2008 Woodie Awards
Cd Review: Kanye West - Graduation
Four Stars
Andrew Beam
Issue date: 9/21/07 Section: FUSE
Originally published: 9/20/07 at 9:15 PM EST
Last update: 9/20/07 at 9:23 PM EST
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Even though Kanye West is an egotistical maniac with one of the worst personalities in the music business today, the man is an amazing song writer, rapper, performer, and sadly there is nothing we can do to stop him.
West's latest effort "Graduation" is perfection from start to finish.
His story telling ability, his rapping style and the music are consistently genius throughout the entire album. His ability to be extremely catchy but still hold his credibility as a Hip-Hop artist is impressive. The opening track "Good Morning", will get your head bouncing and ropes you into the rest of the CD wondering what will come next. Luckily West does not disappoint.
His vocal projection is so energetic and inviting you cannot help but listen.
"Stronger", one of the many singles off this album, is an upbeat jam with a robotic voice providing the background music which West proudly claims, "That don't kill me, will only make me stronger."
"Good Life" is a key track that starts off with copious amounts of energy with T- Pain's smooth voice giving the track a certain groove that will make you move. "Can't Tell Me Nothing" is a very powerful track where West explains his actions in these recent years such as his Katrina outburst stating, "I'm on T.V. talking like it's just you and me."
West confesses even though he has all this money he still has not figure it all out.
"Barry Bonds" gives a more laid back feel with a smooth grooving bass line while West describes why he's so good. Mos Def lends his talents on the song "Drunk and Hot Girls", one of the more entertaining songs to listen to. The lyrics confess how hard men work to get the women they want, specifically the drunk and hot ones. The bass line gives the song a dark feel while the lyrics are playful and hysterical.
"Big Brother" is a confessional to his mentor Jay-Z. West makes this ode the rap legend in order to thank him, apologize to him, and bring up his complaints to him. He describes how grateful he is for the things Jay-Z has done for him but also how upset he is to be cast in his shadow, watch out this one can be a tear- jerker. West brings up a topic that seems to upset him which was Jay-Z using Coldplay in one of his songs; he claims to have done this first.
In the song "Homecoming" Chris Martin, lead singer of popular rock band Coldplay, provides his piano and vocal talents to the track.
Martin's "Elton John Style" piano line compliments the song beautifully while West describes his relationship with a girl he knows, most likely his fiancée.
John Mayer, one of the many guests to appear on this album, closes "Graduation" with his unique bluesy voice along with his impressive guitar playing on the song "Bittersweet".
One of the lighter tracks on the album West confesses even more about where he has screwed up in his life. Kanye West has somehow re-invented himself and has changed the game of Hip-Hop. Still, West doesn't even see himself as a Hip-Hop artist, he's a rock star. Either way, Hip-Hop is not dead.
West's latest effort "Graduation" is perfection from start to finish.
His story telling ability, his rapping style and the music are consistently genius throughout the entire album. His ability to be extremely catchy but still hold his credibility as a Hip-Hop artist is impressive. The opening track "Good Morning", will get your head bouncing and ropes you into the rest of the CD wondering what will come next. Luckily West does not disappoint.
His vocal projection is so energetic and inviting you cannot help but listen.
"Stronger", one of the many singles off this album, is an upbeat jam with a robotic voice providing the background music which West proudly claims, "That don't kill me, will only make me stronger."
"Good Life" is a key track that starts off with copious amounts of energy with T- Pain's smooth voice giving the track a certain groove that will make you move. "Can't Tell Me Nothing" is a very powerful track where West explains his actions in these recent years such as his Katrina outburst stating, "I'm on T.V. talking like it's just you and me."
West confesses even though he has all this money he still has not figure it all out.
"Barry Bonds" gives a more laid back feel with a smooth grooving bass line while West describes why he's so good. Mos Def lends his talents on the song "Drunk and Hot Girls", one of the more entertaining songs to listen to. The lyrics confess how hard men work to get the women they want, specifically the drunk and hot ones. The bass line gives the song a dark feel while the lyrics are playful and hysterical.
"Big Brother" is a confessional to his mentor Jay-Z. West makes this ode the rap legend in order to thank him, apologize to him, and bring up his complaints to him. He describes how grateful he is for the things Jay-Z has done for him but also how upset he is to be cast in his shadow, watch out this one can be a tear- jerker. West brings up a topic that seems to upset him which was Jay-Z using Coldplay in one of his songs; he claims to have done this first.
In the song "Homecoming" Chris Martin, lead singer of popular rock band Coldplay, provides his piano and vocal talents to the track.
Martin's "Elton John Style" piano line compliments the song beautifully while West describes his relationship with a girl he knows, most likely his fiancée.
John Mayer, one of the many guests to appear on this album, closes "Graduation" with his unique bluesy voice along with his impressive guitar playing on the song "Bittersweet".
One of the lighter tracks on the album West confesses even more about where he has screwed up in his life. Kanye West has somehow re-invented himself and has changed the game of Hip-Hop. Still, West doesn't even see himself as a Hip-Hop artist, he's a rock star. Either way, Hip-Hop is not dead.
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