Reviews (page 6 of 8)
The beats are nice and groovy. His voice is nice for rap, maybe too plain. I wonder how he feels looking back on some of his lyrics. Em quite famously changed his tune. I don't really think this album is all that bloated. Maybe for the time? But it doesn't have a ton of random 30 second interludes like a lot of rap albums have. The 6th Sense is a standout for me. I'm struggling the rate this one.
I was just sinking into a coma, thinking how awful this was and oh god when will it end, when a really good track came on and woke me up again. So I checked and ...yep, the album had ended and it was Spotify suggesting tracks for me (in this case by Chance the Rapper). Nuff said, I think.
Interesting samples but ruined by the nigger this, nigger that rapping
It was alright. Nothing too exceptional. 5/10 Would I listen again? Nah
Nothing really popped out at me here
It's alright.
Not that good
I find Common albums vibey but unmemorable most of the time. A couple good beats but overall nothing that stuck out.
Solid album, chill vibe
Too long for a shitty ass rapper. Honestly the beats are the only good thing but the rapping/length is so aids im giving it a 1
This is the second Common album I’ve reviewed. The first, Be, was decent but didn’t blow me away. I’ve said it many times before but hip hop is a big blind spot for me, so there are likely lots of nuances that I miss. However, this album was really pleasant. I enjoyed the self referential commentary on lyrics about women as they are so frequently reduced to meat in this genre. It was eloquently done here.
Brilliant, thought provoking at times, could be a rimless one
Just alright
The great silver lining about being a bit behind on this list is that I can choose which album to put on when. It’s Deep Clean Saturday, so this album’s hour 20 minute runtime feels less like a chore and more like a perfect pair for today’s work. Always loved this album. Long! I don’t think I’ve ever gotten past the pimp song and skit, lol. That’s a skit to wake you out of a daze, one of the lasting memories I have from this album. You get the sense that Common feels sure of himself here. Tons of confidence. It’s “Jazz Rap” via Tribe, all grown up, with plenty of delicious horns, Afrobeat bins fides (I see Fela’s son on the title track and throughout), and lots and lots of good vibrations. Feel good records, not super ornate or adorned— they get their point across. The playing is understated but excellent throughout. A slew of recurring guests, and one of my favorite DJ Premier beats (“The 6th Sense”). Great to put on and just vibe to. Never asking for too much, understated in a nice way. 4/5, have come back to this many times and will!
Good album, probably 4 stars, but can't get over how underwhelming the opening track is. Fela Kuti would have been disappointed
I didn’t know I liked Common this much
This album brings me back to DeKalb, IL and some awesome friends I made there. Blunts, bonfires, BBQs, and Iraq war protests.
I'm not a the world's biggest hip-hop fan but I'm open to the possibility of liking some. This album is not it for me. Common seems to be providing a lot of commentary on race and gender issues but it doesn't resonate with me. Must have been under a rock in the early 2000s because this was the first time I heard "The Light" - a vulnerable and sweet love song, but not enough to save the album for me.
rap..
I think I could really get into this album, digging the beats and the flow of the lyrics; however I probably won't ever listen it again because of the prolific use of the n word. I grew up in Northern Idaho, plenty of racists who used that word out of hate and ignorance so now it jars me like a record scratch. I get the idea of trying to own that word, but I don't want it anywhere near my vocabulary. I feel like an eavesdropper listening to music that isn't for me and I probably am.
seriously a lot of these beats i listen to i feel like is missing from modern-day hip hop music. low-key and deep, this is a collection of really smooth really poetic hip hop that talks about family, prejudice and emotion. both the words and the music whisk you away... i dunno i liked it!
Boring
Man this really won me over, it is still a bit too long but the beats are amazing and CARRIED. Common starting spitting a lot more in the second half of this.
first listen the amount of legendary musicians / producers on this record is astounding
Já já, þetta er skárra en margt.
Okay, but a bit long.
all songs are really long, long album overall so it’s hard to keep my attention for so long, songs weren’t bad but weren’t too special to me.
2-3
Love the beats and jazziness to the the songs. The album is a bit long, along with the songs. Not something I want to listen to all of the time.
This is the second Common album on this list. It was a little long. I had never heard it before and I don't think I was familiar with any of the songs. I didn't skip any songs, not sure I will revisit it though. I guess I will round up.
I really liked the style of of this album, but it felt too long and some of the lyrics were off putting. Though I wanted to give it 4 stars, I’m not sure it’s quite there for me… 3.5, maybe. Favorite tracks: A Song For Assata, Time Travelin’
Fine. I wouldn’t listen twice.
Good album. Nothing bad here and nothing stand out. Good listen!
It's okay. I felt like the whole first half of the album was missing something.
Common did the impossible here. He wrote and produced a hip hop album that clearly speaks to his life experience, and the world around him, without saying nigger 200 times or devoting two tracks to his dick. Bravo!
Ok.
Mid. I can see why common has more of an acting career than a music career
This was enjoyable enough. I’m not a huge fan of this kind of hip hop, but it was good for what it was. There were a couple lyrics that made me raise my eyebrow, but this isn’t the only album on here where that’s happened, and I know it won’t be the last. “Geto Heaven Part Two” was definitely the best song on the album.
My biggest criticism is that it was difficult to understand what he was saying. Given rap is mainly about the “message”, it seems pointless when many don’t understand your words. Not sure if it was the way it was recorded or the way he speaks. Musically it was good in places, others it was boring. It was good to hear his fathers poem on here.
Uusi tuttavuus mutta ihan ehtaa tavaraa! Hyvä meininki. Tulee sopivasti mieleen dela, tribe, roots jne. 4/5
Pitkäaikainen suosikki ja kyllä vaan toimii. Commonin tyyli on just omaan makuun. Jos tästä karsisi vartin tyhjäkäyntiä ja homoslurrit pois, niin antaisin vitosen. 4/5
Rennolla otteella voimakas levy. Ei liikaa kukkoilua, tiukkaa asiaa. 4/5
There are so many rap albums on this list and surprised I've reviewed a Common album already, so is he essential? I'm probably not one to ask because I've never been a fan of rap, most of it is adolescent, hateful or just boring. The way I hear it, Common is a step above the typical rapper, there's some intelligence and the beats and music are listenable. The songs don't age well, if you know what I mean and really is 2000 that long ago? I guess it is for the target audience, so they might excuse the homophobia, misogyny and excessive use of the N-word, which I don't have too much of a problem with, but it's soooooo f-ing long! Does the album need to be over 77 minutes? I felt the urge to skip tracks, but I stuck it out, not sure if that was a good decision or not? Essential?...uh, no.
good love songs
For the genre that it is I genuinely really enjoy it.
