Review: Kanye West- Graduation (September 11th, 2007)

For the second review, once again i decided to go with a pretty commercially popular album, but one that has a lot of critical acclaim along with it too. Everyone has heard of Kanye West. He started out as Jay-Z's go to producer and Roc-a-Fella's in house producer in the early 2000's, and he was largely responsible for the sound of Jay's classic album, The Blueprint. He was finally able to convince his boss and the label to allow him to rap, and ever since then a star was born. In 2004, he dropped The College Dropout (an album he had been recording on his own for over 4 years), introducing himself to the masses. The album sold over 400k its first week and has since gone 4 times platinum, meaning we would hear a lot more from Mr. West in the future. Kanye started up his own label, G.O.O.D. Music, and signed Consequence, GLC, and Common. He then began work on his second album, Late Registration, released in 2005, to just as much critical and commercial success, going platinum once again and earning 5 mics in The Source. This brings us to his next effort, 2007's Graduation. 50 Cent decided to get a little cocky, and challenged Kanye to a sales competition of their two albums, threatening to retire if he lost. Of course 50 Cent lost, and of course he didn't retire, but hey, it was a good story right? But at the end of the day, publicity doesn't matter if the music isn't any good. So without further ado, my answer to the question "Is it actually any good?"

1. Good Morning
Kanye's beat is laid back and relaxing, but it's still pretty good, and the vocals during the chorus are a nice change of pace as well. Lyrically Kanye has never been considered as one of the greats, but this song isn't bad lyrically at all. In fact, i found myself really enjoying this. The music video isn't bad either, for those of you that care.

2. Champion
Short, sweet, and to the point. The beat isn't bad at all, and i find myself really digging the sample, even though it could get a little annoying. But this song is short enough to prevent that from happening. Kanye was quoted as saying that this album would have a lot more synths involved on the production, and he's kept up with that promise on the first two tracks at least.

3. Stronger
Yes, everyone and everyone's sister knows this song. But is it any good? Yeah it is. Sampling Daft Punk is pretty lame, but the execution isn't bad, and the other aspects of the beat rock. This is just classic Kanye just babbling over a beat for four minutes, and he fails to deliver another verse where there was definitely room for one, but i digress. Not bad, but i wouldn't want to listen to this every day.

4. I Wonder
The slow piano combined with the synths makes for a really nice beat, and even though Kanye adopts an unorthodox flow, this still ended up being okay, but it doesn't compare to Stronger at all.

5. Good Life (Feat. T-Pain)
This song would have been just fine without T-Pain, thanks. Kanye brings nothing to the plate lyrically, and the beat isn't good enough to save this song. It's fun, sure, but from a Hip Hop head's perspective, this isn't any good. It was entertaining when Kanye adopted a classic 50 Cent line though.

6. Can't Tell Me Nothing
This was released as the first single, and wasn't really appreciated at the time. However, this is my favorite song on the album so far. The beat is pretty epic, the samples are always fun to sing along to, and Kanye delivers one of his better lyrical performances so far. Nicely played.

7. Barry Bonds (Feat. Lil Wayne)
The beat's change-up during the chorus is the single positive aspect of this song. The beat is lackluster, Kanye says nothing important, and Lil Wayne is his usual self, meaning this song is very skip-worthy.

8. Drunk and Hot Girls (Feat. Mos Def)
In a move that foreshadowed Mos Def's signing to G.O.O.D. Music, Mos Def appears on this. He doesn't actually spit a verse, but his vocals are actually pretty good. Kanye's beat is abnormal for him atlas, as is the lyrical topic, but i pretty much liked this song. Kanye West can make the worst topics and make them mildly entertaining. I wouldn't recommend this for everyone though, so be wary.

9. Flashing Lights (Feat. Dwele)
Officially my new favorite song on the album. The beat is majestic, the lyrics are on point, and Kanye actually tells a story on this one, so color me impressed. Great track.

10. Everything I Am
This song has scratches from freakin' DJ Premier. DJ PREMIER! I love it. The scratches are good, the slow paced, piano laced instrumental is really good, and Kanye gets a little serious on this track. This one will probably appeal to a few of the hip hop heads, more so than any other track on this album.

11. The Glory
Kanye supposedly gave this beat originally to Common during the 2005 sessions for Common's album, Be, but Common decided not to use this beat after all, allowing Kanye to grace this wonderful beat. Not a bad song, but not the best this album has to offer either.

12. Homecoming (Feat. Chris Martin of Coldplay)
The beat is a monster, both upbeat and instantly memorable, and Kanye's reminiscing rings through very well. Another standout track, even though you've probably heard this one on the radio.

13. Big Brother
Kanye spends this whole song toasting his "big brother" Shawn Carter, and it isn't half bad. The beat is slightly lacking, but Kanye's verses keep me intrigued more than the beat ever could. This song is interesting and mildly entertaining, but not in the usual way.


