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CRITIC REVIEWS
87
Though it doesn't quite match College Dropout or Late Registration in pleasure-center overload, Kanye West's third album is both his most consistent and most enterprising yet, indicating that he might actually deserve the legendary status he constantly ascribes to himself.
85
Pretty much every aspect of his third full-length, Graduation, reflects this bigger and grander Kanye, far removed from the one that many fell in love with on his highly anticipated 2004 debut, The College Dropout, but certainly no less talented.
83
Fascinatingly flawed, Graduation finds an imperfect man seeking, and occasionally finding, perfection in his music.
80
For all of his apparent ego-tripping, awkwardness is the key quality of Kanye West’s persona, whether he’s aware of it or not.
80
Graduation is neither as bold nor as scattered as The College Dropout, and it's neither as extroverted nor as sonically rich as Late Registration. Kanye still makes up for his shortcomings as an MC and lyricist by remaining charmingly clumsy, frequently dealing nonsense through suspect rhyme schemes.
80
West’s third album is mesmerizing and alienating, like all the purest forms of pop culture.
80
West delivers another failsafe collection of sharp, soulful songs, exposing his new affinity for synths and electronic drums while adding new lyrical ground to that campus-sized ego.
70
While another concise and accomplished release from an immensely talented rapper, it fails to really deliver the one thing Kanye's always excelled at: beauty.
69
As bad as Graduation can often get, it's constantly compelling in how it splays the conflicted makings of its maker.
67
Sadly, Graduation doesn’t quite establish West as the supreme double threat he dreams of being.
60
‘Graduation’ isn’t a bad album – he’s got away with it. But sometimes you feel hip-hop’s saviour is taking the maxim “genius steals” rather too literally.
40
He’s got that hit-making part down pat... it’s just that he can’t make good hits anymore.
"But Toaster Queen" you say "this album has Barry Bonds!"
"Very true" I say
"And Hot and Drunk Girls!"
"Also true" I say
"So why do you think this is Kanye's best?"
"Why do I think this Kanye's best? WHY DO I THINK THIS IS KANYE'S BEST!? I don't know actually"
It just makes me happy, I have nothing else to say.
"Very true" I say
"And Hot and Drunk Girls!"
"Also true" I say
"So why do you think this is Kanye's best?"
"Why do I think this Kanye's best? WHY DO I THINK THIS IS KANYE'S BEST!? I don't know actually"
It just makes me happy, I have nothing else to say.
I love the happy Kanye,
not-crazy-yet Kanye,
the loving-music Kanye,
sample-using Kanye,
I miss this real Kanye,
pink-polo wearing Kanye,
the always cool Kanye,
the follow rules Kanye.
I hate the new Kanye,
the dumbass bitch Kanye,
the never happy Kanye,
that crazy dude Kanye.
Slavery choice Kanye,
the stupid voice Kanye,
I wish the old Kanye
replaced this snooze Kanye! AYYYYY.
not-crazy-yet Kanye,
the loving-music Kanye,
sample-using Kanye,
I miss this real Kanye,
pink-polo wearing Kanye,
the always cool Kanye,
the follow rules Kanye.
I hate the new Kanye,
the dumbass bitch Kanye,
the never happy Kanye,
that crazy dude Kanye.
Slavery choice Kanye,
the stupid voice Kanye,
I wish the old Kanye
replaced this snooze Kanye! AYYYYY.
I MISS THE OLD KANYE
Likely the most important turning point in Kanye’s career, "Graduation" may not be his best record, but it’s clearly the moment he blossomed into the experimental mad scientist of rap. Songs like “Stronger” and “Good Life” have stood the test of time in the populist opinion, even though West’s sound has long since evolved past such upbeat synthy pop goodness. In the paradise of records where an artist is transitioning ... read more
Likely the most important turning point in Kanye’s career, "Graduation" may not be his best record, but it’s clearly the moment he blossomed into the experimental mad scientist of rap. Songs like “Stronger” and “Good Life” have stood the test of time in the populist opinion, even though West’s sound has long since evolved past such upbeat synthy pop goodness. In the paradise of records where an artist is transitioning ... read more
pitchfork.com
Kanye West and Kim Kardashian are divorcing 
Contributions By
royalflush, thisisabtlgrnd, philthy, Alejandro González, Paxster, erik, Alex69, Mark, domvicBecome a Donor
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Year End Lists
| #4 | / | PopMatters |
| #4 | / | SPIN |
| #5 | / | Rolling Stone |
| #6 | / | Prefix |
| #6 | / | Stylus Magazine |
| #10 | / | TIME |
| #15 | / | Paste |
| #18 | / | Pitchfork |
| #32 | / | Treble |
Track List
- Good Morning
- Champion
- Stronger
- I Wonder
- Good Life
- Can't Tell Me Nothing
- Barry Bonds
- Drunk and Hot Girls
- Flashing Lights
- Everything I Am
- The Glory
- Homecoming
- Big Brother
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5d
this is like his best album if they cut off two or three songs but because two or three of them are dogshit its a 90
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