The E.N.D for the B.E.P???

The Black Eyed Peas - currently number one for their 9th week on the Billboard hot 100. Who would have thought the hip-pop misfits could pull off such a feat. Well no one really did. I personally became a huge fan of the B.E.P's with the release of their album Elephunk in 2003 [and inevitably the addition of Fergie], and have followed them since - I even had the chance to meet the band in London.
With the release of their 5th album The E.N.D - a radical new sound has been created by the band - but does this sound pay off? Well judging by the title track "Boom Boom Pow", the band definitely have nothing to worry about - however - when one listens to their album, it is definitely one slap in the face that you will either completely love or completely hate. At this point i have to acknowledge the fact that B.E.P have tried something new on this album, and it is always important for a band to update their sound to stay fresh, however on The E.N.D the sound often becomes to radical for a mainstream band such as The B.E.P's. The main blend of music is electronic house and hip-hop fused together to make a daring sound that sticks out like a sore thumb. Think daft punk meets jamiriquai with a bit of David Guetta.
I have not yet fallen in love with this album after a few listens as i did with the last two B.E.P albums [Elephunk & Monkey Business], and although their are some catchy tracks such as the discofied "Out of My Head" and funky "Imma Be", The rest of the tracks are slightly too extreme for fans of the B.E.P and explore a totally ambiguous territory.
The E.N.D will do well thanks to the lead single and perfected production work by the band's frontman Will.I.Am - but whether it is going to become a classic still remains to be seen. Their second single co-produced by David Guetta "I Gotta Feeling" is a strange choice after Boom Boom Pow, and definately won't help the album's marketing. So you will either end up absolutely loving the album or absolutely despising it - because lets face it - its an all new B.E.P you are listening to here. They are - and i hate to say it- "So 3008" on this album and we are all probably "2000 and late".