I almost like The Sixth Sense
I liked this a lot. “A Song for Assata” is my favorite. Some of the themes were a little dated but it’s a solid album that took me through almost seamlessly.
Highly political but effective. Loved the jazz elements. Quite artistic but also pragmatic.
This album sits on the 3 range of "I can see the artistry but the art isn't for me." A couple of the tracks were very appealing and I enjoyed a lot (Song for Assata) but a majority of the songs slipped into the background and I had to reorientate myself to listen. If Hip Hop is your style give this a listen
Very chill, great flows. A little dated in some elements, but great overall.
Music is all vibes, lyrics are decent and intelligent at times, but subject matter is down right trashy.
A lot of rapping. And uh, uh's and yeah, yeah's. There are some good melodies and samples but it just sounds a bit 'samey'. Well recorded, nice sound and Common does have a lovely tone but I struggled to pick up too much from this 1.
The music and his style are too smooth for lyrics like “deep like a skinny girl’s cunt”, makes it feel grosser than if someone like ODB said the same line
I can intellectually appreciate Common, but this album felt like a slog to me.
the beats on this one are really cool. i feel like i can take or leave common's rapping, sometimes it was pretty good, other times clunky as hell. the production really saves this one for me. j cole and questlove really knocked it out of the park. a wicked cool sounding album, just wish that the bars did more for me. and you know, the whole conscious rap thing while saying slurs and having a skit where you hit a woman (?) idk, i don't know how well it's aged as a whole but it at least sounds great.
Hyvää meininkiö musta histotiikki kuitenkin tarpeetonta.. luetaan niidtä histotian kirjoista tollaset... Albumi oikein mukavaa wholesome meininkiä..
I like Common, but I’m a tad surprised to see him listed twice (so far) on this project. I’m pretty sure he’s my first repeated artist a couple of months into the list, which is cool. I had not listened to this album before this. I LOVED Be, but I couldn’t get into this project as much.
This album is exactly a year older than I am :). There's also a song where he slaps a woman? Its been over a week since I listened to this and I don't quite remember what my opinion was, I don't think I liked it that much
Jazzy, laid back rapping. Cool. Not for me, though. Common is an exceptional composer, however.
Definitely some good samples. Loving the jazz elements. Not a fan of his rapping. The best songs were Geto Heaven Part Two and A Song For Assata. I was hoping the features artists would lift the album above a 2, but it wasn't enough. I was disappointed by how they treated Jill Scott's vocals, because I quite like her.
The only rap albums we've had in the last coupla months were by Eminem and Snoop so Common's Like Water For Chocolate probably had an unfortunately high bar to live up to, and it does a decent job without leaving a tremendously lasting impact on me. It's a decent mix of hiphop over some rnb/soul grooves at times, good production, a very smooth flow and feel throughout, just didn't have anything that leapt out at me and truly commanded my attention and made me want to listen to it again and again. 3.
This is... fine... doesn't really get going at any point, it's not unpleasant to listen to but there's so much hiphop around by the time we get to 2000 that there are loads of records that either have more bite, more soul, more fun, or all three. Very smooth, particularly towards the end of the album, but doesn't warrant anything more than a 3.
Not my style of album but I did like Time Travelin' and it's reprise.
Great album. 4 Favourites: sixth sense, the light
Pretty good stuff from the guy in the T-Mobile commercial.
Heat Dooinit The Light The Questions A Film Called (PIMP) Payback Is a Grandmother A Song For Assata Time Travelin’s vocals sounds like background vocals. Not a fan. Great story telling and talking about real life things that matter. Easy to listen to and makes you think. Has a good vibe behind it.
Scratch… scratch…scratch this.
It’s alright. Was kinda into the lyrics until he started saying some shitty things. Not as good as the other one I listened to
Interesting mic
Typical hip hop album that's way too long and is mildly homophobic
Like Water For Chocolate was a refreshing change from the usual hip hop gangsta fare and joined a mini renaissance of conscious nu soul hip hop albums from the likes of Mos Def, Talib Kweli and The Roots. The star of this album is J Dilla / Jay Dee whose production is exquisite and Common’s flow pairs perfectly with the beats. Lyrically, Common is frequently interesting, occasionally (and surprisingly) homophobic (for which he has apologised) and occasionally obscure.
1. time travel - 1 2. heat - 1 3. cold blood - 0 4. doonit - 1 5. the light - 1.5 6. funky - 1 7. queztionz - 1.5 8. reprize - 0 9. 6th zenze - 1.5 10. pimp - 1 11. champa - 1.5 12. theloniuz - 1 13. payback - 0 14. ghetto - 1 15. azzata - 1.5 16. popz rap - 1
Common is in fine form here - I think this is his best record - and no disrespect to the other producers on this record, but I think J Dilla’s production steals the show on a few tracks. Hopefully, someone will add Donuts as a user submitted album when they are done with the list. It should really have been on this list to begin with.
I love hip hop
Not my thing. Groovy, some good storytelling, but the homophobic slurs and misogyny are a turn off.
Made 6 years after Common dropped one of the greatest rap songs of all time in “I Used to Love H.E.R.” Like Water for Chocolate is an awkwardly placed album. The old rap that Common came out of is getting left behind as we move into early 2000’s rap. Eminem was in his prime dropping The Marshall Mathers LP. OutKast was dropping pop hits. Gangsta rap was on its way. Common’s album is in between. He has a similar style to the older records, but has also somewhat adopted the new styles. “The Light” “The Sixth Sense” and “The Questions” are all great songs, but I can’t help but feel that Common got left behind. To me he feels like a dad trying to rap with the kids. It feels disingenuous to hear him saying the “pussy n words” and the “f words.” It’s jarring and makes the album less timeless, while in an arena where he couldn’t/wouldn’t compete with the other rappers coming out. In the skit at the end of “The Sixth Sense” he acknowledges the hypocrisy by intentionally saying that he is out to represent women, followed by him smacking a prostitute. It’s oddly self aware, but also a good example of his hubris. Common has always seemed to have that “holier than though” rap style, but I feel like he also brought himself down to everyone else’s level. Aside from that, aside from the standout songs, the album is bland and forgettable. I don’t think Common had the ability/motivation to ever really leave the early 90’s style behind. 3 stars due to an overall bland album with some standout awesome songs.
