Musical masterpiece. If you like this, get The Chase Suite for the whole story which is just as good. This is one of those albums where every song could be a single.

Bought this album a couple days ago and Janelle's music is the only thing I crave now! I'm addicted! At first I fell in love with the upbeat vibe and captivating melodies, but then when you notice the lyrics... I would recommend listening to this with earphones from beginning to end so you can just absorb the story as it unfolds. It sounds a little jumpy in shuffle but I love the songs too much to mind. Janelle master's her voice so beautifully, bringing an endless amount of soul and character into her music.This is an album that just captivates!

I'd highly recommend but would add that this album suits those with particular tastes. It might not be everyone's flavour but if you like the teaser, buy the album. I can assure you... It only gets better! If you can check out her Metropolis album also, since some of the songs in that hint to this album and those tunes are equally as good!

I've been searching for the 21st century James Brown and I've finally found in Janelle Monáe.

You won't hear anything else like this, this album is the most inspirational album I have ever heard. I'm a true fan and her work is something that I will continue to listen to for inspiration.

One of the best albums iv ever heard

Came across it by accident and now I'm a big fan!!!

So I'm coming to this album very late in the day, but oh my I am not disappointed! Such soul! Such beauty! Such a broad range of emotion and talent! I don't know how anyone can dislike this album!

My only issue is not with the MARVELOUS Janelle, but with iTunes. It seems the dulux version will not play on my iTunes but only on devises such as my iPhone. Such a shame!

Janelle's albums just keep better and better. This album is so inspirational and perfect. After 2 years it's still on repeat in my iTunes.

I was introduced to this album by my daughter who wouldn't stop going on about it, so I decided to see what all the fuss was about. Well I must say I was pleasantly surprised by how good an album this is, which proves that not only does this album cater to all genres but also all generations. I can't stop listening to this and also Metropolis now. You need some JM in your life!!

I was recently introduced to this amazing artist. It's a shame I wasn't introduced to her music sooner. One of the best album I've ever listen to. The lyrics of her songs are inspired. No less than 5 stars.

Best tracks: every song in the album

Really liked Janelle Monáe's 'Metropolis: the Chase Suite' album, but this is just average, nothing spectacular here.

beautiful voice, loved the whole album!

my favs are locked inside, Wondaland and Say you will go..

One of the best albums I've heard I a while. Absolutely love it!

AMAZING!

creative, unique, distinctive

Pure magic! This album has written itself into history!

Reading the reviews and a bit of a whim I purchased the album which I can only describe as awesome.

Once in a generational outstanding album is delivered by a reasonably unknown but massively talented performer and this album is IT.

This album is superb it reminds me of songs in the key of life in it's breadth and ambition. So much groove, so musical and profound lyrics. Incredibly she's even better live. Her glastonbury 2011 performance was the most sublime piece of musical theatre I have seen.

Not only are the songs on this album amazing because of their diversity, her impressive vocals and the toe tapping qualities, she is also a spellbinding performer, as demonstrated by her immaculate and inspiring performance at Glastonbury. This woman is a future icon and deserves much more recognition for her work. An all round perfect artist!! :D

I'm only 4 tracks in! What an amazing listening experience! This girls gonna be massive! Buy it, listen and enjoy!

Funky. Creative. Diverse. Catchy. You can't ask for more from an album!

Highlights for me were:

Locked Inside

Cold War

Mushrooms and Roses

Neon Valley Street

Wonderland

This girl has some serious, serious talent!

She ruled the stage at Glastonbury, Second only to Beyonce. I wasn't expecting much from her, but she made me buy the album.

pooooopoooooopooooop

Had this album for at least a few months, it's absolutley mind blowing, the sound she creates is so unique and nothing like her is out there today. Rihanna, Usher, etc. aren't true R&B, this is what I call music. A sure voice that will never be missed by anyone. A must buy, An album that you must listen to before you die. GREAT!

After that set at Glastonbury, Janelle Monae is destined to rule the world!

This was the best album of the year, unfortunately most people will never know it existed.

But, i don't even care, it's an incredible album and i'll be replaying it for the rest of my life.

