Well the question of whether this album was going to be better than Curtis was answered a long time ago, so I think enough time has passed to look back on it and assess it as it is; Kanye West's third studio album. To start off, the artwork is one of the best I've ever seen on a hip hop album, and it'll catch your eye every time. Also ,it's no secret: critics love Kanye West. The media loves Kanye West. Whatever wrongs he do in public are forgiven by them and each of his albums end up on some annual "Best of" list. Everybody else, however, has their own criticisms: he can't rap, he gives his best beats away, he's too cocky, etc. Well, this album, Graduation, probably won't change the naysayers' opinions but it is another well-rounded effort from Mr. West.
I'm not gonna lie, The College Dropout will always be Kanye's best album to me. Still, if you haven't yet, attend Kanye's Graduation because it's a special event.
1. "Good Morning"
From the moment I listned to this song, i knew what direction kanye was going in. This was the introduction of the "new" Kanye, where synthesizers, and hard drums dominate, and i gotta say, it was a breath of fresh air.
2. "Champion"
Kind of an odd choice for a second song, i feel that "Can't Tell Me Nothing" would've been a better choice. Anyway i do like the song, and how Kanye give his father a shoutout.
3. "Stronger"
Yea, i hate this song, but i guess it does serve it's purpose in the clubs. I do wish that kanye would've done more with the Daft Punk sample, because the way he uses the sample just comes off as lazy. I also heard that Timboland had a helping hand in getting the right drums for Kanye on this album, though i coulnd't tell the difference.
4. "I Wonder"
When i first listned to this album, this was the song that stood out to me. I guess it's because of the way Kanye Raps over the beat, but I always liked this song.
5. "Good Life" (feat. T-Pain)
I don't really know anyone who has a T-Pain album, but i do gotta admit, the man knows how to make a good hook. The P.Y.T. sample is really clever too.
6. "Can't Tell Me Nothing"
Took Me a while to appreciate it, but this became my favorite song on the album. This song sounds great live, i guess it's so operatic (Not in a snooze kinda way)
7. "Barry Bonds" (Feat Lil Wayne)
In case you readers didn't know, let me make it clear: Lil wayne is the most overexposed, overated rapper in existance, and he ruins an already mediocre song.
8. "Drunk and Hot Girls" (Feat Mos Def)
The worst song on here, and why the hell does Mos Def Never raps with Kanye?? The only good thing about this song is hearing Kanye say "Da da da da da/that's how the fuck you sound" (you gotta listen to it to find how funny that line sounds.) The production is also pretty decent too.
9. "Flashing Lights"
Correction this is the best song on here.
10. "Everything I Am" (Scratches By DJ Premier)
Good song, although i do feeln that Premier was a little lazy with the scratches. I don't know why, but i much prefer the mash-up verson with Jay-Z on the "Graduate" Mixtape.
11. "The Glory"
Kanye Originaly gave this beat to Common, but took it back. Good call Kanye
12. "Homecoming" (Feat Chris Martin)
I might be in the minority here, but i actually prefer this version over the John Legend one thats been circulating. Whether thats Bet, and MTV Jams fault is up to you.
13. "Big Brother"
I Like the Prince sample, and i like how Kanye adresses his relationship with Hova, Especially in the homophobic world in Hip-Hop (Though Lil Wayne is trying his best to change that )
Although Graduation isn't the classic that everyone claims it to be, it is a pretty enjoyable listen. If only Kanye deleted two songs, and replaced them with much better songs,(Ex. "Good Night" Feat. Mos Def instead of "Drunk and Hot Girls") then it would've been a classic (Well Nearly), but we can't always get what we want. I'll recommend a "buy"
Best tracks: I wonder, Flashing lights, Homecoming, The glory.
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