In Conclusion: Kanye West's Graduation is a pretty damn good album. The chipmunk soul is gone, replaced with samples of 80 disco records and synth fueled beats throughout. Kanye really stepped up his delivery on this one; he genuinely sounds excited to be rapping. Sure there are some lackluster efforts on here (cough cough BARRY BONDS cough cough), but in general, the stupendous tracks far outweigh the crappy tracks.

So What?: Buy it in a store, in iTunes, or wherever else music is sold. You'll love it.

Favorite Tracks: "Good Morning", "Stronger", "Can't Tell Me Nothing", "Flashing Lights", "Everything I Am", "Homecoming", "The Glory"

-Daniel

Review: Kid Cudi - Man on the Moon: The End of the Day (September 15th, 2009)

I'm going to start the first review of this blog's history with one of a fairly new, yet majorly popular new rapper. I'm talking of course about Kid Cudi. He released a subpar mixtape that people speak of as legendary but frankly, it sucks. However, when i heard a few of the singles from his new album on the internet, i was intrigued, if not a bit impressed. So i decided to pick up a copy if his debut album for myself with a 20 dollar bill i found lying on the ground. I listened to it that first day 3 or 4 times all the way through and i haven't listened to it very much since, because i wanted to sit back and listen to it again with fresh ears so i don't sound biased. Anyway enough about me, let me get to the man of the hour, Kid Cudi. 

Kid Cudi was born and raised in Cleveland Ohio, and everybody knows that cleveland sucks (With the exception of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony), which is probably why he doesn't repeatedly mention that he likes his hometown like every other rapper on the planet. Near the end of high school he began rapping accapella in front of his mirror, and while he was at college he teamed up with a producer by the name of Dot Da Genius,  who supplied CuDi with beats to rhyme over, one of which eventually became the beat of the hit single, "Day n' Night."

Well that crappy mixtape i was talking about earlier? Yeah it somehow ended up in the hands of none other than Kanye West, who has a crappy taste in music at times. I mean he had Paul Wall on his album (even though the song itself is pretty good, Paul Wall still sucks). Anyway, Kanye thought it was legit, so he signed the kid to his label, G.O.O.D. Music. Soon after, Kid Cudi was featured on Kanye's autotune aided album, 808's and Heartbreak, which introduced Cudi to the masses. Cudi then released that hit single, which i will get to later, and BAM, now we have this album, Man On The Moon: The End Of The Day. Lets do this.

1. In My Dreams (Cudder Anthem)

I guess you can call this an intro, but it doesn't totally suck. CuDi is singing on here, like the whole time, which sorta pisses me off but whatever. The beat is somewhat majestic and a little sleepy, but it sets the tone for the sound of the album, however it tends to lean more towards the side of sleepy. Thats all well and good, but then Common comes in and talks unnecessarily.

2. Soundtrack 2 My Life

Yes, all of you have heard this song, and yeah it's pretty good. Even though the beat is extremely simplistic, it still rocks, and CuDi rips it apart accordingly. The first few lines are probably Cudi's most quotable. "I got 99 problems, and they all bitches, wish i was jigga man, care free livin, but im not Shawn, or that Martin Louis, im just that cleveland n***a rollin with them brooklyn boys". This song is one of the reasons i remember purchasing this album, and trust me, you will not be disappointed with this joint, although i find myself not loving it like i used to.

3. Simple As…

Starts out with some freaky sample of people saying "A,B,C,1,2,3". Get it? simple as A,B,C! Yeah i didn't think it was funny or clever either. This beat is just too boring, consisting of just drums and an annoying ass sample. Sure Kid Cudi sounds fine, but i fell asleep after listening to about 30 seconds of this. Oh and there's Common again, failing to say, or do anything of substance! yay! PASS.

4. Solo Dolo (Nightmare)

The beat sounds like some weird oriental harp or something, and sadly this becomes a recurring theme on the album; boring beats. Sure the vocals on this track aren't too bad, but i don't even know what a "Solo Dolo" is. Even if he's getting introspective with his lyrics, that doesn't make the song any good. Skip this one too.

5. Heart of A Lion (Kid Cudi Theme Music)

This song definitely picks up right where "Soundtrack 2 My Life" left off. Sure, CuDi got a no-name producer for this track, but this beat isn't too bad, and when the beat goes for a bit of a walk during the chorus,it's a much appreciated change of pace. The half sing/half rap thing continues, so this song only ends up as merely alright in my book.

6. My World (Feat. Billy Craven)

This song was produced by Kanye's righthand man, and you can tell by the annoying "quacks" that laced this instrumental just as they did in the MUCH more entertaining "Run This Town". This song was borrrrrring. skip it.

7. Day n' Night (Nightmare)

Okay, if you haven't heard this song, you need to get out more. This song got an assload of airplay, but the song deserves it. The beat is deep and mellow, and even though it is a bit repetitive, it's still pretty good. CuDi grabs the beat and rides it fairly wel, spitting some actual deep lines for a radio friendly song, even though i bet he was baked when he recorded this. Still a dope song anyway (get it?).