For me personally, this is definitely the album of 2010, just because it's unlike anything I've ever heard before. If you like Outkast, VV Brown, B.O.B. or Lupe Fiasco, you will probably love this album. Everyone says Lady Gaga is the most creative popstar of the moment, but you can't judge a musician just from their public image and the clothes they wear and the things they say in interviews. It's called PR. One of the best things about this album is the fact that each song just flows into the next really smoothly, and another thing is that with 18 songs in total, she can get away with splitting it into two 'suites'. Best songs are Dance Or Die, Faster, Locked Inside, Tightrope, Oh Maker, Mushrooms and Roses and Wondaland. Can't wait to hear what she'll do next!

i listened to it once, then give my favs another spin. tried it again, & still no joy. Just not very enjoyable as an album, & the standouts dont give it enough zing to carry you through. Listening to it back to back doesnt really have the desired 'wow' effect - the instrumentals, consquentially, dont work. Admitedly, shes covered lots of genres, but the whole album is just very 'jack of all trades, master of none'

Just amazing. Very fresh and original! She manages to fuse so many different genres on this album; she has almost metal-like sounds on 'come alive (war of the roses)', 60's r&b on 'tightrope', gospel influences on '57821', 80's dance on 'wondaland' and indie-pop on 'make the bus' :) The best are tightrope (which has some incredibly catchy verses as well as an amazing chorus), cold war (sounds like it belongs in a james bond film), wondaland, faster, make the bus and oh maker.

This album is simply amazing! An absolute must have!

Bought this album on a whim, and this time, the whim paid off!

Brilliant mix of genres and styles and delivered with class and style as opposed to attitude.

I can honestly say i rate every song on this album, but particular stand out tracks would be, in no particular order:

Oh, Maker

Tightrope

Sir Greendown

Locked Inside

Buy it....

NOW....

At last there's an antidote to all the bland Pop Idol/Amercan Idol output that's been blighting the music industry for the past couple of years. This album is that antidote!! The ArchAndroid is an amazing mix of musical styles brought together as a remarkably coherent concept album. The Bravery of Janelle Monae in being prepared to go against the music industry flow and produce a piece of work as staggeringly powerful as this is to be applauded and supported. So........ sit down with your music player, pour a drink, close your eyes, hit the play button and sink into the world of the ArchAndroid. Listening to the this album in it's entirety is the best favour you're going to do yourself all year!!

Won't say anything else that hasn't already been said, but I've had this album combined with 'Metropolis' on a single playlist for a few months now and have to force myself to listen to anything else, and even then it sounds dull in comparison to Janelle Monae. Going to see her live on March 1st and can't wait, and hope it's not another 2 years before Suite 4 comes out. That being said, you can see that every second of the 2 years between 'Metropolis' and 'The Archandroid' was spent crafting and sculpting a modern masterpiece. I'm trying to convert as many people as I can to JM fans for their own good!

There are many albums that could be said to be great because they include a couple of number one hits however what Janelle Monae has achieved with The ArchAndroid is an album so balanced that no track supersedes another in its brilliance.

For the best mash of genre and vocals you've ever heard it's well worth the money.

Absolutely outstanding album. It is an album that speaks volumes and needs to be heard in a world of conveyor belt pop songs with the same violin strings and beat. All of the songs have a great sound with an edge, some of my favourites are 'Tightrope' , 'cold war', 'Babopbyeyay' and especially 'oh maker'. A message to all music lovers Please buy!!!! The world needs some good music in it!

Best album I've heard in YEARS! well done!

At first time when I saw this album, I wasn't sure whether I should get it despite its high rating.

And then I read some of the reviews, which are all positive. So I bought it. I was thinking,ok, hope this one wont let me down.

As an result, I feel so lucky that I did not miss a great great great album like this!

Its such a brilliant work. Just buy it! It definitely wont let u down!

Sounds like a modern up to date version of the Rotary Connection with Monae's sublime vocals and retro idiosyncrasies. Lush arrangements and a beat and tempo familiar to dancefloor jazz heads and Outkast fans.

Awesome retro cool.

There is so much musical wall paper around it seems these days. Thank God then for Ms. Monae who has come along, seemingly from nowhere, and filled up my musical room with gilded aural treasure and absolute jewels of sonic delight. This album is a serious Tour De Force. The themes explored and the attention to detail is breath-taking and the musicianship simply staggering.

this album for me represents 2010 musical art within the soul spectrum.

Janelle Monae defines the term "artist" in every way...she is inspired by old, but makes it new..and truly lives and breathes her work..this is like a fine work of art. some people wont get it..but you cant deny its quality and you have to respect it.

It is so soulful, so ambiguous yet familiar...and the slower songs are just beautiful..for me my favourite songs are "sir greendown", "cold war", "say you'll go", "come alive" and "wondaland". each song has its own identity, and im so glad to have an artist like Janelle get a chance to be heard within a generation of momotonous pretense like american idol & xfactor...thank god...real soulful artistry is being appreciated, respected and put forward. this is a perfect example of true uncompromising musical art and it could stil be great pop music. artists she reminds me of...erykah badu, lauryn hill, outcast, james brown, mixed with some old 50's artists, and early century jazz singers...with a walt disney choir & orchestra to all make for a refreshing tasteful funky artistic beautiful bold and cutting edge soul classic. BUY IT & SUPPORT A REAL ARTIST! I LOVE IT!

What an amazing album! Each song blends into the next, and the blend of classical and R&B is pure genius. Nearly every song could be a number one. A rare gem.

