On Graduation, West tries hard to address the problems on his first two albums, and succeeds: The new disc is tighter than Late Registration (fifty-one minutes long), with no skits (thank heavens) and less ornate production.
Lyrically, Kanye continues to step his game up. He sprinkles his wit and cleverness over Graduation with slick one liners ... while still delivering self-conscious rhymes that break the mold of bling and things rap heard on the radio today.
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.
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.
Fascinatingly flawed, Graduation finds an imperfect man seeking, and occasionally finding, perfection in his music.
Graduation gives constant fleeting glimpses of a very different Kanye West. And this one is in the grip of a grave existential crisis.
For those not interested in unpicking West's Gordian knot of insecurities, Graduation offers several instances of brilliant, questing pop.
After setting a precedent for kickin’ the truth to the youth, ’Ye squanders the opportunity here by opting to make his third dissertation basic, resulting in more bark than bite.
West’s third album is mesmerizing and alienating, like all the purest forms of pop culture.
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.
As bad as Graduation can often get, it's constantly compelling in how it splays the conflicted makings of its maker.
Sadly, Graduation doesn’t quite establish West as the supreme double threat he dreams of being.
Graduation isn’t bad, it’s just nothing new.
Like a good term paper, much of Graduation sounds great in theory but flounders in its execution.
Graduation is worth note in the sense that it offers proof Kanye isn’t on the five-year plan ... but I’m sort of looking forward to hearing the next album built around the disillusionment of his first entry-level position.
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.
This is a fantastic album, the first album I’ve listened to all the way, and one of my favorite albums. Has alot of underrated songs, A lot of Kanye’s best songs on here. But Barry bonds has never grown on me. And Lil Wayne’s verse really sucked on that song where it’s a skip for me. Despite the lower score than the blueprint, I’d still listen to this more. The reason why blueprint is higher is cause renegade is not a bad song, it just doesn’t fit on the ... read more
1 | Good Morning 3:15 | 91 |
2 | Champion 2:47 | 89 |
3 | Stronger 5:11 | 92 |
4 | I Wonder 4:03 | 94 |
5 | Good Life 3:27 feat. T-Pain | 86 |
6 | Can't Tell Me Nothing 4:31 | 90 |
7 | Barry Bonds 3:24 feat. Lil Wayne | 71 |
8 | Drunk and Hot Girls 5:13 feat. Mos Def | 56 |
9 | Flashing Lights 3:57 feat. Dwele | 95 |
10 | Everything I Am 3:47 feat. DJ Premier | 89 |
11 | The Glory 3:32 | 83 |
12 | Homecoming 3:23 feat. Chris Martin | 91 |
13 | Big Brother 4:47 | 86 |
#4 | / | PopMatters |
#4 | / | SPIN |
#5 | / | Rolling Stone |
#6 | / | Prefix |
#6 | / | Stylus Magazine |
#10 | / | TIME |
#15 | / | Paste |
#18 | / | Pitchfork |
#32 | / | Treble |
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