By Tai Saint Louis
Genre bending duo Gnarls Barkley are pushing the envelope again, with a special re-release of their second album, The Odd Couple.
The 13-track disc, which was released in March about a month ahead of schedule, can now be downloaded backwards, for free.
Dungeon Family/Goodie Mob alum Cee-Lo and artist/producer Danger Mouse have released ELPOUC DDO EHT through the website www.fronttobackbacktofront.com.
The single nearly 39-minute track consists of all thirteen songs on The Odd Couple played in reverse, including Gnarls Barkley’s current hit “Run.”
While fans wishing to download the album are required to register, there does not appear to be a limit on the number of downloads that will be allowed, nor how long the special reverse version will be available.
The Odd Couple, the follow up to Gnarls Barkley’s platinum debut, St. Elsewhere, was released digitally on March 18 and hit retail stores March 25, weeks ahead of the album’s original April 8 release date.
While it is widely believed that the change in the release date was due to the threat of bootlegging, an unnamed spokesperson for the band offered a different explanation in a statement announcing the early releases.
“They felt the timing was right to just go for it,” said the source. “With the shifting seasons, furtive romantic entanglements and fierce college basketball rivalries, the latter half of March can be confusing. People need to be soothed and inspired now.”
Earlier this week, Gnarls Barkley was announced as one of the headliners for this year’s Lollapalooza festival, set to take place at Chicago’s Grant Park August 1-3, where the concert has made it’s home since 2005.
Among the over 100 acts that will share who will share the stage are Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, Kid Sister, The Cool Kids, Rage Against The Machine and Radiohead.