Kanye West
“Graduation”
!!!
Kanye West is beset by doubt in himself and others on his new CD, and it can be quite a downer. Sometimes he pushes it off to the side: “Good Life” is an amazingly good time. But more often doubt creeps into the songs to varying degrees. He questions the power of Jay-Z in “Big Brother.” He questions his own arrogance in “Can’t Tell Me Nothing.” And in “Barry Bonds,” it seems he and Lil Wayne question the importance of hits. “Drunk and Hot Girls” may be one of the most depressing songs, sonically and lyrically, to come out this year. That’s the main problem with “Graduation.” West seems more concerned with appearing serious or hip or street than actually being entertaining.
– – –
50 Cent
“Curtis”
!!!
Considering how much of the 50 Cent persona is built on projecting infallibility and maintaining his massive ego, his new album is actually a pretty impressive collaborative effort. “Curtis” plays like a hip-hop version of “Now That’s What I Call Music,” pulling together hot beats and guest stars all in the name of giving Fitty another major hit. He signs up Justin Timberlake and Timbaland, Mary J. Blige and Robin Thicke, among others. “Curtis” is a blatant play for big hits and big sales, as broad as a summer blockbuster, with explosions and anti-heroes, to boot. And when it works this well, there’s nothing left to do but tip your hat and join the party.
