Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
Stunning, 12 Aug 2007
Now I have not heard much of Common's work. I have heard him spot verses on many other songs but none of his own, bar Electric Circus which some may say was the black sheep of his back-catalogue. This is easily a classic.
Start The Show - Produced by Kanye and the haunting violins make a suspenseful introduction to the album. 5/5
The People - "My daughter found Nemo, I found the new Primo" just about says it all. Features Dwele. 4/5
Driving Me Wild - Catchy piano loop and hook accompany a song about a girl. Features Lily Allen 3/5
I Want You - Produced by will.i.am, about how he loves a woman with souful lyrics and a sultry chorus. 5/5
Southside - Electric guitar riffs crackle in the background of the hard-hitting beat. Featuring Kanye. 4/5
The Game - Boom Bap beat with scratches by Premier and one of the best verses of the album -
"I never kiss the *ss of the masses
I'm the black molasses
Thick and I last it
Past these rap b*stards
They try to box me in, like cash is clay
Hey I'm like Mohammed when he fasted
Opposing the fascists" 5/5
Black Maybe - Common touches on rascism with a calm R&B beat. 3/5
So Far To Go - Another nice R&B beat with the neo-soul king D'Angelo. 4/5
Break My Heart - Jazzy beats with a soulful sample and powerful emotive lyrics. 4/5
Mistunderstood - A powerful soul sampling Nina Simone's song of the same title; Common talks about people taking the wrong route in life. A highlight of the album. 5/5
Forever Begins - A beautiful piano hook accompanies this song, an audial canvas where you can almost feel Common travelling through life 5/5
Play Your Cards Right - Bilal helps Common with a chorus in this UK exclusive song. This song has a gospel/soul feel about it, almost like Pharoahe Monches Push. Powerful end to this album.
When asked about his new album, Common said
"I look at music like Bob Marley's or Marvin Gaye's or Stevie Wonder's or A Tribe Called Quest's, that's forever music. And I'm continuing on the quest to make forever music."
Common has certainly achieved this, and this is a classic album which will be enjoyed for many, many years.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
I didn't think they made Hip Hop like this anymore., , 2 Sep 2007
After having this CD for a minute, and having spent the time to listen to it, my first impressions are good. Many in their reviews have compared this Cd to Be,which I think is a little bit unfair, as I would imagine that most artists would like each CD to be considered on it own merits and rights. Saying that I prefer this CD to Be . After giving it some thought I'd say mainly due to the quality of samples and music that are on display here. On each CD, you know lyrically that Common is gonna bring it, but I just didn't like the music/samples production on offer in the latter joint.
If I was to pick favorites on here I would have to say: 'I Want You' featuring & produced by Will.iam, which is a beautiful poet love song, which isn't crass but the way a man should step to a lady. The Kanye produced' drivin' me wild' featuring the UK's own Lilly Allen. Now I'm not a big fan of Ms Allen, but this enchanting collabo works, again with Common speaking about wannabees. I love the very old schollish 'The Game' with the renowned DJ premier, the Very deep 'U,Black maybe, the beautiful 'So far to go' with D'angelo, 'Break My Heart', the excellent'Misunderstood,, in fact I can let this CD play and chill and listen to it all.
I didn't think I would like this CD as much as I do, but the excellent music/samples/production along Common's lyrical prowess equals a must have CD, and my favorite Hip Hop CD of the year, thus far.
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8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
Superb album, 21 Jul 2007
Five of the tracks have been around for a while - so almost half of it seemed familiar but the rest of the tracks are equally as good. If you think Electric Circus was his best album this is not for you - but if you thought Be was his best album you will love this.
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