Do we need the history? I thought not. On September 11th, Kanye West released his third proper solo album. This highly anticipated release followed two critically acclaimed albums, and was the third in Mr. West’s education-themed trilogy (also included: 2003’s “The College Dropout” and 2005’s “Late Registration”). With the release of “Graduation”, many felt that despite Kanye’s reputation as an amazing producer, solid rapper and undoubtedly legendary promoter, he would not be able to reach the level of his previous releases.
These feelings were right.
Now, let’s step back a bit. That comment is not to say that “Graduation” is not an amazing work, but Kanye may have set the bar too high for even himself. The best example is in Eminem. After three of the most critically lauded, millions selling records in year, Mr. Mathers released “Encore”. While Encore was in no way a poor effort, it was no match for his prior releases. Is that Eminem’s fault that he got off to such an amazing start? Is it going to be Kanye’s fault that he did as well? Let’s go through the album. Good Morning (Intro) - A solid Intro. And that is what it is. An intro. Taking a page from his “big brother” Shawn Carter (more of this later), Kanye is learning the art of the musical opener. This is not a great track, but it isn’t supposed to be. It’s a reintroduction. It is just what it is supposed to be. It’s a freakin’ intro. And despite that, it still has one of the greatest lines on not just this album, but in the last few years of hip-hop. “I’m like a fly Malcolm X, Buy Any Jeans Necessary.”
Ahhhhhhhh man.
The second track is “Champion” a techno-flared beat with an almost tribal African sounding chorus. The track isn’t anything to write home about but it sets you up pretty well for the rest of the record. You can almost tell that Kanye is either holding back lyrically or he might have *gasp* began to run out! Following that is “Stronger”. There is nothing to say about “Stronger” that hasn’t already been said. This collaboration with Daft Punk is one of the greatest track in hip-hop in years. Right up there with “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley. This one is going to last. The next track is “I Wonder”. I wonder what it would have been like if it was a good song. I guess I will never know. And in all honestly, it may not be that bad, but it is sandwiched between the two best songs on the record, because coming up next: THE GOOD LIFE!! I had been hearing about the cut for a little while and while I do love the hype machine, I really couldn’t see myself getting down with a T-Pain track. But like a have been implying, Kanye can do some amazing things when given the opportunity. I don’t care if the season is already over, we need to go back in time, because “The Good Life” is THE track of the summer. It is far too catchy, fun and daring to be lost in the shuffle of a release heavy fall schedule. This beat needs to be filling up the 808’s first thing tomorrow morning or else…I give up. This is THE song. I love it. Must be heard. “Can’t Tell Me Nothing”, the 2nd single off “Graduation” is next in line. It actually isn’t that bad of a song, but it shouldn’t have been a single. Far too whiny and just…just not that great of a song. It IS starting to grow on my with repeated listens, but really, I dunno. I expected a little bit better.
Kanye West brings up a man that an alarming amount of southern 17 year-old girls call “the greatest MC in the game” Lil Wayne for the filler track “Barry Bonds.” It’s a throwaway, and that is a real shame. I have heard Weezy when he is on and he is really something special, but he doesn’t have it in him. You can kinda tell that they wanted to work together, but couldn’t find something worth both of their time. But they did something anyway. And that was “Barry Bonds.” With a title like “Drunk and Hot Girls”, you could either expect one of West’s hilarious “New Workout Plan” tracks or one of his introspective and fatherly tales of warning (“All Falls Down”). But we get neither. We get a slow, plodding track that makes you wonder why Mos Def showed up to the booth if he was only going to get to perform a very weak hook. Very ala The Game’s role on “Crack Music”. A waste of a truly talented man. Next is “Flashing Lights” featuring someone who people tell me I should care about in Dwele. I don’t. And the song is not good enough to change my mind on that issue either. “Everything I Am” is a kind of fun, bouncy “Family Business” track. A former legend who can occasionally still bring it on when needed (DJ Premier) provides the well placed scratches on a song that has the chance to really take off. Kanye often uses additional emphasis when he finds a rhyme that he wants to be remember. He bucks that trend here and sneaks in a few gems that require repeated listens. This record has the chance to really be an audience favorite, but sadly with the songs that immediately lead up to it, I am afraid it might become lost in the shuffle. “Everything I Am” probably has the most heart out of any track on “Graduation.” “The Glory” is a grinner. It is Kanye having fun and you can see it. He likes where he is not and shows it off on this porch anthem. “Homecoming” feat. Chris Martin of Coldplay leads us up to the finish line. Man, those Roc-A-Fella boys sure love them some Coldplay. Be in Jay-Z or Kanye, if you can get an emo quasi-metro English man on a non-threatening rap track, apparently you should go for it. I like the idea, but like Lil Wayne, Chris could have and should have been saved for a stronger project. His voice is just too solid to be put on something less than near-perfect.
The grand finale is “Big Brother”, which is one of the boldest tracks. Ye has in the past gone the old Aftermath route route of saving the lethalest lyrical onslaught for the last track, but “Big Brother” is a departure. It is a lot deeper and actually…sad. The life of Jay and Ye, as told in an emotional, understandable and expressive four minute track. It is worth sticking around for and might end up being the most substantial piece to this album. Jay said it was Kanye’s deepest track since “Jesus Walks”. I wouldn’t go that far, but it is solid. Before I heard Jigga’s interview in response to this record, I was a bit nervous this track would spark beef between the two. Guess not. Overall, like I mentioned, “Graduation” is going to rank in the top 10 hip-hop albums of the year, but it still will be considered a disappointment since it is coming from Kanye. Is that fair? No. It’s not. But it is Ye’s fault for knocking our socks off right out of the gate. “Graduation” is still worth copping and has some amazing records that are recognized as so right off the bat. Others may mature in time, but for the time being, it is simply a middle of the road album. 3 out of 5 worms.
By the way…still no proper release for the track featuring John Mayer (“Bittersweet”)? Shame…
