The Odd Couple

iTunes Review

The odd couple here isn’t the pairing of producer Danger Mouse and his soul singing sidekick Cee-Lo; they work together in perfect concert. No, it’s the yin-yang of retro-futuristic grooves keeping things in flux and in question that’s the odd coupling maintaining Gnarls Barkley as an intriguing enterprise. The duo can never recreate the element of surprise that ignited their debut 2006’s St. Elsewhere, but they do apply an accomplished level of craft and knowing musical cues to their eclectic mixes. “Who’s Going to Save My Soul” evokes the early-‘70s Philly soul that comes with such a title. But “Going On” and “A Little Better” traverse the galaxies, tapping into space with kinetic beats that slow as they ground to earth. The album’s first single, “Run (I’m a Natural Disaster),” steps up the beats per minute to elicit an extra burst of excitement but the sedately-paced “Would-Be Killer” and “Open Book” are every bit as alluring and satisfying. Throw in the ‘60s pop undertow of “Whatever,” “Surprise” and “Blind Mary” and it’s clear Gnarls Barkley are interested in spanning history as much as writing a new chapter.