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June 29, 2005
Refreshingly Common
At the onset of every summer I seem to discover a higher percentage of great music than I do in the colder months. I don't know if it's just my appetite that expands at the onset of higher temperatures or if the majority of artists/labels hold these works in stasis to be released when the golden demographic has more pocket money. Either way these familiar conditions have produced the little gem I referred to yesterday as the best hip-hop released so far this year.
Its fresh production by Mr. West and Common's ever adroit lyrical stylings were what prompted that uncharacteristically brief and spontaneous post. I would like to go in greater detail on my affection for the album, shall we?
Let's just go ahead and get the one part I didn't like about Be out of the way: the album was far too short. It has oft been said that when one crafts a creative endeavor the intended audience should be left wanting more. I certainly agree with this but in the world of the compact disc, where seventy to eighty minutes of audio is possible, it seems like a waste to only have 45 minutes of music. That said, it is an enthralling three-quarters of an hour, something that many albums today are certainly bereft of.
Common's lyricism has always been a present and formidable force stretching from 1992's Can I Borrow a Dollar? through Like Water For Chocolate, Electric Circus to this most recent offering. He is an incredible story teller with a conscious preferring to share uplifting words of love and hope rather than retelling the exploits of selling drugs, exploiting women and a mounting 'bling' collection that characterizes the vapid hip-hop dominating the airwaves today. Jay-Z once said that he wishes he could rap like Common but that there wasn't any money in it. I certainly wish Jay would take a paycut and add something positive to this earth but that's enough from the soapbox for now.
Providing the appropriate backdrop for Common's talented poeticism is Kanye West who churns out another solid production effort that continues the fresh feel of College Dropout. I could do without the 'Oompaa Loompa' pitch bended vocals loops but they aren't distracting enough to really detract from the whole affair. If you buy it from iTunes you get a bonus video interview with both Kanye and Common that isn't really informative or engaging but I do appreciate the extra effort to add some much needed additional content to supplement the albums aforementioned short running time.
Every track is a strong one but my favorites are Be (Intro), Go, Testify, Chi-City, and They Say. Definitely chock-full of summer anthems (especially Go) so pick it up on your way to the beach. Word to your moms.
Posted by Jon at June 29, 2005 12:15 PM