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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
For haters eager to see Kanye hit a sophomore slump--no such luck. Late Registration can't 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 a notch but musically, the album sounds incredible, especially with co-producer Jon Brion helping polish the songs to perfection. Tracks like "Heard 'Em Say" (featuring Maroon 5's Adam Levine) and "Hey Mama," are richly textured in their soulfulness while the flint-edge of "Crack Music" and "Gone" (feat. Cam'ron) will appeal to the street-oriented. There's a few duds on here--the sickly-sweet, syrupy "Bring Me Down" (feat. Brandy) being one of the worst offenders--but when the album's good, it's very, very good. In short, Kanye's detractors may not be swayed in their resistance to his charms but not only will his past supporters be rewarded but Late Registration has enough appeal to earn new crowds of fans. --Oliver Wang
Review
Kanye West is an asshole. Yep, he proudly confessed that on his first album, College Dropout. You only have to look at the way he behaves at award shows, declares himself to be the best at, well, everything, and has disputes with magazines who don't give his albums top marks to confirm his insight. However that's the appeal, the arrogance, the cockiness and the confusion. Recently named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in the world, it is obvious that not only does he believe in his greatness, but that others think the same way too.
Late Registration, West's sophomore effort, has some fabulously soulful production. Some might find his samples a little obvious, but let's be honest, who has ever brought the essence of Simon and Garfunkel, Curtis Mayfield and Shirley Bassey to one album? For all his arrogance, Kanye is keenly aware of the history of black popular music and certainly has no fear of the 'pop music' label.
He's not afraid of making social and political statements either. "Crack Music" deals with the harsh reality of drugs in the black community and proclaims, like only a musician can, 'that music is the only medicine'. On "Diamonds From Sierra Leone (remix)" West acknowledges that the origins of his jewellery may be far from harmless.
But it wouldn't be a Kanye album without humour, wit and perverse ambition! And there's that by the truckload. The list of guests (Common, The Game, Nas and Jay-Z) is impressive, and rather weirdly - on "Gold Digger" -includes Jamie Foxx singing along in his Ray Charles voice, to samples of the original Ray Charles.
This is a thought provoking album. Whether it becomes a classic or not, only time will tell, but as the man himself says, 'everybody feel a way about K, but at least y'all feel something'. --Maxine Headley
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This album is wicked. I loved College Dropout but Late Registration just beats it hands down! His lyrics are innovative, funny and meaningful....all at the same time lol. His beats are catchy, funky, jazzy and completely different. For me, the best tracks on the album are Heard 'Em Say, Touch The Sky, Drive Slow, Roses, Addiction, Diamonds and Gone. Can't wait for the next album!
The skits are funny as well
Oh yeah....i totally recommend you see him in concert...he is AMAZING!!! He is great with the crowd
The skits are funny as well
Oh yeah....i totally recommend you see him in concert...he is AMAZING!!! He is great with the crowd
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Although I'm a massive Kanye fan, this album didn't really "click" with me as quickly as his last -- but after a couple of listens it definitely packs a punch... and a mighty one at that. 'Gold Digger', 'Crack Music', 'Roses', 'We Major', 'Hey Mama', and 'Gone' are by far my favourite tracks, though the rest of the album ain't half bad either.
Roll on album #3.
Roll on album #3.
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
On first listening, I didn't think too highly of this album. Songs like 'We Major', 'Crack Music', 'Celebration' and 'I'll Be Late for That' really blew me away though and over the week and a half of release I've now realised that I've listened to Late Registration over 20 times and - when I'm not listening to it - it reverberates in my head.
College Dropout probably had a more complete and coherent feel to it, but LR has taken 'Ye to another level, especially with the orchestration and musical proficiency of John Brion.
A classic? Nearly. Something feels a little incomplete or forced about it, but - as one review stated - only a hip-hop artist could have made a pop album like this. And Kanye West is probably the only hip-hop artist who can.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
His best
This is definetly what made him who he is now, and how his fame is up-right. He's the best black-rapper, but the best white-rapper should be Eminem.
Published 7 months ago by King T
Better than expected
While not a big fan of hip-hop(though love R&B), Kanye's smooth rapping makes for a one enjoyable listening. Read more
Published 23 months ago by V. Zvyagintsev
Kanye's best to date
It's the motown influences that really make this record for me. There's some brilliant collaborations too.
Published on 15 Sep 2009 by Dunkirk
A masterpiece
There are some great tracks on here that obviously have been created by a musical genius. A fantastic album that to me is one of the best hip-hop/ rap albums i've ever heard. Read more
Published on 10 Jan 2008 by Ruler01
All hail new king Kanye West
The best album i have brought. This will go down in Hip-Hop history.
Well done Mr West
Well done Mr West
Published on 13 Sep 2006 by Ms. C. Millar
The lone voice in the wilderness of Rap/Hip Hop. Brilliant!!
I'd given up on rap music, until I heard this ablum. Its a breath of fresh air amongst the dross of rap music. Read more
Published on 21 May 2006 by Penolope Pitstop
The Man Talks Sense
The one thing I admire about Kanye West is the fact that he raps about real issues and important things that actually matter. Read more
Published on 6 May 2006 by One Love, One Heart, Lets Get Together...
not as good as the debut
though it has some great tunes and samples and beats, this is no where near as good as the 1st record by mr. Read more
Published on 7 Mar 2006 by Rossy
Really touching the sky!
This is my favourite album! Kanye West has proved that you don't need full education to be a genius. Read more
Published on 5 Mar 2006 by A.T.O.
BRILLIANT
i purchased this album the day it was released and put it straight into my cd player. it was a pleasure to listen to the marvelous kanye west and his second new age classic album. Read more
Published on 21 Feb 2006 by N. G. Roberts
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