There are only a few CDs that I actually make the effort to buy on its faithful Tuesday release and something by the hair of my chinny chin chin told me that indeed Late Registration was just such an album. On August 30th, 2005, the world was blessed with what I consider a hip hop masterpiece, even moreso than his first album, "The College Dropout." This says a helluva lot since, like everyone else, I thought (and still do at times) think this guy is an arrogant ass. Or maybe he's just better than we thought at pushing the public's buttons. Well, he would not be the first musical artist to try that tactic...at least he can back up the brillance of music. Ok, back to the album....last night was my 25th (possibly 30th) time listening to Mr. West's latest and no album has kept me so high on my musical toes. I find something new to think about or groove to, with every push of the Play button. Each song requires something new from its listener, whether that paying attention to lyrics, arrangements, guest appearances, production, instrumentation, etc. Quite a challenge when trying to offer album critique. Like West did with his "Jesus Walks" video, I may have to try this 3x over to get it just right. Well, here's the first attempt.....
The Album as a whole: In its entirety, West intelligently straddles the line between political consciousness and typical hiphop commentary, pure formula beats and refreshing musicality, and witty lyrics and deficient storytelling. As stated in "Diamonds from Sierra Leone", when he came in the game, he made his own lane. And so this album is on many levels, in a lane all its own, largely due to Jon Brion's contributions that inject lingering musical breaks and bridges (composed mostly of string arrangements that bring an uncanny elegance and grace--two words historically disassociated with hip hop). But the breaks are so accurately formulated, the listener never questions their song location. West also tries to loosely hold onto his College Dropout theme through the album title and repeated skits of a fabricated Greek fraternity, "Broke phi broke". As in, in case you weren't listening, college still does not ensure your life's fortune. An in-your-face fact that is proven over and over again by Hollywood's elite (many a high school drop out) and, to a lesser extent, at the executive level of Corporate America and the idiot we now have as president (Yale...or Fast times a Ridgemont High?).
Heard Em Say: Nothing's ever promised tomorrow or today...indeed it's true. And Adam Levine from Maroon 5 sounds, oh so sweet, on the hook of this song. But I think the video did the best justice to this song...at least the animated version. I never did lay eyes on the toy store sleepover that seemed to be the preferred choice among Kanye and his camp. Why, I ask???.. when such a beautiful cartoon depicted the song so gracefully. At any rate, nothing can take away from the angelic melody and softness of this song. Listen up!!!
Touch the Sky: Shout, shout, shout...these are the exclamations I think of when hearing the excited horns in this track. They really make the song come alive, not too mention Lupe Fiasco- superbly endorsed rap phenom slowly working his way to the top. This is not my favorite song on the album, but the video does call into question Kanye's thoughts behind song promotion. Even Evel Knievel himself wasn't too happy about this performance. Next.....
GoldDigger: The anthem of 2006???....if not THE anthem, then one of them for sure. Jamie Foxx still living off the credit of RAY. I don't blame ya boy!!
Drive Slow: Paul Wall?? C'mon son....the flow is crazy. Houston's finest. It can't get much better than that. Kanye does know how to pair himself up with the greats. And because of that, his song do great. Possibly hit material, but some other songs measure up slightly moreso. Awesome production, lyricism and concept.
My Way Home: I love my boy, Common. Even though this track is just a snippet for the imagination...I often long for the extended version just to know how the whole song would have sounded like. Can't touch Common Sense....and with Kanye, it's a dynamic duo.
Crack Music: Similar to Drive Slow, Ye pairing up once again with rap's elite: the one and only GAME. Na, na, na, na, na.....immersed with political commentary, accusations, and implications, this song is nutta butta....nothing but the truth. It depicts, the oh so commonly discussed, plight and downfall of African-American in a society that still does not see us as equal. Shit...it begins to make one wonder how far have we really come...when will it ever be equal? Don't hold you breath....similar to crack, racism is THE most evil existence known to ALL Blacks. Crack messes with our hearts and minds, racism is within our hearts and minds. And there is hardly a cure for something ingrained so deep :(
Roses: Inequity, sadness, life...all the theme of "Roses"--the story of a loved one on his death bed and how the living struggle with the very thought. Swimming in thoughts, Kanye actually delivers a stunning portrayal of his grandmother's struggle with sickness and his family's heartache at the potential outcome of death for their matriarch. It's all in the eye of the beholder.
Bring Me Down: A true testiment to Ye's faith in, well, himself....and a "stick-it-to-all-those-who-doubt-me" type anthem. Heard it before, though well done, with a little help from Brandy.
Addiction: I LOVE THIS SONG....but I am a succer for the underdog with tracks. This song would never make the hit list, but it's totally fun mainly due to its quick tempo and thoughtless wordplay. It's not really about much of anything, but it is crafted so well that it really does not need to be. Everyone has some sort of addiction, regardless of how big or small. Some of us can control it better though.
Diamonds from Sierra Leone (Remix): Jay-Z totally amps up with wanna-be thought-provoking tune...though the diamonds of Jay are all his own, with no homage to the very real issue of Blood Diamonds (out in theaters now). Jay's verse is superb, but would be stellar if it intermixed the story of the terrible happenings in Sierra Leone with the fruitfulness of American materialism. Three stars for effort though.
We Major: Not really feeling it...thought I love NAS.
Hey Mama: All rappers should have at least one homage to mama...
Celebration: Not really feeling it....but ok.
Gone: Um....yeah! Jon Brion is brilliant and Cam'ron's verse is pure fire. Ok, so most of the lyricists on this track can spit, but the instrumentation in the middle is what gets me. Call me a music nerd, an exceptional music enthusiast, or just plain weird, but the breakdown between the 2nd and last verse is just superb. It makes the song just that much better. One of the best examples of post-production I've listened to in a while. Could you imagine the craziness of creating that breach....the realization that this here is a masterpiece album. Whooo....ain't nuttin' like it in the world.
Diamond from Sierra Leone (Original): About the same as the remix.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment