CeeLo Green - Heart Blanche

CeeLo Green
Heart Blanche
2015
CeeLo Green - Heart Blanche

With a smash like "Fuck You" CeeLo has established himself as the kooky yet soulful singer that is not afraid to tackle new genres or styles. As of late CeeLo has found himself in a bit of legal trouble (hence the song from this album "CeeLo Green Sings the Blues") and has not produced any music from either Gnarls Barkley or a follow effort in awhile despite a Christmas album last year. What seems to be affecting people the most about CeeLo is their perception of him rather than what He really does. "Robin Williams" a song that came out this summer in response to the actors death may suffer from bad timing, but the sentiment of people not knowing what their fellow man is going through is still valid. The music on this album is lacking a bit of that usual CeeLo punch but "Est. 1980" is a really fun track as is "Working Class Heroes (Work)" so to call this record a complete flop is really quite silly. CeeLo's skill and song selection have not changed, what has changed is the fact that He is carrying around the burden of a heavy heart and a lot of regret which comes through the music.

While the first half of Heart Blanche may be CeeLo issuing his apology by the second half he is back to his defiant ways and making the music He is known for. The album remains just as colorful as the man himself. "Race Against Time" even features birds chirping in the background and "Better Late Than Never" is reminiscent of some of the best yacht rock has to offer. This album still offers that deep groove that CeeLo is great at and on "Purple Hearts (Soldier of Love)" He really let's it rip. This record at the end of the day is probably going to be a placeholder in the story of CeeLo, one that He needed to make but maybe was not exactly what He wanted to do. Look for him to take this record and really blow it out on His next release.

6.8 out of 10