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"Late Registration" is the second album from hiphop saviour Kanye. The 2004 smash "College Dropout" was always going to be a hard act to follow. He burst onto the scene in 2004; banging out hit after hit from "Through The Wire" to "Workout Plan". But anyone who knows hiphop will know that ... Read review
For haters eager to see Kanye hit a sophomore slump--no such luck. Late Registration can't ... more
replicate the novelty of last year's College Dropout, but otherwise, this is an impressively more mature and labored-over album. Lyrically, Kanye's only improved...
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Wake Up Mr. West Heard 'Em Say Touch The Sky Gold Digger Skit #1 (Kanye West/Late ... more
Registration) Drive Slow My Way Home Crack Music Roses Bring Me Down Addiction Skit #2 (Kanye West/Late Registration) Diamonds From Sierra Leone feat. Jay-Z (remi...
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Advantages: The Perfect hiphop album Disadvantages: None at all.
Kanye West is back, bigger and better than ever.
"Late Registration" is the second album from hiphop saviour Kanye. The 2004 smash "College Dropout" was always going to be a hard act to follow. He burst onto the scene in 2004; banging out hit after hit from "Through The Wire" to "Workout Plan". But anyone who knows hiphop will know that Kanye is a lot more than just another rapper. He's one hell ... ...for the likes of The Game's "Dream", Alicia Keys "You Don't Know My Name" and Jay Z's "Encore". That's only the tip of the iceberg. Kanye West is the hottest producer of the moment. Anyone who's anyone wants Kanye on their album.
He's come a long way from his humble beginnings in Chicago. He started out producing at Rocafella (Jay Z's and Damon Dash's label). They doubted his rapping ability, but once ... more
Kanye West is back, bigger and better than ever.
"Late Registration" is the second album from hiphop saviour Kanye. The 2004 smash "College Dropout" was always going to be a hard act to follow. He burst onto the scene in 2004; banging out hit after hit from "Through The Wire" to "Workout Plan". But anyone who knows hiphop will know that Kanye is a lot more than just another rapper. He's one hell of a producer. He has the magic touch, producing songs for the likes of The Game's "Dream", Alicia Keys "You Don't Know My Name" and Jay Z's "Encore". That's only the tip of the iceberg. Kanye West is the hottest producer of the moment. Anyone who's anyone wants Kanye on their album.
He's come a long way from his humble beginnings in Chicago. He started out producing at Rocafella (Jay Z's and Damon Dash's label). They doubted his rapping ability, but once he dropped them a demo, they released...this man is something special. He's been producing since the tender age of 20 and now at 28 he's nothing short of a superstar.
"Late Registration" delivers some truely magical moments. Full of soul, hiphop attitude and Kanye's meaningful lyrics. What sets him apart from his other counterparts his lyrics. His songs don't revolve around the one dimensional themes of money, bitches and drugs like some of todays hiphop artists. No, Kanye delivers his own unique message about dropping out of college, having no money and love to name a few of the themes. His message immediately connects with the listener not distance him.
"Heard 'Em Say" is a rather surprising collaboration between Kanye and Adam Levine of Maroon5. As much I'm not a huge fan of Maroon5, there is no denying that Levine's voice is rather soulful and distinctive. "Heard 'Em Say" has the heavy, nodding hiphop beat but there is a real soul edge delivered by the piano. It's really rather beautiful. Adam Levine and Kanye blend perfectly on this track, Kanye's lyrics are quite reflective and deals with the youth of today immitating their role models, the government but there is a prevailing sense of hope. "They say people in your life are seasons, Anything that happen is for a reason". What makes this track a hit with me is it's laid back feel and Adam Levine on the chorus captures the whole feel of the song wonderfully.
