10/11/07 - Kanye West- Graduation(XXL Review)

YounG AleX · 10-11-2007, 03:23 PM

Let’s start with the facts: This issue went to press in mid-September, before the SoundScan numbers for Kanye West’s and 50 Cent’s latest albums came in. So by the time you read this, the “winner” of the 9/11 showdown will already have been declared. Also, by the time he finishes this sentence, Kanye will be disgusted by the letters lingering above the image of his album cover at the beginning of this review. He was expecting three letters (again), but he only receives two this go-round. But what’s more important than sales and ratings is the music.

It’s a given that West is one of this generation’s greatest talents—a beat maverick responsible for countless genre-defining hits and a musical mastermind far beyond his years. So, as expected, the Chicagoan’s third offering, Graduation, is leaps and bounds beyond much of the material released in the “Hip-hop is dead” era, but the plateau ’Ye resides on has a population of one, making his true competition himself. With that in mind, going up against two classic albums is a tall task, even for Mr. West.

The ghost of Jay-Z frames West’s third chapter, as Hova’s voice is spliced into the closing refrain of the moody opener, “Good Morning,” and the disc concludes with an open letter to Jigga dubbed “Big Brother.” The premature tribute is an honest self-analysis that details Kanye’s journey from bashful fan, to overlooked underling, to praised peer (“Big Brother saw me at the bottom of the totem/Now I’m on the top, and everybody on the scrotum”). Another reflective moment comes on the piano-driven “Everything I Am,” where the new Preemo enlists the scratching services of the old Preemo to defend his flamboyancy and briefly discuss his hometown’s growing murder rate, before announcing, “My 15 seconds up, but I got more to say/That’s enough Mr. West, please, no more today.”

Therein lies Kanye’s critical conundrum.Unlike his previous efforts, which contained several songs layered in political (“Crack Music” and “Diamonds From Sierra Leone”) and social (“All Falls Down” and “Heard ’Em Say”) commentary, Graduation features only a peppering of message music. Instead, the Louis Vuitton Don offers up heavy doses of swagology. While the Lil Wayne–featured “Barry Bonds” thumps like Sasquatch’s feet, it’s an example of undeniable style over substance. Then there’s the creepy Mos Def collabo “Drunk and Hot Girls,” which comes off like a date rapist’s lullaby, as Kanye slurs, “Please don’t fall asleep, baby, we almost back… Oh, now you sober, how’d I know you’d say that?”

All is forgivable, however, for one overriding reason—the orchestration here is remarkable. Graduation’s production arch runs the gamut from futuristic synth pop to bold brews of churning bass and bursts through the speakers like aural fireworks. Proof of this excellence of execution lies in inspirational anthems like the Daft Punk–samplin’ “Stronger” and the looming “Can’t Tell Me Nothing.” Nevertheless, Kanye himself brings up the need for more mental darts on the uplifting “Champion,” where he ironically quips, “Lauryn Hill said her heart was in Zion/I wish her heart still was in rhyming/’Cause who the kids gon’ listen to, huh?/I guess me, if it isn’t you.”

After setting a precedent for kickin’ the truth to the youth, ’Ye squanders the opportunity here by opting to make his third dissertation basic, resulting in more bark than bite. While the G.O.O.D. Music orator undoubtedly crafts a collection of great compositions, great, unfortunately, doesn’t always equal classic. —ANSLEM SAMUEL

aldaddyoo7 · 10-11-2007, 05:37 PM

Thanks for the info

Babe Truth · 10-11-2007, 05:43 PM

alright review, they didnt mention a bunch of songs thta are fire like The Glory and Homecoming

I definitely think the album is an XXL though

dmanx_ · 10-11-2007, 05:43 PM

this CD really wasnt good... i only like "drunk and hot girls"

sammie · 10-13-2007, 06:39 AM

cd was fire. You can start it at #1 and let it ride

CrossOver · 10-25-2007, 02:41 AM

This Cd Is A Classic

jas_311 · 10-25-2007, 03:16 AM

although i did love this album i have to admit i was feeling the first 2 a lil more

jas_311 · 10-25-2007, 03:18 AM

Every thing i am is a classic

djxtacy86 · 10-25-2007, 06:29 PM

Props on this, I agree with XXL, I'd give it an XL, too, but, it was still pretty tight.

- Stevie C.

norton · 11-16-2007, 08:50 PM

another classic from kanye

jadafan · 11-18-2007, 08:49 PM

kanye's shit was hot

Cashvillian · 11-19-2007, 01:47 PM

It wasn't a classic, but the CD was good without a doubt.

Franchise-8 · 11-19-2007, 04:15 PM

Propzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

dipsetallday4 · 11-21-2007, 12:39 PM

sick album might i add

zeus803 · 11-24-2007, 11:17 AM

This album is a classic.

