Album Rating: 4.0

Still better than Kanye's IMO. So many good songs.

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

I'd agree with that Defeater. Not very much can possibly compete with a song like Runaway, but I find myself listening to this album twice as much as I do Kanye's because the whole album just flows so well together more consistently. I just love the darkness of some of these beats.

Album Rating: 4.0

It's just really hard to believe Cudi and West are running the industry this year. That's what's happening though.

I don't mean to be petty. But I do think that some of Sputnik reviewers really need an extensive understanding into contemporary music history, ESPECIALLY URBAN CONTEMPORARY MUSIC HISTORY. This is a well written review, but your personal biases get in the way of it being effective.

For example, if you have a bias against hip-hop, you probably shouldn't review hip-hop albums. No one really cares about how you feel about rappers or whether they are relatable to you or not, the focus should be on the music.

Also, the Cee-Lo as a potential rising superstar comment was ludicrous at best. If you knew your music, you would know that Cee-Lo started off as a rapper in Goodie Mob in the early 90s. He's been a national and international popular music artist for at least 15 years.

"Mary J. Blige's vocal contribution is perhaps the only relevant thing she's ever done."

Biases like this should be left out of music reviews. It really diminishes your credibility, muddies any sound judgement or advice that you may give. While MJB might not be your cup of tea, her music was a big influence in early 90s rhythm and blues. She have an impressive catalogue. I don't know if you are old enough to even remember the release of her debut album, but remember, just because you don't like something doesn't mean that it didn't have a significant impact or that it isn't very special to millions of other people.

Also, a big problem that younger people of this generation have is that they seem to be completely ignorant of hip-hop history. All that they base hip-hop off of is what they see on television or hear on the radio. To have that as your entire platform of what to base your comprehension of hip-hop off of is not only extremely silly, but ignorant.

Alternative hip-hop constantly cracked through to the mainstream in the 90s.

A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Black Sheep, Public Enemy, EPMD, etc etc.

A lot of upcoming alternative hip-hop acts in the late 90s carried over into the 2000s to have gain more fame (Talib Kweli, Mos Def, The Roots, Common, etc)... {The Roots and Common actually started their career in the early 90s, but fanbase grew by the late-90s} If you actually attempt to look, you can find an almost endless list of quality rappers ranging from moderate popularity to subterranean underground fanbase.

Anyhow, I recommend all reviewers to be very well-rounded in music before reviewing it. I would never review a Toby Keith album, because i don't listen to that kind of music and am not very knowledgeable about country-music overall. I also have a pre-existing bias, therefore I would leave the review for a country fan. I did entertainment journalism before, had to follow AP style and all of that... there is room for opinions in entertainment reviews, but personal biases can come off as arrogance and ignorance instead of constructive criticism if a reviewer is more concerned with the figure and the culture the figure hails from more than the music itself.

Album Rating: 4.0

If it wasn't cold I'd be downtown with a spliff.

Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off

I don't disagree with most of what you said, rebel86, but you said "reviewers" as in multiples... I get what you're saying regarding this particular review (I even hinted at it on the first page of comments I think) but where else have you seen that on this site? Pertaining specifically to hip hop I mean.

Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off

damn, didn't expect that to be the last comment for a few days when i posted it...

Album Rating: 2.5

Veigh kills the thread

oh no

Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off

I single-handedly destroyed all interest in this album (I was humming the Mission: Impossible theme the entire time I typed my comments and sound off)





:::mission accomplished::::

Album Rating: 2.5

10 seconds until this blows? (oh wait; too late!)

Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off

oh snap!

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Fuck that, this is a fantastic album, with more atmosphere and tension than a thousand other like-minded MCs could hope for.

Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off

so you're crediting CuDi's lyrics/vocals for the atmosphere? not the production?

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Are you implying the lyrics and vocal delivery don't contribute to the atmosphere and tension of a song? Every song on here serves a purpose to the album's concept.

Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off

no, I'm implying that KiD CuDi sucks as an emcee and still can't think of a rhyme more complex than what's found in the pages of Dr. Seuss books.



which isn't entirely indefensible, except for the fact that his flow, delivery and wit are all either severly lacking (see wit) or incredibly contrived/unoriginal (flow and delivery).



in other words, any moments of atmosphere or tension present on this album are certainly not of CuDi's doing, at least not the enjoyable ones.

this is really enjoyable but inveigh's got a serious point on the lyrics. i could never make any kind of connection to his music beyond "hmm this is really catchy and fun"

Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off

yeah it's not just that they're not relatable, but it's how he rhymes. I mean, there's a difference between rhyming "weed" with "need" and something like "my style's a little beligerent isn't it? considering that, I'm belittling men with little more than my pad and my pen and my sentiments" (Brother Ali).



that was just an old example, but look at Kanye's new album. He may rarely rhyme more than 2 syllables at once, and doesn't do a lot of the inner-line or double-wordplay stuff, but he still has punch lines that will make you say "damn!" or something clever enough to make you think about it for a second all over his new album.



I can't think of a single moment on this album where I was interested or entertained purely by the lyrics. A couple catchy choruses, some cool features, a lot of great beats, sure -- but let's not be so quick to proclaim this guy a genius or even an above-average rapper yet.

yeah i feel you. i was turned on to him by my friends who always play the shittiest music when we're driving, like mgmt, vampire weekend, etc. (going to piss someone off with that oh well) and then got on to this kid cudi kick. i always thought he fit the mood really nicely, it's really simple, catchy and fun. beyond that idk but i definitely find him enjoyable.

Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off

yeah he's just not for me. I can see it as decent background music while driving around with friends, but I can't pay close attention to any of his stuff without just getting pissed off at his lyrics/flow.