Feels good to be back...Thank You for your patience and continued support...Ok..Enough of the formalities, lets get into the album.
For the past couple of months many of us have been clamoring over the concept of a Kanye and Co. album. If we were able to take any cues from past efforts like all "All of the Lights", "So Appalled, and even this LP's lead single "Mercy", then one could safely assume that when this album finally touched down, it would be nothing short of classic right?
The first track "To the World" features R. Kelly and Kanye....THAT'S IT!.. Where's Big Sean, Pusha T, or even Kid Cudi for that matter..Not what I expected at all. I ASSUMED every song would have a "Mercy" like roster of artist at the very least. My first lesson learned from this album...Expect the unexpected. Duly Noted.
The next three songs are smartly coupled together considering they are all singles..."Clique", The aforementioned "Mercy" and "New God Flow". I remember back in July when I first heard New God Flow, I thought to myself it would be cool if Ghostface made an lyrical appearance instead of hearing his sampled voice. The "Album Version" actually has Ghostface spitting like only The G.O.D. can...great addition here.The next song "The Morning" proceeds to give me hope, thats because the roster looks absolutely ANIMAL. Continuing with this Wu Influence is a stellar performance from Raekwon The Chef, and a surprisingly up to par verse from Cyhi The Prince. Common and Pusha T share 16 bars while 2 Chainz spits something forgettable and Ye's literally phones it in...Yuck.
The song formally known as "Theraflu" which then became formally known as Way Too Cold is now simply known as "Cold". You can skip this one if you want....there is nothing new added to this song."Higher" fares a bit better because its definitely aimed at the the club goers out there...Its way to rauchy and laced with F' Bombs to ever make it to radio...Oh yeah M-A Dollar Sign E makes a cameo appearance and decides to use that fleeting opportunity to throw a little dart at former comrade Loon..oh well.this song is saved by its lengthy hook and its cringe-worthy but hilarious bridge...but you'll be to drunk or high to really care.
Things get a little trippy with "Sin City".... again this song is all about the Hook and bridges and what not...another forgettable futuristic club song. "The One" enlist the vocal talents of Marsha Ambrosius....Ye, Big Sean, and 2 Chainz show up and give rousing performances and this song actually works with this combination..not bad at all. At this point this album becomes something else...Kid Cudi decides to hi-jack this album and premiers his own lead single. I'm sure he didnt intend that but hell, "Creepers" is a definite winner and should have been saved for HIS album..."I'm Just Saying" The Cudi faithful will love this song..I should know.
After replaying that song 24 times I forced myslelf to listen to the final two songs. "Bliss" is dope if you ask me..it really has that live band feel to it and this song is better for it. Teyana Taylor and John Legend sound awesome together and I wouldn't mind hearing 4 or 5 more songs from that duo. Honestly my only knock on this song is that it needed Lupe Fiasco and it was way too short..The final song is the "Don't Like" remix...Many of you know my feelings about this kind of music and children so I won't get into that here.
And just like that the album is over...No mention of The Mighty Mos Def or Mr. Hudson..One can only conclude that they didn't meet the deadlines, which is a shame because I would have love to hear them. All in all this compilaton serves its purpose as it is able to cater to most crowds...The Hip-Hoppers, Club Hoppers, Singers, and Experimental Alternatives should all find something worth listening too for how ever many days are left in this summer. This is Kanye's version of "The Dynasty" and should have a pretty decent shelf life.
