LHHS

So here it is the “new” Common release, and before I go off on one which undoubtedly I am about to I will keep the Common who gave us “Like Water for Chocolate”, “Can I Borrow a Dollar?” and “Ressurection” in high esteem but who is this joker trying to kid these days. This is Common’s Seventh studio album and sadly his worst.

I kind of excused “Be” there were some great moments and amazing lines in there but as we find what started in “Be” is continuing in this new album, Common is moving down a new path and dare I say it one that seems to be stripping him of his conscious rapper status.

After your a-typical soulful intro that’s apparent for any hip hop album with an R&B leaning, the first couple of tunes won’t turn heads like the opening of “Be”. Beats wise it’s a weird way to start the album… It’s only until “Drivin’ Me Wild” drops that a good beat rears its head. Unfortunately the chav-tastic Lily Allen’s all over it. How come all these US producers want her on all their tracks at the moment?

Common’s verbal skills have slid into disrepair,  he simply can’t find any un-cliched verbal patterns, lots of “try” “why” and “Cry” - and worst of all, this is one of the more non-intellectual, reductive “conscious” albums in many moons.

One to miss

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1. ‘The Cornerstone EP’ – Crucifix & The Krate Krusaders (review)
2. ‘Tobacco Road’ – Common Market (album review)
3. Common “Announcement”
4. What do Bradford and Detroit have in common?