Funk has always been animated. Taking a look into the personalities of those involved, you can see Betty Davis opening herself up in her music to the point where you could almost smell it. As you will find out, Davis' second album continued the sexual aggression captured in her debut self-titled record.
They Say I'm Different immediately begins with "Shoo-B-Doop And Cop Him" and her singing "I'm gonna do it 'til the cows come home/And when my goose gets loose, he's gonna know I'll still be getting it on". The bass, drums, and guitar work sound as if they were recorded yesterday, and when Davis sings, it's as if she's licking the outer edge of your ear, creating the sensations she knows she's in total control of.
That she sounds like she enjoyed S&M on "He was a Big Freak" ("I used to beat him with a turquoise chain") makes you wonder who the bigger freak was. "Your Mama Wants Ya Back" is a demand, and if her man isn't going to leave, she'll throw him out and find another.
This record serves up wah-wah guitar licking, snare shuffling, and cool, catty backup gals curling around Betty's come-slither. Listening to these selections, you realize Davis's sweaty aesthetic is one few attempt even today. She's got a snotty swerve that modern "empowered" divas just can't lick. |