Pranav’s Nov. Music Corner: “Cee Lo’s Magic Moment” Review
Leave it to Cee Lo Green to bring the jolly back this holiday season with “Cee Lo’s Magic Moment”. The latest offering by the oddball coach of NBC’s singing competition “The Voice” is a collection of soul-infused Christmas classics that reminds listeners that Cee Lo has real pipes, at best reminiscent of Al Green.
The arrangements are rich and jazzy yet maintain the holiday atmosphere you would expect of a Christmas album. He shines in the more upbeat songs such as “Run Rudolph Run” and belts worn out Christmas lyrics with refreshing childhood sincerity.
The real magic of Cee Lo is that he succeeds in the near impossible, making a cool Christmas CD, one that will stand out ahead of offerings from other artists such as Colbie Caillat and Lady Antebellum.
Even the cover begs for attention. Who can ignore three white stallions carrying Cee Lo through a spectacular display of purple lights in a red Rolls Royce?
Some notes fall flat, such as when he goes big and bold on a dull version of “Silent Night” or attempts a rather awkward duet with fellow Voice coach Christina Aguilera.
In addition, the selection of tunes is rather repetitive and uninspired; half the track names contain the word Christmas in them and it feels as if he talks about mistletoe and snow in every song.
But Cee Lo is top notch when he embraces his eccentricity, as seen in the only original song on the album, “All I Need Is Love,” a duet with the Muppets; as well as “You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch” (featuring Straight No Chaser), which is just pure Christmas joy.
Still, while the soul-infused album is a great surprise that initially sparkles like newly fallen snow, it becomes quickly apparent that the album is lacking as a whole. Cee Lo’s signature style is not readily apparent on “Magic Moment” and while he has succeeded at making a good Christmas CD, he has failed at making a good Cee Lo Green CD.
The magic begins to fade away like the holiday season by the time you finish the last track. Repeated listens will melt “Magic Moment” together with the many other yuletide alternatives available every year. Still expect the songs from the album to be in heavy rotation throughout department stores nationwide this December.
