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Review
It’s been four years since Lupe Fiasco’s startling second outing, The Cool, confirmed the Chicago rapper as an important new maverick figure in hip hop. Since then, wrangles over creative direction with his label Atlantic (bizarrely, they wanted hits – as opposed to most major labels who are just begging for a King of Limbs from every artist) have delayed and derailed his plans for the follow-up.
The dispute between the forces of creativity and commerce are writ large across the finished product. "Things are getting out of control / Feels like I’m running out of soul" claims the opening track Letting Go, and yet the world-weary feel works well. Hip hop purists might baulk at the creamy melodies that dress up Lupe’s breathless diatribes, yet there’s something riveting about the undercurrent of confusion that envelopes this tune. Better still is Words I Never Said, taking scattershot aim at everything from Obama’s policy on Gaza to education budget cuts. It’s Lupe at his brilliant best – with ideas spewing forth at a rate which leaves your head spinning.
After that, though, RnB syrup starts to swamp the lyrical invention. It’s depressing that such an original talent still feels the need to coat every vocal melody in the electro-voiced gloop of A*to-T*ne, in stark non-contrast to 97% of current chart singles. Is the label solely to blame for that?
Cuts like the bouncing, urgent I Don’t Wanna Care Right Now are infectious pop-rap which would do lesser talents proud, while The Show Goes On engagingly samples Modest Mouse. But ultimately, where The Cool continually pricked up your ears, large swathes of Lasers go in one and out of the other. Then you hear the penultimate track, All Black Everything, and get another glimpse of what this man is capable of. It’s a ‘what if…?’ satirical reimagining of history wherein slavery never happened, considering its knock-on effects on modern cultural landscape. "The rat pack was a cool group of black men," he tells us, "that inspired the five white guys called the Jacksons."
For inspired moments like that, and a couple of other tracks where he lets his talent run wild, Lupe remains a singular hip hop voice, and Lasers is still worth a listen.
--Johnny Sharp
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Product Description
CD
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By D. Diep
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Audio CD
Sure enough, this album is worth buying. It's Lupe, after all! From the singles that were released, 'The Show Goes On' and 'Words I Never Said', I was expecting something quite edgy and moody from Lupe, however when I listened to 'Lasers' this was far from what I expected. If you're a Lupe fan, you probably know the history towards the eventual release of 'Lasers' - Atlantic Records was going to prevent him from releasing this, but after all the fan support the record label had no option but allow it to be made.
Consequently, the album is ultimately a quite radical direction from Lupe, possibly because of the intervening of the company forcing him to make his music 'appeal to the crowd' (in other words, become more mainstream). An example is arguably the worst track on the LP, 'State Run Radio', which sounds nothing like Lupe would have made and, while the production is stellar on this track and the rest of the album, has too much of a dance-pop feel. The chorus is embarrassing for an artist that once maintained mainstream popularity whilst staying true to its roots, and 'Lasers' has an abundance of them.
Another track that divides my opinion is 'Break the Chain'. The production is stark and dark, and Eric Turner turns a repetitive chorus into something that is quite haunting to listen to. But again, this has a different sound to anything Lupe has done before. You wouldn't find this kind of track on his previous classics, such as The Cool and Food and Liquor.
Despite this, there are many positives that save this album, and it is probably one of the strongest rap albums being released this year. One of my favourite tracks, 'All Black Everything', has the same signature sound and feel of the Old Lupe, with a wonderfully opulent Kanye West-type of production.... Read more ›
Consequently, the album is ultimately a quite radical direction from Lupe, possibly because of the intervening of the company forcing him to make his music 'appeal to the crowd' (in other words, become more mainstream). An example is arguably the worst track on the LP, 'State Run Radio', which sounds nothing like Lupe would have made and, while the production is stellar on this track and the rest of the album, has too much of a dance-pop feel. The chorus is embarrassing for an artist that once maintained mainstream popularity whilst staying true to its roots, and 'Lasers' has an abundance of them.
Another track that divides my opinion is 'Break the Chain'. The production is stark and dark, and Eric Turner turns a repetitive chorus into something that is quite haunting to listen to. But again, this has a different sound to anything Lupe has done before. You wouldn't find this kind of track on his previous classics, such as The Cool and Food and Liquor.
Despite this, there are many positives that save this album, and it is probably one of the strongest rap albums being released this year. One of my favourite tracks, 'All Black Everything', has the same signature sound and feel of the Old Lupe, with a wonderfully opulent Kanye West-type of production.... Read more ›
By robyn
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
lupe as usual introduces some interesting subjects. listening requires you to use your brain. so not the normal boring rap s***e!give it a listen ;)
By Liddee
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
After waiting a while, I decided to buy this album. And I don't regret it.
Maybe not you're typical hip hop / rap album, but it makes a nice change. No two songs sound the same. Some have hip hop feel, others dance, others pop/rock. Some songs even border more on singing than rap. But something that continues throughout the album are his deep, thoughtful lyrics, something that I appreciate hearing in rap rather than just sex and drugs. Although Lupe Fiasco may not be the most amazing rapper of all time, in my personal opinion, other rappers should learn a lesson from him.
I look forward to hearing more from him again as I really liked this album, would reccommend, especially if you're a fan of the likes of B.o.B.
Maybe not you're typical hip hop / rap album, but it makes a nice change. No two songs sound the same. Some have hip hop feel, others dance, others pop/rock. Some songs even border more on singing than rap. But something that continues throughout the album are his deep, thoughtful lyrics, something that I appreciate hearing in rap rather than just sex and drugs. Although Lupe Fiasco may not be the most amazing rapper of all time, in my personal opinion, other rappers should learn a lesson from him.
