Finally a hip hop album that has sold in big numbers without relying on "blingy" lyrics, takes me back to the days of ATCQ and PE :) Anyone with an interest in hip hop would have recognised Kanye's name as a producer for Ludacris, Jay-Z et al, tbh with those credentials i wasn't expecting much for his debut release. I guess the artists he chooses to produce don't really reflect his own lyrical style or content:) I'll go through the album track by track...
1. Intro - Hmm , not really much to say about this, seems like every hip hop album released is legally required to contain an intro and at least 5 skits :) I'm gonna ignore the rest of the skits on this album and concentrate on the tunes
2. We Don't Care - Nice summery, soulful sample running throught this track, basically a tune asking how the US government expects and kids from poor neighborhoods to better themselves, when they constantly cut education budgets and after-school programs in the US 4/5
3. All Falls Down - 2nd favourite tune on the album. Lyrics deal with the rampant materialism that seems to have stranglehold on modern society .....( too pretentious?) 5/5
4. Spaceship - Best tune on the album IMO, touches Kanyes struggle to get where he is now. Stunning lyrics, and blinding beats. 5/5!!
5. Jesus Walks - Gotta a kinda epic feel to it, big cinematic chant in the background, loadsa big drums going on too, and a little vocoder thrown in for good measure : ) 4/5
6. Never Let Me Down - Kind of inevitable that Jay-Z would have to crop up on here somewhere, fortunately he manages not to ruin this :) Really emotional tune this one, deals with Kanyes Gran sitting in a "whites only" restaurant, basically a tune praising his gran and being thankful for being where he is now 4/5
7. Get 'Em High - I guess he had to stick a party tune on here somewhere lol. My least favourite tune on the album 2/5
8. The New Workout Plan - Not an update of Jane Fonda's best seller, should of been called work-it-out, deals with how rappers deal with there gf's 3/5
9. Slow Jamz- **shudders** maybe I've just heard this TOO much, but I've really gone off this one. At least it name-checks Teddy Pendergrass :) 4/5 at first wearing thin to a 2/5 now :(
10. Breathe In Breathe Out - Sounds a bit like a DJ Premier Produced MOP tune. Kinda a p**s-take of all the blingy rappers out there, clever lyrics. 4/5
11. School Spirit- Trademark Kanye speeded-up sample on this one, and it works a treat, with a groovy gospel feel to it. 4/5
12. Two Words- Well its got Mos Def on it, so thats a good enough sign for me :) Another call to to power for Black America. Damn good tune! 5/5
13. Through The Wire- I'm sure most people know this tune, speeded up sample from the amazing Chaka Khan ( who gets props at the end of the video ), Lyrically the strongest song on the album. Really shows the struggle Kanye went through to get to where he is now 5/5
14. Family Business-Love this beat!, Really moving tune about Kanyes family life, and about keeping family close generally 5/5
15 Last Call-Running close to 13mins, reminds me a bit of the old funk/soul epics of the 70's, just Kanye riffing/freestyling over a jazzy soul break 3/5
ITunes says that I've listened to this album 30 times now!, It's an absolute stormer, still my favourite hip hop album this year. Really intelligent lyrics, and innovative beats. I look forward to the sophomore album :)
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
College Drop Out, the debut from the most sought-after hip-hop producer not named ... more
Pharrell, delivers the unthinkable: West magically sledgehammers home his opinions on taboo topics over beats that are equally daring. The envelope-ripping beats shouldn'...
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Advantages: Masterful Production, Great Eye-Opening Songs and Lyrics, Positive, Introspective, Thought-Provoking Disadvantages: Lack of Complex Lyrics, Too Many Skippable Skits, Some Weaker Tracks, Ego-Trip
Advantages: You will absolutely love the album and it will be like music to your ears (no pun intended) = ]. Disadvantages: A bit too many skits on the album but they are good nonetheless.
Advantages: Fresh voice on the hip hop scene just what it needed Disadvantages: Too many skits and too many tracks put in simply to make up the numbers
Advantages: Exellent selection of songs, good beats, individual style. Disadvantages: Some explicit lyrics making it unsuitable for a younger audience, the skits can be annoying.
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Jun 30th, 2004
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