Given the remarkable critical and commercial success of 2005's LATE REGISTRATION, Kanye West's rich, rewarding sophomore release, expectations were high for 2007's GRADUATION. Ever savvy, West flouts those expectations by delivering a record that delivers curveballs while staying true to his sharply sculpted, commercially minded m.o. West's rapping, never his greatest strength, is still entertaining. He delivers witty, smart, sometimes absurd rhymes (he seems to take more lyrical chances on GRADUATION) that fit nicely with the overall feel of his tracks.

As usual, it's West's productions that stand out. While there are examples of his style-defining use of classic R&B samples and background choirs (as on the feel-good highlight "I Wonder"), West streamlines his sound to center on synth-driven lines, giving many of the tracks a retro-electro new wave feel. "Stronger," for example, another standout, is powered by a vocoder-drenched vocal sample, which implies that West might have been listening to more Kraftwerk than Motown to get hyped. The overall results make for a fun, inventive album that offers proof that West still has tricks up his sleeve.

Personnel: Connie Mitchell, Tanya Herron (vocals); Young Jeezy (rap vocals); Mike Dean (guitars); Gloria Justen, Luigi Mazzocchi, Eric Gorfain, Igor Szwec, Daphne Chen, Emma Kummrow, Olga Konopelsky, Charles Parker (violin); Alexandra Leem, Peter Nocella, Leah Katz, Alma Fernandez (viola); Richard Dodd, John Krovoza (cello); Wired Strings (strings); Omar Edwards (Fender Rhodes piano); La Mar 'Mars' Edwards, Andy Chatterley, Darryl Beaton, Jon Brion, Chris Rob (keyboards); Tim Ressler, Vincent 'Biggs' James (bass guitar); Timbaland (programming); Jehireh Williams, Jalil Williams, John Legend, Ne-Yo (background vocals); Eric Hudson, Tony 'Penafire' Williams, Jay-Z, Jennie Lorenzo, The Section Quartet.

Additional personnel: Chris Martin (vocals); DJ Premier (scratches); Dwele, Lil Wayne, Mos Def, T-Pain.

Rolling Stone (p.90) - 4.5 stars out of 5 -- "This is an album that you first like ,then love....He's grown as a writer....The music needs his spazzed out, neurotic creativity more than ever."
Rolling Stone (p.108) - Included in Rolling Stone's "50 Top Albums of the Year 2007" -- "[T]he year's most high-impact work..."
Spin (p.114) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "West's third album is mesmerizing and alienating, like all the purest forms of pop culture. Its music is a rush of designer adrenaline..."
Q (p.95) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "Musically, West is still capable of the inspirational. The cocktail piano of opening track 'I Wonder' soon gives way to the towering layers of '80s synthesizers that characterise the whole album."

Average Rating: (4.3 out of 5 stars) 

List All Reviews

 WOW!!!
I'll bet "fiddy" was cursin wen he herd this. Haha, it's a shame that he didnt listen to it before announcing that he was goin to retire if his cd didnt beat this. Maybe he wud have realised that no1 wud beat it. Graduation is hot. The hottest album out at the moment
Submitted by Natty K (B-Ham, UK)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No  2 of 3 found this helpful.

 Great
I didn't ever really think of liking Kanye West until I heard this CD. Nice job "Mr. West, Mr. West"
Submitted by puddingskin2 (Baton Rouge, LA, USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No

 Kanye GGa said HoT
This is a hot CD MaN!
Submitted by ba5122 (Flint,MI,USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No

 nicely done
great cd. all songs are good but some are exceptional. Barry Bonds, Flashing Lights, Good Life are the best tracks
Submitted by inurmoufosho69 (sun valley, ca, usa)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No

 wow
I wasn't a big Kanye West fan until I heard this CD. I thought the other ones were good, but this made the top. One of the best albums this year.
Submitted by Keeshawn (Guadalupe, CA, USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No

List All Reviews