A Classic Album (Be - Common)

Member Name: paulie1975

Product:	Be - Common
Date:	01/05/09 (47 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Smooth, great production, thoughtful, inspiring album

Disadvantages: None

This is one of my favourite albums of the last few years, Common is a really good rapper, he is thoughtful and represents a positive element of Hip Hop. His album is experimental but is the easiest to get into of any he had released to this point, he ditches some of the overt experimentalism for content. Produced by Kanye West this has his fingerprints all over it.

The music is extravagant and has a smooth soulful, seventies feel, the rhymes are sensitive and inspiring, I liked Common's previous albums, but I find this album is superb, Common has a real presence like a 70's star, he is laid back, allows his words to seep over the music and keeps the flow of the album going. He is respectful and inspiring and treats women and men as equals and doesn't spend the album settling scores or disrespecting people.

The album is one of my favourites, having seen Common live it is no fluke as he is superb at any level, he works well with Kanye and this is a memorable album from one of the coolest guys currently on the scene.

Tracks:

Be: Intro - This is a great tune, strings bound through the piece with a weird bassy sound which compliments this well. This is a thoughtful piece about changing the world for his daughter, it is amazing, the rhymes are inspiring, creative and powerful, it relates to being yourself but being all you can be and it does it amazingly.

The Corner - This is a great tune with those strange Kanye inspired chorus' of weird ethereal voices, this is a tale of how life on the streets was, hanging on the corner, its superb, the beat is constant and funky, Common's soulful rapping is superb, evocative and powerful, I love this song, Kanye joins in on the tune but doesn't add much. There is an interesting vocal from an older guy talking about life on the corner too.

Go! - Common's poppiest song, with Kanye simply rapping 'Go go go go ' on the chorus this has a nursery rhyme simplicity and slips into your brain, its so catchy, I love this song, Common's rap is so smooth he is excellent on this song, he does this tune wonderfully live too, but this is so slick and cool it is a great tune and one of my favourites of the last 6 years.

Faithful - Again with a powerful hook, it catches you, then Common throws in some stream of consciousness rap he talks about god, about being faithful and about how wonderful women are, this is a stunning love song to women everywhere and a wakeup call to any guy who wants to be a player. This song is wonderful, great organ in the background and a funky guitar but Commons rap blows this tune out of the water.

Testify - This is so sexy, a story of a court case, it has another Kanye sample which is so catchy, but this is simply a great storytelling song, Common's voice is so smooth and soulful its stunning, the album just maintains a great level of performance at this point.

Love is...... Ok so another winner, this is a love song, simple chorus, smooth common rap, this is catchy, funky, sweet and loving, this is an album for lovers to listen to, its inspiring, cool and so respectful and inspiring. Common is really on fire with this tune, it's fantastic.

Chi-City - Wicked sample on this tune, this song has got a real 70's feel to it, Common sounds as if he has come from a different age, it is not as strong as the last 4 songs but it is still really high level and if you concentrate the lyrics are exceptional.

The Food (Live) - This is a live tune with Common and Kanye performing on the Dave Chapelle Show, Kanye starts this tune well with his style of flow giving the tune context, there is a wicked hanky tonk piano in the background, Common's rap is superb so flowing and thoughtful, samples are old style and cool, this flows brilliantly for a live show!

Real People - Funky, sounds like a Marvin Gaye tune with the funky 70's backing tune, I love this, Common raps in a stream of consciousness, he flows amazingly well, but the star of this tune is the music it is authentic, cool, retro and wonderful, I think this is all credit to Kanye for this one.

They Say.... - Piano and John Legend start this tune in a flowing soulful fashion based around an Electric Piano, Common comes in almost talking, his rhymes are wicked, the music is brilliant, I think this song is superb.

It's Your World Pt 1 - Sounds 70's tinged again, this is a great tune to finish the album on Common is on fire, the music is superb, this is intelligent rap for intelligent people, its sensitive, funny, interesting and smooth.


So you can buy this album for £5.99 on Amazon and also buy it at HMV or on I-Tunes.

Summary: Beautiful, inspiring and Subtle