped out of Shaft.
Other standouts are the lilting Reggae "Miss fortune", the falsetto-sung laid back "Life so hard" (with theatrical strings, a great echoing guitar solo, and lyrics touching on hunger, war and more), the breezy "Femme fatale", the bouncy "Loving you is killing me" (with nice layered harmonies), "If I" ("If I sang a song, would you sing with me / if I shed a tear, would you cry with me?"), and the Gospel-tinged "Momma hold my hand" (with autobiographical lyrics remniscing on his childhood).
The production is light and free, perfect for this uplifting CD. Highly reccommended!
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By djg
Format:Audio CD
The title says it all. Although a soul album (and I mean soul in the classic sense and not Hip Hop) this is modern and poignant. It just does not get any better than this.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Chris
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I hope he gets his just due soon, this album is incredible. I love to hear him rhyme in his group alongside Exile, Emanon. However, he doesn't rap at all on this album. He has a very buttery, soulful voice. Tracks like "I Need A Dollar", "Miss Fortune", "Femme Fatale" Jump out at me, but they are all very great tracks. Excellent album
Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
just ok
if ur into pitchy tones, that dont sound good together. GET this CD... I only like 2 songs on this CD. The whole feel of this CD is too GENERICALLY OLD.. It seems forced.. He tried
Published 1 month ago by Tamaya Nicole
3.0 out of 5 stars
It is good
Bought this album after hearing the tune in a commercial. The album is rather nice, but has some tunes I had to listen to over a period of time to appreciate them. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Jason M Broughton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good Things
I love the soulful tracks on this album. Definitely glad I bought it. Would recommend it to some else who loves this style of music.
Published 3 months ago by Andrew
5.0 out of 5 stars
Aloe is a rising star
Aloe Blacc is a Phenomenal Musician. This Album is going to be a classic for every collection. Buy this now.
Published 4 months ago by bmore14
3.0 out of 5 stars
good things should be called okay things
There are really only 2 good songs on this CD. The rest of the songs are great if you are trying to go to sleep. Do not drive any distance with this CD. Read more
Published 4 months ago by roslynne m windham
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good CD
Never heard of Aloe Blacc before but glad I bought the CD. It is great and I'm glad yinz had it for a cheaper price than the stores
Published 5 months ago by Ryan MacCredie
4.0 out of 5 stars
The "wow" factor
I had never heard of Aloe Blacc until earlier this year when I was playing one of the free CDs that comes with MOJO magazine and on the CD of Rolling Stones covers tunes, one... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Donald E. Gilliland
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
I received this cd 3 days after ordering and I must say it was better than expected. Its soulful feel good music. Read more
Published 16 months ago by why
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great CD! Must buy!
Like much of the music I buy, I found Aloe Blacc just by chance as I was clicking link after link here on Amazon. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Teri
3.0 out of 5 stars
It's Alright
I bought this after KCRW played "I Need a Dollar" over and over again during their semi-annual pledge drive. I must admit, that song is definitely catchy and cool. Read more
Published 17 months ago by lonewolf
Listmania!
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