Now, for my favourite song on the album without a doubt. "Touch The Sky" just made me realise what an amazing producer Kanye West is, possibly one of the best of our time? I think so. "Touch The Sky" captures the essence and happiness of success perfectly. Uplifting and upbeat, it can't help but put a smile on your face. On this tune Kanye samples the anthem that is Curtis Mayfield "Move On Up". He's taken the tune of it and added a slightly heavier beat, but the strings and horns are still there. "Touch The Sky" lyrically charts the success of Kanye from moving in his little rental van to having this fabulous lifestyle, for which he appears very grateful. "I gotta testify, come up in the spot looking extra fly."
The soulful mixed with the hiphop seems to run throughout the album. It's evident on "Gold Digger" (the latest single). Jamie Foxx delivers the goods with his powerful, funky vocals like something from the Motown or Atlantic Soul days. While Kanye gives his view on the gold diggers that are ever present in the hiphop celebrity scene. Humorous but very true his lyrics are entertaining and his style is bouncy and fun. "Cutie the bomb, Met her at a beauty salon, With a baby Louis Vuitton, Under her arm.....now aint saying she's a gold digger, but she aint messing with no broke niggaz." The duet with Brandy "Bring Me Down" gives a very empowering, serious message but keeps the soul edge with Brandy's silky, smooth chorus. The title doesn't need explaining but he's getting a dig in at the rappers who are slagging him off. "Most you rappers don't even deserve a track from me, You see if you ever wanted to be anything, There'd always be somebody that shoot down any dream."
"Hey Mama" is funky, soulful and one that is dedicated to his mum. It may sound a bit naff but the way he rhymes it comes across as anything but that. Displaying his mum's qualities and how she struggled to bring him up. But Kanye feels a bit guilty that he dropped out of college, the one thing his mum told him to do. "But you still supported me when i done the opposite." The backing vocals complete the track, a woman's voice singing "la la la la la, hey mama." Another gem appears near the end of the album "Gone" featuring Cam'Ron and Consequence is something special. The hiphop soul is clear, the soul edge delivered by an old Otis Redding sample from "It's too late". The song doesn't focus on just one element in the lyrics, I suppose if it's about anything it's about escaping from the black neighbourhoods and living this privileged lifestyle.
The great thing about "Late Registration" is that it provides the perfect blend of the fun and the serious. Like the serious, almost 30s-esque gangster feel of "Drive Slow". It's deep and mysterious. "Crack Music" is a fairly political collaboration with the Game. "Crack Music" deals with the drugs culture in the hoods and projects while also giving George Bush his fair share of criticism. "Who gave Sadaam the anthrax? George Bush has the answers, Back in the hood it's a different type of chemical." The tender side of Kanye West emerges on "Roses" an ode to his ill grandmother. It's very sad and the lyrics are some of his most powerful on the entire album. You really just have to listen to it to appreciate it.
"Late Registration" is bursting with songs. So I would be a fool to go into all 22 of them. It's an album of epic proportions. But one of the main themes I found when listening is the one of how the role of African Americans has changed but other parts of the world, the Black Community is still struggling even part of slave trades. Nowhere is this made more clear than on "Diamonds are from Sierra Leone". Here Kanye takes the Shirley Bassey, James Bond anthem "Diamonds are Forever" and turns it on its head. A piece of production and lyrical genius. So good there are two versions on the album (the normal edit and a remix with Jay Z). It still uses the original backing track and Bassey's chorus but Kanye lyrics are engaging as he charts this awakening within him. "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" is magical and builds up into the fabulous chrous'.
As with a lot of hiphop albums there is a good amount of Skits but on "Late Registration" they all feature Bernie Mac who is really funny and witty. The skits on here aren't pointless, they all provide an apt interlude or build up to the next tune. Some might hate the skits but I think this is one of the few occassions where they actually work and enrich an album.
