Har Mar Superstar, the universally loved r&b crooner from Minneapolis, known for his love of women and money, returns with his third album. With hit making producer John Fields (Pink, Andrew WK, Mandy Moore), Har Mar h... more »as made his pop/r&b opus. Includes a duet with Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs), plus guest appearances by Nick Zinner (Yeah Yeah Yeahs), Northern State, Holly Valance, and Michael Bland of Prince?s New Power Generation. Move over Linkin Park, "The Handler" has 12 out of 12 hit singles. Har Mar is love, party, and sweat on the dance floors.« less
Har Mar Superstar, the universally loved r&b crooner from Minneapolis, known for his love of women and money, returns with his third album. With hit making producer John Fields (Pink, Andrew WK, Mandy Moore), Har Mar has made his pop/r&b opus. Includes a duet with Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs), plus guest appearances by Nick Zinner (Yeah Yeah Yeahs), Northern State, Holly Valance, and Michael Bland of Prince?s New Power Generation. Move over Linkin Park, "The Handler" has 12 out of 12 hit singles. Har Mar is love, party, and sweat on the dance floors.
So real he's beyond fake - worth it for CUT ME UP & Karen O.
G. Mitchell | Los Angeles, CA United States | 04/12/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Har Mar's schtick wear a bit thin at times, but there's no denying his true singular talent - the guy knows how to write hooks, crank out the funk, and even has a lot of his with his ironic "sexy image" - at times, he sounds a bit uncomfortable like "Thicke" - you know, those white boys who are black inside...but not quite - but still, Har Mar delivers the goods in several key tracks, like BODY REQUEST and especially the KAREN O. (YEAH YEAH YEAHS) duet CUT ME UP - which should have been the first single/video - get this on MTV, he will finally move some units. Until then... p.s. Look for his CD single of BODY REQUEST which features the B-side SEXTAPE - surely the most blatant rip-off...um...er..."homage" to the Purple One ever - it's an audaciously note for note re-tread of PRINCE's "SEXUALITY" from his CONTROVERSY period - but hey, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, no?"
Bravado & Beats
LQ Smythe | Denver, CO | 07/09/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"These intoxicating tunes from the up-and-coming "Superstar" have been the only sounds blaring out of my car stereo for the past two months. Recorded by an excellent new producer -- John "Strawberry" Fields -- this album is incredible. It combines lewd lyrics, resembling those of gangster rappers and R. Kelly, with a smooth delivery that's one part Stevie Wonder and one part Jamiroquai. Take those two elements and add the atypical, non-pop star "look" of Har Mar -- a fat, white, almost insane-looking man with hair going anywhere it wants, an outfit that fits (spandex pants and tighty-whities), and an abundance of confidence -- and you have yourself a musical Molotov cocktail.
With friends like Ben Stiller, Owen Willson, Karen O, and many others, his personality must be as funny and engaging as it comes off on this record. While most R&B albums get stuck in a stylistic rut, "The Handler" offers a lot of diversity. Admittedly, rump-shaking tracks like "DUI" and "Transit" are what Har Mar does best. And there are quite a few upbeat dance numbers here, including "Cut Me Up" with the aforementioned Karen O. He also throws in an amazing cover of Gilbert O'Sullivan's classic "Alone Again (Naturally)" which ends things on a poignant note. Every song on the album is filled with hooks and perfectly produced. If this guy isn't a household name in a few years, I'll be pretty sad.
Buy "The Handler," and you'll understand what I'm talking about."
Pretty good music
Sarah Mulchand | New York, NY | 04/23/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I would recommend listening to Har Mar Superstar if you like some upbeat music with some catchy tunes.
However, If you are at all uncomfortable with middle-aged balding men with beer-guts stripping on stage and humping walls, I would not recommend seeing him live. It was quite the...interesting experience, but it was worth it to see the amazing Ben Lee."
....a great blend of r&b and pop. made for the radio.
The Idle Receptionist | PA, USA | 12/22/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"i first heard "as" on the episode on the OC & immediately, i had to buy that CD. I'm not really into this genre of music, but something about that song just got to me. so after searching the net, i found out that Har Mar Superstar was the genius behind that song. I immediately bought his CD, the handler, and i haven't been dissapointed. Every one of these songs could be put on the radio right now, and would shoot to #1, because they're so catchy. Basically, every song is laced with sexual innuendo, but i don't really mind, and its tactful humor. This CD is really about having lightharted fun, which is why it's such a great party CD. You can play it from beginning to end, without skipping over a song.
My personal favorites: As (of course), Body Request, Cut Me Up, and Save the Strip.
OVERALL RATING: A-. It's a shame that such great music can fly under the radar, and go pretty much unnoticed. Buy this if you like Jamiroquai, Maroon 5, or any other funk music with r&b roots.