For haters eager to see Kanye hit a sophomore slump--no such luck. Late Registration can't replicate the novelty of last year's College Dropout, but otherwise, this is an impressively more mature and labored-over album. Lyrically, Kanye's only improved a notch but musically, the album sounds incredible, especially with co-producer Jon Brion helping polish the songs to perfection. Tracks like "Heard 'Em Say" (featuring Maroon 5's Adam Levine) and "Hey Mama," are richly textured in their soulfulness while the flint-edge of "Crack Music" and "Gone" (feat. Cam'ron) will appeal to the street-oriented. There's a few duds on here--the sickly-sweet, syrupy "Bring Me Down" (feat. Brandy) being one of the worst offenders--but when the album's good, it's very, very good. In short, Kanye's detractors may not be swayed in their resistance to his charms but not only will his past supporters be rewarded but Late Registration has enough appeal to earn new crowds of fans. --Oliver Wang
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
By Anthony Rupert "shut up, Shut Up, SHUT UP!!!" (Milwaukee, WI)
Tired of reading reviews that just bash Kanye and want to hear someone talk about the actual album? Well, I'm here to save you.
Troublemakers; you gotta love `em. Kanye West is all over the radar screen right about now thanks to "Gold Digger" and his George W. Bush remarks. This accounts for why his latest album, Late Registration, has garnered so many positive and negative reviews. Now, I didn't give it five stars because sorry, it's far from classic (in fact, I also gave The College Dropout 3-1/2 stars); and I didn't give it one star because it's far from that, too. I believe it's somewhere in the middle.
I really don't think "Diamonds From Sierra Leone" was the best choice for a lead single, especially because the sample in the chorus isn't even on the same beat as the rest of the song. But maybe Kanye released that song intentionally because he always seems to shine more with his second single (remember "All Falls Down"?). But as much as I love "Gold Digger", it's contradictory that he's talking about gold-digging women yet he uses a sample that says "she gives me money when I'm in need". Oh, well; Ye continues to shine on "Heard `Em Say" and "My Way Home".
If people don't understand what I mean by my review title, it's like, well, we've all come to expect Kanye to utilize old school soul samples, but at times there are more samples than actual verses, especially in the overrated "Crack Music". Another thing is that it's obvious that Kanye is still on Roc-A-Fella because almost every song has a guest star. While Ye does hit with tracks like "Drive Slow" and "We Major", he misses on the aptly titled "Bring Me Down" (with Brandy). And I thought my brother was a little off when he told me that Cam'ron outshines Kanye on "Gone", but after listening to the song, I said, "Oh."
Kanye also isn't as impressive as he used to be when he's rollin' dolo, as evidenced by "Addiction" and "Celebration". And as was the case with The College Dropout, all the skits HERE suck too (and note to another reviewer: that's not really Bernie Mac in "Wake Up Mr. West"). I won't be stupid and say that Late Registration isn't going anywhere, but honestly, the singles are the best songs while everything else is aiight.
Anthony Rupert
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: By L. A. Meisel "gitasha11" (NYC)
...but this takes Kanye just a bit further. Topping "Dropout" was going to be tough. However, rather than shy back and taking forever to drop another cd, Kanye steps up to the plate and delivers.
Sure, the few standouts have been mentioned already by other reviewers. My personal fave after listening to the cd all day/night is "Hey Mama." Honorable mentions go to "Roses" and "Gold Digger" with Jamie Fox as Ray Charles. You can check out the video on Kanye's site for the later.
The tune most likely to appeal to a wider audience is "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" with Jay-Z. This cut features a sample of the classic "Diamonds are Forever" performed by Shirley Bassey. Kanye isn't afraid to reach out from prior decades to sample from classics from our parents' generation. Kanye's choice of rhymes and samples blend well together bridging the generations, even including Natalie Cole.
Is this what you would expect from someone of this genre today? I don't think so. That is what makes Kanye West so unique and someone who we can expect even greater things from down the road.
Peace!
3 of 6 people found the following review helpful: By Keith A. Jones "Sonic Jones... I'm Kind Of A ... (Philadelphia PA)
I thought Kanye's first album was ok and thats really on the fact that half the album is skits now if he didn't use so many that album deserves what it got। This album is pure genius I'm talken perfect straight play no next song skips। You can hate Kanye West but the truth is you need to love him because this album is bringing back the true beauty of hip-hop I mean this album is nothing short of hard work। The first point noticed about this album is the production the beats are so different and Kanye produced every track except for touch the sky which was done by just blaze। The beats are carefully done with usage of all instruments so nothing sounds the same every one has samples from old school legendary songs I thought no rapper would ever use.The concept of kanyes album sticks through out the entire album he states facts that cant be ignored and raps about the past pains of our african ancestors so we can remember how we got here plus the struggle of the broke man. Now if your wondering about the lyrics I have to say I'm very surprised and impressed the concepts he uses are very hard to rap about but he pulls it off and he knows what rappers to put in like NaS and Common and make this album sick. Something I would like to see is NaS hook up with Knaye on the next album because his beats just brought some extra somethin from NaS. Basically This album should get all kinds of awards because this man is trying to build something new in this game that has become tasteless, finally someone with a big voice comes at the government and real issues in life I mean NaS, Common, Jadakiss, and styles speak but more of the trouble makers pay attention to Mr. West.
