You had to expect the unexpected with the follow up to Outkast’s highly successful fourth album “Stankonia.” And they did it with their double-CD, where each member took on a different project, but released them together.

Big Boi’s project, “Speakerboxxx,” contains tracks that are all over the musical genre map.

“Ghettomusick” breaks every production rule. The verses change tempo and do not connect, but Boi makes it work. It starts with an updated disco feel, then slows down, and it alternates back and forth. The combination of genres is also evident on “War,” where he expresses his views on Iraq – “Basically, America you got f***ed” – over a calm beat at first, and then a DJ-induced pounding.

“The Way You Move,” the disc’s first single, is a mix of rap and soul, the combination that is used on a few of the early tracks. The band-accompanied hip-hop is first truly heard on “Bust” with Killer Mike, continuing with a cameo by Ludacris on “Tomb of the Boom.”

There’s an electronic-rock-hip-hop combo with “Flip Flop Rock,” while “Reset” features political rhymes on more of an R&B track.

And then there’s Andre 3000’s “The Love Below,” which has little rap, less soul, but more singing. It plays like a soundtrack to a movie, which is obvious since he created the disc with a movie in mind. The initial plans for the movie were canned, but the soundtrack will come to life soon as HBO picked up the movie.

With “Love Hater,” Andre sounds like Prince, with less of a good singing voice, but the same amount of passion and confidence. “Happy Valentine’s Day” showcases his ability to act, but its creepy background and his singing would not make this holiday very romantic. Don’t play this song to your significant-other on February 14 — listen to it first and you’ll see why.

This disc’s first single, “Hey Ya,” is an instant hit with its continuous hyper verses and beats. The others take an open mind to get used to. Some are genreless (like “She’s Alive”), some are good for a movie but not for a soundtrack (like “Love in War”), and then some are just great – like “Take Off Your Cool,” the cover of “My Favourite Things.”

*****
Arista/BMG






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