Such a wonderful album, Janelle's voice is so amazing and soulful.

I didn't buy the album but I'd recommend Tightrope as that song is unbelievable catchy and Im quite suprised it hasn't been played a lot on the radio.

This is, from beginning to end, a complete masterpeice.

An eclectic indulgent work of art, a rollercoaster of emotions, a joy ride of pure audio bliss, an addictive dramatic story unfolding that gets better with each listen, a beautifully refined record.

Janelle Monae, wherever you came from, you are an incredibly talented, beautiful, strong woman.

Please PLEASE continue to make phenomenal albums like this.

A remarkable piece of work.

And really surprising too.

In a time where artists are all too often stuck in the straightjacket of their own genres, releasing clichéd worn out music, this album is such a refreshing change. There is not one bad tune - which is a real rarity these days.

A great pop album in the same way that 'Off the wall is a great pop album, it is crammed packed with hundreds of influences blended together to make an amazing concept album.

And here's the thing - they're all beautifully crafted songs.

Absolutely joyful.

The best album I've heard in many many years.

This album is absolutely incredible. The only question is why did I wait to get it! It's epic, packed with fantastic dance numbers (Tightrope is my new favourite track!) but the real surprise is how each song really leads you to the next, given how extremely different they all are. Monae's vocal versatility is simply phenomenal and I particularly enjoy the more jazzy side on BaBopbye Ya. Anyway, listen for yourselves! xxx

I came across Janelle Monae when I saw her album advertised on American iTunes. The unique and awfully eccentric cover is what brought me to check out her music. Once the album was released in England I bought it as soon as I could and honestly didn't know what to expect. I had never fully heard one of her songs and knew hardly anything about her. However once I listened to the album all the way through I was in love. An album like the ArchAndroid doesn't come around often these days. You can hear all sorts of influences on here. Michael Jackson (Locked Inside), Prince (Make the Bus), Gnarles Barkley (Cold War), Outkast (Faster) and even Jimi Hendrix (Mushrooms and Roses). Also, the range of genres is unbelievable! You go from orchestral intros (the overture tracks) to jazzy hip hop (Tightrope) to musical inspired tracks (Come Alive (War of the Roses) to bubblegum pop (Wondaland). Honestly you just can't describe what genre this album is! Don't hesitate to buy, it's my album of the year! I think it's quite sad that this album is not getting the recognition it deserves. It's critically acclaimed, but it doesn't get enough promotion. Janelle Monae is a completely unique and individual artist that the music industry needs. My only worry now is, will she be able to top it?

Was a real joy to listen to and fun :)

You can see the genres and possible artists she has been inspired from if you like, but like any artist she has explored her musical roots and expanded with her own obvious talent and interest. With the combinations of jazz/soul/blues etc. her energy eally does come through and she completely holds her own. It's reminiscent but somewhat new, fresh and exciting and its wonderful to having tip tapping on your eardrums.

Recommend you buy the video for tightrope, can't stop watching it, fantastic!

After the great Metropolis:The Chase Suite from a couple of years ago hopes were high for this artist's album debut. Any fears that she couldn't top that fine offering are put to rest with The Archandroid, surely destined to be listed in many 'Best Of' lists at the end of the year, maybe even the decade.

A fantastical trip through black musical history, indeed 20th Century popular music as a whole, it hits very few duff notes (Make the Bus being the only sub standard track). Great tracks include the singles 'Tightrope' (great video included here) and 'Cold War', together with 'Faster' but the real treats are hidden away at the end of 'Suite 3' : BaBopBye Ya and the haunting 57821 (feat Deep Cotton).

Monae has great plans for the future including videos for each song, comic book and Broadway show based on the Metropolis Suites. More power to her elbow I say, and bring on Suite 4 (Happy Ending included one hopes!).

Every song is wonderful!!! Buy it!!! Combined with Janae's first album you have hours of audio pleasure!!!!

I loved the first album but this much better. I love the soul, the voice, the strings the story, the art. You rock lady! I'm a try fan now. Wow is all i can say. If you are in doubt just buy it, you will not be dissapointed. I can't wait to listen to it again.

I can taste Prince, Outkast, Hendrix as obvious influences that Janelle Monae tips her hat to on this album, but also flavours of Simon & Garfunkel, Cockney Rebel, Grace Jones, Julie London, Rufus Wainwright to name but a few... The clever thing is, none of the album sounds like clumsy pastiche - Monae always retains that sense of herself that makes this an unique release for 2010.

Monae's vocal versatility matches the changeability of the music styles on show here, and the voice, the persona and the music really suit the Metropolis theme. The production is fab, with new things to hear each time you play a track, and I love the subtle reprising of the Metropolis suite music.

Faster, Come Alive, BabopBye Ya are my favourites