I’m assuming this was the first full Common album I’ve listened to and it was on par with what I expected. A laidback feel, smooth flow, and overall excellent production. Common is definitely overlooked when it comes to 2000s rap and shouldn’t be, but I think the low-key sound plays into that. Nothing that blew me away, I think it would be really good to have on in the background.
A common (ha) thread that I noticed about myself with hip hop albums is that I really like the beats, but couldn't care less about the rapping. When that's such an integral part of an album like this, it puts it at a disadvantage for my rating. I guess I need to start paying more attention to lyrics. I did hear the hard f words though.
this was good
A very strong entry from Common here. I love the production on this record, I’m a sucker for the various singing choruses that remind me of classic hip hop. To me I really don’t see a true “concept”here, we get heavy themes about the struggle of a woman, etc. I think this album could’ve been lifted to a true 8 had the runtime been a bit shorter (I know, I know, classic hip hop and 4 min songs is normal) but it does drag on certain tracks that I didn’t enjoy as much. I absolutely love the Intro and it serves as a great launch pad for a fun album.
Common the actor has has better records than this but this being his first major record is what makes this so special the jazz and funk behind this is incredible. Hearing early Jill Scott makes me so happy. Yeah some of the stuff is problematic and I don’t think he’s the greatest wordsmith but I think this feature heavy hip hop was and is important more to a 5 than 6
Too long for me, and didn’t grip me 2/5
This is a pretty great album. 5/5
Ok 3/5
I only listened to the first song. Not even the whole thing. I just want feeling like music yesterday. The album a day pace is a little too quick sometimes.
Goodies: The Light, 6th Sense
Not my type of music.
stark trea
S'pk. not my bag. Common is better as an actor
The driving beat was just… monotonous. The rhymes were good, but just too much sameness.
I had never given Common much attention before but that's two albums I have heard from him now and they are both brilliant. Production on them is second to none.
The production is solid and Common is definitely a great lyricist. Personally, I'm just not a fan of his voice which makes it hard for me to appreciate the album. I feel like I would get into it more if a lot of the track lengths were tightened up.
There's a few good tracks in here which are pretty funky, with good beats and production, and lots of variation in instruments and so on. There's not many though, and the runtime is too long. Most of the album for me doesn't work and isn't my thing.
Favorite Tracks: The Light A Film Called (PIMP) A Song for Assata
I'm not a rap guy but this is actually much better than 90% of rap I've heard. It was trending towards a 4 for me before it just dragged on way too long and then the homophobia was really cringe.
Solid Chicago hip hop
Was expecting more, all of the songs blended together Best song: Nag Champa Worst song: Pops Rap III…..All My Children
Never knew that I must listen to one or more Common albums before I die
Common's cool and he has cool friends (like Questlove) on his album. He's unique in the sense that his music is kinda beatnik rap, but I dig it.
3,6
Dooinit, The Light
Couldnt get into it. Maybe it's the early 00s production and hard to understand lyrics (for a non native speaker). Gave it one shot only tho.
First time listening to Common. I like some of the instrumental stuff going on. I'm not a huge hiphop fan so it's tough for me to tell how technically skilled he is but the flow sounds fine. I'm not sure if this feels like mandatory 1,001 listening but I don't dislike listening. Doubt I'll relisten though and this is too long.
Not a fan of the production on the opening track. I like Common's sound. It's pretty unique. But I've always found that he has a limitation in expressing a range of emotions through his voice. This makes the songs start to feel repetitive. I'm more of a fan of his album Be. Favorite track on this one is The 6th Sense. I like what DJ Premier brings to it.
Didn’t care for a lot of the production on the album.
Yawn
Pretty neat how collaborative this album was
It sounded like the hey Arnold theme song
Not my thing. Only one song that I sorta of liked, otherwise....no.
Horrible
2.5/5
Not bad I guess
Awesome smooth funky rap
Vet leuk bro
I like common, and this album had some good tracks on it, but none that really stood out to me. It’s also a little long for my taste.
Before common was a spokesperson for AI, he was a rapper
YUM
Gotta listen to it more but it’s getting a repeat
This is next level. I love D'Angelo and he's on this. This is basically a hip hop version of his sound, and his sound is incredible. Deep funky grooves with poetic raps that still won't let go of the street. A+
Laaaaangweilig
I wanted to like this one more than I did, but in the end, I just really couldn’t get into it. Plus, it was bristling to hear things like f@**** thrown around so casually.
This is a genre I’m not that familiar and I don’t listen often. Seemed like a well produced album, good beats, even funky and jazzy at times but just not enough to really say I’d ever listen again. The homophobic slurs were not necessary. I did hear a shoutout to Kraftwerk…I think. Very powerful album cover & album title.
Long album bug didn't drag. I perked up at the song Cold Blooded and then went back and forth in my engagement throughout the rest. The Questions and Thelonius were my other two favorites. 3.5, rounding to 3.
Not my favorite Common. Doesn’t help that it’s full of problematic language. He has thankfully publicly realized that was a problem and resolved not to use homophobic slurs anymore. A couple great ones here though
It was fine? I didn’t feel like it was particularly unique. Also for a rapper who is supposed to against homophobia, he sure used the f slur a lot.
this one rly benefited from the full speaker setup i had access to this day. 3.5
I.... could not get through this. An album I can tell is well done but that is not for me.
not my jam
This is an exceptional example of what Common does so well. A modern poet and lyricist that truly can sew a tapestry of words together and make an overall quilt that tells the stories he intends them to. While it lacks some of the pop music polish of his later releases and the catchy quality to boot this speaks a different language to those entirely.
Nice back ground music but in the long run gets on your nerves
I try to give it a chance, but I do not like rap!
Without really standing out it was an OK listen so it's bang in 3 stars
Smooth but a bit too long for me.
If there’s anything to take away from this album, don’t mess with common’s grandma
Starts great - devolves into regular hip hop hood
Great from the first note. Not I would listen to specific songs (maybe), but as an album I could definitely put this on
Klinkt lekker, vooral Cold Blooded.
Listening to the first song, I thought it was another artist with the same name as Common, I was unexpectedly digging it and looking forward to the rest of the album as I thought I'd discovered something new and great. The rest of the album was not good.
Another formative album for me. So many standout tracks that I still revisit. The features are all incredible and the Dilla impact is perfection. Almost rated a 5 but there are multiple albums in his catalog I think are even better back to front.
Def dig the sounds of this era of hip hop.