Andy10 · 11-25-2007, 04:53 AM

^3-5 trakcs a good ..but the rest a not so good because i find the beat is not bangin..

bananas · 11-25-2007, 10:06 AM

yeah good album, with 4-5 good tracks but without a club banger lol

Amar.Athwal · 11-25-2007, 07:59 PM

cd was sick yo

DBlock513 · 11-27-2007, 05:04 PM

cd was ok, beats were insane, not a fan of his rhymes, but he is getting better

Pimpinbigg · 12-06-2007, 05:43 AM

Major propz!

Kanye is one of the few out there who is really worth listening to. Great fucking album and I STILL can't get enough, every track is perfect (except for Drunk & Hot Girls, not sounding good to me), and the bonus tracks are great too.

capone0922 · 12-06-2007, 07:48 AM

propz propz

Lilant0288 · 12-06-2007, 04:16 PM

propz, propz, propz..graduation was the truth

u_cant_c_me · 12-06-2007, 08:11 PM

Think its his best, i luv every song apart from drunk and hot girls, everything i am and the glory.

OPiiE · 12-06-2007, 08:55 PM

album is hott

jessy1177 · 12-16-2007, 11:24 PM

album is hot. I like just about every track.

10-25-2007, 02:41 AM	#6
CrossOver Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bay Area Posts: 96 Repped: 31 Repped 28 Times in 5 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	This Cd Is A Classic __________________ Authentic Hip-Hop @ foreveramovement.com

11-25-2007, 10:06 AM	#17
bananas Veteran Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Luxembourg Posts: 1,176 Repped: 710 Repped 12 Times in 6 Posts Neg Reps: 1 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	yeah good album, with 4-5 good tracks but without a club banger lol __________________ myspace.com/urbanhustlestreetstyle myspace.com/smokeitprod myspace.com/daboutz

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10-11-2007, 03:23 PM	#1
YounG AleX AleX iS Like... Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Where haven't we been yet? Posts: 3,189 Repped: 886 Repped 5,210 Times in 714 Posts Neg Reps: 66 Neg Repped at 13 Times in 8 Posts	10/11/07 - Kanye West- Graduation(XXL Review) 10/11/07 - Kanye West- Graduation(XXL Review) Let’s start with the facts: This issue went to press in mid-September, before the SoundScan numbers for Kanye West’s and 50 Cent’s latest albums came in. So by the time you read this, the “winner” of the 9/11 showdown will already have been declared. Also, by the time he finishes this sentence, Kanye will be disgusted by the letters lingering above the image of his album cover at the beginning of this review. He was expecting three letters (again), but he only receives two this go-round. But what’s more important than sales and ratings is the music. It’s a given that West is one of this generation’s greatest talents—a beat maverick responsible for countless genre-defining hits and a musical mastermind far beyond his years. So, as expected, the Chicagoan’s third offering, Graduation, is leaps and bounds beyond much of the material released in the “Hip-hop is dead” era, but the plateau ’Ye resides on has a population of one, making his true competition himself. With that in mind, going up against two classic albums is a tall task, even for Mr. West. The ghost of Jay-Z frames West’s third chapter, as Hova’s voice is spliced into the closing refrain of the moody opener, “Good Morning,” and the disc concludes with an open letter to Jigga dubbed “Big Brother.” The premature tribute is an honest self-analysis that details Kanye’s journey from bashful fan, to overlooked underling, to praised peer (“Big Brother saw me at the bottom of the totem/Now I’m on the top, and everybody on the scrotum”). Another reflective moment comes on the piano-driven “Everything I Am,” where the new Preemo enlists the scratching services of the old Preemo to defend his flamboyancy and briefly discuss his hometown’s growing murder rate, before announcing, “My 15 seconds up, but I got more to say/That’s enough Mr. West, please, no more today.” Therein lies Kanye’s critical conundrum.Unlike his previous efforts, which contained several songs layered in political (“Crack Music” and “Diamonds From Sierra Leone”) and social (“All Falls Down” and “Heard ’Em Say”) commentary, Graduation features only a peppering of message music. Instead, the Louis Vuitton Don offers up heavy doses of swagology. While the Lil Wayne–featured “Barry Bonds” thumps like Sasquatch’s feet, it’s an example of undeniable style over substance. Then there’s the creepy Mos Def collabo “Drunk and Hot Girls,” which comes off like a date rapist’s lullaby, as Kanye slurs, “Please don’t fall asleep, baby, we almost back… Oh, now you sober, how’d I know you’d say that?” All is forgivable, however, for one overriding reason—the orchestration here is remarkable. Graduation’s production arch runs the gamut from futuristic synth pop to bold brews of churning bass and bursts through the speakers like aural fireworks. Proof of this excellence of execution lies in inspirational anthems like the Daft Punk–samplin’ “Stronger” and the looming “Can’t Tell Me Nothing.” Nevertheless, Kanye himself brings up the need for more mental darts on the uplifting “Champion,” where he ironically quips, “Lauryn Hill said her heart was in Zion/I wish her heart still was in rhyming/’Cause who the kids gon’ listen to, huh?/I guess me, if it isn’t you.” After setting a precedent for kickin’ the truth to the youth, ’Ye squanders the opportunity here by opting to make his third dissertation basic, resulting in more bark than bite. While the G.O.O.D. Music orator undoubtedly crafts a collection of great compositions, great, unfortunately, doesn’t always equal classic. —ANSLEM SAMUEL __________________ I learned that everybody is not your friend. You have to watch who you associate with and surround yourself with positive things and people who want to do something positive.- Gucci!

