First Run Review: Kid Cudi-Man on the Moon

Aight, so Cudi finally dropped his debut album today, I made sure to get this one in. Off top the packaging for the deluxe edition is purty dope. I'm expecting quite a bit from this record, and we'll see what happens. Remeber 5 is my highest score...

1. In my Dream
First track starts with a haunting percussive sequence as Kid Cudi comes in singing "I dont worry bout anything. You're in my dreams". Nice strings off top. Seems to drag on a bit though....until Common comes in with a nice narrative.
Score: 4
2. Soundtrack 2 my Life
Nice electronic drums and sharp handclaps get your head bobbin quick immediately. Cudi spit an introspective verse about his youth filled with emotions. Very big hook. 2nd v Cudi continues his melodic story. Interesting breakdown with reverse guitars
Score: 3.5
3. Simple As
"ABC" loops throughout with Cudi spittin a familiar melody on his verses. Common appears again to add to the story.
Score 3
4. Solo Dolo
A Haunting string pizzicato introduces this interesting track. I heard this earlier, but added string score is a nice touch. Cudi asks "Why must it feel so wrong, when I'm tryin to do right?"
If this is supposed to be a nightmare, I think it accomplishes it s goal.
Score 4
5. Heart of a Lion
Another I heard a live version of. Very nice drums as the song opens up to another Larger than Life hook from Cudder, before dropping back to simplicity. His verses are serving as extra instrumentation at this point, laced with introspective and inspirational sayings.
Score: 4.5
6. My World
A smooth piano and electric guitar start this slow banger. Cudi speaks on his past angst towards being overlooked. Another string laced hook, adding another dimension to the songs story.
Score 3
7. Day n Nite
Of course we all know this one. Really doesn't hold up to some of the other tracks, might just be cuz I've heard it so much.
Score 3.5
8. Sky might Fall
Another one I heard early from the Transformers campaign. Still a solid song. At this point you realize this is much more than a Rap album, either you embrace it or get tired of it. Really just depends on how much of this you personally like.
Score 3
9. Enter Galactic
Cudi picks the tempo up on this one and croons to the ladies. Decent production, feels kinda like an old Jamiroquai song, with a Daft Punk breakdown. A lil more Common
Score 2.75
10. Alive
Enough fun, as we're taken into another dark track courtesy of Ratatat. I like this beat , plus tha reverse guitar effect Ratatat is known for doesn't hurt. More of the same from cudi, mostly sang until the final verse, which is subpar. Overall I'm down tho...
Score3.5
11. Cudi Zone
This spacey beat serves as a plate for a quick Cudi flow bout his accomplishments. This serves as contrast to the high pitched hook. Nothing too new, coulda taken Dose of Dopeness here instead (haha!)
Score: 2.5
12. Make Her Say
Easily the most out of place track of the album. Gotta get those features in tho...
Score 3
13. Pursuit of Happyness
Electric guitar leads into a simplistic chord laden track. MGMT makes their apperance on the hook. A slow but smooth one.
Score 3
14. Hyyerr
Smooth was an understatement as this banger opens up with a nice southern drums and warm strings. Ohio native Chip the Ripper adds his vocals to this one. Cudi brings a nice verse here for the folks hatin on his flows. This ones for the cheifers out there.
Score 4
15. Up Up and Away
Acoustic guitar drives this upbeat song. Cudi talks about staying focused on his goals. Right when it seemed things were happy, Common comes back to end things with the hint of a sequel....
Score 3.3

Overall, this lived up to my expectations. I doubt any other album in the "hip-hop" genre will sound close to this in 09. Most of these songs lean on melodies and epic hooks that no rapper can provide consistently. By no means has Cudi mastered the art of flow or singing, but I think he does whats needed to make memorable songs. Production value is high, but replay value will be low for the general audience(no club bangers here). This is a solid debut that sets Kid Cudi appart from any one genre, now lets hope the masses can handle the moon man too.


