The Love Below

Rock artists borrowing from rap sounded like a fun novelty concept in the late 80s. The novelty then turned into the consequential Rage Against the Machine. The only problem was that every other rock-rap mutt was nothing more than a nightmare. 

Beginning in 1997 rap artists started playing to their rock influences more than ever. Outkast quickly jumped into the forefront with their third album, Aquemini. Next came Stankonia, an experimental album that featured some of the duo's best work to date but overall stood out as their first non-imperative album. Andre and Big Boi began publicly stating that their next concoction would be a double album consisting of a solo album from each artist. Would this scheme help them regroup and find their sound, or would it just linger in the decline started with Stankonia?

Not surprisingly, Big Boi's Speakerboxxx portion of the album channels the archetypal sound of the duo's ATLiens, the fleeting spirit of Stankonia and his own affections for classic-era Prince records. Considered the "rap" half of Outkast, Big Boi has put together a surprisingly triumphant album that features five or six great songs and no real aesthetic transgressions. Big Boi is moving slowly and sticking to what he's good at.

Sure, Speakerboxxx is a great rap album. Good job, Big Boi. Kudos. The thing is, enjoyable rap albums aren't that hard to come by. The real topic of discussion is Andre's strikingly original The Love Below offering. Initially, The Love Below comes across as a creative misadventure; the songs all seem emulous but incoherent and lack the "Chonkyfire" effect heard on Aquemini. Repeat listens reveal the impulsive aptitude that Andre personifies. Although only about half of The Love Below can be considered great, it is those few songs that have the rare power to make music seem invigorating again.

Andre mixes soul, funk, jazz, breakbeat, rock and rap as effortlessly as the great pioneers of the past have. The first half of The Love Below is likely this year's most majestic statement in music, and Andre at times seems like a modern-day Prince splitting traits with a Jagger-era David Bowie. His singing and production is spotty, but when it works it's arguably the best illustration of what the next generation of rap artists should aim for. A fair warning goes out to the aspiring: Andre's talent is no fluke; finding The Love Below was a decade-long process.

Outkast find themselves back on the edge of music with their new, incredibly ambitious release. In brief, Big Boi delivers a consistent, yet standard set of bangers while Andre provides us with eight of the year's best musical moments hidden in the 20-track mess that is The Love Below.   8/10

Written by G. William Locke