MeShell Ndegeocello - Devil's Halo [Album]

Mercer Street Records

October 27, 2009, 12:58 PM

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I have been a fan of MeShell Ndegeocello since “Peace Beyond Passion” in 1996. I saw her touring that album in Boulder, CO and I was hooked. She is an amazing singer who has put out several stunning albums (“Peace Beyond Passion,” “Bitter”). She has just released a new album, “Devil’s Halo,” and I am happy to report this album is no exception.

I was surprised when I listened to “Devil’s Halo.” Nedegeocello has always played a soulful R&B sound, breaking out the occasional danceable track, but always firmly fixed in R&B. The new CD has a few tracks you would expect: patient, minimalist R&B songs with her signature high, passionate voice and low murmurs. On this, her tenth release, however, she does some things I’ve never heard from her before.

The opening track, ‘Slaughter,’ starts out sounding like something off of “Bitter,” but jumps quickly into a guitar-heavy Rock n Roll chorus. The third track, ‘Lola,’ has a Pop-oriented verse and a New Wave/Punk chorus. The whole disc jumps around and though there are plenty of songs with Ndegeocello’s signature sound she branches out in surprising directions. A few songs are dull and forgettable, but the songwriting is mostly very strong.

‘Crying in Your Beer’ is a beautiful, if sleepy sad song about loneliness that features sweet harmony vocals and a little banjo. 'Die Young' is a meandering, trippy song with layers of percussion and spacey keyboards. ‘Mass Transit’ and ‘White Girl,’ are high-energy Rock songs with electric guitar that she does really well. Even when the lyrics are sad, the music is often joyful and uplifting. The production, as usual, is tight and pleasing.

I was very impressed with this release. Ndegeocello continues to write beautiful songs and to grow her repertoire. I highly recommend picking up this one, particularly if you have liked her music in the past.

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