Cudi is very much in a world of his own.
With his new project, Cudi keeps the same formula; he ties together different melodies that are laced by lyrics that set the mood for the entire album. Although it's not all hip-hop, Man on The Moon 2: Legend of Mr. Rager is still original in its own right, and Cudi fans will be pleased with the outcome.
You have to care quite a bit about this Mr. Solo Dolo character for Man on the Moon II to fully work its magic.
With a few simple and appealing beats, some well-timed cameos, a dash of humor, and a handful of semi-inventive rhymes with emotional substance, he actually made an album that flies (more or less) high.
After the two-dimensional art-school-kid clichés of Man on the Moon, kid Cudi partially makes good on his promise to loosen up his music.
Boasts and breakbeats are in short supply here. Instead, over gloomy strings, and pounding martial drums, Cudi rails against celebrity culture, confesses to coke-fuelled rages and even contemplates suicide.
There's a lot of personal struggle and triumph on this album, but I can't say Kudi's personality is bright enough here to get me feeling as if I've got a stake in it all.
Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager is also presented in five acts, and again has no real structure to justify them. They – like the music Cudi makes today – are arbitrary labels to add to an appearance.
Paranoia isn’t the only problem with Man On The Moon II; it’s that Cudi doesn’t have much grasp of any of the styles or modes he tries out.
I still think the line "The height of her shopping was writer's blocking me, I couldn't get my shit out anyway, I hope you die, Aria" is my favourite Kanye line EVER.
REVIEW REPOST #083. I repost my old reviews, which got no attention, with updated thoughts. Posted this review a few years ago, but I'm posting it again.
Original Score: 86
I used to be a big fan of Cudi in my rap-listening days, which actually weren't very long ago, but Cudi damn near saved my life at that time, and that's just something I can't forget. The way he spoke about mental health really spoke to me, there was nothing else like it, it felt like there was finally someone that has the ... read more
Now this is how you do a sequel! Kid Cudi has always been a very interesting and unique artist. Kid Cudi has always been one of my personal favorite musicians, he always had his own style and sound, it’s so awesome. Kid Cudi is basically like the Pink Floyd of hiphop. His magnum opus being the “Man On The Moon” trilogy. All of the albums were amazing, and are absolute classics in modern hiphop, the influence they’ve had is huge. “Man On The Moon: The End of ... read more
Even though it didn't resonate with me quite as much as the first album, it's a good sequel and a fun listen. It explores even further Cudi's range not only in production but also in writing, and I really appreciate how far he can go with the way he sounds.
Favorite bops: Scott Mescudi vs. The World, Erase Me, Ghost
Contains some of Cudi's best material, but sadly everything doesn't totally click with me. The album is a bit too long for it's own good and some songs are extremely repetative with annoying hooks. The production is often pretty interesting and psychedelic. Suprisingly good features, despite Kanye and I honestly don't get the hype behind Erase Me at all. Cudi and ye have such better collabs than this. When it's at it's worst it sounds very dated but when it's good it some truly well written ... read more
1 | Scott Mescudi vs. The World 3:55 feat. Cee-Lo Green | 90 |
2 | Revofev 3:03 | 83 |
3 | Don't Play This Song 3:42 feat. Mary J. Blige | 81 |
4 | We Aite (Wake Your Mind Up) 1:26 | 64 |
5 | Marijuana 4:20 | 84 |
6 | Mojo So Dope 3:30 | 86 |
7 | Ashin' Kusher 3:48 | 80 |
8 | Erase Me 3:12 feat. Kanye West | 90 |
9 | Wild'n Cuz I'm Young 4:14 | 66 |
10 | The Mood 2:35 | 75 |
11 | Maniac 2:58 feat. Cage, St. Vincent | 79 |
12 | Mr. Rager 4:54 | 97 |
13 | These Worries 4:15 feat. Mary J. Blige | 87 |
14 | The End 4:20 | 85 |
15 | All Along 3:22 | 83 |
16 | Ghost! 4:49 | 89 |
17 | Trapped In My Mind 3:34 | 80 |