Experiment626

3y

Btw The Dreamer/The Believer definitely one of my top 5 favorite Common albums, maybe even 3

I just remember buying the album & enjoying the return to form that him & NO ID accomplished

WESLEY PRESELY

3y

Well I haven’t really hated any of his albums. I dislike CIBAD and UMC but I don’t outright hate either so I doubt I’ll hate this one. I’ll save the judgement for listening lol.

WESLEY PRESELY

3y

Today I’m going out DoorDashing and listening to his tenth album.

I’ll give you guys a short review when I’m done.

WESLEY PRESELY

3y

I’m going to do a final summary, final ranking, top 10 favorite songs and final words when I’m done to put a bow on this thread.

WESLEY PRESELY

3y

· edited

This is the antonym to its predecessor. It’s colder, darker and overall exists in a more violent tense atmosphere inspired by his work with Cocaine 80’s. If you’re looking for jazzy and warm, you’ve come to the wrong place. One thing I appreciate about Common Is that he always keeps me on my toes. I respect him for experimenting and trying new things when he could just stay with a particular niche. I think the more aggressive direction works quite nicely here and No I.D’s production matches the subject matter. Despite this being a detour for Common himself, this is probably some of his most accessible work so far. It features a plethora of younger artist on the scene like Big Sean, Jhene Aiko, Snoh Aalegra, Elijah Blake and the standout of the album, Vince Staples. I didnt really like Big Seans feature on Diamonds that much, but I don’t think it was bad or something I can really objectively criticize. That track overall is probably my least favorite. Its not terrible or even bad but there’s stronger tracks on the LP for sure. I love the hypnotic creepiness of “Blak Majik” or the slick sample of Notorious BIG from Hypnotize chopped up on “Speak My Piece”. You even get a little glimpse of classic Common on “Real”. The album ends on a really heartfelt emotional moment on “Rewind That”, where he pours his heart out describing the personal relationship between him and J. Dilla, and struggling to deal with J Dillas illness. It brought tears to my eyes to hear him so vulnerable talking about his late friend. Overall, I think this is a real exciting addition in his discography and I appreciate the risks that Common takes with his music. Common and No I.D did something different, but the quality remains.

Final Score: 7.5/10

Favorite Tracks: Blak Majik, Speak My Piece, Real, Rewind That & Out On Bond

Least Favorite Tracks: Diamonds

WESLEY PRESELY

3y

· edited

This is the antonym to its predecessor. It’s colder, darker and overall exists in a more violent tense atmosphere inspired by his work with Cocaine 80’s. If you’re looking for jazzy and warm, you’ve come to the wrong place. One thing I appreciate about Common Is that he always keeps me on my toes. I respect him for experimenting and trying new things when he could just stay with a particular niche. I think the more aggressive direction works quite nicely here and No I.D’s production matches the subject matter. Despite this being a detour for Common himself, this is probably some of his most accessible work so far. It features a plethora of younger artist on the scene like Big Sean, Jhene Aiko, Snoh Aalegra, Elijah Blake and the standout of the album, Vince Staples. I didnt really like Big Seans feature on Diamonds that much, but I don’t think it was bad or something I can really objectively criticize. That track overall is probably my least favorite. Its not terrible or even bad but there’s stronger tracks on the LP for sure. I love the hypnotic creepiness of “Blak Majik” or the slick sample of Notorious BIG from Hypnotize chopped up on “Speak My Piece”. You even get a little glimpse of classic Common on “Real”. The album ends on a really heartfelt emotional moment on “Rewind That”, where he pours his heart out describing the personal relationship between him and J. Dilla, and struggling to deal with J Dillas illness. It brought tears to my eyes to hear him so vulnerable talking about his late friend. Overall, I think this is a real exciting addition in his discography and I appreciate the risks that Common takes with his music. Common and No I.D did something different, but the quality remains.

Final Score: 7.5/10

Favorite Tracks: Blak Majik, Speak My Piece, Real, Rewind That & Out On Bond

Least Favorite Tracks: Diamonds

WESLEY PRESELY

3y

· edited

This is the antonym to its predecessor. It’s colder, darker and overall exists in a more violent tense atmosphere inspired by his work with Cocaine 80’s. If you’re looking for jazzy and warm, you’ve come to the wrong place. One thing I appreciate about Common Is that he always keeps me on my toes. I respect him for experimenting and trying new things when he could just stay with a particular niche. I think the more aggressive direction works quite nicely here and No I.D’s production matches the subject matter. Despite this being a detour for Common himself, this is probably some of his most accessible work so far. It features a plethora of younger artist on the scene like Big Sean, Jhene Aiko, Snoh Aalegra, Elijah Blake and the standout of the album, Vince Staples. I didnt really like Big Seans feature on Diamonds that much, but I don’t think it was bad or something I can really objectively criticize. That track overall is probably my least favorite. Its not terrible or even bad but there’s stronger tracks on the LP for sure. I love the hypnotic creepiness of “Blak Majik” or the slick sample of Notorious BIG from Hypnotize chopped up on “Speak My Piece”. You even get a little glimpse of classic Common on “Real”. The album ends on a really heartfelt emotional moment on “Rewind That”, where he pours his heart out describing the personal relationship between him and J. Dilla, and struggling to deal with J Dillas illness. It brought tears to my eyes to hear him so vulnerable talking about his late friend. Overall, I think this is a real exciting addition in his discography and I appreciate the risks that Common takes with his music. Common and No I.D did something different, but the quality remains.

Final Score: 7.5/10

Favorite Tracks: Blak Majik, Speak My Piece, Real, Rewind That & Out On Bond

Least Favorite Tracks: Diamonds

flizzy

3y

I want to do the same thing OP does with The Roots but idk if I wanna listen to their whole s***

I just like write ups and they have a great catalog apparently

kogoyos

3y

do it man. one of the most underrated catalogs and one of the most underrated rappers

plus their style switched up a bit on every album, sign of a great artist/group

flizzy

3y

I only listened to Undun and Things Fall Apart multiple listens, they're great and I'm sure they can surprise me with other s***

flizzy

3y

I want to do the same thing OP does with The Roots but idk if I wanna listen to their whole s***

I just like write ups and they have a great catalog apparently

kogoyos

3y

Do You Want More?!? and Illadelph Halflife are classics too and one of a kind. nobody could really copy their style. maybe the best live act in hip hop history too, proven by their live album. their discography is so deep

as for Common, I Used to Love H.E.R. and Resurrection are what got me into hip hop. I kinda gave up on his later work but he's one of the best and most underrated rappers of the 90s and 00s and a top 10 rapper for me

kogoyos

3y

Do You Want More?!? and Illadelph Halflife are classics too and one of a kind. nobody could really copy their style. maybe the best live act in hip hop history too, proven by their live album. their discography is so deep

as for Common, I Used to Love H.E.R. and Resurrection are what got me into hip hop. I kinda gave up on his later work but he's one of the best and most underrated rappers of the 90s and 00s and a top 10 rapper for me

Marvin

3y

Failure to mention How I Got Over

Smacked Voodoo

3y

Also don't listen to what people say about Electric Circus. Go into it with an open mind. The most I will say is that it has aged wonderfully.