Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome is the sixth album by funk band Parliament, released in 1977.
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Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome | ||||
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Studio album by Parliament | ||||
Released | November 28, 1977 | |||
Recorded | 1976–1977 | |||
Studio | United Sound Systems, Detroit, Michigan, and Hollywood Sound, Hollywood, California | |||
Genre | Funk | |||
Length | 44:22 | |||
Label | Casablanca | |||
Producer | George Clinton | |||
Parliament chronology | ||||
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Singles from Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome | ||||
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It is a loose concept album warning the listener of falling into the "Placebo Syndrome," which according to George Clinton is consumerism, and listening to disco music, which he saw as a simplification of funk music in attempt to gain commercial success. The album spawned the R&B number #1 single in "Flash Light", which features a funky synthesizer bass line played on a Minimoog by keyboardist Bernie Worrell. The album became Parliament's fourth consecutive gold album and second platinum album. The song "Sir Nose d'Voidoffunk (Pay Attention – B3M)" contains nursery rhymes "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep" and "Three Blind Mice"; the lyrics were changed to refer to drug use.
The original vinyl release contained a 22″×33″ poster of the character Sir Nose D'Voidoffunk, as well as an 8-page comic book that explains the concept behind the LP. Both the poster and the comic book were illustrated by Overton Loyd.
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Christgau's Record Guide | A[2] |
Rolling Stone | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Spin Alternative Record Guide | 9/10[5] |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Bop Gun (Endangered Species)" (released as a single, Casablanca NB 900) | George Clinton, Garry Shider, Bootsy Collins | 8:31 |
2. | "Sir Nose d'Voidoffunk (Pay Attention – B3M)" | Clinton, Collins, Bernie Worrell | 10:04 |
3. | "Wizard of Finance" | Clinton, Ronald Ford, Glenn Goins | 4:23 |
4. | "Funkentelechy" (released as a single-Casablanca NB 921) | Clinton, Collins | 10:56 |
5. | "Placebo Syndrome" | Clinton, Billy Nelson | 4:20 |
6. | "Flash Light" (released as a single, Casablanca NB 909, and as a promo-only 12″ single, Casablanca NB 20113 DJ) | Clinton, Collins, Worrell | 5:46 |
According to George Clinton, Mallia Franklin also sang on this album with other original Parlet members Debbie Wright and Jeanette Washington but she is not listed on the album's credits.
Horn arrangement by Bernie Worrell and Fred Wesley
Chart (1977–1978) | Peak position |
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US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[6] | 2 |
US Billboard 200[7] | 13 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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United States (RIAA)[8] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
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