St. Elsewhere
by Gnarls Barkley
  • Record Label: Downtown
  • Release Date: May 9, 2006
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 111 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 95 out of 111
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 111
  3. Negative: 7 out of 111

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  1. grandpajoe6191
    Nov 14, 2011
    9
    The only reason I listened to the album "St. Elsewhere" is because of "Crazy".
  2. BryantE
    Jun 1, 2006
    8
    It was on sale so I listened to it. Never heard them before... and I loved it. My teenage kids think it's cool too and I have gained some creds by bringing it home! Sounds like 70's motown mixed with hip hop. Smokey Robinson meets Outcast. Lyrically, I found it kinda weak, or maybe it's just beyond me, but it sounds like a bunch of drug induced yammerings. And I've It was on sale so I listened to it. Never heard them before... and I loved it. My teenage kids think it's cool too and I have gained some creds by bringing it home! Sounds like 70's motown mixed with hip hop. Smokey Robinson meets Outcast. Lyrically, I found it kinda weak, or maybe it's just beyond me, but it sounds like a bunch of drug induced yammerings. And I've been there... 3/4's of the release is just excelent.… Expand
  3. MikeK
    Jun 1, 2006
    9
    I agree, if you think this is a "0" or a "1" type of album, you ARE crazy. This feels like a breakthrough in r&b - yeah, it's supposedly hip hop, but the best cuts sound like a new kind of soul record, where the r&b vocals (not rapping) are married to a cool atmospheric production - DJ Danger Mouse sounds like the Brian Eno of r&b here. I don't think this is a start-to-finish I agree, if you think this is a "0" or a "1" type of album, you ARE crazy. This feels like a breakthrough in r&b - yeah, it's supposedly hip hop, but the best cuts sound like a new kind of soul record, where the r&b vocals (not rapping) are married to a cool atmospheric production - DJ Danger Mouse sounds like the Brian Eno of r&b here. I don't think this is a start-to-finish engaging record, but the best tracks are amazing ("Summer" sounds like neo-NEO-soul rather than straight up dance).… Expand
  4. ErikS
    May 15, 2006
    9
    this album rules. cee-lo does a good job with lyrics and danger mouse is quickly becoming one of my favorite producers. everything he touches turns to awesome. standout tracks- crazy, transformer, who cares,
  5. DerekE
    May 1, 2006
    8
    One of the best albums this year, for sure.
  6. cables
    May 8, 2006
    10
    umm. yeah.. this is pretty much excellent and genre bending.
  7. !?
    Jan 10, 2007
    9
    Great album, just short.
  8. AndersH
    Oct 11, 2006
    9
    A 9 just for the reviving new sound the two bring to the muddled pop industry.
  9. ReubenF
    Dec 19, 2006
    7
    A slick polished album from duo Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo. 'Crazy' is the highlight, sounding like an instant classic, though it wears a little thin after a few plays. Interesting to find a cover of a Violent Femmes song on the album, who happen to be the first band I ever saw live, back when I was just 13. The album does not really live up to the standard of the lead single, A slick polished album from duo Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo. 'Crazy' is the highlight, sounding like an instant classic, though it wears a little thin after a few plays. Interesting to find a cover of a Violent Femmes song on the album, who happen to be the first band I ever saw live, back when I was just 13. The album does not really live up to the standard of the lead single, which is a pity. I love the artwork though.… Expand
  10. ClayS
    May 1, 2006
    10
    Amazing, best record i've heard in years!!!!
  11. R.Skells
    May 1, 2006
    8
    i like this album alot. its innovative and cee-lo sounds great. danger mouse, a frustratingly inconsistent musician, has one of his better outings here. the song writing is surprisingly good and highly personal.
  12. samb
    May 1, 2006
    9
    despite some weak tracks, st. elsewhere still manages to awe. danger mouse is truly in his element on 'just a thought,' and the duo reaches a creative height that one rarely sees on 'crazy,' which is undoubtedly the best single so far this year, and wont be forgotten for quite a while.
  13. MF
    May 10, 2006
    9
    One of the best albums of the year so far. Excellent all around! Do yourself a favor and get this album now!!!
  14. dl
    May 10, 2006
    10
    If you are a person whose musical tastes are eclectic, this is the album for you. I can't even count the number of varying musical styles and influences I hear. With each new track I found myself surprised at what I was hearing. For me it boils down to this. Every album I buy I want to fall in love with, and literally, the only music I have listened to for the past 5 days is St. If you are a person whose musical tastes are eclectic, this is the album for you. I can't even count the number of varying musical styles and influences I hear. With each new track I found myself surprised at what I was hearing. For me it boils down to this. Every album I buy I want to fall in love with, and literally, the only music I have listened to for the past 5 days is St. Elsewhere. There is no truer test of an albums quality than that.… Expand
  15. Kristian
    May 1, 2006
    9
    Cee-Lo is a quarky fantasic match to Danger, they album is posed to be a great summer album with only a few tracks to skip over...
