Kanye West’s latest offering is unfortunately unremarkable.
Chances are you’ve already heard the first single “Stronger” off of Kanye’s new album. Laying down Daft Punk with a hip-hop kick, “Stronger” made a favorable impression across the Internet (with the exception of die-hard Daft Punk fans). With both this and countless appearances and work on other artists’ tracks since Late Registration was released, I was excited for Graduation. I’ve listened to the album twice through now and have already decided that Graduation can’t stand up to Mr. West’s previous two albums.
The issue that I take with it is that the layers of complex beats and samples are missing. This works for certain artists because their rhyming sets them apart — but Kanye has never been known as a good vocal artist. He also spends too much time on the album wrapped up in the annoying component of rap and hip-hop culture: money and fame. While okay in small doses, this just doesn’t work for Kanye’s skill-set.
My friend Andy had heard the album before me and told me he thought it wasn’t very good. When I asked how something like that happens, his hypothesis was succinct and probably accurate: “He has a huge ego and no one is willing to tell him that his tracks suck?” Too bad.
Songs I Liked
Champion - After the boring “Good Morning” intro track, Champion makes you think that you’re getting into an up-tempo musical journey with catchy beats. Enjoy it while you can, because it doesn’t last very long.
Stronger - As previously mentioned, this song uses Daft Punk’s “Harder. Better. Faster. Stronger.” Timbaland helps lay the drums on this one (and who doesn’t love Timbaland?) It’s a good song for the club, a party, beats getting pumped to work out, or something upbeat while chillin’ at the computer.
Can’t Tell Me Nothing - ATL cake with NYC icing. Even contains some Young Jeezy voice-samples to accentuate this vibe. Unfortunately the song is fairly static throughout and it does not reach its potential, but it’s still enjoyable.
Everything I Am - Good piano and I like the turntable. Second best song on the CD.
Homecoming - Chris Martin of Coldplay plays the piano on this one and sings in the chorus. It has a Late Registration “Heard ‘Em Say” vibe.
Decent Songs
The Glory - More like a traditional Kanye song, but the baby-voiced loop in the background gets annoying quickly.
Flashing Lights - Decent electro-sounding sample but the song never goes anywhere. It’s too even-tempoed.
Big Brother - The only reason I like this track is that reminds me of Yasunori Mitsuda’s work on Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross. I can’t quite pin down the song it reminds me most of, but it’s either “To Far Away Friends” from CT or “Frozen Flame” from CC.
Downright Mediocre
Good Morning - What? No Bernie Mac? How can a Kanye West album open without Bernie Mac? I wonder what happened there.
I Wonder - A song that doesn’t go anywhere because it didn’t start anywhere. Some of Kanye’s worst singing (or spaced-out talking).
Good Life - I don’t really like T-Pain (except using the phrase “Can I buy you a drank?), who is featured on this track. More baby-talk.
Barry Bonds - This track sucks, which is a shame because I like Lil Wayne who guests. He does nothing besides breaking up the monotony of Kanye’s lyrics.
Drunk and Hot Girls - Too long for it’s own good, boring, and mediocre at best.
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