Album Review: The Internet - Purple Naked Ladies

Written by  Published in Album Reviews Friday, 06 January 2012 13:04

Odd-Future-Purple-Naked-Ladies

Syd tha Kid is a bit of an odd fit for Odd Future.  For a group that's constantly maligned as homophobic and misogynistic, the presence of an openly homosexual female amongst their ranks has turned a few heads.  But she's just as enthralling and rapturous as the rest of them.

The Internet, collaboration between Syd and fellow Odd Future member Matt Martian, is an ethereal, neo-soul group who wash their beats in ambience and morphine-infused R&B.  Their debut album, Purple Naked Ladies, sounds like Erykah Badu produced by Brian Eno.  It's long and wide with Syd's punk-drunk vocals pushing blissed R&B and soul production.

There's a distinct lack of purpose surrounding many tracks, a feeling of wandering instead of searching.  Some critics have cited this as a fault of the album, but it's really a circumstantial matter.  I admit sometimes, I have trouble concentrating on this album and the music.  Once while listening, I practically forgot I was listening to anything at all.  But I don't consider this a fault.  It's comfortable music that sticks with you, but doesn't dominate.  It sounds great late at night, lying on the couch after a long day, lights low, shoes off, drifting quietly into tomorrow.

This isn't to say though, that Purple Naked Ladies is devoid of jarring or intense moments.  "She Dgaf" is purely menacing and "Cocaine" can psyche a listener up as well as its namesake.  Some tracks will fall by the wayside to be sure, but several still stick out as imaginative singles, even if they have a somewhat mellow side effect.

A note to all the Odd Future fans: this doesn't sound like anything else the L.A. collective has put out recently.  It's blissed out, neo-soul with an out-of-this-world, flying-saucer-eyes ride through Neverland, and, chances are, not all devotees of the troupe will be down for the ride.

Last modified on Wednesday, 11 January 2012 17:38
Chris Castro

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
BestNewBands.com
From web

A must have! RT @ThatEricAlper NPR's guide to the running gags from Arrested Development: http://t.co/L6rXmSvkz5
BestNewBands.com
From web

RT @msuster: Lol “@levie: 48 more hours until your parents find out about -then subsequently join- Tumblr. Enjoy it while it lasts.”
BestNewBands.com
From web

TV Appearance: LA rockers @BewareoDarkness just made their network TV debut on @ConanOBrien. New album and tour. http://t.co/F2bkpYkoKR
BestNewBands.com
From web

Interview: Samuel and Sinosa of LA avant pop band @folchen discuss their latest album and musical etch-a-sketch. http://t.co/yzE3rFnINV
Follow BestNewBands.com on Twitter

 

New On BestNewBands.com

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. Showcases New Material at The El Rey

19 May 2013

Whenever a band uses extensive synths and heavy, yet interesting productions in their sound, there will always be a challenge in trying to get that music to translate well in a live setting. This is...

Beware Of Darkness Perform Single, "Howl," On Conan

17 May 2013

  Los Angeles-based rock band Beware of Darkness made their network television debut this week on Conan. The three-piece tore through their loud, bold, blues-rock single "Howl," a s...