Customer Reviews
it is gold to me 
2008-06-26
I had been hearing a bit about Santogold for awhile now and at first wasn't really interested at all. I figured it might another misstep on my part and purchasing something without any knowledge of the artist or style of music.
I went against that and bought Santogold anyway. I'm glad that i did that and the cd throughout it has a different feel to it. It might sound like something folks have heard before, but to me its something a little different and enough so that i am interested and stay that way throughout listening to the cd.
With several key tracks this cd should be on your list of cds to get or at the very least songs that you should check via Itunes or whatever site you might use:
"You'll Find A Way"
"Shove It" feat. Spank Rock
"Say Aha"
"Creator" (vs. Switch and FreQ Nasty)
"Starstruck"
"Unstoppable"
"You'll Find A Way" (Switch & Sundin remix)
The cd is one that really needs to be listened several times to get the full effect and by no means. I'm not saying its the best cd of 2008 or any other title that some like to use for a cd that they really enjoy. But i will say that after a time or two with this cd, you'll wonder why you didn't get it sooner.
Minus the "squeak" 
2008-06-24
Though slightly more refined and more complex in structure, this band is basically Missing Persons minus the Dale Bozzio "squeaking."
Personally, I revel in the recirculation of musical genres, in this case, '80's music.
Is it just me, or can anybody else.... 2008-06-23
hear that this sounds almost exactly like Dale Bozzio and the Missing Persons?...not that it's a bad thing
Santogold 2008-06-23
Santogold *****
Santi White tried to create an R&B album with her debut, Santogold, but what she did was so much more. Last year M.I.A. was cited as having the best album of the year, and to be honest with you this is the album they tried to make. This is light at times, heavy in others, fast and upbeat, and over all Santogold is refreshing and interesting in a time an genre that is more or less out of ideas. She was an A&R rep so she knows a good single when she hears it and that is what she has transferred to tape here.
The best way I can describe this is if Joe Strummer had the technology in the mid 1980's this is what the Clash's last album would have sounded like. The heavy dub sounds of tracks like 'Creator' and the ska influenced tracks like 'Say Aha' come across just enough to be original with out sounding like a throw back which seems to be the trend as of late. The vocals on 'My Superman' are breathtaking, while 'You'll Find A Way' is with out comparison.
Santogold is one of the stronger and more inventive releases to come along in a while, and easily the best the genre has seen in years. Highly recommended.
Just say NO to this attempt at fun 
2008-06-12
OK,
This album doesn't shine at all. It is poorly thought out and the derogatory comments should flow with ease once you subject yourself to a track or two. Really. This band stinks with a World Music armpit funk worthy of that lead singer from Spearhead (dude has some pit stank). Don't think this is anything worth while. I can't say enough bad things about this album. IT STINKS!!
Excellent Electronic Beats and Hooky Vocals if Slightly Overproduced 2008-07-17
A lot of artists are content to stay within their genre. And those that do mix genres tend to... well... suck. Santogold strikes a really nice balance, keeping it interesting but also staying on point.
Her voice has an almost Gwen Stefani feel to it. Perhaps its the Reggae feel mixed in with pop sounds that reminds me. Some of the tracks also remind me of M.I.A. a bit as well, with beats and programming.
I have to say though that even though I am a lover of electronic music, I particularly enjoyed her forays into an almost rock pop sound that still utilized those reggae type bass lines.
My only criticism of this album is that it felt slightly overproduced. It distances you from her a bit and it seems like some of her potential is hidden behind the shiny exterior.
Speaks to My Soul 2008-07-06
I just find this cd unbelievable! I mean, the music, her voice, the words, I just love it. There are so few cds in my collection that I can listen to all the way through, but this is definitely one of them. One of the best cd's that I have heard in a long long time. One of my favorite pastimes is songwriting and so I notice when I feel that a beat or note is missed and I could not find it in this cd. She is so connected with the music and brings so much...Wow! I love how she has the ability to change her voice according to the song. I love how she refuses to be put into a certain genre of music just because. Santogold is just that...GOLD and I am definitely a fan. If she ever comes to St. Louis or anywhere close, I will be at the show without a doubt. I know it sounds like I am gushing, but I am just so impressed with this cd. Keep up the good work Santogold! Love ya!
Santogold - Some Great Singles, and One of the Best Debut Albums of 2008 2008-07-03
Santogold is truly one of the best new alternative albums of 2008. In fact it's probably one of the best new albums in any genre.
It's hard to produce an album of original music, and when a new artist has a debut this strong people should definitely take notice. True, there is nothing that ventures into new territory per se. But in terms of execution, the production, music and vocals add up to a very enjoyable listen.
For those that like female rock vocalists, the lead sounds a lot like the lead from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs except pushed through more synth.
Yes it's true, there is an attempt to mix a blend of musical styles. But I kind of feel like that aspect is over-emphasized from a marketing point of view. The end product here is mostly very good on its own.
I also feel like the whole "she's not just R&B" thing is marketing fluff too. Who listens to this album and hears a pure R&B record??? True, there's a lot of silly groups people get put into in the music business, but that whole stance is both an insult to R&B as well as a distasteful statement on stereotypes. I love R&B as well as many other styles, but if you had your eyes covered and heard her perform you would hear alternative blended with other things but not R&B. You read between the lines on this one.
It's also true that this shares some similarities with certain 80s groups and styles, and the new-wave influence is undeniable. While some of the references are accurate, others seem not to be. I don't think it matters. Everybody will hear different influences because music is often influenced by the past. What matters more to me is that this is a great album that is a great start for Santi White. I want to hear more!
The album starts off very strong, and the first four tracks are potential singles. That is until it hits one of the album's low points in track 4, "Say Aha," which sounds like a cross between the Go-Gos and that overplayed Ketchup Song (Asereje) by Las Ketchup. Definitely poppy, catchy and with a potential audience, but not a track that would have slipped past me on the way through the cutting room.
Tracks 5 and 6 are both mood tracks, good but not great. But "Lights Out" gets the album going again, a great track and one of my favorites. The rest of the album is very strong with a few exceptions. I could have done without the delivery of "Im a Lady," even though it's an ok song. And the final track with the second version of "You'll Find A Way" should also have been cut before the final release. It didn't add much relative to the first album cut. That's just my opinion.
Overall, I guess I like this album because it blends into all the eclectic music I listen to. It's a very good first album and if Santi can continue to expand upon this I expect great albums from her in the future.
I am not always lucky when I buy records "blind" but I struck gold here. The entire team behind this record deserves credit for a top notch product. It's not perfect but it has to go down as one of the strongest debut albums I've heard so far this year.
Check it out.
It's Gold 2008-07-02
She does have a likeness to a few other singers(Gwen Stefani, M.I.A., Karen O) but Santi White has a style of her own. I stumbled onto her myspace page about a year ago and Ive enjoyed her music ever since. She is something fresh for the music industry and needs recognition. Favorite songs include, L.E.S. Artistes, You'll Find A Way, Starstruck and Creator. If you want more from Santi, check out her out as the lead singer of the now ended group called Stiffed. They have a cd called "Burned Again".
Great CD 2008-06-27
I like all types of music, and this is a good example that there is all types of music out there to explore.
