Artist: Edwin Starr Album: Clean

Year: 1978
Duration: 0:0-1

A Critical Review of the Album Clean by Edwin Starr

One of the greatest Motown artists of all time, Edwin Starr, released the album Clean in 1978. The album was a departure from Starr's signature funky sound and marked a new direction for the artist. Throughout this blog post, we will dive deeper into the history of Edwin Starr, the music genre of Clean, the best songs of the album, the most innovative parts, and the overall critical review of the album.

Edwin Starr, born on January 21, 1942, in Nashville, Tennessee, was a Motown artist most popular in the 1960s. He was a vocalist who started his career as a member of the group The Future Tones. He later signed with the Motown subsidiary, Ric-Tic Records, where he recorded his first hit single Agent Double-O-Soul. Some of his other popular songs include Twenty-Five Miles, War, and H.A.P.P.Y. Radio. Clean was released when Motown was going through a phase of change, and Edwin Starr also transitioned his sound to embrace this change.

The album Clean is considered a mix of funk and disco, which was a popular genre in the late 1970s. The album has a unique, upbeat sound, which can be attributed to the help of the album's producer, Lamont Dozier. The entire album is vibrant and energizing, with a few ballads such as California Soul and My Favorite Thing. Of course, being a Motown artist, the signature brass sections in the album are present, especially in the opening track H.A.P.P.Y. Radio.

The best songs on Clean are H.A.P.P.Y. Radio, It's Called The Rock, and Say You Will. H.A.P.P.Y. Radio is a classic funk track that showcases the power of Starr's vocals, the horn arrangements, and the infectious groove. It's Called The Rock is perhaps the most original track on the album, with lyrics that encourage listeners to get up and dance. The track has a beautiful piano intro before the percussion and guitar come in and set the groove. Say You Will is the most beautiful ballad on the album, with Starr's heartfelt vocals about a lost love.

The most innovative parts of the album are the use of different styles of music. While Clean has a funk and disco feel, there are also musical elements of pop, soul, and even country in some tracks. California Soul has guitar licks that are reminiscent of western country music. The opening track H.A.P.P.Y. Radio is an organic fusion of funk and disco. The fusion of different styles gives the album a diverse sound and edge.

As a critical review of the album, Clean is undoubtedly an excellent project, but it's not Starr's best. His voice is versatile and powerful, but the album's consistency could be better. Some songs on the album are great, but others are forgettable. The album's strong points are the production quality, the horn arrangements, and the various styles in each track.

If you're a fan of funk and disco, Clean is an album worth listening to. It showcases Edwin Starr's versatility, the production skills of Lamont Dozier, and a mixture of different styles, making it an interesting listen. The album has its strengths and weaknesses, but it's still a great record to add to your Motown collection. Clean is a testament to Edwin Starr's iconic contributions to music, and his ability to keep up with changing times.