Listening to Erykah Badu is so 90s. Her easy listening sensibilities belong on VH1 right next to Sade and Janet Jackson. Too bad VH1, and most of the world, stopped caring about Badu when Bush took office. It's hard to take a neo-hippie soul woman seriously when a Republican occupies the White House - too much real world pessimism on the nightly news. Her usually calm demeanor disappeared on her 2008 album, New Amerykah Part One: (Fourth World War), a heavy handed affair full of political preachings and forebodings of war.
Badu's latest effort New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh, is a return to her more earnest, soul jam roots. A companion album to the abrasive and confrontational (Fourth World War), Return of the Ankh is filled with mellow tunes about love that radiate with low-fi warmth.
Her current single, "Window Seat", has recently received much attention for its controversial video (watch below) which depicts Badu stripping to the nude before being shot in public. But without the distraction the song more than stands on it's own. It's the best song offered and finds her relaxed croon doing just enough to give the song a direction. Let the music to the rest right?
"Gone Baby, Don't Be Long" is an upbeat tune where Miss Badu waits for that special touch from that special someone. "I can't wait to see what you do" she moans longingly (dirty girl). Sure it's not something new and revolutionary, but when the mood is this thick with sexy goodness, just emulate her and go with the flow.
Yet all the best ideas are presented at the first half of the album making Return of the Ankh a rather front loaded affair. In the final five tracks, three contain "love" in the title. Badu simply under cooks her ambitions and delivers flat songs that work better as mood molders than a cohesive unit. "Fall In Love (Your Funeral)" comes off an extended jam that runs on for an unnecessary three minutes.
The final track, "Out Of My Mind, Just In Time" is a sprawling 10 minute opus divided into three separate parts. Though a surprisingly well thought out effort,the whole thing falls apart under its own weight. While each part works on its own, together the whole meaning is lost. And besides, who said we needed a soul version of "Jesus Of Suburbia"?
In the grand scheme of things there is more good than bland here. Badu fans of old will happily welcome her return to subtle soul grooves while "Window Seat" - and her knack for stirring the pot - will hopefully introduce her to some new ears. And besides, even if some tunes are undeveloped, just turn out the lights and get close to your lady friend or dude buddy. Only then will you get as lost into this record as Badu herself seems to be.
Grade: B-
Key Tracks: "Window Seat" "Gone Baby, Don't Be Long"
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