CD Review 
Artist: Gnarls Barkley
Album: The Odd Couple
Label: Warner Bros Records 
Release Date: 01/04/2008

Reviewed By: Monika Wierzbicki (Vancouver Correspondent - Canada)


Cool, Cool, so utterly cool! That's really the best adjective for The Odd Couple the new CD by Gnarls Barkley. I suppose that simply calling it "cool" would be selling it a little short so I'll keep going. 

Throughout the entire CD there is a frenetic crazy energy that makes you want to keep listening to it but at the same time every song sounds memorable and unique. The vocals are powerful and euphonic and warm, I actually put this entire CD on my iPod because it is undeniably catchy and addictive. The song "Going on" is wonderfully weird and wailing with some surprisingly sweet lyrics my favorite being "but every once in a while I think about her smile one of the few things I do miss". "A Little Better" has a simple but sharp sound, the vocals are the focal point even with the funky instrumentals and the lyrics such as "So cold it's a crying shame yet here I am trying again because I refuse to die in vain" are ultimately optimistic without sounding cheesy. My favorite song on this CD would have to be "Whatever" it is hilariously bitter and cynical without actually becoming depressing, it was in fact the most upbeat song about being miserable that I've ever heard and would make an excellent break up song especially with lines in it like "I know it sounds real sad but true being alone is nothing new, but it's cool, it could be better, I don't care whatever". 

I found this CD refreshingly unique and just a lot of fun to listen to because it manages to be upbeat and a little crazy but rather than vapid empty lyrics, these ones vary from crazy, bitter, wise, poetic, and everything in between. As I listened to it I was torn between bouncing around to the funky instrumentals and trying to learn the lyrics; needless to say I am attempting to do both through a lot of repeated listening. If you are tired of the same cookie-cutter songs and meaningless lyrics on the radio and in the stores lately then I highly recommend that you have this CD in your car or on your iPod this summer.

1. "Charity Case" - 3:12
2. "Who's Gonna Save My Soul?" - 3:15
3. "Going On" - 2:54
4. "Run (I'm A Natural Disaster" - 2:40
5. "Would Be Killer" - 2:22
6. "Open Book" - 3:20
7. "Whatever" - 2:18
8. "Surprise" - 3:50
9. "No Time Soon" - 2:55
10. "She Knows" - 2:44
11. "Blind Mary" - 3:25
12. "Neighbors" - 3:05
13. "A Little Better" - 3:07