Esthero! Where the hell have you been for the past seven years? After releasing their first album, Breath From Another, lead singer Esthero and producer Doc went their separate ways, but they have finally reunited to create their most refreshing album to date. Just in time, too.
With her indescribable vocals backed by his programming, Esthero successfully combines hip-hop, Latinized grooves, wicked jazzy bass lines, and, of course, horns. Because what is an Esthero album without horns? It's like a nine inch nails album without keyboards.
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Wikked Lil' Grrrls starts strong with "We R In Need Of A Musical ReVoLuTion," an electrifying appeal to those numbed by the monotonous music flooding mainstream airwaves, causing Esthero to expel, "I'm so sick and tired of the shit on the radio / And MTV, they only play the same thing / No matter where I go I see Ashanti in the video / I want something more..." against powerful drums and a kick-ass bass line.
Most clearly influenced by Björk's vocals, Esthero's voice truly is a force in its own right and sounds just as fresh as ever. Only now she's definitely honed in on creating a sound of her own.
Other influences find their way onto the album, including Indian tablas on "Beautiful Lie" and even that nostalgic '60s sound on "Everyday is a Holiday (With You)," which features Sean Lennon (Yep, John & Yoko's kid).
Esthero has explored her love for jazz (and captured it) on several tracks, most noticeably on "Melancholy Melody," which begins with vocals against jazzy piano before picking up tempo, and the title track, which is a successful throwback to sounds of the roaring '30s that incorporates vintage clarinet with a modern hip-hop beat.
With other cameos from not-so-famous artists, it's no wonder the album's subtle flair has not been corrupted. Backed with profoundly deep vocals by Keith Crouch and Jubu, who also provides acoustic Spanish guitar, "Gone," features the ever-so-bracing rhymes of Cee-Lo Green. From the reggae-fused rhymes of rapper, and fellow Canadian, Jelleestone ("Fastlane"), to the steamy verse of spoken word artist and poet Jemeni ("Dragonfly's Intro,"), Esthero breathes life into the underground talent lying just below the surface, waiting to be scratched.
Besides the somewhat juvenile spellings in the title and first track, there is little wrong with Esthero's sophomore effort (no, her 2004 standalone EP O.G. Bitch, doesn't count). So go but Wikked Lil' Grrrls, blast it in your home, your car, your cubicle, anywhere, just as long as you get the word out to the people. ¡Viva la Revolución de Esthero!