My first impulse after the first two tracks was to skip this whole album. Over an hour of mediocre rap with a weird pitched voice? No, thank you. Now, after listening through it all, I'm not glad I didn't. Admittedly, it grows on you. I have gotten to a point where I was neither annoyed nor excited, a tranquil headspace of pure existence. Weirdly enough, the only track I that kind of broke me out of my trance and the only one I remember listening to was "A Film Called (PIMP)". Cannot deny some head nodding going on. But that's it.
Smooth and resonant, surprisingly influential to next generation artists
Not (uh) my style (uh) but I'll give (uh) it an extra (uh) star for the (uh) music. Had a (uh) Miles Davis and (uh) James Brown influence.
I finally got a rap album. Without knowing too much about rap, I don’t feel like I can comment on this too much without coming off ignorant. So I’ll suffice it to say that this was a fun listen, if a bit dated. Rap and hip hop have always seemed rooted in their present. This album is no exception. The styles, some of the production choices, and lyrical themes feel old. Especially some of the lyrics. That’s to be expected with something more than 20 years old, of course.
I would listen to this again. Nice jazzy instrumentals on tracks which is a lot different from what I’m use to hearing on hip hop tracks. Common has good flow too. 3.5 rounding up.
Me reviewing rap is about like me grading gymnastics. I can't tell the good from the bad. The fact that this album is here at all helps me know it should at least be decent just as an olympian should be pretty darn good. So it was about as expected. I can identify it as a rap/hip hop album, and some of the collaboration tracks were pretty good. But if I don't like it I don't like it, that don't mean that I'm hatin. Favorite track: "The 6th Sense" 3/5
It’s OK
Mjög djassskotið hip-hop og skemmtilegt. Renndi tvisvar, gæti mun oftar.
Jesam iz Dubrave, al mislim da trebam biti više ghetto da mi ovo sjedne kak spada. Nice beats tho.
Not bad. 3.5.
Hip-hop alternativo. Ni fu ni fa.
Beautiful work
My mama taught me that use of the “n” word was a sin so I find it difficult to listen to “music” laced with that word! I prefer my music with a melody. Powerful lyrics contained within this Lp however and I totally respect the cultural differences.
I liked Common better when he wasn’t pushing AI. The Light is a standout track for me.
Funky aburridito.
2.5
Standouts: Time Travelin' (A Tribute to Fela). The 6th Sense, A Film Called Pimp, Payback is a Grandmother, Geto Heaven Remix T.S.O.I., Pops Rap III...All My Children 3.5
This has been one of my favorite Common albums for a while. Pretty much anything by the Soulquarians from this time period is going to be my favorite ____ album. So I’m coming into this biased. That said, some of this hasn’t aged well. Particularly his use of the f-slur. I’ve read that he apologized and vowed to never use the word again around the time his next album came out, so that’s nice, but it’s still hard to hear in this, especially because he seems to emphasize that word in the line. Another downfall of this album is the length. Others have mentioned this. It’s somewhat front loaded. But it’s hard to ignore the production on this. The beats are phenomenal, Questlove’s drumming is amazing as always, the features are kind of a who’s who of that era of conscious/underground hip hop, and Com’s flow is distinctive and comforting. Common is not my favorite MC, but I have a lot of respect for him. The caveats take away one star from this. This is not an album I constantly find myself going back to, but I very much enjoy the tracks that I enjoy.
•Owned •A project that represents the dual return-to-roots themes that dominated hip hop in the late 90s: a focus on the MC, on the art of rap; digging in jazz and funk crates for inspiration. The result is Common's composition book taped together and backed by some of the most genuine producers hip hop has ever seen. Wait until we get to Things Fall Apart... •4/5
Dude was so much better before he rebranded.
The music on this album is very listenable and some good collaborations too. A number of quite clever lyrics, but some of this feels quite stale and not so keen on the profanities. Worth a listen for sure, but not one I will be buying
I listened to this on my HomePod and this album is in Dolby Atmos. Sounds amazing
The first bit of the album really turned me off, but as the songs progressed they got better and better. Still it's only fine. 3/5.
Don't like this genre at all, sorry.
If this did not inspire Kendrick to make TPAB, I would be seriously amazed. Super soulful, really conscious message, and all the features thus far have been brilliant. And it's an absolute relief to finally get a hiphop album worth listening to from this generator!
interesting latin sounding opener, cool guitars in the background, it's also a tribute to Fela Kuti which is cool, overall really groovy and jazzy, nice and long album too, I like that a lot over the very short albums, nice and funky outro on Nag Champa, thought it was leading into the next track, but that took another turn
Extra star for the light which is a classic. Rest of pretty boring.
I took a break about halfway as k found it very dull/samey. Coming back tonit for the back end was like listening to something altogether new and very very good. Do a three seems like a fair split.
I tried to like this more than I did but I couldn't really get on with it. I really like his album after this but couldn't get into this for whatever reason. There's nothing bad about it I can put my finger on but it's maybe a bit muddled sounding after laser focused Jurassic 5
Did I choose rap? Not my kind of music ...
I don't like Commonality this isn't even his best album. 3/5
nice rap
I'm not the greatest fan of rap/hip-hop I'm more of an instrument guy so nothing against the artist I just don't like the genre. 1.7
Enjoyed this one
I don't particularly enjoy Common's music. I like rap, but he's always came off as "eh" to me. I had no desire to finish the album. I found it boring, which is disappointing because I went in optimistically.
Soulful and low key for the most part.
The highs were very high on this album but there were parts that really brought the whole thing down for me. Favorite song: The 6th Sense Least favorite: A Film Called (PIMP)
Common is one of those hip hop artists that I've never looked into too much, but I've been more curious about him since I learned about neo-soul and his connection to it. The music on this album is excellent. I haven't heard a bad track yet, and each one has its individual style. I don't find Common's rhymes to be terribly compelling. They aren't bad, but I would consider him a second tier rapper. However, this album is from 2000, which is not a particularly good era for rap in general 3/5 this was close to a 4, but the lyrical style (and several of the words he uses) haven't aged particularly well
Hm. 2-3
Favourite tracks: the light; thelonius; nag champa; song for assata
Not my style of music
This will be my first time listening to this. Common has been on my radar for decades, but I've never really liked his flow. There are a lot of talented features on this album. This title has always confused me. Hopefully I'll finally understand the nod to Como Agua Para Chocolate... either the film or novel... Maybe it's just the album cover? First of all... I've always disliked the single "The Light" that's probably why I never gave this album a chance. My favorite tracks are 1, 3, 7, 11 & 16. The end of The Big Payback ruined the track for me. Mos Def is always a treat. Roy Hargrove was blessing to hear. About about a month ago I learned of his passing. Check out his RH Factor releases. Especially Hard Groove. I appreciate Common's positivity and vibe, but most of this album is only slightly above average.
Another crappy rap album.
Common explored and found a great flow that roles well with his style and voice. The music doesn’t really stand out to me, and as others have said I also noticed that the homophobia is strong here and it’s unlikely is listen to this again.
Don't really have an opinion either way.
A great album high 8
Seems to me this was intended as a double album, not only due to the length but the abrupt transition from Time Travelin’ Reprise to The 6th Sense. An aside - The static on 6th Sense leading into the iconic “revolution is here” intro had me longing to use it as a lead-in track for the hip hop mixtapes I made for girls in high school. After all Common’s voice is a well known aphrodisiac (it’s not just the nag champa). But goddam Common had to put an annoyingly long interlude at the end of the track about men as hypocrites and smacking hoes. Needless to say the feminist chicks I dug in high school weren’t having that and they were deprived of one my all time favorite DJ Premier beats. Alas! Anyways I wanted to dock the album a star for that and it being too long. I was ready to do so and then A song for Asata came on and I knew this had to be 5 stars. It’s a bit of an all star group with Common joined by the Soulquarians (Questlove, Dilla, etc). The beats are solid throughout ans aside from a few dumbass homophobic and misogynist lines the flow and lyricism are on point.
On paper, I should like this album a lot. A groovy, moody, "authentic" hip hop effort at a time when the rest of the rap world got lost in bling and gangsta b*llshit. And I have nothing but respect for the musicians of the "Soulquarians" playing on this record (including The Roots' ?estlove). The thing is, some of the tracks don't click for me, I'm not sure why, especially on the first side (mostly "Dooin It" and the odd west-coast undertones in "The Light"--undertones that are quite surprising given where Common hails from and how he seems uncompromising about that elsewhere). And if it's nice to have an introductory cut paying homage to Fela, the effects on the voice there are just plain horrible, dated and useless. On the positive side of things, I still like a few moments from the first half of this LP, especially the intricate jazz layers of "Cold-Blooded", the "classic" feel of DJ Premier's boom bap contributions for "The 6th Sense" (not to mention Common's shout-out to Gil Scott-Heron's "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" at the very start), and I also enjoyed "The Questions", with Mos Def. Speaking of Mos Def, it seems to me that the latter's *Black On Both Sides* is the very example of an album in that particular subgenre that's musically stellar from start to finish--holding your attention or making bob your head without interruption. Even if it may sound unfair to some, I think we're still a notch under that quality level with "Like Water For Chocolate", as sophisticated as some of the arrangements are, and as interesting as Common's topical lyrics are as well (in keeping with the historical picture on its cover). And when the rapper indulges in a quick homophobic line during the course of "Dooin It", he totally loses me, that goes without saying. Fortunately, most of the "conscious" lyrics are beyond reproach elsewhere. On that note, "A Film Called (PIMP)", a hilarious battle between the rapper and MC Lyte, is worth your attention, thanks to lyrical contents that are hilarious in the way they mock the gangster world while saying something about the battle of the sexes AND music industry--the metaphors used by both rappers on that one are quite impressive. "Nag Champa" is rather good too, and "Thelonius" reminded me of important A Tribe Called Quest cuts (mostly thanks to Slum Village's contributions?). "Payback Is A Grandmother" has a superb instrumental hook at its very center. There's some Outkast psychedelic shenanigans going on in "Geto Heaven Part Two", and "A Song For Assata" is a moving tribute, as controversial as Tupac Shakur's godmother is. So the second side is superior to the first, clearly. This is what garnered an extra point from my initial assessment. Yet, let me repeat that: Mos Def's *Black On Both Sides* is the album from that specific era to go first to if you like that sort of "conscious" hip hop. And it better be in your list, Mr. Dimery. Now I'm looking forward to listening to Common's *Be*. That one's on the list, that's for sure. 3/5 for the purposes of this list of "essential albums". Which translates to a 8/10 grade for more general purposes. Number of albums left to review: 350 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 295 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 156 (including this one) Albums from the list I won't include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 208
Best lekkah
Eh, it was decent but not much my personal style.
Different than what I expected coming from Common but was good.
Really enjoyable, I loved the story-telling in particular. Not sure it needed so many skits and interludes, but I also know this is the way most hip-hop albums flow, so it would perhaps sound oddly like a compilation without them. I think I prefer his debut, but this is still solidly 5 🌟 for me. An underappreciated artist in my opinion, and one who deserves much more recognition.
Not doing a ton for me. Clearly well produced. It's too long for sure, but it's a product of the too long CD era albums. I was just ready for it to be over after about an hour when there was still almost 20 minutes left.
A little on the long side and dont like the lyrics but the music is excellent of course and out of the Common albums I know this one might be its best.
It's not repulsive but there are few moments that stick. Overall it's a rather tedious and way too long listen.
Not a fan of rap.
Not working for me.
It started off on a positive note with the tribute to Fela, but, within the context of the last 3 hip hop releases we've received, Snoop Dog, Queen Latifah & Ghost Face Killer, this is less fun and less dance floor worthy. The sparse production could have something to do with it.
had to listen to it so many times cause i couldn't finish... what a nightmare
In a nutshell: great title, below average album Nice transition between some songs. Interesting use of samples/loops. But that's about it. The album is laced with hip hop cliches ("one-two", name dropping, self referentials) and IT'S JUST TOO DAMN LONG. It's 77:55?! This could have been a great album, especially with Common collaborating with genre heavyweights (D'Angelo, Questlove, J Dilla) but it doesn't deliver for me. Overall: 3/10
Not very forward thinking or female friendly. In the song about his grandma I was rooting for the other side.
– His fourth studio album and major artistic breakthrough as part of the Soulquarians collective, featuring the hit single "The Light".
First time I've ever listened to a complete album by Common and this did not disappoint. The production and rapping are incredible and gel together well. The entire album is great, but The 6th Sense is my favorite.
I feel like this album requires a quiet night of focus and a nice liqueur. More of a poetry jam than specific entertainment, but a lot of good rhymes and flows here. I wish I understood the subject matter better. Fav tracks: The 6th Sense, Thelonius, Geto Heaven Part Two
4/5. This is one of the most complex and intellectual albums (like to pimp a butterfly). Although yes, there are some simple songs on the album, each one has deeper meanings than the surface level implies. Conscious hip-hop gets better with time and this might be a 5/5 for me but I don't fully get it yet, but what I did hear I very much enjoyed. The beats are so smooth, but not quite full hip-hop, a mix of jazz and funk as well. A great series of rap tracks that feel super influential to artists like Kendrick, Jay-Z, J-Cole, Run the Jewels, etc.