Get A Copy Of Late Registration [Limited Edition Digipak] [LIMITED EDITION] [EXPLICIT LYRICS] By Kanye West
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
By Anthony Rupert "shut up, Shut Up, SHUT UP!!!" (Milwaukee, WI)
Tired of reading reviews that just bash Kanye and want to hear someone talk about the actual album? Well, I'm here to save you.
Troublemakers; you gotta love `em. Kanye West is all over the radar screen right about now thanks to "Gold Digger" and his George W. Bush remarks. This accounts for why his latest album, Late Registration, has garnered so many positive and negative reviews. Now, I didn't give it five stars because sorry, it's far from classic (in fact, I also gave The College Dropout 3-1/2 stars); and I didn't give it one star because it's far from that, too. I believe it's somewhere in the middle.
I really don't think "Diamonds From Sierra Leone" was the best choice for a lead single, especially because the sample in the chorus isn't even on the same beat as the rest of the song. But maybe Kanye released that song intentionally because he always seems to shine more with his second single (remember "All Falls Down"?). But as much as I love "Gold Digger", it's contradictory that he's talking about gold-digging women yet he uses a sample that says "she gives me money when I'm in need". Oh, well; Ye continues to shine on "Heard `Em Say" and "My Way Home".
If people don't understand what I mean by my review title, it's like, well, we've all come to expect Kanye to utilize old school soul samples, but at times there are more samples than actual verses, especially in the overrated "Crack Music". Another thing is that it's obvious that Kanye is still on Roc-A-Fella because almost every song has a guest star. While Ye does hit with tracks like "Drive Slow" and "We Major", he misses on the aptly titled "Bring Me Down" (with Brandy). And I thought my brother was a little off when he told me that Cam'ron outshines Kanye on "Gone", but after listening to the song, I said, "Oh."
Kanye also isn't as impressive as he used to be when he's rollin' dolo, as evidenced by "Addiction" and "Celebration". And as was the case with The College Dropout, all the skits HERE suck too (and note to another reviewer: that's not really Bernie Mac in "Wake Up Mr. West"). I won't be stupid and say that Late Registration isn't going anywhere, but honestly, the singles are the best songs while everything else is aiight.
Anthony Rupert
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: By L. A. Meisel "gitasha11" (NYC)
...but this takes Kanye just a bit further. Topping "Dropout" was going to be tough. However, rather than shy back and taking forever to drop another cd, Kanye steps up to the plate and delivers.
Sure, the few standouts have been mentioned already by other reviewers. My personal fave after listening to the cd all day/night is "Hey Mama." Honorable mentions go to "Roses" and "Gold Digger" with Jamie Fox as Ray Charles. You can check out the video on Kanye's site for the later.
The tune most likely to appeal to a wider audience is "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" with Jay-Z. This cut features a sample of the classic "Diamonds are Forever" performed by Shirley Bassey. Kanye isn't afraid to reach out from prior decades to sample from classics from our parents' generation. Kanye's choice of rhymes and samples blend well together bridging the generations, even including Natalie Cole.
Is this what you would expect from someone of this genre today? I don't think so. That is what makes Kanye West so unique and someone who we can expect even greater things from down the road.
Peace!
3 of 6 people found the following review helpful: By Keith A. Jones "Sonic Jones... I'm Kind Of A ... (Philadelphia PA)
I thought Kanye's first album was ok and thats really on the fact that half the album is skits now if he didn't use so many that album deserves what it got। This album is pure genius I'm talken perfect straight play no next song skips। You can hate Kanye West but the truth is you need to love him because this album is bringing back the true beauty of hip-hop I mean this album is nothing short of hard work। The first point noticed about this album is the production the beats are so different and Kanye produced every track except for touch the sky which was done by just blaze। The beats are carefully done with usage of all instruments so nothing sounds the same every one has samples from old school legendary songs I thought no rapper would ever use.The concept of kanyes album sticks through out the entire album he states facts that cant be ignored and raps about the past pains of our african ancestors so we can remember how we got here plus the struggle of the broke man. Now if your wondering about the lyrics I have to say I'm very surprised and impressed the concepts he uses are very hard to rap about but he pulls it off and he knows what rappers to put in like NaS and Common and make this album sick. Something I would like to see is NaS hook up with Knaye on the next album because his beats just brought some extra somethin from NaS. Basically This album should get all kinds of awards because this man is trying to build something new in this game that has become tasteless, finally someone with a big voice comes at the government and real issues in life I mean NaS, Common, Jadakiss, and styles speak but more of the trouble makers pay attention to Mr. West.
Get A Copy Of Late Registration [Limited Edition Digipak] [LIMITED EDITION] [EXPLICIT LYRICS] By Kanye West
