Baduism is back! (New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) - Erykah Badu)

Member Name: SpookyMoon

Product:	New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) - Erykah Badu
Date:	12/04/09 (33 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy listening but heavy lyrically.Beautiful songs,experimental subconcious flow of pace.Brillaint

Disadvantages: It's not very well known and it flits frm one sound to another in a confusing way at times.

This is probably the most ignored of Erykah Badu's albums. Although she is an amazing singer and a brilliant songwriter, for some reason she never seems to gain as much credibility as other artists in her genre (dare I say male). It really is unfair because her lyrics are really quite raw and politically focused. You would think this would put her up there with Rage Against The Machine and their amazing 'Killing In the Name of'.

This album is probably her most hip-hop sounding album so far, but still with a really mellow sweet sound (considering the topic of her songs). It also have a really vague and experimental sound at times, changing
flow and sometimes even stopping suddenly without it seeming like the tune has ended. It kind of feels like when you are driving or walking down a busy market street in the summer: you can hear a variety of music stopping and starting as you pass different stores and stalls. If you are listening really carefully then it can be a bit annoying but if you just let it wash over you subconciously then it can be a really nice dreamlike affect.

As mentioned before, lyrically this is heavy: "The Healer," tells how hip-hop is bigger than religion and government; "The Cell" is about drug abuse with some really insightful, honest and poetic lines. "Soldier" has the amazing line "Now to folks that think they livin' sweet/They gone fuck around and push 'delete''. And there is much more besides that should be worth a mention, but that would spoil the real magic and insight of this album for those considering buying it.

Although this album does have an easy sound initially, none of the lyrics are easy to hear, especially with direct references to Hurricane Katrina and terrorist attacks. But for the more intelligent listener this really is the chess of hip-hop and definitely something that should be accredited far more than it is. Absolutely my favourite of her albums so far!

Summary: Smooth and serious like good whiskey.