Rapper-producer Kanye West released his sophomore album "Late Registration" this week. This follow-up attempt to his explosive first album, "College Dropout," is a decent collection of lyrical punch lines mixed with beats that are over produced.
His first two singles from the album, "Diamonds" and "Gold Digger," seem promising but only increased anticipation for what could have been another classic Kanye album. The majority of songs seem slow and boring at first, but once played over and over, the album begins to grow on you.
This album is quite different than his first and has collaborations with such artists as Nas, Jay-Z, Paul Wall, The Game, and John Mayer to name a few.
With track "Bring Me Down," he consistently uses analogies and thought provoking lyrics like: "Everybody feel a way about K, but at least you feel something."
Although Kanye's flow is not the best, the beats and the music make up for that. Kanye fails to utilize the incredible talents of Nas, Common, and Cam'ron on this album which would have increased the effectiveness of the overall message. This is truly a very self-conscious album that strays away from what most hip-hop albums deliver, but it does not prove to be as impressive as his debut album.
"Late Registration" has received mixed reviews locally since Kanye West was heard on a Sacramento radio station speaking arrogantly and boasting about how famous he is. This is truly a very self-conscious album that strays away from what most hip-hop albums deliver, but it does not prove to be as impressive as his debut album.
The State Hornet 2005
LM, features writer
No comments:
Post a Comment