"california" finds pc munoz and the amen corner paying tribute to 80s funk, hip-hop, and new wave, while also bravely combining disparate sounds to create a new, 21st century electro-funk. Throughout "california", pc's tra... more »demark, multi-layered lyricism and eclectic songwriting style give the album a distinctive sound, unlike anything else in contemporary R&B. Exciting collaborations can be found all over "california": legendary songwriter Jackson Browne drops in to sing on the title track, former Prince and the Revolution keyboardist Dr. Fink serves up a classic synth solo on the creepy meditation "deathbed", world renowned conductor Yair Samet leads a revved-up string quartet through the stirring eroticism of "clean", and gospel-soul vocalist Carmelita Traylor (heard previously on records by rap mogul Master P) delivers powerhouse vocal turns throughout the album.« less
"california" finds pc munoz and the amen corner paying tribute to 80s funk, hip-hop, and new wave, while also bravely combining disparate sounds to create a new, 21st century electro-funk. Throughout "california", pc's trademark, multi-layered lyricism and eclectic songwriting style give the album a distinctive sound, unlike anything else in contemporary R&B. Exciting collaborations can be found all over "california": legendary songwriter Jackson Browne drops in to sing on the title track, former Prince and the Revolution keyboardist Dr. Fink serves up a classic synth solo on the creepy meditation "deathbed", world renowned conductor Yair Samet leads a revved-up string quartet through the stirring eroticism of "clean", and gospel-soul vocalist Carmelita Traylor (heard previously on records by rap mogul Master P) delivers powerhouse vocal turns throughout the album.
CD Reviews
Everyone needs a little California in their lives
07/13/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is an awesome album! A rare combination of jams with lyrics to match! The professionalism of the musicians is heard by the expertise that they display on many different instruments, some of which are unique to listeners. The guest artists pack a punch and push the album to a new level. I listened to the music and the lyrics the first time through the whole album. The second time I listened to the lyrics. The third time I listened to the individual musicians. Obviously, you will always be entertained by this album! The songs vary from dance hits that reel you in to moving, emotional ballads that force you to look inward. This album is about much more than adolescent love, sex, money or any overly exposed theme. If you are looking for great music exploring complex themes through concise, emotionally-charged language, you have to have this."
GET IT WHILE IT'S HOT!
W.D. Sniffen | Rego Park, NY | 07/12/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I don't buy much new music these days. It's hard to get into a lot of the current "popular" artists. PC Munoz and the Amen Corner are the remedy for the tiresome trash on the airwaves. I own all three of their releases, and the musicianship and style only gets better each time. PC Munoz is truly unique. Smart lyrics and cool licks. I liken this album and the group's direction to Outkast's more recent "Stankonia" and "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below". But the correlation here is not in style. While some artists try different stuff just for the sake of being different, PC Munoz -- like Outkast -- explore musical boundaries in order to grow as artists, and we're aurally the better for it. "California" is a great title track, as well as the underground funkiness of "Brunching Britney and the Homeboy". I LOVE their country-stylings on the hilarious "She Gave Me a Bit of Heaven" and the touching/haunting "The Passing of Time". Did I mention that luminaries like Jackson Browne and Dr. Fink have contributed the the album? Like me, they know a good thing when they hear it. You will, too."
Inspiring
W.D. Sniffen | 07/08/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Yeah, this album is packed with good tracks. The album opens strongly with "CALIFORNIA", it's a folk rock type of song which soars....for me "I didn't steal Anything" is another stand out track. The music is funky , yet has a rock hard edge to it, and the lyrics are very thought provoking. "Clean " ought to be played by radios across the country, HELLO RADIO PROGRAMMERS pull your heads out of the dark hole and listen to this album! finally a top 40 hit without prefab music. My favorite track is "Fight Me' This song is original both musically and stylistically it breaks new ground--the lyrics artculate that which many individuals don't have the awareness to express. This album ends BRILLIANTLY with "The passing of TIme" This track is a classic, and will be just as good 25 years from now, it's that timeless . A great album, it's nice to know that there is some real talent with great vision coming up !"
Dancing Music!!!
Water Fall | 08/22/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I put this in the player of my rental car, expecting I-don't-know-what. I was unsure what funk/rap/spoken word/all that would sound like, but I had HOURS to kill while crossing Nevada and thought I would give it a try. And this CD just TOOK ME OVER. It hit a groove and I fell right in. Lucky I had cruise-control, because I needed both feet to MOVE. I can't explain how the smooth & rough/beat & soothe music just got inside! And I was LOVING IT! The lyrics are great! Humor and truth, intelligence and sass! My, that is so satifying! The album California made me enjoy of huge empty stretches of Nevada, and you have to give it PC and his band some kind of medal for making THAT happen. I can't wait to see them live! Mr. Munoz, I am ready to DANCE! Really, I think I fell in love. I say, Take up this album! It WON'T let you DOWN."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1
