Esthero – Wikked Lil’ Grrrls

Esthero
Artist: Esthero
Title: Wikked Lil’ Grrrls
Label: Reprise
Rating: 7/10

CORPORATE LINE: Wikked Lil’ Grrrls is an in-depth look into the core of Esthero. In the past, she was the vocal instrument whose words and music blended into a trance that blanketed her in mystery. Wikked Lil’ Grrrls presents a more soulful, still ethereal woman who has been loved, lost, and liberated through self-discovery. Bratty yet balanced, Esthero takes the reigns where many female artists have fallen short in exposing their brazen side. Musically, the LP incorporates the many loves of Esthero, who served as both an Executive Producer and Co-Producer on the album. She is joined by guest producers [Adam 12, Camara Cambon, Spookey Ruben, James Robertson, Track and Field, Sean Lennon and Keith Crouch] with appearances by Shakari Nite, Cee-Lo Green, Jemeni, Jeleestone and Andre3000 of Outkast. Esthero creates a perfect world where samba meets soul and jazz unites with rock. Her vocals are graciously magnified this time, and accompanied by pianos, horns and basslines. This masterpiece surely sets the standard for the new school fusion of genres.

THE GREAT:
“Everyday Is A Holiday (With You)” f./ Sean Lennon – I’m not sure where Sean Lennon is—apparently he duos on the occasional chorus but it doesn’t matter. Esthero takes this charming song and makes it soar.
“Wikked Lil’ Grrrls” – The lyrics are bad—but the melody is hot. If only Esthero could manage to whip her lyrics into shape these songs might be better than average.
“Gone” f/Cee-Lo Brown – Even angels find someone to sing-a-long.

THE AVERAGE:
“We R In Need of a Music Revolution” – It’s not a revolution. Esthero still sounds like Bjork on this track—those who didn’t know better might think it was Bjork.
“Junglebook” – Sexy—but not great.
“Beautiful Lie” – Jazz-tinged and lovely and again it’s not great.

THE BAD:
“If Tha Mood” f/Shakari Nite – Esthero sings like an angel but Shakari Nite dropping lines like “I want to f**k you now” come off as cheesy and tasteless.

FRANKLY: Esthero isn’t new—in fact she was one of a duo that released the wonderful “Breath From Another” in 1998. Then with her jazz flavor Esthero was a revolution. It’s been too long and too many artists later to call Esthero revolutionary. Too much of Wikked Lil’ Girls takes from different genres the biggest problem is that listeners will step away because Eshtero can’t separate her sound from other artists like Bjork or Gwen Stefani.

+ Rae Gun


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