  16. PaulC
    May 3, 2006
    10
    Been waiting a while for this one. It's a masterpiece of chaos and melody. very adventurous. don't know if everyone will understand it though. in my opinion- Album of the Year.
  17. KristianF
    May 5, 2006
    8
    Well, I think you're craaazy...!
  18. TWright
    May 6, 2006
    10
    An absolutely brilliant album that grabs you on the first listen and gets better every time it's played. An instant hit and a slow burner at the same time.
  19. GasparL
    May 7, 2006
    8
    Definitely an amazing piece of work from two artists more than capable of crafting it. What I don't understand is all the down-talk on the busier songs; "Transformer" seemed to get panned by every major review it came up in, and "Go Go Gadget Gospel" got its share of guff, but I think they're album highlights. Maybe I just have a weird thing for songs that make my brain have to Definitely an amazing piece of work from two artists more than capable of crafting it. What I don't understand is all the down-talk on the busier songs; "Transformer" seemed to get panned by every major review it came up in, and "Go Go Gadget Gospel" got its share of guff, but I think they're album highlights. Maybe I just have a weird thing for songs that make my brain have to work; that skittery, see-if-you-can-keep-up-with-this feel, trying to fit all the pieces in your mind and tracing along. And wasn't the whole dead metaphor on "Necromancing" a comparison to being drugged up? On the downside, the album is short; very short. So short I feel somewhat cheated, knowing that amazing songs like this could have been honed and built on into an opus. At 37 minutes, be sure you're paying for 37 minutes, no matter how high the quality. Whatever the case, I can tell this will be making year-end Top 50 lists by early May.There may be a few skip-worthy lows, but when it all comes together, every gripe I had simply went out the window. "St. Elsewhere" burns slow into a foggy wisp and etheral howls, "Smiley Face" bounces around while bearing its soul, "Feng Shui" sits as a keen little interlude of Cee-Lo in Rap Mode (always a treat), and "Who Cares" floats along its merry, warped way. If the fat were cut and the good stuff were given the time it deserved, this would be an instant ten and a classic for decades to come. But, as it is, it's a staggeringly fresh and vibrant debut, with promises of gleaming perfection if the two ever clear up their collaboration schedules for a sophomore stint.… Expand
  20. willh
    Jun 1, 2006
    10
    This album is deffinately a classic and will prove that as the summer continues on as we will see that no other album for the summer will compile such diversity and metaphoric translation.
  21. GreatBadrAlbum
    Jun 2, 2006
    10
    GREAT album, great music, etc... One of the best albums this year.
  22. NZFan
    Jun 6, 2006
    9
    The only downfall of this album is that all of the songs are the type that will get played over and over and over for a short time until i get bored of them
  23. othostice
    Jul 13, 2006
    9
    Danger Mouse is the first hip-hop producer that I have considered a musician. In his hands, a mixing board becomes an instrument.
  24. Rusty
    Aug 7, 2006
    8
    I've enjoyed DJ Dangermouse and Cee-lo's work, but both of them together is clever, between Cee-los unique voice and Dangermouse's different and sometime "weird" beats, its perfect. It gets a little getting used, but I was actually satisfied with the album.
  25. RickS
    Sep 9, 2006
    10
    This ablum blew me away.
  26. EddieW
    Jul 30, 2007
    8
    A versatile album with great singers. The only thing I thought was lacking is "substance", this CD is more fun than serious and that of course it's not bad. Entertaining, that's for sure!
  27. NicoleD
    Dec 7, 2006
    10
    Great, simply genius album. The high energy only adds to its overall appeal. One of the year's best by far, with songs like "Smiley Face's" that make you wanna get out your seat and jam. Loved it loved it! Keep Rocking, Rapping, Popping Gnarles Barkley because this album breaks into all music genre's with ingenious ease!
  28. JeremyG
    May 2, 2006
    10
    Great Album... from beginning to end.
  29. MattM
    May 25, 2006
    10
    There's absolutely nothing wrong with this album, I wouldn't remove a note of it. One of the best albums of the Hip-Hop era.
  30. GreatDane
    May 26, 2006
    10
    By far the best album of the year....!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Awards & Rankings

58
#58 Best Album of 2006
39
#39 Most Discussed Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 37 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 37
  3. Negative: 0 out of 37
  1. Dot Music
    90
    Both artists have stepped outside their regular roles to make what feels like a genuinely instinctive, love-fuelled record that zings with an enthusiasm for all spectrums of music.
    Read full review
  2. musicOMH.com
    80
    Although this isn't a flawless album, it will undoubtedly be a huge hit and keep many people company through the long hot summer months ahead.
    Read full review
  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    You certainly won't hear much else at the moment as inventive as this.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »