What is the definition of forever music? Is it timeless? Classic? Inspiring? That is what Common has begun to search for. Trekking the large world of Hip-hop and music in general, Common is trying to find the heart of music. Thus he has created Finding Forever his second album off the GOOD Music record label.
Reeling off the success of Be, Common has started out strong with his two hit singles, The People, and The Game. But, can his success stay well into the album? I am glad to say yes Common provides another solid performance in Finding Forever.
Although the album is handled mostly by lable-mate Kanye West the length and variety of the album gives it the opportunity of not being stale. The album starts off with a soulful yet odd minute introduction that lulls you into the safe state that hopes to be Forever music. As you begin to relax you can hear Kanyes voice fading in and the album begins with a bang. The beat hits hard as Common pushes into the track and shows that he is the true MC and denounces all fake rappers and criticizes them for their tired lyrics. "With 12 monkeys on stage it’s hard to see who’s a gorilla/ you were better as a drug deala". They say first impressions are the ones that stick and Common makes it stick super glue (sry for the bad analogy). At the end of the song Common screams at you to get live and begins to tell you to get louder...! Louder...!! Louder...!!!
This seamlessly blends into his first single, The People. Common sounds at ease on this beat as does Dwele who sings an airy yet soulful hook over a playful yet pounding beat. We then are blended into smooth drums, and soulful yet a little high pitched but fitting sample by Rotary Connection on the track Divin' Me Wild. Then the adorable Lily Allen provides the hook which although sounds a little boring and uninspired is passable. Common on the other hand paints a beautiful picture of two people who are caught up in the hype of fame and popularity.
Next, you are trusted into drums that sound a little tired and boring until will.i.am brings his vocals into the hook to liven up the track, I Want You. As soon as his voice leaves though so does the bulk of the beat which has Common alone as he begins his first verse, but it does get better thanks to the good production work of will.i.am. Common on the other hand does an ok job with the subject matter that he has and really no lyrical surprises are shown here. On the same track oddly enough there is a sort of interlude the prepares you for another banger. South Side. It hits hard as Common and Kanye seem to battle for the best verse and it seems as if Common has to step his game up so that Kanye doesn’t beat him. In the end though it seems they have fun with the track as they should because it’s just a song full of punch lines.
Another interlude and The Game comes in and is another hard hitter as DJ Premier scratches as only a legend can do to create a hard hook to assist the hard beat. Common seems to really get into this track as he seems to have zoned out on some parts and displays his lyrical ferociousness and proves he can hang with if not destroy the young bucks.
U, Black Maybe, then comes in with what seems to be a predictable use of the sample by Kanye and a repetitive drum pattern to go with it. It doesn’t help that Bilal surprisingly drops the ball and while it sounds like he was trying to be a little different it didn’t work. Common then is left to pick up the pieces and does very well to make the track listenable and delivers a powerful message that is a must hear.
So Far to Go, the only J Dilla track, comes in as D'Angelo's soulful sound assist with the entry. Although the track isn’t bad couldn’t they have used a different Dilla beat? I mean this was on the Shining and was used by Talib Kweli already so why do a three-peat? I mean he does have a lot, I mean A LOT of unused beats that can convey the same emotion as this one. And I'm sure Common has access to most if not all of them... Wait, wait, wait I’m rambling on. Sorry folks, it’s a good song I’m just tired of the beat.
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Moving on, Break My Heart is a playful beat that seems to have Kanye mimicking J Dilla's style in honor of the legend that was Dilla. Common plays around with the track as he tells the story of him meeting an attractive woman. Although Common doesn’t say anything revolutionary the playful yet soulful beat, coupled with the story that can do nothing but make you smile is a great addition to the album.
As soon as the playful track fades out a slightly darker voice of Nina Simone begins to fade in and the beat hits you and the tone lets you know this is no Break My Heart... producer Devo Springsteen, and Common let you know this is Misunderstood. Common tells tales dealing with hustling, redemption, broken dreams, and self-worth. A must listen to not only for the amazing production, but profound lyricism provided by Common. Bilal then wraps up the track with amazing vocals as it fades out into the darkness.
Drums then are played and a bright light seems to be at the end of the tunnel of Misunderstood. Victory One, is then heard and an amazingly soulful, inspirational, powerful, moving beat pushes through your ears as it seems to wrap Common up as Forever Begins. The beautiful synths the soulful vocals the amazing hook all culminate to be what seems to be what Common was talking about...
Through this track he has found Forever... and just as it starts two minutes later Pops comes in and you know that is the end of the album... but you want it to keep going… he has found it but lost it. And that is the one glaring flaw this album has. If he would have kept digging could he have kept this fabled Forever Music...? Maybe but we all know Commons not done yet. Maybe next time Common. Maybe next time you'll find Forever.