Nice grooves. Vocals are good. Lyrics annoying at best. 2.4
Struggled with this one
good beats but don't like their voice. at least he's not rapping about not killing people. oh nevermind, now there's a song about revenge murder for a robbery
3.75
Not a big fan. Maybe this was even generous.
A bit overlong, but still expertly rhymed and produced with a cool jazz air. Could very much do without the gay slurs though.
Can’t go wrong with Questlove. I don’t usually gravitate towards rap, but I appreciate the skill and the poetry.
Groovy, impactful and 4 stars.
Great rythm with a mixe of rap, jazz and lounge music making it very interesting. Feels like old school hip hop and from my view very pleasant music to accompany your mind for a while. One of the favorite is the light
Much better than I first thought.
Better than some rap
Hip-hop still doesn't speak to me...
Some great production but I don't like Common and his lyrics much
Whilst I have heard of Common, this hip-hop/afro beats transitioning into jazz is really not my jam. There are too many songs, and the album is over an hour long. Whilst the beats were ok in that they were a nice steady background sound, some of the lyrical content was not that great in parts, with some glimpses of interesting sounds, it really did nothing for me overall. Best: Geto Heaven Part Two Worst: Nag Champa (Afrodisiac for the World)
I haven't heard anything from this album previously, and unfortunately, it didn't do it for me. It should be noted that Common uses this album as a vessel for political commentary and social activism.
It's enjoyable, but it doesn't stand out. No idea why it's on this list.
Okay. Not that impressive
The music on most of these tracks was cool but some of the lyrics... i may have missed something but i was expecting more from Common
I enjoy the style and music of Common. This album didn't really grab me though but it was still an enjoyable listen. Fave track: Pops Rap III...All My Children.
Similar to the other Common album on here, it's very smooth - easier to listen to while working than most hip-hop albums, although that comes at the expense of paying proper attention to the lyrics. I see quite a few reviews mentioning homophobia but that largely slipped under my radar with only one play through. Not denying it's there, mind. The misogyny of "A Film Called (Pimp)" was distasteful, but I guess MC Lyte got to return fire. Fave tracks - "Time Travelin' (A Tribute To Fela)" was a great opener. Like "The Questions", too - love a bit of Mos Def...
Also ich respektiere es, aber es ist nichts für mich.
Como hip-hop.
I've not listened to much Common before. This was quite enjoyable. Reminded me of Mos Def. The album was a bit long though.
There’s quite a lot of mediocre rap on this list isn’t there…
apart from the 2 unnecessary homophobic segments it was a really solid Neo-soul rap project with good storytelling and production, where the quality did not wane over the 76 minute runtime. brilliant
Hip-hop alternativo. Ni fu ni fa.
Como hip-hop.
Grest album love the lofi rap
Common is a product of the golden era of hip hop and unfortunately due to his lack of radio play left him mostly forgotten over time by anybody who isn't a big fan of hip hop. It's a shame too because Common shares a lot of the same skill sets that the greats like Andre 3000 have. In songs like Cold Blooded he showcases his lyricism as he crams an ungodly amount of rhymes into a couple bars. For example: "The stylist and violence with vibrance The sign of times with rhyme shit is timeless" And "With penitentiary talk, Coke and Hennessy walk My imagery talks, metaphors and similes stalk" He has the ability to paint a picture and portray thought out concepts throughout a verse. Take verse 3 from 6th sense for example: Some days I take the L to gel with the real world Got on at 87th, sat by this little girl She recites raps, I forget where they was from In em, she was saying how she makes brothers cum I started thinking, how many souls hip-hop has affected How many dead folks this art resurrected How many nations this culture connected Who am I to judge one's perspective? Though some of the shit y'all bop to, I ain't relating If I don't like it, I don't like it, that don't mean I'm hating I just want to innovate and stimulate minds Travel the world and penetrate the times Escape through rhythms in search of peace and wisdom Raps are smoke signals letting the streets know I'm with 'em He even has the ability to tell a story throughout the course of a whole song. Take A Film Called (PIMP) and A Song For Assata for example. I have always heard about some modern rappers who were heavily influenced by Common but I never really took the time to sit down and digest his stuff. Excellent album with a ton of replay value.
There are actually some good tracks on this one, but there are just. so. many. long. intros. and. outros. everywhere. So. much. filler. What the hell is the benefit of this on a 70+ minute long record?
Like Water For Chocolate just keeps going. It’s easily half an hour too long. Why is it 70+ minutes? Just why? Common is still a great rapper. But it was, among other things, the tightness that made Be such a great record. There are some very good tunes on this… There’s just so much else as well.
I am mixed on this album. Common is a great writer and he has some really positive an nice messages on this album. He also has more than one instance of clear homophobia. And basically every song on this album could have been 1-2 minutes shorter and it would have improved the tracks. Every hook and chorus nit sung by a feature was unmemorable and just him saying the song title 30 seconds. Production throughout was great though. Best song is a song for assata.
Porque tantos discos de hip hop com mais de 60 minutos?
Üblich dröger Hiphop/Rap.
"My mother likes Kraftwerk?" That was a bit random. Rhymes are good, but there is a bit of stuff that doesn't carry very well anymore.
A lot of this isn't really my jam, but you can tell it is "crafted". There's intention and layered with a soulful hiphop R&B vibe. The rating is mostly for giving credit on the artistic output though i don't expect to listen to this much.
bättre än förväntat
This is one of the best albums I’ve listened to. It clearly has had a great impact in rap today. My favorite track has to be the sixth sense. I mostly listened to this with earbuds in the car. It gets a medium to high 4
Pretty good
Me he aburrido, o no era el día. Pero estoy pensando que si un disco no es capaz de levantarte un mal día tampoco es un disco imprescindible. Suena bien, así que no es malo pero sin conocer su historia no me parece relevante.
This is interminable. The production is good and saves it from 1 star but raps come off as phony and it's so fucking long and drawn out. Please stop making records over an hour long, and for the love of God please stop putting them on this list.
There was much to like and admire about this album, but personally I also couldn't wait for it to be over.
The album wasn't difficult to listen to, but I just couldn't connect with it.
