No one really likes talking about »Channel Orange«. There’s a massive uncertainty everywhere, just becomes some dude admits that he’s a bit »homo«. The writer of Pitchfork, for example, thought of Ocean’s coming-out-letter as »stunningly written« and very »brave«; in the end of the review, he certifies Frank Ocean’s »wisdom« because of the way in which he handled the whole thing. In between, there’s something about music. It’s only one of many examples out there, in which the writer tries very hard to let a man’s sexuality become an important part of a review. In many cases, the music is then put into the background. Now the vinyl-version of »Channel Orange« has been released, some time has passed, and we can try to go for another classification. Lyric-wise, »Channel Orange« cannot be declared THE poetic masterpiece; it’s not the exclusive antipode that stands strong against all the heterosexual steal cocks in a hyper-potent world of R&N (as some platforms like to see it). Of course: Frank Ocean is full of sensitivity and knows how to touch things the right way. In addition, he knows how to combine different aspects of life to an album-length – but even Stevie Wonder and co. could already do that. Musically, too, there’s no real reason to go mental and start throwing around A+, 9.5s and five stars. If he was »straight«, Frank wouldn’t have gained all that praise – hands down! But I don’t really give a single crap whether Frank Ocean likes to get fruity with men, women or dromedaries. What remains, is a good record. A modern soul-/R&B-album, combining contemporary approaches (»Pyramids«) with nostalgic ones in order to prevent its own splitting. In addition, with »Thinkin‘ Bout You« the record has a track that’s plain beautiful and maybe even timeless. »Channel Orange« as a whole doesn’t achieve that timelessness – three or maybe four tracks are just too weak for that.
Channel Orange
