Customer Reviews

She's in Control

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Wow. Truly, truly, truly infectious is how i'd describe this album. The Chromeo vibe is 70's and 80's roller p-funked electro dance musik that will have you poppin' and breakin' in no time. All you have to do is listen to "You're so Gangsta" and watch the c-c-c-catchy hooks infiltrate your soul. With hints of Zapp & Roger, George Clinton, b-boy breaks, analog synth, and tripped-out vocoder, the overall result is just so F-F-F-FUNKY that I broke out doing the wave in a bar just because Chromeo could not stop playing in my head! My other notable faves are "Me and My Man" and "Woman Friend". But every song will make you hum along, grin like a maniac, and bust out the dance moves--which makes this album worth every cent. Electronica needs a new infusion these days, and Chromeo is my vote for the most truly talented electro band of the year.

As a preface to getting in details about this album, let it be known: 1.) you can do away with reviews saying Chromeo sounds like a hybrid of the likes of Hall & Oates, Daft Punk and N.E.R.D. Simply enough, Chromeo is a conglomeration of 70's funk rock, 80's instrumental italo-disco and modern bona fide electro-disco; 2.) you can also do away with the remixes of the songs on the album, because none of them really do any justice, as hopefully you'll find; 3.) Also, if you're looking for a quick rundown of the "stand-out" tracks, then stop, because the album is so good, you'll be hard-pressed to find any.
Most of the tracks on "She's In Control" employ vocals done with a really slick, yet somehow goofy vocoder. "Needy Girl" is about just that, and has three very sassy and bouncy keyboard lines intertwining. "Way Too Much" uses a Billy Idol-esque bass riff and a great trading off of real voice and vocoder sounds. "You're So Gangsta" is a funk masterpiece that samples the song name in a way so funky, fans of old Snoop Dogg would start making excuses. And then a saxophone comes in.
There are two instrumental tracks as well, which are a nice respite from the vocals. "Since You Were Gone" has crazy fazer-sounding key patterns, built up by electronic tom and cymbal crescendos, all glued together with a thick bass and snare. The nearly instrumental (and longest track) "Ah Oui Comme Ca" marries an incredibly tight drumbeat with a nice filtered organic synth sound that only the best in the contemporary electro genre would use.
If all of this weren't enough, most tracks feature a solo section somewhere in the middle, incorporating anything from 80's hair-metal sounding guitar leads to modern prog-rock keyboard virtuosity. But somehow, in the end, it all works. "Woman Friend" has perhaps the best of these solos, a really well-phrased 16th-note styling played with an icy-slick and shiny synth.
This album is for everybody who likes to dance or likes funky dance/electronic music at all; but also for those who remember the electro-disco-soul of Lime and Timex Social Club. Not to be missed.

There's not enough I can say about this album of pure genius. Where else are you gonna get talkbox and rock guitar solos in one place. The songs speak for themselves.

Ok... I first saw these guys live... and I couldn't believe that these guys were real! they're rockin! the music is so catchy and fun, not to mention the great lyrics.. you gotta love it.

When I first heard this album I thought; if these dudes are take them selves seriously then this music is rubbish. Then I thought; does that even matter.....? Basically, I reckon this album is the kind of music you have to appreciate for what it is and nothing more than that.

It's retro, funky, definately electro, and definately pop... kind of funny... there are alot of well-grounded melodies and 80s sounds and arrangements. It's the kind of nostalgic pop the world has been waiting for. If the 80s have, or are, coming back around again Chromeo are at the top of the pile of interesting electro pop artists. It's kind of kitch, light hearted and enjoyable. it's a good album so buy it and see if you enjoy it.

If you like funky, soulish 80's sounding music then you should get this, Cameo, Zapp, George Clinton etc. must all have been influents that this Canadian Duo Chromeo were inspired by. They sound a bit like the Neptunes with all those cool beats and great melodies but they are more 80's inspired and they mix their voice like Zapp used to do aswell to make it sound even more retro.

Chromeo are one of a very bands that still makes this kind of music, you could think that this album was recorded in 1983 but it's actually brand new. "Needy Girl" is the best song from this album, it's a retro song with a great hook and funky melody, reminds me of classic Cameo. "You're So Gangsta" is instrumental but in the same spirit as the others. "Woman Friend" is a contribution to Zapp. "Destination Overdrive" is rock inspired up-tempo with Robotic voices. "Since You were Gone" is funky but adds some good old keyboards and drums. "Mercury Tears" is the closest you come to dance here, sounds abit like Air or Daft Punk. "Ah Oui Comme Ca" and "She's in Control" are good closer to this spectacular album.

The reason you should buy this is that it's diffrent and got this great 80's feeling all over it that certainly will bring back some old memories, musically it offers alot even if lyrically it isn't the best. 4/5 this will work at any party. Check them out. 80's is coming back!

I love this CD as much as anyone else here - it's just about the best pop-electro-80s-funk confection that LES RHYTHMES DIGITALES never made - and I mean that as a compliment! But look for the German Import version of this CD, which contains the "Needy Girl" video PLUS amazing BONUS REMIXES by WHITEY, DFA, and PLAYGROUP to improve an already very promising debut.

Okay just kidding, but Chromeo is an Arab/Jewish duo that when combined with a voicebox and synthesizers crank out one of the most fresh and inventive albums to come along in a VERY long time. The beats are infectious, the hooks unstoppable. You will be searching for your old adidas and a cardboard mat to breakdance. This album has so much appeal on so many levels. It has not left my CD player in about a month now. A MUST BUY!

Chromeo's "She's In Control" is a decent enough debut. They definitely prove that they have some potential with the first track "Me & My Man" and the hit song "Needy Girl" which is one of my recent favorites. They have much promise, but "She's In Control" is not that album which will make them stars (*worthy* stars, I should say). After the third track, "You're So Gangsta", the album gets noticably worse. The singer(s) are great here - they have the right charm and personality for the lyrics and style of music. Lyrically the album is pretty interesting although it's mostly just funny (especially on "Needy Girl" and "Me & My Man". Sometimes they're pretty childish - see "Rage!"). Musically it sounds pretty unique - they somehow manage to create a distinct electronic sound that fuses in elements of hip-hop and jazz/blues (for this part see "You're So Gangsta"). It's not for everyone, but many will probably appreciate its humor. Overall it's not a bad album, but you could probably live without it.

Highlights include:
"Me & My Man"
"Needy Girl"
"You're So Gangsta"
"Woman Friend" (to an extent)
"Destination Overdrive"
"Way Too Much" (sort of)
"Ah Oui Comme Ca"

I have to say that this album is sooo goood! Members of Chromeo Dave 1 and Pee Thug have put together what sounds like a 70's and 80's funky electro dance mix that will have you going all night to the party. The songs are catchy like Mercury Tears and Me And My Man and great to dance to like Destination Overdrive and Ah Oui Comme Ca. I can just see the roller skates at the roller rink with a disco ball above. This album totally brings that feel and then some!

SJ
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