Customer Reviews

Handler

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I would recommend listening to Har Mar Superstar if you like some upbeat music with some catchy tunes.
However, If you are at all uncomfortable with middle-aged balding men with beer-guts stripping on stage and humping walls, I would not recommend seeing him live. It was quite the...interesting experience, but it was worth it to see the amazing Ben Lee.

These intoxicating tunes from the up-and-coming "Superstar" have been the only sounds blaring out of my car stereo for the past two months. Recorded by an excellent new producer -- John "Strawberry" Fields -- this album is incredible. It combines lewd lyrics, resembling those of gangster rappers and R. Kelly, with a smooth delivery that's one part Stevie Wonder and one part Jamiroquai. Take those two elements and add the atypical, non-pop star "look" of Har Mar -- a fat, white, almost insane-looking man with hair going anywhere it wants, an outfit that fits (spandex pants and tighty-whities), and an abundance of confidence -- and you have yourself a musical Molotov cocktail.

With friends like Ben Stiller, Owen Willson, Karen O, and many others, his personality must be as funny and engaging as it comes off on this record. While most R&B albums get stuck in a stylistic rut, "The Handler" offers a lot of diversity. Admittedly, rump-shaking tracks like "DUI" and "Transit" are what Har Mar does best. And there are quite a few upbeat dance numbers here, including "Cut Me Up" with the aforementioned Karen O. He also throws in an amazing cover of Gilbert O'Sullivan's classic "Alone Again (Naturally)" which ends things on a poignant note. Every song on the album is filled with hooks and perfectly produced. If this guy isn't a household name in a few years, I'll be pretty sad.

Buy "The Handler," and you'll understand what I'm talking about.

i first heard "as" on the episode on the OC & immediately, i had to buy that CD. I'm not really into this genre of music, but something about that song just got to me. so after searching the net, i found out that Har Mar Superstar was the genius behind that song. I immediately bought his CD, the handler, and i haven't been dissapointed. Every one of these songs could be put on the radio right now, and would shoot to #1, because they're so catchy. Basically, every song is laced with sexual innuendo, but i don't really mind, and its tactful humor. This CD is really about having lightharted fun, which is why it's such a great party CD. You can play it from beginning to end, without skipping over a song.

My personal favorites: As (of course), Body Request, Cut Me Up, and Save the Strip.


OVERALL RATING: A-. It's a shame that such great music can fly under the radar, and go pretty much unnoticed. Buy this if you like Jamiroquai, Maroon 5, or any other funk music with r&b roots.

For those of you who haven't heard "The Handler" yet, Har Mar has taken his music to another level. While 2002's "You Can Feel Me" was a breath of fresh air and boasts fine songs like "Power Lunch," "We Could Be Heavy," "Freedom Summer," and the immortal "EZ Pass," "The Handler" is a fully realized, diverse offering that virtually defies you not to shake your ass.

John Fields -- the man behind Andrew W.K.'s "I Get Wet" and Pink's "Try This," among other albums -- lends his production expertise, finally allowing Har Mar's music to sound as large as his persona, and an all-star stable of collaborators stop by to further class-up the proceedings. Appearances from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Karen O. & Nick Zinner, Northern State, Michael Bland (former New Power Generation drummer), Australian beauty Holly Valance, and Elvis Costello & The Attractions drummer Pete Thomas help the recording sound like an aural celebration.

Track-by-Track Commentary:

1.) "Transit" - A thumping bassline and Michael Bland's steady, solid drumming provide the foundation for Har Mar's call-and-response ode to burgeoning fame and the fast lane.

2.) "Body Request" - Sounding as if it were plucked from 1982, this shimmering disco song features backing vocals by Holly Valance and more drumming from Michael Bland. If this doesn't become a break-out hit, there's something wrong with the world! Reportedly, the song's name and chorus were inspired by a Japanese beverage of the same name.

3.) "DUI" - No, Har Mar is not glamorizing drunken driving ... he's merely acknowledging the mortifying but all-too-familiar practice of "Dialing Under the Influence" (aka "Drunken Dialing"). High, horny, and sounding like a Jackson 5-era Michael Jackson, he reminisces about being "a lonely man with a roaming plan." Holly Valance provides playfully chimpmunkized backing vocals.

4.) "Cut Me Up" - Hooky and beautifully sick, Har Mar and Karen O. huff, puff, and groan their way through this synthesizer-heavy tribute to sadomasochistic sex. Another track that sounds as if it were recorded in the early '80s.

5.) "Sugar Pie" - Stevie Wonder will either be flattered ... or furious that he didn't record this! Har Mar's vocal soar, and there's even a harmonica riff that pays homage to "Isn't She Lovely." Light as a helium balloon and sweet as cotton candy, "Sugar Pie" is bound to make many people happy. Arranged by Pete Thomas.

6.) "As (Seasons)" - Sharing a writing credit with Har Mar & John Fields, Nick Zinner plugs in his guitar & bass for this playful-but-steady dance track. Whether singing about moon boots, the beach, Halloween, or horny neighbor kids, Har Mar's sexual antics thrive in all seasons.

7.) "Save the Strip" - Living in Motley Crue's old apartment off the Sunset Strip has inspired Har Mar to fantasize about reinvigorating the street's legendary party vibe. The rap here is fun ... and filthy.