This was kind of a hard day to listen to a long album where the focus was on the words more than the music --- just didn't have the time to devote to it that I think it probably deserved. But I also think this album benefited from my low expectations of Common after listening to Be seven hundred albums ago. I had a hard time connecting with that one, so I expected similar difficulties this time that didn't quite pan out. I'm giving this one a 4 just to distinguish it from Be's 3. Ratings mean nothing!
I was exposed to this album a few years after it came out. It’s something I liked and a decent rap album with lots of observation and reflection. In some ways more interesting than a lot of rap albums we’ve had on this project, although it isn’t my favorite musically.
Mélange de hip-hop et de jazz très sympa sur les premières pistes. J'ai largement préféré à /Be/ du même artiste.
Deuxième fois qu'on cet artiste, que je ne connaissais pas. J'aime encore mieux que "Be", celui d'avant (mais en fait sorti plus tard), bon samples, un peu jazz, un peu soul, assez posé, bon tout. Peut-être un peu trop long, et c'est dommage, j'étais pas loin des 5 étoiles.
3.75
80 minutes of this stuff? C'mon Common, I don't have the time for that much half decent rap music
Nu testas mitt psyke igen. Hur mycket skit ska jag tåla innan jag dräper någon?
Meh, not for me
2.5 - The length is a doozy, but it's alright. I think I like Be more, but it's been quite a while since I listened to Be, so I don't know. I like a couple songs on here, but I don't find most of it to be memorable. Not bad, just not really my thing.
This had a few good songs but I preferred the other Common album
I'm not familiar with Common's work, but I've enjoyed most of the rap albums that I've been assigned so far, so I figured I'd enjoy this album. Right off the bat, the album cover gave me the impression that this album would be pretty socially conscious and political in nature, so that was a mark in favor of me potentially enjoying this album. As I listened to it, I felt like the songs were really long and meandering, and I just wasn't a big fan of the rapping. The beats and production were above average, but most of the songs lost their shine with me before I reached the end of them. Even though I wasn't the biggest fan of this album, I did enjoy "A Film Called (PIMP)," "Geto Heaven Part Two," and "A Song For Assata." I don't think I'll be in a rush to listen to more of Common's albums.
Really good hip hop album like the jazz influence, feels ahead of it’s time, but also already dated with homophobia. Worth place on this list.
Another great common album. Hadn’t heard prior but was an instant hit. I don’t know if I’d put it as high as Be but maybe that will change with time.
Awesome that we get another from Common on this list! I've been meaning to listen to this album for years, as I've heard it's his other peak, next to Be. It's very strong, some fantastic beats and you already know with Common that the rapping is going to be consistent. I love too that he ends so many of his albums with a poetry reading from his dad, adds such a cool layer to his music. This one's fantastic. Be is still my favorite from Common (and would likely never be dethroned), but this one is excellent too. There was only one track on here that even sounded familiar, but I came out with a ton that I really dug. Favorite tracks: Payback is a Grandmother, Cold Blooded, The Questions, Thelonius, Dooinit, The Light, Funky for You, The 6th Sense, Pops Rap III. Album art: Definitely a strong statement here, and gives a heavy meaning to the title. Love the framing and design, and that the title font is spaced unevenly, adds a cool edge. 4.5/5
A nice listen
Какое-то время мне нравился рэп, но недолго. Потом я стал ненавидеть звучание этой музыки, потому что все песни казались одинаковыми: скучный и однообразный флоу, бессмысленность текстов и наплевательское отношение к миру читающих эту ересь. Но! Этот альбом меня поразил. Он основан на всей той афроамериканской музыке, которую делали в 50s, 60s и так далее. Тут есть и элементы соул, и фанка, и RnB, трубы напоминают о джазе, но не сильно. То, как читает Common - очень круто: под мощную ритм-секцию голос отлично ложится. На фоне играет то орган, то скрипки, то гитара, что создает разнообразие для каждой композиции. Также хотелось бы отметить работу бэк-вокалисток: просто класс, задорно и весело! Думаю, что к этому альбому я еще вернусь, хоть на нем и есть песни, не вызывающие никаких эмоций, как и на любой, впрочем, пластинке. Любимые композиции: «Light», «6th Sense», «Funky For You», «Time Travellin» и «Geto Heaven».
Fantastic album throughout. It’s definitely a product of it’s time, but Common has apologised for these lyrics and is always trying to improve himself, so I think it’s important to bear that in mind.
I was immediately curious from the beginning. Time Travelin' is such an interesting start to an album. Fela Kuti is a name newly familiar to me, but I've really enjoyed his work thanks to this project, so to come across an album paying tribute to him is a rather nice bonus. Heat lost me somewhat. I kind of just wanted Common to sit back and let the bass take the center stage. Especially considering how ... experimental the song it follows up on happens to be. It feels as though this album is shaping up to be a hit or a miss. Cold Blooded fares better, but Dooinit I find obnoxious. The Light is also more than decent. So on and so forth, some good and some bad. Unfortunately, it doesn't feel as strange or experimental as I hoped. Instead, it is somewhat bloated, with some unfortunate instances of poorly aged bullshit sprinkled throughout. Nevertheless, when it is interesting, it is really interesting.
I like common This one got kinda weird about all the pimpin 2
Common had a pretty good flow. I liked how each of the songs worked into each other. I would have liked if some of the intros of songs were at the beginning of the song (ex. the phone call which goes into "Peace Is A Grandmother" should have been at the beginning of the track, not the end of the previous track). That's just nitpicking, though. Common's topics ranged from the thoughtful to spiritual to vengeful. It was refreshing to hear someone with range and not someone so full of braggadocio. The lyrics... are what they are. Songs like "Heat" made me wince just because of the language. But the bet behind them made up for it, I guess? As the songs went on, they got better. "Questions" is great, but who doesn't love Mos Def. BTW, you write a line in "Thelonius" like "Dreamin' when I wrote this, box me if I go too wild" you better give more props to the Purple One, knowwhatimean? So I liked it a lot, a couple of the songs I winced at the lyrics, but only in that it's not something I could pull off.
I enjoyed this album. It's not a masterpiece but very solid. Stylish beats, like a mix of soul and rap. Cool sound. Pretty deep (and at times funny) lyrics, though I couldn't always figure out what his message was. Like the end of The 6th Sense and A Film Called PIMP. Is he trying to be ironic or sarcastic? Is he playing the oblivious heel on the latter on purpose, so MC Lyte can be the heroine? I guess he got me to think, so some credit there. It's at least a 3.5 and I'm going to round up.
