3.5 + I gave this record a couple listens back in 2005 while living in Chicago. Common seems like the guy who's friends with everyone - tall, handsome, easy-going, always smiling. He's got powerful friends like Kanye who genuinely want him to succeed. There are some nice tracks on this record, and his vibe is generally positive. I especially love the samples on "They Say" and the fact that it features Ahmad Jamal, another Chicago legend. Overall, though, nothing really grabs me - Common's flow is middling and his worldview lacks a certain edge.