Review: Esthero's Wikkid Lil Grrls Finally Come Out to Play
Published July 14, 2005
Toronto's own Jenny Bea Englishman a.k.a. Esthero (as she is known to most) is quite critical of watered down talent on her latest album, Wikkid Lil Grrls, her second full length album which took roughly seven years to hit the shelves of music stores.
We are in need of a musical revolution, the self professed pixie pirate declares on the title track. Esthero doesn't hold back either. She is quick to point out that an alleged rapist like R. Kelly can still sell records despite his actions. But why then does she find the need for all the male bashing and the perpetuation of "casual sex is not just okay, it's revenge" by suggesting in her lyrics that she breaks the hearts of many a young man for the broken hearted girls who pump her music on their stereos?
Don't get me wrong, this is a pretty solid album that can't help but get one a least a tad aroused, but on the flip side one has to wonder if this is the musical revolution we need. Is this the cause we should gather together and revolt over? What exactly is the cause, anyway? Girl Power? Not very original there, I think I'll wait for the Spice Girls reunion.
Also not original is some of the style you'll find here. The numbers done with Sean Lennon end up sounding like something off a Beatles album and the chants of "I miss you" on the song "Blanket Me In You" sound like Esthero is trying to mimic Bjork. But I refuse to say this album deserves any less than three stars because, despite the many instances of un-originality, for the most part this album is a very decent package of good songwriting. Which is still one step ahead of Britney, Ashanti, or Pink.
edit:Aaman
- Review: Esthero's Wikkid Lil Grrls Finally Come Out to Play
- Published: July 14, 2005
- Type: Review
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Alternative Rock, Music: DJ, Music: Electronica, Music: Hip-hop
- Writer: Jason Meltzer Patterson
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thanks J and A! I saw a need for paragraphs and ASINs
It feels as if Esthero fans have been waiting for this release for decades. Could it be that it's not as great as we expected because after Breath From Another we had crazy high expectations for this new one?
and I thought O.G. Bitch was gonna be on this one..
Anyway, nice review Jason!
Wikkid lil Girrls is Esthero's ambitious major label release from Warner/Reprise. The album is a hidden Gem of sorts, sorta like Esthero herself. The album was not a commercial success, (and Esthero's still pissed!)due in part by it's seven year delay, change in musical style, and sometimes pedestrian major label deput collaborations. However, the artists sophmore disc really is a complex masterpiece and a departure from her first disc 1998's Breath from Another Sony/Netwerk....And that's the problem!, her fan's expected Breath from another 2, a triphop/electronica laiden tour de force, but all we got has a jazzy, swinger style romp. The entire disc has a chilled out vibe, Lots of Horn arrangements, hooks, diverse song styles, spoken word, ideas and melodies. The artist hits home with many of her thoughts and opinion's on relationships, the state of music, and love However, she can be reckless with her rightiousness, at times. The album is not without it's faults, but it certainly is worth a purchase or second listen. Esthero has many personas and Aliases and this "acting" is reflected in her music and live performances. Esthero's voice is beautiful and spands 8 octaves! but many of these songs don't allow her star talent to shine. I recommend the O.G Bitch remix's 2004 reprise and The Fastlane remixes reprise 2005.
Esthero has many personas including A.K.A: Jen(ey),da lil pink, pixie, peachcup, pirate, from da T-Dot. She enjoys reggae music culture and making myspaces for her dog, Oboe. (yes, I'm serious)
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Good review, Jeremy, fixed a few things. Please do not remove edits unless you have a valid reason to do so.