8.) "O" - While this ballad at first sounds spare and out-of-place, repeated listenings reveal its nuance and beauty. Har Mar sounds more sedate and thoughtful here, with lyrics like "These words are my son, this hotel room my wife." The song slowly builds, with a strumming guitar added to the mix during the second verse.

9.) "Back the Camel Up" - A spiritual sister of "You Can Feel Me's" "Elephant Walk" -- which was co-created by members of The Faint -- this infectious dance anthem features both Nick Zinner and Holly Valance yet again. Har Mar raps of his sexual endurance before the pounding "Chomp Chomp Spit" chorus forces your feet into motion. A Middle-Eastern riff also weaves its way through the proceedings, making this track as catchy as the plague ... but in a good way.

10.) "Bird in the Hand" - Northern State, the female rap trio from New York, join Har Mar, Nick Zinner on drums, and Brian Gallagher on flute. Har Mar sings about his lust for a materialistic "little girl." Northern State's playful interruption in the song's latter half provides a playful counterpoint to the loverman's lusty intentions.

11.) "Back in the Day" - Har Mar brushes off former friends and collaborators who turned their backs on him in the weakest track on the album ... which is to say it's still better than the weak tracks on most R&B albums. And besides, you have to love any song that namechecks Sisyphus.

12.) "Alone Again (Naturally)" - In another shocking bit of seriousness, Har Mar tackles Gilbert O'Sullivan's 1972 hit single. Updated with modern squeaks and skronks, Har Mar's pipes are clean and gorgeous, lending "the most depressing song of all-time" a newfound sense of poignancy.

Although it seems to be floating under the radar right now, "The Handler" deserves to be heard! Buy it, and I can almost guarantee it'll be the soundtrack for your next party.

Har Mar's schtick wear a bit thin at times, but there's no denying his true singular talent - the guy knows how to write hooks, crank out the funk, and even has a lot of his with his ironic "sexy image" - at times, he sounds a bit uncomfortable like "Thicke" - you know, those white boys who are black inside...but not quite - but still, Har Mar delivers the goods in several key tracks, like BODY REQUEST and especially the KAREN O. (YEAH YEAH YEAHS) duet CUT ME UP - which should have been the first single/video - get this on MTV, he will finally move some units. Until then... p.s. Look for his CD single of BODY REQUEST which features the B-side SEXTAPE - surely the most blatant rip-off...um...er..."homage" to the Purple One ever - it's an audaciously note for note re-tread of PRINCE's "SEXUALITY" from his CONTROVERSY period - but hey, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, no?

Allow me to cut to the chase: This is a truly great album. I bought the previous two Har Mar CDs on the strength of this. OK, so maybe this guy has a healthy, often tongue-in-cheek sense of humor, but the arrangements, production, songwriting and general feel-good vibes make this a serious piece of work. In other words, Har Mar's not mocking the music, he's having a great time ... and so will you! Think of Prince at his best (pre-Batman), add a touch of Stevie Wonder (Track 5 especially), and a pinch of 70's disco energy, and you've got this sexy beast of an album. Don't buy this if you dig the likes of Craig David, but if you count "Lovesexy," "Sign of the Times," and "Parade," (Prince) or "Innervisions," and "Talking Book," (Stevie Wonder) in your top 100 albums then you're guaranteed to enjoy this album. It's no coincidence that Michael Bland -- Prince's New Power Generation drummer -- lended his awesome drumming skills to his CD. Har Mar is the real deal, but he's clearly more interested in making you dance than defending his authenticity to th ever-vocal "haters."

So I read about Har Mar from an interview
with Drew Barrymore, who I love. She raved about it, so I thought I should check it out. It is by far one of the best albums I have ever heard. Completely feel good all around. Everyone needs this in their collection. Buy it, I promise you'll love it!

He sure doesen't look like a pop star but this CD proves otherwise. I hope people will seek out this CD it is a great CD. Har Mar certainly deserves more attention than he is getting. He writes pefect radio friendly pop (all songs on the CD are under 4 minutes). Pick up this CD if you are looking for great fun pop music

Har Mar Superstar has been around for a while. His first album seemed like a joke. He played with The Strokes and The Faint. This fellow from St. Paul, Minnesota is hard working and for real. He started to take off in the UK. He moved to LA and has been seen around town a lot (www.polaroidscene.com). This album is part Prince and part Stevie Wonder. "D.U.I." is a throwback to the Jackson 5. He also works with Holly Valence, Karen O, Nick Zinner, and Northern State. Karen O supplies the electrofunk vocals on "Cut Me Up." Zinner adds guitar sounds to a few songs. Zinner is not just limited to doing stuff like TV on The Radio and Bright Eyes. Northern State adds the rap on "Bird In The Hand." Every song is fairly good. This is a party album. There is so much uninspired rap and r&b out there. This shows some hope and humor. Good music for oral sex.

He thinks he's Robbie Williams, he looks like your dad. The mesh tank top over the beer gut, the tight leather pants and the bald head make an, er ... exotic look indeed. If it were not for the fact that this guy knows how to take the piss. Lyrically funny and sexy, musically punchy and very clever this is a knockout album. Previous Har Mar cds have failed to sizzle but on The Handler he got it exactly right. So many tracks stand out that is is no use listing them, from start to finish this is a great album, full of great melodies and hooks. Eveytime I put this on people ask who it is. One of the finest albums of the year. Check it out.