“College Dropout” is one of my top five favorite hip-hop albums of all time. The music inspired me at poignant time in my life. He showed me that talent had nothing to do with forging a hood persona through lyrics dripping the blood of dead hustlers. He rapped about his shitty mall job, getting fucked up in a car accident, and Jesus—but it was cold. With that in mind I can agree with some people that this album wasn’t as good as College Dropout. I doubt anything he ever does will top that. Simply because an album is more than the music—it’s the timing. On the same token in effort to separate the present from the past I make this statement. Graduation is a true evolution in his sound.
“Good Morning” is an intro that has that reminiscent sound of old school hip-hop and has that ‘College Dropout’ feel. “Champion” is one of my top four along with “I Wonder”, “Everything I Am” & “Homecoming” [my absolute favorite track]. I claim these songs because I listened to them twice on my first run through of the album. The tracks are well crafted, the lyrics are creative, and the messages relate to me at this point in my life.
One track I could do without is “Drunk & Hot Girls”. Not a fan. I listened to it once—that’s all I could take.
“Good Life” was a surprise. Ye and T. Pain paired well. The video is definitely a candidate for one of Kanye’s best. I just caught it on Sucker Free via MTV. It’s more a driving track, it makes your head bob and it’s pretty smooth how he mentions 50. It’s a stand out for me. “Stronger” is still spinning when I need that motivation, “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” is my anthem until I get my money right. “Barry Bonds” is a stunner that showcases a series of lucid rhymes (from Ye and Weezy)—it’s a raw song, mostly drums and beat.
“Flashing Lights” is the best song on this album in terms of production. Listen to it. It far reaches anything on this album. It sounds pompous and stylish.
“Big Brother” is just a damn good song. He’s candid remembrance of his relationship with Jay-Z flows well. He keeps it real, mentioning his envy, their issues, his fuck ups, & their best moments. I can appreciate how Kanye always includes his love for his family in his albums (“Family Business” & “Hey Mama”).
Somehow I obtained the track “Bittersweet” featuring John Mayer & “Can’t Tell Me Nothing Remix”…*avoids eye contact*. I’m not a huge Jeezy fan, but I must admit he murdered his verses. I like “Bittersweet” because I’ve been wanting to hear it for like 2 years—plus John Mayer is cool.
I see Graduation as a culmination record—considering I’m graduating in the spring. I’m not sure if this collegiate motif will continue—I doubt it (then again). As a listener of hip-hop I think this an valiant effort. I give two thumbs up.
Buy it. Listen to it. Live it. Love it.
…*sings* “do you think about me now and then, cause I’m coming home again”
sidenote: he seriously got robbed at the vma's