So let's cut to the chase, "Late Registration" is fabulous. Kanye has delivered another fantastic album. Lyrically it's Kanye West at his most aware of himself and his past. His rhymes have a real flow to them and he mixes it up all the time. Socially he's on the pulse and seems to capture what's happening in the world wether it be Bush or the lack of help for the poorest people in America or the continuing slave trade. People say he's arrogant but I think he's just very confident of his own ability. This record shows nothing in the way of arrogance or him being pompous. Production wise, Kanye can't really put a foot wrong at the moment. He's raided the old soul archives and weaved elements of classics through some of the songs. This works so well. Whilst he keeps the hiphop heads nodding with his heavy beats. There are a lot of collaborations but Kanye has got the big guns in everyone from JayZ, Cam'ron and Nas are on here. "Late Registration" offers a salvation that hiphop music isn't going down the pan where a lot of the music is about thugs rhyming about how many people they shot.
Compared to "College Dropout" I would say it's even better. This album has a bit more depth. But they are both two classic albums. The cover is recognisable. The college dropout bear is stood on front of two massive doors making a kind of judgement day feel. Inside the bear is photographed sitting at tables reading books and standing lecture halls.
"Late Registration" is a must for anyone who loves hiphop, soul, r'n'b or rap music. But I have a feeling that lots of people would love this, even if it's for it's sheer ambition. Kanye West is one of the most gifted musicians of our time. So if you're looking for something funky, aware, original or just different then try this. Kanye is the saviour of hiphop.
"Late Registration" is available from HMV priced £9.99
*The uk version features bonus track "We Can Make It Better".
For further information check out www.kanyewest.com or www.rocafella.com
Advantages: Improved Lyricism, Subject Matter and Production Disadvantages: Overabundance of skits...
...not... but his new album Late Registration can easily provide more fodder for his ego... After the interesting Bernie Mac introduction, "Heard Em Say" cranks up the stereo. This intro is easily more soulful and light-hearted than "We Don't Care" from College Dropout, but you'll probably notice that as a whole, Late Registration is easily the more soulful and slower of the two. Maroon 5's Adam Leveine does a damn good Jamie Foxx impression here, crooning ... ...you will quickly notice about Late Registration that retreads from the last album is the fact that Kanye is more talented at making songs than actually ripping up mics. Kanye's not a complex lyricist by any means and although he's improved a lot since the last album, but that's not his plan. He just wants to polish good music and have people enjoy it. Hey, I can respect that. Songs like "Crack Music" is a good example of this. Game and Kanye are ...
bigdiship-hop 23.06.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Late Registration (Parental Advisory) [PA] - Kanye West
Advantages: Funny, clever, catchy songs Disadvantages: Same old problems with hip-hop
...think he's pretty good. Late Registration is the follow-up to his critically acclaimed debut, The College Dropout. The media have completely praised this album, with The Independent calling it "magnificent" and Q magazine proclaiming it "another masterpiece". And just to remind us how good he is, Mr West puts this on the front of the album. But is Late Registration really as good as it's been touted?
If there's one word to accurately describe this ... ...in any rap music. Late Registration incorporates a series of really funny short sketches, or "skits", which are based around a college fraternity of "broke n**gers", who keep going on about how poor they are. In case you're wondering, Kanye West was brought up in affluent, middle class Chicago, and he's satirising the common belief that all rappers have to come from poverty. He also holds a grudge against American colleges (hence the titles of the ...
l-m-n-o-p 28.03.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Late Registration (Parental Advisory) [PA] - Kanye West
Advantages: More quirky hiphop from Kanye Disadvantages: Some weaker songs
I'm not particularly good at reviewing music, but here goes.
Kanye West is an international success, his Hiphop being original, with little twists that many artists would not think to add. I have been waiting for this album since I first hear Diamonds from Sierra Leone, some months ago, and I got the opportunity to get it yesterday in town, where, by the way, some irate tram driver nearly ran me and my friend over! However Tesco was clean out of ... ...when I got home I went to Sainsburys, only to be disappointed and nearly get run over by a car of young looking men. However I did get the album, when my mum drove out to another Tescos in Toton.
So what did I think, well why not read on and find out.
