Cee-Lo Green… Is the Soul Machine
CeeLo Green · 2004
65 min · 18 tracks · contemporary R&B
A vibrant fusion of funk, soul, and hip-hop showcasing eclectic rhythms and Cee-Lo's dynamic vocal delivery.
Top tracks — play these first
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Soul Machine Start here — The title track encapsulates the album's theme of self-empowerment through its infectious groove and celebratory lyrics about embracing one's identity.
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Living Again — This track showcases Cee-Lo’s ability to blend introspective lyrics with an upbeat melody, highlighting themes of resilience and rebirth.
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I Am Selling Soul — With its catchy hook and bold declarations, this song serves as a manifesto for Cee-Lo's artistic vision, merging commercial appeal with authenticity.
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Let’s Stay Together — A cover that transforms Al Green's classic into a contemporary anthem, demonstrating Cee-Lo’s soulful interpretation while paying homage to musical legends.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines diverse influences with strong vocal performances, though its length affects cohesion.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a brief intro that sets a playful tone, followed by a title track that establishes its funky rhythm.
- Several songs incorporate unexpected tempo shifts and genre blends, such as the transition from hip-hop beats to soulful melodies.
- The last three tracks slow down the pace significantly, creating a reflective conclusion to the album.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- vibrant party atmosphere
- dynamic flow with resolution
- engaging sing-along moments
- short bursts of energy
- reflective storytelling arcs
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification
- seek uniform track lengths
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This debut solo album established Cee-Lo's reputation and showcased his unique sound.
- Themes
- self-empowerment anthems· soulful resilience· musical homage
- Career context
- Cee-Lo Green… Is the Soul Machine is CeeLo Green's debut solo album following his success with Goodie Mob and as a member of Gnarls Barkley. Released in 2004, it marked a significant transition in his career as he sought to establish his identity outside of group collaborations, emphasizing his unique blend of genres and personal style.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Anderson .Paak· Leon Bridges· Janelle Monáe
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Living Again
The narrative shifts from despair to hope, illustrating a journey of personal growth and renewal.
This pivot emphasizes a thematic evolution within the song, moving from vulnerability to empowerment, which mirrors Cee-Lo's own artistic journey.
Tracklist
- 1 Intro 0:22
- 2 Soul Machine Start here 1:40
- 3 The Art of Noise 3:45
- 4 Living Again 3:36
- 5 I’ll Be Around 3:41
- 6 The One 4:42
- 7 My Kind of People 3:54
- 8 Childz Play 3:54
- 9 I Am Selling Soul 4:16
- 10 All Day Love Affair 4:11
- 11 Evening News 4:12
- 12 Scrap Metal 4:39
- 13 Glockappella 5:20
- 14 When We Were Friends 3:42
- 15 Sometimes 5:03
- 16 Let’s Stay Together 3:53
- 17 Die Trying 4:04
- 18 What Don’t You Do? (outro) 0:20
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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