Album Review: Kanye ‘graduates’ ahead of 50
Kanye West revisits familiar CD stomping grounds on his new album, “Graduation;” except this time, he’s cut out the campy skits and made his as-always masterfully produced tracks even better.
All the things critics love about Kanye is there – politically aware vocals, layered sounds and avoidance of the scandal most rappers seem to exude like air. Similarly, it’s got everything that will probably produce another hit like “Gold Digger” – catchy choruses, dance beats and even a little tongue-in-cheek humor.
The CD opens with “Good Morning.” Not only is he spinning an introspective yarn on his own college dropout experience, but the song’s got a strong bass line backed by a keyboard, melodic backup vocals and sampling from Elton John’s “Someone Saved My Life Tonight.”
“Stronger” has a side-stepping, steady beat with Kanye’s voice as the centerpiece instrument that could easily put it in heavy club rotation. It also features sampling from Daft Punk’s “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger.”
On “Barry Bonds,” a more laid-back track, he forgoes keyboards and focuses on the lyrics – knitting the Barry Bonds home-run controversy with his own experiences being an underdog in the field.
Lil Wayne putting in a verse appearance on “Bonds” isn’t the best collaboration, though – it’s Coldplay’s lead lady-swooner, Chris Martin, crooning the hook on “Homecoming.” The surprisingly cohesive song is Kanye’s ode to his first love – his hometown, Chicago.
Kanye brings his famous ego, samples from his elders and all the lyrical firepower he can muster to put out an album that should easily continue to outsell 50 Cent.
Kanye West
Graduation
Release Date: Sept. 11
Genre: Hip-hop
Grade: A
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September 18th, 2007 at 12:52 am
[...] Winner With five points to 50’s measly two, Kanye West is the winner. 50 wins … because we’re afraid of him. Kanye ‘graduates’ ahead of 50 [...]
September 18th, 2007 at 2:02 am
[...] Kanye ‘graduates’ ahead of 50 [...]