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
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