Top Ten Songs by OutKast

Outkast, a group made up of two of the most talented artists this era has seen, makes us dance once again with the musical album titled Idlewild. What makes this album even hotter is the fact that it doubles as a soundtrack to their movie Idlewild, which is at a theater near you. OutKast made us all move in their previous album with hits such as I Like the Way You Move, and Hey Ya. The hot duo has come back and once again has not disappointed. The Idlewild album is innovative, merging history through melodious voices and jazz, blues, and rock with this generation's hip hop swagger. Reviews of the following ten songs give you a sample into the complex realm of Idlewild:

1. Mighty 'O': This laid back tempo is the first track on the cd with a welcoming hip hop beat that only Outkast brings to the hip-hop genre. This song is sure to have many bopping their heads and hollering out 'Ohhhhh!"

2. Idlewild Blue (Don'tchu Worry Bout Me): Andre 3000 delivers this blues number which drips with a southern twist that takes you back to juke joints in old barns with heat, sweat, and the strums of a guitar giving you the groove of the blues.

3. Morris Brown (featuring Scar & Sleepy Brown): The entrance of this song automatically places you in the center of a parade with the marching band playing to the beat and making everyone dance. I love the way the chorus links the marching band to the feelings you cant have with another person. Big Boi adds spice with his lyrics and the soulful melodies of Sleepy Brown and Scar gives this song the oomph you cannot resist dancing to or playing over and over again for that matter. I love this analogy.

4. Chronomentrophobia: This is without a doubt my favorite song on the track. It is brief, almost akin to an interlude, but it is powerful enough to carry the title of being a 'track' on the album. Andre 3000 is brilliant with his revolutionary words and ear catching rhythm. People have already considered singing this song at Mic Nite. Loves it!

5. The Train (featuring Scar & Sleepy Brown): This poignant song gives you a chance to know a little more about who Big Boi is and where he has come from. This song is inspirational and lets you know that 'you can do anything you put your mind to.' Sleepy Brown is such a talented fellow and he makes a feature in this song. The message in this song is clear: Life is short, so live your life to the fullest. If you were to die today, make sure that you have no regrets.

6. Hollywood Divorce (featuring Lil' Wayne & Snoop Dogg): OutKast gives us more than just a slow and smooth groove with Hollywood Divorce, but an insight on a deeper level of life as a Black male celebrity. Lil' Wayne reaffirms his position as an artist that challenges the mind and Snoop Dogg finishes at the end with his signature style of rapping.

7. Call the Law (featuring Janelle Monae): Big Boi and Janelle Monae nail this 1930's inspired piece, with instantly makes one think of movies like Color Purple, Chicago, Lackawanna Blues. Apparently the woman has had enough with her man's foolish ways, and somehow the gun has made a way into her hands. Call the law!

8. In Your Dreams (featuring all): This is a contemporary, catchy track with a couple innovative beats that fit together Big Boi, and Killer Mike offers words that are lyrically unique and Janelle Monae provides the sweetness of your voice to complete the song and Sleepy Brown adds his smooth harmony as well.

9. Makes No Sense at All: This track is brief, much like Chronomentrophobia, but I felt this was just as unique a song that needed to be mentioned. In the illustrious voice of Andre 3000, he captures the very essence of the process of song writing. Sometimes you just get stuck and out comes all kinds of crazy lyrics that really make no sense at all!

10. PJ & Rooster: Immediately, Andre 3000 takes you to a jazz club back in old Harlem with women wearing the short, sparkly, mini dresses and men decked out in their best suits. You are definitely transported to the Ragtime period and loving it. The upbeat melodies and drawl of Andre gives you a vision of a band playing their hearts out and loving every minute of being in that club. People are just dining, dancing, mingling and have the best of times.

Idlewild is overall a compilation of talented artists with creative minds and spirits that will keep music new and interesting for as long as they make it. OutKast always takes the music world to another level. You can hear the rawness in the beats. Once you press play, you are instantly given a wonderful story through music with lots of messages that can inspire, humor, and incite. These ten songs are my favorite, but there are more where this comes from and I fully recommend that everyone go and purchase this cd. Want my stamp of approval? You have it!