Wednesday, September 22, 2004
First Impression: "The Handler"
Har Mar Superstar released his new album "The Handler" yesterday and I've been listening to it on Rhapsody all morning. First, let me say that I thought his last album, "You Can Feel Me," was brilliant. It had a raw sound that made it live up to the "porno funk" label that has been slapped on HMS's sound.
After a couple of listens to "The Handler," I am kind of disappointed in how polished it sounds. Maybe it is due to producer John Fields who has worked with Pink and Mandy Moore. I don't know. It's just way too tight. It doesn't sound as loose and raunchy as "You Can Feel Me."
The best track, by far, is "Cut You Up" which features the great Karen O. of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. I could listen to this one all day. Kind of reminds me of "Erotic City" for some reason.
On a couple of songs ("Transit" and "Sugar Pie"), though, he seems to be doing a Stevie Wonder impersonation. Unfortunately, with the over-polished production, it sounds more like "I Just Called to Say I Love You"-era Stevie Wonder than the great older Stevie stuff.
The album isn't terrible, but it isn't that great either. I just had high expectations after loving "You Can Feel Me." Maybe "The Handler" will grow on me after a couple more listens.
Har Mar Superstar released his new album "The Handler" yesterday and I've been listening to it on Rhapsody all morning. First, let me say that I thought his last album, "You Can Feel Me," was brilliant. It had a raw sound that made it live up to the "porno funk" label that has been slapped on HMS's sound.
After a couple of listens to "The Handler," I am kind of disappointed in how polished it sounds. Maybe it is due to producer John Fields who has worked with Pink and Mandy Moore. I don't know. It's just way too tight. It doesn't sound as loose and raunchy as "You Can Feel Me."
The best track, by far, is "Cut You Up" which features the great Karen O. of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. I could listen to this one all day. Kind of reminds me of "Erotic City" for some reason.
On a couple of songs ("Transit" and "Sugar Pie"), though, he seems to be doing a Stevie Wonder impersonation. Unfortunately, with the over-polished production, it sounds more like "I Just Called to Say I Love You"-era Stevie Wonder than the great older Stevie stuff.
The album isn't terrible, but it isn't that great either. I just had high expectations after loving "You Can Feel Me." Maybe "The Handler" will grow on me after a couple more listens.
¶ 12:32 PM 
About Shawn Morton
Married father of 4, social media strategist at Nationwide, consumer electronics enthusiast, hair metal aficionado.
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