Track 1 - Wake up Mr West
The album opens up with this introduction by Bernie Mac, it is done as a flashback of Kanye being at school, sleeping in a lesson, this fades into the next song.
Track ...
rabbiter 01.09.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Late Registration (Parental Advisory) [PA] - Kanye West
Advantages: As refreshing as the first album Disadvantages: Unmemorable in comparison to "College Dropout"
The 2005 release "Late Registration" is the second album from the producer and rapper from Chicago, Kanye West. It follows on from the massively successful "College Dropout" which was an unexpected success from a newcomer, only famous on the Hip Hop circuit as a producer at the time. Here Kanye had to come with something huge in order to top to popularity of his debut album, which was able to cross genre boundaries as a refreshing sound in Hip Hop, ... ...style. 1. "Wake Up Mr. West" (Intro)
2. "Heard 'Em Say"
Maroon 5's Adam Levine provides his soft vocals to this track in the way which only he can here, offering something quite unexpected of Ye at the time. Many don't acknowledge the depth of his lyrics here, and I haven't a clue why because they are powerful in how he addresses discrimination as a result of racism in modern society. **Four Stars**
3. "Touch the Sky"
Everyone always says that ...
XICripZ 07.08.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Late Registration (Parental Advisory) [PA] - Kanye West
Advantages: Very good album, lots of tracks Disadvantages: Bring Me Down (featuring Brandy) - dont like it at all
...you can play piano.
Late - This song has a very 80s feel to it if you ask me, lots of chipmunk style speeded up music (just think of Akon and you'll know what I mean) not my favourite but not terrible either. Not a bad end to the album.
Overall I find the whole album very listenable and my least favourite song is Bring Me Down (featuring Brandy) as I don't feel it is heading in the same direction as the rest of the album.
I like this album the ...
katyeverett 23.03.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Late Registration (Parental Advisory) [PA] - Kanye West
Product Information for "Late Registration (Parental Advisory) [PA] - Kanye West" »
Product details
Title
Late Registration (Parental Advisory) [PA]
Performer
Kanye West
Genre
R&B
Sub Genre
Rap
Release Date
29/08/2005
Recomended Retail Price
10.99 GBP
Original Release Year
2005
Label / Distributor
Roc-A-Fella / Universal Music
Engineer
Andrew Dawson; Anthony Kilhoffer; R
Producer
Kanye West; Just Blaze; Devo Spring
Pieces in Set
1
Studio / Live
Studio
Format
Performer
EAN
602498851531
Catalogue Number
9885153
Additional notes
Album Notes
'Late Registration' is the second album from US rapper/producer Kanye West. Mining classic soul and jazz tracks for samples and loops and mixing them with up-to-date production techinques - provided by soundtrack composer Jon Brion - the album sees West continue with his unique inventive hip hop sound. Guest appearances come from the likes of fellow rapper The Game, Ray Charles biopic star Jamie Foxx, and Maroon 5's Adam Levine.
Titles on disc 1
1.
Wake Up Mr West
2.
Heard 'Em Say - West, Kanye & Adam Levine
3.
Touch The Sky - West, Kanye & Lupe Fiasco
4.
Gold Digger - West, Kanye & Jamie Foxx
5.
Skit #1
6.
Drive Slow - West, Kanye & Paul Wall/GLC
7.
My Way Home - West, Kanye & Common
8.
Crack Music - West, Kanye & The Game
9.
Roses
10.
Bring Me Down - West, Kanye & Brandy
11.
Addiction
12.
Skit #2
13.
Diamonds From Sierra Leone (remix) - West, Kanye & Jay-Z
14.
We Major - West, Kanye & Nas/Really Doe
15.
Skit #3
16.
Hey Mama
17.
Celebration
18.
Skit #4
19.
Gone - West, Kanye & Consequence/Cam'Ron
20.
Diamonds From Sierra Leone
21.
We Can Make It Better (UK bonus track)
22.
Late
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Listed on Ciao since
29/08/2005
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