cheers everyone for the comments and ratings am working on returning the favour................(10/...
cheers everyone for the comments and ratings am working on returning the favour................(10/14) (5/13) (1/14) (4/17)
Member since:16.08.2007
Reviews:4
Members who trust:4
Kanye West’s debut album; College Dropout is excellent. Although West showed off his quality by producing hit songs for the likes of Jay-Z this album demonstrated his ability not only to produce great tune after tune but also to rap with the best of them. West’s approach tends to have a bit more of a commercial sound than say Eminem but don’t let this fool you, he has what it takes to be the best (and he believes it more than anybody). One of my gripes with the album is the number of skits throughout and although they can be funny or set you up for the next song they do lose their appeal after a couple of hearings.
Intro
We Don’t Care
Graduation Day – Although basically in introduction to the next song or a skit it is quite a nice melody to listen to anyway.
All Falls Down – Awesome song, 5/5 definatly, has everything; nice beat good rapping. West just continually flows over the song and it all seems so effortless. There is also a nice female vocal to accompany the rap. There is also some evidence to suggest Kanye has ample lyrical talent as well; “I say f**k the police, that’s how we treat ‘em, we buy our way out of jail, but we cant buy freedom, buy a couple clothes
but we don’t really need em, things to cover up whats inside”. This like much of Ye’s lines is much more thoughtful than the average rap song and puts him a step over the rest in my opinion.
I’ll Fly Away – A minute long music/gospel melody nice to listen to but really just sets the scene for spaceship.
Spaceship – One of my favourite songs on the album. One of few songs when you focus on what is being said throughout and take note of it, within four or five listens you ll be able to rap half of it. Another example of excellent lyrics; “they took me to the back and had me, asking bout some khakis, but then some black people walk in, bet you they show off there token blackie”. Simple meaningful but very, very good.
Jesus Walks – My favourite song of the album. Number One. The beat and production is perfect, which I guess you’d expect from someone who got into the game as a producer. The song is racially driven, and although one may not agree with what it says the power and heart in Ye’s rapping is unmissable. The song is a great one the best.
Never Let Me Down – An appearance from Jay on this song, and you feel it defiantly adds to the album, then again what album would Jay-Z not improve simply by appearing on it. He as ever is flawless but the important thing is that West doesn’t appear to be in too deeper water and holds his own. A very good song.
Get Em High – For me this is the first song that I wouldn’t rank as one of my favourite ever, but it’s still good, and probably features some of Ye’s best rapping on the album when the beat is broken down and he just contiues rapping over the silence, this sounds excellent. The beat is a bit repetitive for me. But you have to think on an average album this would be a top song.
Workout Plan – pointless skit after a few listens and sure to be removed from the playlist or just skipped.
New Workout Plan – A very commercially sounding rap song in my opinion, the first couple of times its ok and you can focus on Ye’s rapping but after this you’ll realise the lyrics aren’t up to much and really aint that good after all.
Slow Jamz – Brings back the album from the lower echelons of Get em High and Workout Plan. As you would expect it’s a slow song although one of the most notable things is Twista’s feature which is anything other than slow. A very good song with a nice beat, soulful singing as you’d expect and Ye pulling his weight, and adding some slow spice variety to the album.
Breathe In Breathe Out – A decent song. Not really much to add to this.
School Spirit Skit 1 – Another skit
School Spirit – In between two skits which take up two minutes of your time this song is worth it, just. West starts of with some nice rapping but you feel he has to be at his best to make the song as the production just isn’t up to scratch.
School Spirit Skit 2 – Yet more talking
Lil Jimmy Skit – A skit following another skit
Two Words – Has some nice music and drums at the beginning, the song has a more slightly more gangster sound than most of the other songs, probably due to Mos Def starting it off. West is again not upstaged by the more illustrious rapper, and incidentally on both occasions West allows the experienced rapper to start off (Jay and Mos) before taking the song by the reigns and making it his own. It almost seems like a declaration of his own confidence in his ability, or just a coincidence.
Through The Wire – Either this or Jesus Walks best song on the album, take your pick both brilliant. Obviously there are loads of stories about why West wrote this song, and him wrapping when he was still wearing a head brace, but put all that to one side and just listen to the lyrics and beat and enjoy the song for the sheer quality that it is. “story on MTV and I aint tryin to make a band” lol “so I turned tragedy to triumph, make music that’s fire, spit my sole through the wire,
Family Business – Last proper song on the album, and a very fine one at that. The song really chills you out, Ye’s rapping is laid back and he just say what he wants to say. Not the best song one the album but a good one nethertheless.
Last Call – Some rapping some talking, it lasts 12 minutes, really like a super long skit with some parts of songs inside. If you can listen all the way through it well done.
Overall then a very good album let down by too many skits and well nothing else really. A couple of legendary songs included and West will defiantly carry on making brilliant music. I would give this 4.5/5 would be a five if you took out most of the talking. Would recommend this to everyone.
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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: 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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Aug 21st, 2007
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