I think this is the first hip hop album I’ve heard, without it mentioning how rich the rapper has become. So Kanye west, who is he? Well ever since his first solo song was released “Though the Wire”, Kanye has become a famous name in most teenagers lives. He has become increasingly popular in 2004 and still is. Here’s a little information for those who have never heard of him. In October 2002 Kanye’s life nearly ended, when he was involved in a devastating near fatal car crash, where he suffered serious injuries and left his jaw fractured in three places. Ever since then, Kanye has understood the preciousness of life and is grateful that he survived. He wrote this album based on his life. Each song is original and involves some aspect of life.
Below I have written my thoughts on all the tracks on the album except for the skits.
.:::Intro:::. Not sure why there is an intro, but it has a positive gospel feel to it. I don’t think Kanye could have started the album off in any other
way. 7/10
.:::We Don't Care:::. This has a happy soulful tune to it. The lyrics are about how kids sell drugs on the streets to make money and how the government does nothing to help the less fortunate of people in the rough neighbourhoods. Good start to the album. 7/10
.:::All Falls Down:::. This is second song Kanye released, where he collaborated with Syleena Johnson Very catchy song. Raps about how the materialistic things in the world can’t buy happiness. 9/10
.:::Spaceship:::. This song features CLG & Consequence. The song is about how he struggled to make it in life. The song is quite good and it has a good beat. 7/10
.:::Jesus Walks:::. Another favourite of mine on the album. It has a big choir like chant going on in the background. Great meaningful lyrics. Have a listen. 9/10
.:::Never Let You Down:::. f/ Jay-Z & Saul Williams This is my favourite song on the album. We hear from Jay-z and J ivy. The lyrics are powerful and have a lot of meaning to them. Jay-z starts off rapping about how he made it, Kanye raps about it how life is precious. His mother was arrested for sitting in a ‘white’ restaurant and so he is different because it’s in his blood. J-ivy talks about life and destiny and together we can all live in peace and love each other. 10/10
.:::Get Em High:::. Featuring Common, and Talib Kweli this song has a good beat to it, but I think not enough effort has gone into it. The lyrics are kinda all over the place. Give this one a miss. 5/10
.:::The New Workout Plan:::. This song made me laugh. It about how women should follow Kanye’s workout plan so they can get themselves a rich man. The violins can get bit OOT at times throughout the song, but overall it’s a good one. 8/10
.:::Slow Jamz:::. Most people should recognise this tune. This song was overplayed when it came out. It’s a great RnB song, featuring Twista & Jamie Foxx. I’m still loving it. 8/10
.:::Breathe In, Breathe Out:::. This song is good. It features Ludacris and it’s just about the other rappers out there
.:::School Spirit:::. This song is alrite. The music is good, but the lyrics are quite hard to understand. Not as good as some other songs on the album. 6/10
.:::Two Words:::. Featuring Mos Def, Freeway, and Harlem Boys Choir, this song is quite good. It has good rhythm and some of the lines in the verses do have two words per line. The song is about black America and life. It’s worth a listen. 8/10
.:::Through the Wire:::. This was the first song released from the album. Another one of my favourites. With strong lyrics, rapping about how he is grateful for surviving the car crash he nearly died in, how he got through his accident and how it affected his life. It has a good beat. Although the chorus is sung in a very high pitch sound and is impossible to sing in tune, without breaking the windows (well in my case anyway). 10/10
.:::Family Business:::. The song starts off with piano solo and has a positive uplifting beat. The song is about Kanye’s family and how nothing is more important than your family. Also there’s a choir singing some parts in the song, which adds impact to the song. Worth a listen. 8/10
.:::Last Call:::. This song is like a big and very LONG finale to the album. Kanye jus gives his life story, LITERALLY. He raps about how he got into the rap business, with the help of jay-z and other people. It’s more like a story rather than song, as it’s like 13 minutes long. The song has a jazz kinda feel to it. Listen to it if you got the time, otherwise I’d recommend you to just skip back to the beginning. 7/10
I still listen to this album and I’m not getting bored. The thing I like about this album is that the lyrics are original. Ever since his accident, Kanye has had this new grip on life. This album is based on his life experiences. He may repeat himself in some songs, but somehow manages to pull it off. The only downside to this album that it may have too many skits. But other than that it’s a great album and everyone should go out and buy it!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Good review, liked the way you commented on every song and said a little about what it was a bout, i like Kanye West and now going to consider buying the albulm.
Thanks!!!
Samcook2005 16.06.2005 00:36
Great review! i love this album, i can listen to it for hours. and youve summed all of the songs up very well
Mipsie 13.01.2005 17:58
Hiya! Great review, of the songs I've heard my favourite is Jesus Walks, I really like it! I might get this. xx
College Drop Out, the debut from the most sought-after hip-hop producer not named ... more
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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: 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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Jan 5th, 2005
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