Blurred Feelings.

For the next entry in my impromptu ''cultural appropriation ' series lets visit one of our favorite Blue Eyed Soulsters. There has been lots of controversy surrounding the newest project from the son of the dad from Growing Pains.  

I realize that I just went in about everyone's favorite creepy winter song, ''Baby It's Cold Outside." But I must say, I happen to like the song of the summer. First because of the nod to Marvin Gaye's ''Got To Give It Up,'' because of that alone I instantly connected with the song. I didn't find the lyrics to be vile (though I understand where the ire comes from). Basically the point, was to tout the line between what good girls really want, and what we are supposed to do. 

That's fair. 

Being a good girl, I often feel that dichotomy between the stuff I have on my mind, and how shocking it would be if people took a walk in the labyrinth that is my thoughts. I'm cool with Robin's message of ''hey, I'm not here to judge you, we seem to both be into this and I would like to oblige, never mind what anybody else says about it.''  But I completely get where people were jarred by it, particularly with his use of ''I know you want it'' which is kin to the popular raping-idiot defense phrase ''she wanted it.'' As in, ''yeah she said no, but she meant yes." I can totally get down with people's opposition to that, because victim blaming definitely seems to be the national pastime that will never die. But when brought to the mat about it, the man explained the meaning and intent, and I'm content with that.

I am not, however, a huge fan of the video. 

Which is where the mixed feelings come in. The video kills the liberation vibe that the song is peddling. I don't really care who's wife said to put the un-edited version out. I'm not into some people being used as props, while others get to be dynamic creatures. Plus there were no half naked men, and ''artsy'' female nudity is a little overused. The video is directed Diane Martel (yes, a woman). Martel also directed Miley Cyrus' We Can't Stop video, as well as one of my favs, Ne-Yo's Lazy Love. In addition to that, she has an impressive resume of other clips from the past 20 years. Her explanation is that this video is really satire. I still can't get with it. I like her storytelling style, with the use of restrained colors, and interesting shots. But the satire element fell flat for me. And I LOVE to play devil's advocate, to see things from other angles. Couldn't go this time. 

Beyond that, having listened to the entire project, I have to say that if you need a good album with throwback sounds (a nod to funk, disco, quite a bit of Prince and some strong old R & B) then you definitely want to check this out. It's not as smooth as JT's album, but it's what it is. It's kind of interesting, because in some ways it sounds like old JT, but Robin Thicke has always been a little more explicit than with the lyrics. He's channeling the spirit of Marvin mixed with Donna Summer's cooing (which is essentially what anyone who emulates Prince sounds like). So it's like Dirty Disney and nobody puts Robin in a corner. LOL!

Songs I like: Blurred Lines, Ooo La La
Best Feature: Give It 2 U (Kendrick Lamar)
Blue Eyed Gem of the Album: 4 The Rest of My Life
Songs were you apparently get some of Robin's Big...er Buddy: Give It 2 U, Blurred Lines, The entire album pretty much (if you want it...you know you want it).


*Addendum When I wrote this post initially, it was before news broke about Robin's suit of the family of Marvin Gaye regarding his hit song's similarity to Gaye's popular original. As I mentioned earlier, I felt that musical parallel from the first note, and it's what made me like the song. I don't know the full backstory on the suit (no one in the public really does), I don't understand the need for it (perhaps there is some real legal necessity, as stated), I also don't want to dislike Robin and his camp, but I will say that this suit makes him come off as a douche. There may be more to the story which will clear his name from the rolls of jerkdom, but it's definitely not a good look. That said, he isn't the only artist to do something questionable, and he didn't touch any kids, so I will still rock with it for the time being.