Common - Be
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Free Music Notes for Be
Free Music Review: Be
Hit: 4 Stars
It was good to see Common get a lot of love after the release of this album. Prior to this purchase, the only other album of his I owned is LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE. I'm glad that Common never tried to harden his image or become a "gangsta rapper" to keep up with the times. I love his voice, flow and storytelling ability and after reading a few reviews, will definitely cop his ELECTRIC CIRCUS disc (because the positives I've read far outweigh the negatives).
I loved the released singles, GO & TESTIFY and bought BE with the hope that the rest of the album would live up to those singles and to my pleasant surprise it does. In addition to the previously mentioned two favorites, other standout tracks are: LOVE IS, THEY SAY, IT'S YOUR WORLD & REAL PEOPLE.
As someone who used to love rap & hip hop "back in the day", I want to say thank you to Common & Kanye for creating such a beautiful album both musically and lyrically. I don't hear silly songs about my "laffy taffy", negativity towards women or anger on this disc. I DO hear commentary about today's world, positive & hopeful visions for the children of the world and words that made me think.
Free Music Review: Beautiful Music
Hit: 5 Stars
Common's album "Be" is a classic. He is so underrated as an MC. Kanye and Common collabarated on the entire album and made a masterpiece. Common should have easily went double platinum off this album, but people do not want to hear music with substance. Common's whole career has been overlooked. He has been making Good Music for years. For many people, Be is the first time they really heard him. I'm glad Kanye was able to introduce Common to a bigger audience without trying to change him as an artist.
Upon release, Be separated itself from the other music out at the time. The message was positive, but at the same time addressed issues in the world, particularly in the black community. I respect Common because he has always stayed true to himself. He will not try to be gangster because that is not him. Tracks like "Real People" and "They Say" show off Common's raw lyrics over top of Kanye's beats. From beginning to end, this album is a pleasure to hear. Be is encouraging and Common will teach you some things in the process. Common needs to be in conversations about the best mc. Be is beautiful/soulful hip-hop music at its best. As long as Common is around, the game is in good hands.....
Free Music Review: A Step In The Right Direction For Common
Hit: 4 Stars
First off the over all vibe on this album is very cool not too busy and not too empty. I would say "Go" is probably my favorite just because of those wurlizter keys playing. Lyrically this was a more of a storytelling effort by Common than some previous albums although he always showed that element. Kayne is a good fit but I would like to hear some twist & turns on the production from some other cats. "The Corner" is another stand out just because of that loop, very crispy. If you like a laid back cool vibe this is an album I think most would appreciate.Free Music Review: A New Classic
Hit: 5 Stars
This is an amazing album. I was listening to this on the bus this morning, stunned. "The Corner" is my favorite song, the Kanye West production is unmistakable. I LOVE the line from "Chi-City": 'So many raps about rims/surprised n****s ain't become tires.' Haha. May have been used before, but I love it anyway. You should definately give this album a spin, it's very good.Free Music Review: Commercialized B-Boy Common (Rating: 8 out of 10)
Hit: 4 Stars
Common (Sense) latest album "Be" was possibly one of the biggest hip-hop albums in 2005. In my opinon it was a little overrated, but at the same time, it held it's own. Eleven tracks deep, Common was trying to stay real with his older fans, but at the same time trying to attract newer ones (yeah...you people who never liked him up until this album then say you were down since "Ressurection"...shut up). Well there is not too much I can say about this album that hasn't been said.
Common hooked up with Kanye West who produced the majority of this album. Many tracks he does a good job on, like the two singles "The Corner" and "GO!". Common uses his introspective side of himself on most of this album, and it would show on the last song "It's Your World", and the title track "Be". My favorite track is the song "Love Is" which is backed by a teriffic beat. And you can hear Common regain his strength like on earlier albums on the song "Chi City".
Now what holds this back from being a 9 or a 10 out of 10 (or a 4.5 or 5 star album), are a few things. First, I believe 11 tracks is kinda short on an album for Common (his shortest album to date). Not necessarly a bad thing, but fans would want to hear more. Second "The Food" from the Dave Chapelle show. I was suprised the fact that it was on this album (I guess he wanted to give Dave some love on this album), although the origonal song was recorded months before the album was released. Also they shortened the song too. And to be honest, I wasn't feeling the song "They Say" with John Legend and Kanye in my opinion.
Overall Common dropped a dope album in 2005. I'm glad to see that he gets the love that he deserves, although I really didn't approve of the move too much (on the song "Doonit" from his "Like Water For Chocolate" album, he said he didn't care much for charts, but five years later he was aiming for them). This album is enjoyable by all, and if you don't have it, I recommend this to you. It's one enjoyable album mostly from start to finish.
Lyrics: A
Production: A-
Guest Appearances: B
Musical Vibes: A+
Overall: A-
Favorite Tracks: The Corner, GO!, Love Is, Chi City, Real People, It's Your World/Pop's Reprise
Honorable Mention Tracks: Be, The Food
C. Infamous, Peace!