Tuesday, May 01, 2007


Sa-Ra – Style over Substance since 2004

For the past few years music enthusiasts have been looking for a reprieve from the mundane songs shoved down our throat by the radio. People have developed a sort of complex, where in looking for the “new” shit they will accept anything as good so long as it’s different. Sure someone has to break ground for any true impact to be made but what if it doesn’t sound like much? In my parents’ heyday there was nothing like Parliament Funkadelic, but at least they seemed to have some kind of a concept of what they were doing. The past few albums Outkast has picked up the reins of going left field and against the grain, but a lot of their music sounds like something.

Around 2004, MP3s began floating around of a demo from this group Sa-Ra (Creative Partners), the “cool” kids jumped right aboard questioning nothing while the sensible of us were like “Wait, these n*ggas just sound weird. This is what all the hype is about?” Then came the accompanying visuals, their dress code said “Look at us dare to take different to a whole new level” and anyone with a normal wardrobe checking for artists whose music stands out more than their clothing was probably thrown for an even bigger loop. Then Kanye West signed them to G.O.O.D Music and the buzz really skyrocketed, with ‘Ye being quoted as saying something to the effect of “I wasn’t gonna miss out on the next shit”. So being the unpaid blogger that I am, I wasn’t going to miss out on the chance to laud or trash their official debut The Hollywood Recordings since they’ve nearly eased their way to mainstream exposure.

1) Seagulls Intro – It’s alright, kind of electronic and non-descript @@@@

2) Hey Love - A Prince fanatic or a trendy chick would probably like this, but it’s not impressive like that - @@@ ½

3) Glorious* – This was the song my trendpals were gushing over 2 ½ years ago. I wasn’t impressed then and I’m still not. It actually sounds like a joint DJ Spinna did called “Intergalactic” if I’m not mistaken- @@@

4) So Special – This actually sounds like something, even though the melody in the production and vocals has Michael Jackson all through it. - @@@@

5) And If – This is alright, nothing special though - @@@ ½

6) Rosebuds – This was also on the demo from some years back. It’s pretty catchy. - @@@@

7) Feel The Bass* - I don’t know if this is supposed to be to 2010 what Planet Rock was to the early 80’s but this sounds like an experiment gone bad. Kweli probably did this for the check. - @@@

8) Not On Our Level – Their attempt at making a “jeep banger”. Nore’s verse is laughably bad if you ever enjoyed The War Report. - @@@

9) White (On The Floor)* - A hot mess designed to make you look cool in a Miami or New York club - @@@

10) Bitch* – This is about “Sa-Ra” as Sa-Ra gets. Everything I feel is wrong with this group is contained in this song. – I won’t even rate this one

11) Do Me Gurl – This is a heater even though it sounds weird. Maybe it’s the Pete Rock/The Words and Why drums. - @@@@

12) Ladies Sing – The lyrics are whatever, but the old school doo-wop vibe is kind of cool. - @@@@

13) Sweet Sour You – Also on Bilal’s never released sophomore effort Love For Sale. It’s really a @@@ ½ but B’s vocals take it to a @@@@

14)Tracy* – See what I said for Track 10. This was the song that officially made me include the * qualifiers.

15) Fly Away* – More weirdness featuring Erykah Badu - @@@

16) Lean On Me – Someone told Kurupt “Yo you gotta get with these cats they’re the future” or like Kweli he wanted a check. - @@@

17) Fish Fillet – If there was ever the myth that Pharaoh Monche can make your song better, this disproved it. - @@@1/2

18) Thrilla – This is a banger, Dilla went in with a vintage appearance. - @@@@

19) Hollywood (Redux) – One of the best songs on here, if they went this direction instead of trying to be pimped out fashionistas I would fuck with them a lot harder. This is them doing what works for them, a slow soulful groove. - @@@@ ½

That makes 7 out of 19 songs that I’m checking for, throwing things at the wall and seeing what sticks doesn’t impress me. They need to produce for other artists and really carve a niche that’s all of their own or else they’ll wind up being the spaced out version of the Trackmasters.

If you need substantive proof of how weird they are, read any article you come upon.

*(If you like these songs you’re probably a hipster asshole, no two ways about it.)

1 comment:

Rich Louis said...

man you're killing me
but as producers they show a lot of potential
i think u just can't get past their image so ur that much harder on them