8. Sky Might Fall

Now this song actually was produced by Kanye, and to be honest you can't really tell. There's no chipmunky soul sample or anything! The bass on this beat is crazy though, and it bumps hard in your car. The chorus is pretty good, which is also a recurring trend of this album, however this is a trend that i hope continues for a while. Definitely a quality track.

9. Enter Galactic (Love Connection Part 1)

I can't tell if he's saying "inter-galactic" or "enter galactic" but i assume the latter, considering the title of the song. The beat kind of sounds like something you would hear at a coffee house with some techno influence. This beat sounds more fit for Common's talents, but hey, its a passable track i guess.

10. Alive (Nightmare) (Feat. Ratatat)

This song is produced by the man who stars along CuDi on this gem of a track, Ratatat. The chorus, once again, kicks serious ass, and the two MC's beast this this track up and down. The beat is again simplistic, and this time like "Soundtrack 2 My Life" the simplicity actually works, creating one of the better tracks on the album.

11. Cudi Zone

The beat gets all techno in the beginning, but then it comes back down to earth and we start to hear Kid CuDi, who rhymes solidly over this track. The beat also wanders a little bit during the chorus which i really enjoy. This song is the first song with a lame ass chorus, from a lyrical standpoint "My mind sounds like wooo-oooo". yeah it sounds just as bad as it reads.

12. Make Her Say (Featuring Kanye West and Common)

This song samples Lady Gaga, as i'm sure you can all tell from the outset. Kid Cudi and common sound very good over this ode to the ladies, but Kanye West absolutely steals the show by rhyming in such disgusting detail about a hypothetical sexual encounter that it just makes me laugh. The only person who can out-rhyme kanye about a sexual affair is Ghostface Killah, but Def Jam has seemed to have forgotten about that amazing man, but hopefully he'll move labels soon. Well thats an argument for another time i guess.

13. Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare) (Feat. MGMT and Ratatat)

Another production credit to Ratatat and another good beat. The beat is extremely simple again and a little trippy, but in a fantastic way, which paves the way for Cudi to rhyme endlessly about drugs. In the end he seemingly overdoses on weed. I'm just about 100% percent sure you can't do that no matter how hard you try, but its a fantastic song anyway.

14. Hyyerr (Feat. Chip tha Ripper)

This is the kind of beat i was waiting the ENTIRE album to hear, heavy on the soul sample and delicious instrumental in the background. Chip tha Ripper adds a quality verse, but CuDi definitely spits the better one. Just one more time, this beat is really good. I got a nice vibe from this track. Well done.

15. Up Up & Away

This beat seems too celebratory. After an entire album of depression, drugs, women and lonely childhoods, CuDi emerges seemingly unscathed. How do you get from such a crappy mood to such a great one? Lets assume drugs until proven otherwise. As for the actual song? its not too bad despite that one complaint, but the beat isn't hard enough for my tastes. Oh, hi again Common.

In Conclusion: Well this is definitely better than i remember it, even though the first half of the album consists of some of the most boring instrumentals i can ever remember hearing. The choruses on almost all of the songs work well compared to most rap songs of the day, and even the one song that has an awful chorus is still a solid track regardless. I am slightly reminded why i bought this album in the first place, because even though all the kid rhymes about is how sad he is and how much he smokes, you have to respect him for not just taking the easy way out and rhyming about breasts.

So What?: A lot of people are going to like this album, but i personally don't. It's too depressing and too radio friendly to consistently make my playlist. But ALOT of people will like this album, so give it a spin yourself and tell me what you think.

Best Tracks : "Soundtrack 2 My Life", "Heart Of a Lion", "Day n' Night", "Alive", "Make Her Say", "Hyyer"


-Daniel

Welcome!

This is the first ever post of the newly established hip hop blog "Dusty Drums and Soul Samples". I established this blog to hopefully create excitement around the genre that i love so deeply: Hip Hop. Based on the title of the blog, you can guess that i'm a big fan of old school hip hop, and you would be correct. Nothing floats my boat like some hard drums and a great sample dug out of the crates.  This blog will feature track by track reviews of old school albums, new school albums, albums that i love, albums that i don't quite love, or any other album in between that i deem deserving of a review. I also plan to post some of my favorite music videos, singles, or any other rap related news that i feel deserves to be commented on. Anyone reading this blog can send me an email at dustydrumsandsoulsamples@yahoo.com, requesting an album to be reviewed or a video to be posted, etc. Feel free to comment on any post, because it's nice to know that my work isn't going unnoticed. I'll start by leaving a link to the new album of my favorite rap group, Cunninlynguists. Please support the artists by buying this album. I will eventually review it of course, but in the meantime give it a spin and tell me what you think. Enjoy.

http://cunninlynguists.bandcamp.com/

Seriously. It's really good.