Production 4.5
Concepts: 4
Lyrics:3


Overall: 4

First Run Review: Jay-z Blueprint 3

So here's what I thought of BP3, track by track. Reviews are brief, and I'll let ya know if something grows on me. Highest score of course is a 5.

1. What we talkin about

Epic synths start the album off as Jay-z flows about his past and present problems. Hook is questionable to me, too anti-climactic.

Score :3.5

2. Thank You

Nice bass groove smooth trumpet samples. Jay is Jay. Bassline steals the show for me

Score: 2.5

3. D.O.A

Of course already heard this, production value is through the roof.

Score: 4

4. Run this town

Yea, yea. Epic anthem that builds up to the Ye verse (not as ill lyrically as some say)

Score: 3.75

5. Empire State of Mind

Quirky drum beat. Alicia come through with a powerful hook, you can almost feel the giant NY skyscrappers as she blows. Big ups on the Texas shout out! Alicia > Jigga on this one.

Score: 4

6. Real as it Gets

Was like, whos this n*gga talkin on tha intro? Oh.... its Jeezy. Sounds like a different mix than usual on Jeezys voice, and whats up wit tha naughty by nature shit on tha hook? Production-wise its another epic beat, filled with live strings, smooth guitar, and groovy bassline.

Score: 4

7. On to the Next One

Damn I love some Swizzy! Vocal sample with straightforward drums. I coulda done with a little more bass and a faster tempo. Jay-z lyrics didnt really grab me on this minimal beat. A lil dissapointed in Swizz here.

Score: 2.75

8. Off That

Timbo tha king! Intro is a damn fool. I'm feelin J's rhyme scheme on V1. Drizzy, not so much. Obama lines gettin a little redundant, we all saw the election Jigga. Just good to hear the new stuff timbalands got in the stable for 2010, he's bout to own....again.

Score: 4

9. Star is Born

Jay-z reflects over the players in the game from back when he started. Of course he shouts the two illest lyrcist IMO (Andre 3000, and Nas). Track hinges on piano line.

Score: 3.5

10. Venus vs Mars

Takes just a sec to know Timbo's back for another one. This time he brings some darker production. Sexy hook with a nice bridge

Score: 3

11. Already Home

Kid Cudi comes in with his signature melodic style on hook. Not his best work, I'm expecting that next week with Man on the Moon. Violin sample dominates along with strong 808. Chord progression is a little wierd, takes some getting used to. Jigga bragadocio as usual. "Do you already/ enough with the complaining Boo Hoo already" might be my fav line so far.

Score: 3.5

12. Hate

Jay and Ye trade battle lines accompained by vocal (autotune?) line. Slow deliberate beat

Score: 3.2

13. Reminder

Your head automatically falls into the bounce Timbo provides. K Briscoe takes a stab at a sub-par hook. Jay's lyrics steal the show.

Score: 3.7

14. So Ambitous

Pharrel familiar falsetto sets up this minimal beat. The drum fill is nicely aided by spanish horn stabs. My fav subject matter on this one.

Score: 3.2

15. Forever Young ft Mr Hudson

Slow synth chords serve as the prelude to the finale. Mr Hudson recognizable voice handles the chorus as Jay relaxesthe listener with a laid back flow. Feels like a tears for fears song to me. Track ends abruptly to my surprise....Too bad

Score: 3.4

Well the album definately has high production value, but what do you expect for the man at this point? Although theres some interesting attempts here, I never really felt like Jay was out of his comfort zone, making for a uniform sound lyrically from him. I think Timbo has the best contributions to the album,. I can't help but wish Jay would go back to the American Gangster formula, using his enormous pull and resources to make concept albums. That way he doesnt have to try and stay relevant, but only paint a picture for the listener to explore. Well that's not BP3, so I guess ill keep waiting.

Production: 4.5

Concept: 2

Lyrics: 3.75

Overall 3.5