10-11-2007, 05:37 PM	#2
aldaddyoo7 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: ATX Posts: 134 Repped: 17 Repped 0 Times in 0 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the info

10-11-2007, 05:43 PM	#3
Babe Truth Da Truth Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,912 Repped: 296 Repped 82 Times in 26 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	alright review, they didnt mention a bunch of songs thta are fire like The Glory and Homecoming I definitely think the album is an XXL though

10-11-2007, 05:43 PM	#4
dmanx_ BossHogg Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,258 Repped: 97 Repped 134 Times in 26 Posts Neg Reps: 1 Neg Repped at 1 Time in 1 Post	this CD really wasnt good... i only like "drunk and hot girls"

10-13-2007, 06:39 AM	#5
sammie Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cali Posts: 77 Repped: 37 Repped 0 Times in 0 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	cd was fire. You can start it at #1 and let it ride

10-25-2007, 03:16 AM	#7
jas_311 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Macon,GA Posts: 162 Repped: 22 Repped 0 Times in 0 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	although i did love this album i have to admit i was feeling the first 2 a lil more

10-25-2007, 03:18 AM	#8
jas_311 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Macon,GA Posts: 162 Repped: 22 Repped 0 Times in 0 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	Every thing i am is a classic

10-25-2007, 06:29 PM	#9
djxtacy86 The Pride of Homestead Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Homestead, Florida Posts: 2,517 Repped: 2,157 Repped 18 Times in 10 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	Props on this, I agree with XXL, I'd give it an XL, too, but, it was still pretty tight. - Stevie C.

11-16-2007, 08:50 PM	#10
norton Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 76 Repped: 43 Repped 0 Times in 0 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	another classic from kanye

11-18-2007, 08:49 PM	#11
jadafan Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 53 Repped: 2 Repped 0 Times in 0 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	kanye's shit was hot

11-19-2007, 01:47 PM	#12
Cashvillian Veteran Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cashville, Ten-a-key Posts: 1,222 Repped: 20 Repped 94 Times in 46 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 6 Times in 5 Posts	It wasn't a classic, but the CD was good without a doubt.

11-19-2007, 04:15 PM	#13
Franchise-8 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chile Posts: 637 Repped: 242 Repped 18 Times in 10 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	Propzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

11-21-2007, 12:39 PM	#14
dipsetallday4 Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 626 Repped: 340 Repped 1 Time in 1 Post Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	sick album might i add

11-24-2007, 11:17 AM	#15
zeus803 Noob Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sumter SC Posts: 124 Repped: 37 Repped 0 Times in 0 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	This album is a classic.

11-25-2007, 04:53 AM	#16
Andy10 Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 51 Repped: 22 Repped 1 Time in 1 Post Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	^3-5 trakcs a good ..but the rest a not so good because i find the beat is not bangin..

11-25-2007, 07:59 PM	#18
Amar.Athwal Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 102 Repped: 69 Repped 0 Times in 0 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 1 Time in 1 Post	cd was sick yo

11-27-2007, 05:04 PM	#19
DBlock513 total.selctions.com Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 33 Repped: 0 Repped 34 Times in 10 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	cd was ok, beats were insane, not a fan of his rhymes, but he is getting better

12-06-2007, 05:43 AM	#20
Pimpinbigg Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 201 Repped: 18 Repped 0 Times in 0 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	Major propz! Kanye is one of the few out there who is really worth listening to. Great fucking album and I STILL can't get enough, every track is perfect (except for Drunk & Hot Girls, not sounding good to me), and the bonus tracks are great too.

12-06-2007, 07:48 AM	#21
capone0922 Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 51 Repped: 1 Repped 0 Times in 0 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	propz propz

12-06-2007, 04:16 PM	#22
Lilant0288 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 53 Repped: 20 Repped 0 Times in 0 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	propz, propz, propz..graduation was the truth

12-06-2007, 08:11 PM	#23
u_cant_c_me Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: uk Posts: 20 Repped: 0 Repped 0 Times in 0 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	Think its his best, i luv every song apart from drunk and hot girls, everything i am and the glory.

12-06-2007, 08:55 PM	#24
OPiiE Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 47 Repped: 0 Repped 8 Times in 1 Post Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	album is hott

12-16-2007, 11:24 PM	#25
jessy1177 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 507 Repped: 468 Repped 1 Time in 1 Post Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	album is hot. I like just about every track.