Nice jazz influenced rap,
This record was very aggressive lyric wise. I liked the parts that weren't misogynistic. But holy shit... I am glad times have changed.
I don't think he's that good of a rapper
Some pretty cool production but homophobia can GTFO.
Has a nice chilled, laidback vibe to it. Rapping was calm and almost serene to listen to.
Not my cup of tea. It's an incredible long album yet there was not a single song that stood out on it...the lyrics didn't age well either. It was challenging to get through this one.
Nope
First listen Saved 3/16 Top track: Time Travelin'
77 minutes? When I look up unfamiliar contestants on Spotify, the record length is all I look for. Pressed play and got ready to kick the shit out of this record, and finally roll out a long-brewing rant about the bloat of turn of the millennium hip hop albums. Unfortunately, the first track's so good and unusual, it quelled my rage and I started listening closely. Sweetly placed afrobeat flourishes from the start made my nose twitch, and while the opener, 'Time Travelin' (A Tribute to Fela)', is a standout, it is not an outlier. The involvement of J Dilla makes sense when I look this up: the record has a wriggle to it. It is overlong, though. I only had time to listen to it once. I may listen to it again.
Knew some of this from pop radio - quite jazzy and tuneful, although more of a vibe than full of bangers; closer to Maxwell than the Wu-Tang. Wasn't quite feeling it at the beginning, but it won me over. Pretty good! Docked a point as some lyrics have not aged well at all..
Great album.
Not bad for old rap. 7/10
Probably his best album although I do have a soft spot for those first 2 records
"Like Water for Chocolate" is the fourth album by American rapper Common. It was his first major label album and was produced by a host of people including Questlove (executive), Derek Dudley, J Dilla, James Poyser, DJ Premier, D'Angelo, Karriem Riggins and Common himself. This album marked the beginning of The Soulquarians of which most of these producers were collectively known as and appeared on others' albums as well. The genres listed are hip hop, alternative hip hop, conscious hip hop and progressive hip hop. It has afrocentric and socially conscious themes. The album was named after the 1989 Laura Esquivel novel of the same name and Common said was also named for his Pisces sign (water) and soul/blackness (chocolate). It was his commercial and critical breakthrough. The sound of ocean and birds, jazzy horns and Afrobeats open "Time Travelin.'" Women chanting. Pyschedelic rapping with echoes. The song is a tribute to Afrobeat music and human rights activist Fela Kuti. "Cold Blooded" has guest rappers Rahzel and Ray Hargrove. This has more of groove. It's funky and very 70's sounding. It better be as it samples Parliament, Fred Wesley and the JB's and the Steve Miller Band. The second single "The Light" has reverb-type beats and is soulful. Great poduction by J Dilla and sampling of Bobby Caldwell in the chorus. A hip hop love song. One of the best I've heard. A sample of Gil Scott Heron's "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" begins "The 6th Sense." This is soulful and uplifting. The hip hop culture and social consciousness. Common tells a story in "Payback is a Grandmother" of a thief who robs his Grandfather. Sirens ends the song. A spoken word song ""Pop's Rap III...All My Children" featuring Common's father ends the album. Relaxing. Jazzy. Chill. It's funny; I was just watching Common last night in the Apple TV series "Silo." Recommended by the way. This album is dense, groovy, souful and funky. I think executive producer Questlove had something to do with that. Songs of love, ills of society, battle rap and family. Great production with all involved. It is sprawling and long at 77 minutes but a lot here worth giving this a listen.
For being over an hour nothing seemed interesting. Not one part? It wasn’t awful or annoying it was just boring and long. We’ve had an album by Common before and I think I had the same opinion. Nothing great.
More than kinda-disappointed with this one - I cannot connect with this at all. Yet if it were described to me I'd think there's no way I wouldn't love it: r&b and soul mid-tempo grooves with acoustic drum samples... I think I'm not a fan of Common's rap style on this album, and it might be that simple. Less rhythm and more spitting (too) many words - meh. Yet 5 years later he releases "Be" which is an album I really liked - did he get better? Did he change his style? I don't think it's *that* different in terms of his style, but something about it here I really don't like - e.g. "Be" is maybe a more positive album and this one kinda feels distasteful at times; does/did this affect how he performed on it? Or maybe I can and should grade this on the same level as other genres - the songs themselves are far superior and catchier on "Be" than on this one. If this were an instrumental album I might buy it, but his rapping here breaks all the groove for me - it's a frustrating listen. Re-listening to "Be" right now to reenforce how much more I like it over this disappointing one. 3/10 2 stars.
Hard to explain why, but I have never been able to get into Common. I enjoy the vibe of the album in general -- laid back and jazzy -- but nothing about it really pulls me back for more. He has a good flow and there is depth to the lyrics that run the gamut from treatment of women in rap culture (The Light), systemic inconsistencies (The Question), a story of payback (Payback Is A Grandmother), and a back and forth study of pimping (A Film Called (PIMP)). I think ultimately, I find myself sort of bored by his delivery and preachy overtones. It doesn't help this album is super long making it easy to lose attention.
I love this style of hip-hop. Really good album. Looks like the first song is a tribute to Fela Kuti who had that baller jam album a few weeks ago. I like the beginning and the end of the album a bit more than the middle. I like the story and how it's kind of a concept album. There's a good amount of homophobic lyrics, but I get that 2000 was a bit different in that regard.
I like the flow and beats but I agree with a lot of reviews that it was a bit long and lost me towards the end
Pretty chill but couldn't get super into it. Definitely enjoyed but also a bit too long.
Delightful
Uncommonly boring.
Superior hip hop. Don't mind the swearing, glad it's not gangster rubbish. Enjoy the jazzy samples.
Very backpack, don't think it's aged especially well.
nice vibes but waaaaaaay too long
What am I missing?
Fairly run of the mill - Common I guess...
Don’t have much to say about this album and was admittedly only half listening through the first half. The reason for these things is because it’s a pretty boring and mostly unnotable hip hop album. A couple decent beats here and there but that’s about it and keeps it from being a 1. Maybe a big deal in its day but I really did not feel it.
Solid bars and strong beats. Points lost for some blatant homophobia.
It's going to be a quick one in here - the topics that Common brings up on this album are very important and the way he sets up his lyrics is extraordinary. I have just one issue with his music - it's that I don't like it. The beats and flow is boring and I can't keep up with the verses. I'm just a casual hip-hop listener, but I need a little bit more "wow" ingredient to keep me entertained. So I'm really sorry, but I can't give a high rating for this album.