Post by rachel on Jun 13, 2008 12:05:18 GMT -5
Kanye West - Graduation
Alright, so as my first album review for this site, this is pretty weird for me considering this is only the second rap/hip hop album I have bought in my entire life. And that’s not saying much considering the first one was “No Way Out” by the then Puff Daddy and the Family, and its buying motives were solely to make me look cool at school. In a nut shell, it’s rare that I like rap.
At Best Buy yesterday I decided to scoop this album up on my way to the register because of the bright purple cover, and because it was $9.99. But at the same time, I was excited to diversify myself with it. I got it into the CD player before me and my roommate pulled away and within seconds we were bobbing our heads. Seriously, the first ten seconds have a SWEET beat. What I was most excited for though was the collaboration with Chris Martin because I am a huge Coldplay fan and this kind of collaboration is a respectable move in my eyes. I skipped to “Homecoming” first. I immediately loved the piano and could picture Kanye bopping around Martin as he jammed on the piano. As my roommate (also an avid Coldplay fan) and I drove back home she screamed to me “How did Kanye know this could WORK?!?” and that’s about the best way to describe it. How did he? Cause it DOES. The piano fits perfectly, and Martins soothing voice is the perfect touch to make the beat something admirable.
My second favorite track is “Big Brother.” The lyrics are what got me the most with this one. It’s clear who this song is a tribute to, and its, as corny as it is to say, almost…cute… that Kanye wrote it. I love the line “So here's a few words from your kid brother/ If you admire somebody you should go ahead and tell em/ People never get the flowers while they could smell em.” I guess I can just relate to this line a lot, as I’m sure most people can.
“Stronger,” obviously another phenomenal track with samples of Daft Punk, another respectable move, just shows that Kanye knows his nuts. “I Wonder” made me feel like I was in Labyrinth Zone in the Sega classic Sonic the Hedgehog, and that is COOL. “Drunk and Hot Girls” had that vibe at the beginning that made me feel like I would hands down hate this song. But honestly, the more I listen, the more addictive it gets. I love the chill background vocals.
So all-in-all I am really digging this album, and I am willingly listening to it on repeat. My roommates think I’m on drugs right now. But for the record Kanye is a purely respectable artist. I don’t know much about rap or hip/hop, but I know enough to know that Coldplay, Daft Punk or John Mayer don’t end up on too many hip hop albums, which shows me that Kanye not only has a full blown talent for making music, but he has a beyond respectable appreciation for all music. And to me that is a necessary aspect of a true musician. I hope Graduation sells more than Curtis.
Alright, so as my first album review for this site, this is pretty weird for me considering this is only the second rap/hip hop album I have bought in my entire life. And that’s not saying much considering the first one was “No Way Out” by the then Puff Daddy and the Family, and its buying motives were solely to make me look cool at school. In a nut shell, it’s rare that I like rap.
At Best Buy yesterday I decided to scoop this album up on my way to the register because of the bright purple cover, and because it was $9.99. But at the same time, I was excited to diversify myself with it. I got it into the CD player before me and my roommate pulled away and within seconds we were bobbing our heads. Seriously, the first ten seconds have a SWEET beat. What I was most excited for though was the collaboration with Chris Martin because I am a huge Coldplay fan and this kind of collaboration is a respectable move in my eyes. I skipped to “Homecoming” first. I immediately loved the piano and could picture Kanye bopping around Martin as he jammed on the piano. As my roommate (also an avid Coldplay fan) and I drove back home she screamed to me “How did Kanye know this could WORK?!?” and that’s about the best way to describe it. How did he? Cause it DOES. The piano fits perfectly, and Martins soothing voice is the perfect touch to make the beat something admirable.
My second favorite track is “Big Brother.” The lyrics are what got me the most with this one. It’s clear who this song is a tribute to, and its, as corny as it is to say, almost…cute… that Kanye wrote it. I love the line “So here's a few words from your kid brother/ If you admire somebody you should go ahead and tell em/ People never get the flowers while they could smell em.” I guess I can just relate to this line a lot, as I’m sure most people can.
“Stronger,” obviously another phenomenal track with samples of Daft Punk, another respectable move, just shows that Kanye knows his nuts. “I Wonder” made me feel like I was in Labyrinth Zone in the Sega classic Sonic the Hedgehog, and that is COOL. “Drunk and Hot Girls” had that vibe at the beginning that made me feel like I would hands down hate this song. But honestly, the more I listen, the more addictive it gets. I love the chill background vocals.
So all-in-all I am really digging this album, and I am willingly listening to it on repeat. My roommates think I’m on drugs right now. But for the record Kanye is a purely respectable artist. I don’t know much about rap or hip/hop, but I know enough to know that Coldplay, Daft Punk or John Mayer don’t end up on too many hip hop albums, which shows me that Kanye not only has a full blown talent for making music, but he has a beyond respectable appreciation for all music. And to me that is a necessary aspect of a true musician. I hope Graduation sells more than Curtis.