I look forward to hearing more from him again as I really liked this album, would reccommend, especially if you're a fan of the likes of B.o.B.
Format:MP3 Download
Loyalty, I love the guy and though it's not hard to see why a split opinion exists on this album, I find it a pleasure to listen to mainly and "wherever possible", Lupe has put his heart into it. 5
By SABRE
Format:Audio CD
I remember seeing Lupe supporting Kanye West before anyone had even heard of him. The moment he opened his mouth and spat out "Kick, Push" I knew he was one to watch despite the entire arena heaving a massive yawn of boredom (Mindless Kanye West fan drones!)
As a hardcore Lupe fan it took me a few listens to really get the feel of this album, so this review is not written after one listen! But after listening a few times I came back to the reviews and couldn't understand why there were poor reviews, that were just rants.
This album is not in the same vein as his first two albums (Food and Liquor, and The Cool), which has drawn some very harsh reviews. Who knows if Lupe sold out to his record company and bowed down to having more mainstream beats to rhyme over, as ranted by one reviewr. We can never know, but at least this album is not as monumental a sell out as the Black Eyed Peas sold out, so the judgement of Lupe should be reserved for if he chooses to do this to his fans again on another release, then we can decide! If you take the time to listen to the lyrics on some of the tracks Lupe's message of world problems, media dumbing down of the masses, general ignorance, and the abuse of power is still there, especially in "Words I never said".
But those tracks that sound bigger and more mainstream than what is usually expected from Lupe are far from being terrible, they do what they are meant to, attract new listeners, and make you want to dance. Is that so bad?
It is a good album, which feels a little less heavier than his previous releases. But it does not deserve the harsh reviews.
As a hardcore Lupe fan it took me a few listens to really get the feel of this album, so this review is not written after one listen! But after listening a few times I came back to the reviews and couldn't understand why there were poor reviews, that were just rants.
This album is not in the same vein as his first two albums (Food and Liquor, and The Cool), which has drawn some very harsh reviews. Who knows if Lupe sold out to his record company and bowed down to having more mainstream beats to rhyme over, as ranted by one reviewr. We can never know, but at least this album is not as monumental a sell out as the Black Eyed Peas sold out, so the judgement of Lupe should be reserved for if he chooses to do this to his fans again on another release, then we can decide! If you take the time to listen to the lyrics on some of the tracks Lupe's message of world problems, media dumbing down of the masses, general ignorance, and the abuse of power is still there, especially in "Words I never said".
But those tracks that sound bigger and more mainstream than what is usually expected from Lupe are far from being terrible, they do what they are meant to, attract new listeners, and make you want to dance. Is that so bad?
It is a good album, which feels a little less heavier than his previous releases. But it does not deserve the harsh reviews.
4 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By JpfA
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD
I'm really disappointed. It's not that Lasers is a bad album, it's pretty good, it's just that compared to Food and Liquor and The Cool it really can't compete.
Lupe is still on form, with classy lyrics and clever rhymes. The main problem is the beats that go with his lyrics. Over produced pop for the most part, with choruses that would sound more at home on a Tinchy Stryder album. It also lacks much in the way of good guest vocals. Sway is a great inclusion, but no one else stands out.
I like this album, but I don't love it. I expected more.
If you haven't already, please get his first two albums before this.
Lupe is still on form, with classy lyrics and clever rhymes. The main problem is the beats that go with his lyrics. Over produced pop for the most part, with choruses that would sound more at home on a Tinchy Stryder album. It also lacks much in the way of good guest vocals. Sway is a great inclusion, but no one else stands out.
I like this album, but I don't love it. I expected more.
If you haven't already, please get his first two albums before this.
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3.8 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Shockingly poor by Lupes high standards
I remember waiting for this albums release with baited breath, I'm a big Lupe fan. This, however, is diluted pop rap material, with only a single notable exception for "Words I... Read more
Published 15 months ago by AJ Graham
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great album
This is really a great album, I was very surprised at how good it was! Should have charted much better but there was no real advertisement!
Published 22 months ago by Mary Balfe
1.0 out of 5 stars
Simply not real Lupe, Atlantic Records are rubbish.
This album simply doesn't live up to Lupe Fiasco's true potential. It's clear that Atlantic Records forced him to make this album far more 'poppy'. Read more
Published 24 months ago by BCM
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Album!
Ok, so it's not hardcore politicising or sending out a really angry statement to the world but that's precisely why I like it! Read more
Published on 13 April 2011 by Tora Murphy
5.0 out of 5 stars
A GREAT ALBUM
This is a superb album, if your a Lupe fan then you probably know the things that Lupe had to go through to get this album released. Read more
Published on 26 Mar 2011 by A BEAMIN LASER
5.0 out of 5 stars
amazing, amazing, AMAZING!!!!!
Such an amazing CD! Every single track is unique. You will never get tired of it. Really intelligent lyrics and loads of cool collaborations. Guys like Lupe need to be supported. Read more
Published on 26 Mar 2011 by SHK123
5.0 out of 5 stars
Why the bad ratings?
I've never really listend to Lupe Fiasco, but now im a fan of him, when i heard his song "Words I Never Said" I thought i should check his album out, gave it a listen and I... Read more
Published on 25 Mar 2011 by S. Michaels
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great album, not as good as his previous
Even though this album has had mixed reviews, as a Lupe Fiasco fan I still definitely think the album is worth buying, like his 2 previous albums.. Food&Liquor, The Cool.. Read more
Published on 19 Mar 2011 by Mr. Ri Webb
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