Customer Reviews

Sex Dreams And Denim Jeans

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

 

 

It's taken 4 years for her to complete this album, but with the list of producers on the record, it was worth it. Yes she predated Kesha, too bad no one on US radio knows that. Uffie is a little punk club kid who has staked out her own sound in the zombie wasteland of dance-pop. Starting as an anti-flow rapper, then progressing to mocking the autotune scene, she has no fear about stirring up people's juices. She will kick your ass and take your man, then run home to care for her newborn baby, or maybe date several well known DJs just to use them for their beats. Uffie is fearless, and hilarious. Some people don't get the joke.

Like most Americans, I would imagine, my first run-in with Uffie was on Justice's 2007 song, "The Party," for which she supplied all of the vocals. In my review of Cross, I called the song "the one low point on an otherwise flawless album." And then I forgot about Uffie. Fast-forward to 2009 when I hear Ke$ha's "TiK ToK" and initially mistake it for Uffie. My interest was piqued and as I started listening to Uffie's small catalog of songs, something strange happened: I actually started to like some of it. So what we have here is one of my most bizarrely anticipated albums of 2010, and one that has been delayed for years and years. (Hell, "Pop the Glock" was originally released in 2006!) The result of all that waiting is Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans, an album that is certainly a letdown, but is not without its fair share of hits.

The aforementioned "Pop the Glock" starts the album on a high note. Featuring genuinely unique production from Feadz, the song remains just as fresh as it was 4 years ago when it first appeared. It's still one of the best songs on the album and is only topped by "ADD SUV." The Mirwais produced song is a straight-up, mainstream club banger that not only has the best production on the album, but the catchiest hook as well. Pharrell Williams (of The Neptunes and N.E.R.D.) adds his vocals to the song to great effect. His rap verse is one of the coolest aspects of the song and his voice fits surprisingly well with Uffie's auto-tuned half-rapping.

"MCs Can Kiss," Sex Dream's first single (released back in January) stands out on the album due in large part to Mr. Oizo's old-school rap influenced beat. Uffie's vocals don't hurt either though, and as it stands, her flow on this song s the most technically-impressive thing she's ever done. The fact that she can spit out lines this quickly is a surprise because I'm so used to hearing her rap much slower (and much clumsier). "Difficult" continues this trend with another impressive performance by Uffie and yet more fantastic production. Uffie's declaration of "Don't worry if I write rhymes...I write checks" seems like a defiant finger to the haters, saying "I may not be the best lyricist, but I'm making money." It's an attitude that is echoed throughout the album, constantly acknowledging her (wildly apparent) flaws as an artist, and reinforcing the fact that she is - above all else - an entertainer.

However, a listener's ability to appreciate Uffie as an entertainer is going to depend heavily on their willingness to overlook her notable lack of musical talent. She cannot sing (she almost breaks auto-tune on "First Love"), she is often incapable of rapping fluidly, her lyrics are just garbage, and all of her best songs are often great despite her presence, not because of it. Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans' greatest asset may not be Uffie at all, but the producers who have provided their skills here (which is not completely surprising for an Ed Banger album). On songs where the production isn't as solid, Uffie flounders. Take "Art of Uff," for example, which is just a showcase of Uffie's mediocre rapping skills and elementary lyricism. With a beat this minimal, the focus is placed squarely on the artist, and she fails. Miserably. When she tries singing on "Give it Away" or "Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans" the result is just as disastrous; possibly worse.

Unfortunately, Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans is just as mediocre as the artist that appears on the cover. Despite truly awesome and groundbreaking songs like "Pop the Glock" or "Illusion of Love," it is hampered by others that go nowhere, say nothing, and entertain no one. The album's pacing and momentum also suffer from its hit and miss nature, and a great song is almost guaranteed to be followed by a bad one. Does Uffie succeed at being entertaining? Sure. In fact, I'd put some of these songs against anything that plays on mainstream American radio! But overall, Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans leaves a lot to be desired. Great production can only cover so many flaws, and Uffie's flaws burden an otherwise decent album. Seriously, when you make Pharrell Williams sound like a talented rapper, something is wrong.

Key Tracks:

1. "Pop the Glock"

2. "ADD SUV" (feat. Pharrell Williams)

3. "MCs Can Kiss"

4. "Difficult"

5. "Illusion of Love" (feat. Mattie Safer)

5 out of 10 Stars

Ever since I heard "Pop the Glock", which was a long time ago, I started to love Uffie and all her other songs. What makes Uffie so different from Ke$ha and Dev (which both came after her and are horrible artists), is that she actually has what she calls "fresh" and diverse beats along with well-thought up lyrics which aren't the absolute best but are still better than Ke$ha and Dev. The beats range from hip-hop, rock-pop, and even old-school disco. I'm so glad Uffie isn't mainstream. "Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans" is definitely one of my fave albums of 2010.

The album begins with her first single, "Pop the Glock", which is still one of my favorites for it's simple but fun beat and creative lyrics. It's a "bangin'" Feadz production. It's a song that I listen to over and over again. "Art of Uff" is another one of my favorites. It's another song with fun/creative lyrics, inclusing Uffie speaking a bit of French, and a nice beat from Mr. Oizo. "ADD SUV" is a hit-worthy hip-hop track with a catchy chorus and it's also featuring Pharrell Williams. "Give it Away" is another song that has a creative beat, and electro-ballad-ish production.

"MC's Can Kiss" has to be my second favorite. It's the most fun on the whole album It's been categorized in the genres of electroclash, rap, nu skool, club, synthpunk, acid house, and indie dance. I think it's the best beat on the album. It's new-school disco! I love everything about this song, including that funny saxophone solo at the end. "Difficult" is a great song with a video that I suppose would look really cool while high. I love the sample and this song has some of my favorite lyrics on the album. "First Love" which was one of her first songs has a great 80's sample and is an awesome song altogether. "Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans" is one of my top 5 favorites on the album. It's 2 1/2 minutes of old-school rock 'n' roll. It has a catchy chorus, amazing lyrics, and it even references Marilyn Monroe. (I love Marilyn!)

"Our Song" is pretty funny because in the beginning, while she's speaking, she admits something "I never claimed to be an artist, I can't even sing, ya know?" I never thought an artist would admit they couldn't sing, and even though I love Uffie, I have to admit, she can't sing that well. This song has a LOT of autotune-ish vocal editing, which makes her voice sound weird, but I love the chorus and beat. It's a standout on the album. "Illusion of Love" feat. Mattie Safer, is a 5 minute electro-acid-ballad which is truly unique. I love it! "Neuneu" is a fast paced 2 1/2 minute party song, that you may need to listen to another time to let it grow on you. "Brand New Car" is very old-school sounding, with it's rap sample and it's beat. It's a really fun song.

Uffie resings the 1978 song, "Hong Kong Garden" and I like it! It's not the best song on the album, but it's definitely fun and worth listening to multiple times. And of course, there's the last song, which is one of my faves, "Ricky". It's not the absolute best choice for the last song on the album, but, like Joe E. Brown in "Some Like it Hot" says "Well, nobody's perfect." The lyrics aren't the most creative, but I really like the beat and the outro. Altogether, the album ends on a good note.

"Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans" is definitely an album to listen to, and it's one of the best of 2010. I also love the import version, which comes in a denim packaging from her own brand, Diesel. Uffie is the best artist from Ed Banger Records in my opinion, and I can't wait for her next album!

Top 3 favorites:

1. Pop the Glock

2. MC's Can Kiss

3. ADD SUV feat. Pharrell Williams

I'm a sucker for female singers in a big way especially if the girl is cute (sorry kd lang). The album has a winning attitude. "Difficult" is a choice track. Overall the album is listenable through out and is worth buying. Get on it.