Landing On a Hundred
A decade after his debut, *The Headphone Masterpiece*, Cody ChesnuTT refines his blend of old-school R&B and hip-hop attitude on *Landing on a Hundred*. Here, the Atlanta native sheds his bad-boy persona for a more mature outlook without losing his lyrical wit or musical daring. Partially recorded at Memphis’ legendary Royal Studios, the album often suggests Al Green, Curtis Mayfield, and (especially) Marvin Gaye in various combinations. More importantly, ChesnuTT asserts himself as a highly individual singer/songwriter as he acknowledges his past sins while expressing gratitude and faith. Tracks like “’Till I Met Thee,” “Everybody’s Brother,\" and “Love Is More Than a Wedding Day” are sweetly melodic excursions carried by his smoothly emotive vocals. The brooding “Don’t Follow Me” offers a cautionary tale, while the slinky “What Kind of Cool” and the urgent “Under the Spell of the Handout” take on social issues without preachiness. Punchy horns, billowing strings, and propulsive bass lines render the album’s crisp funk lines and melodic balladry with consistent excellence.
Coming a decade after The Headphone Masterpiece, Cody ChesnuTT's sophomore collection is an apt reflection of an artist restarting after several years without sacrificing the eccentricity that initially made him such a compelling figure.
Coming a decade after The Headphone Masterpiece, Cody ChesnuTT's sophomore collection is an apt reflection of an artist restarting after several years without sacrificing the eccentricity that initially made him such a compelling figure.
Just about a decade ago Cody Chesnutt came out of nowhere to release The Headphone Masterpiece, a smart, slippery, and stoned fusion of lo-fi indie and old-school R&B. While “masterpiece” might have been just a bit of a stretch—the 36-song double-disc set could have been whittled down to a single-disc monster—the…
Just about a decade ago Cody Chesnutt came out of nowhere to release The Headphone Masterpiece, a smart, slippery, and stoned fusion of lo-fi indie and old-school R&B. While “masterpiece” might have been just a bit of a stretch—the 36-song double-disc set could have been whittled down to a single-disc monster—the…
After years of walking on the wild side, Cody Chesnutt's comeback set is soul at its most splendid, writes <strong>Kitty Empire </strong>
After years of walking on the wild side, Cody Chesnutt's comeback set is soul at its most splendid, writes <strong>Kitty Empire </strong>
Cody ChesnuTT debuted in 2002 with The Headphone Masterpiece – a brash, aggressively carefree 36-track album, recorded by ChesnuTT entirely in his...
Cody ChesnuTT debuted in 2002 with The Headphone Masterpiece – a brash, aggressively carefree 36-track album, recorded by ChesnuTT entirely in his...