my friend just down loaded the unmastered version of common's album from this wonderful web site.<BR> i like common. i like him a-la.<P>he is right up there with my generations super emcee MOS DEF. <P> but goddamnit! i don't know why but i expected this album to be so much better. WHAT'S WRONG YOU ASK?<BR> 1. IT SOUNDS TO MUCH LIKE A ROOTS ALBUM<BR>what's wrong with that? it's not really common. com's albums had very unique sounds to them. but now it sounds like common tied thought and malik to a log cutter and took over the band.<BR> 2."PAY BACK" WASN'T NECESSARY<BR>stolen moments 1 2 & 3 were great. the most innovative theme for a song. why do it again? if it ain't broke don't fix it.<BR> 3. PAPA DUKE<BR>i guess it's cute, but damn! End the album with a song it makes me feel better. after listening to common's father ramble on, i forget what the fuck i was listening to.<P> i'll buy the album anyway. i just had to get some things off of my chest.<BR> <BR> -naeem j.

<BR>> <BR>>3. PAPA DUKE i guess it's <BR>>cute, but damn! End the album <BR>>with a song it makes me <BR>>feel better. after listening to common's <BR>>father ramble on, i forget what <BR>>the fuck i was listening to. <BR>><BR>You better kleave Pops alone. I'd have to come out there and get you. f Com ever makes an album without Pops I probably won't buy it.<P><BR>Too often, we lose sight of life's simple pleasures. Remember, when someone annoys you it takes 42 muscles in your face to frown BUT, it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and pimp-slap the motherfucker upside the head...

can you honorably stand behind the statement that you like pop's rap. you know muthafukin well you skip to your next cd when he start going off.

Pops joint is the first track I wanna hear froma Com album. It sets the tone. Especailly on thsi album and the last. Teh music provided by A Black Girl Named Betty is just off the hooks, son. And if you were able to see Mos Def perform" Life is Good" to that track you'd understand even more.<P>Pop's rap brings the whole experience full circle.<P>You r crazy if you don't understand the importance of Pops rap on Common's albums<P>Too often, we lose sight of life's simple pleasures. Remember, when someone annoys you it takes 42 muscles in your face to frown BUT, it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and pimp-slap the motherfucker upside the head...

Why dont we just take Ursula Rucker off the Roots CD's? Yeah... and while we're at it, someone take away ?uest's drums priviledges. And make Black Thought lip synch live, with backup dancers.<P>oneLOVE.<P>OkayBoricua known as... Mil<P><BR>"I effin LOVE this song!"-Nikki (Asialove)<BR>"Thats my thing.... haa haa... put that bitch in QUOTES!"-Nikki (Asialove)<BR>"Why did one straw break the camel's back? Here's the secret: The million other straws underneath it - it's all mathematics"-Mos Def<BR>"Say they want you successful, but that ain't the case. You livin large, your skin is dark, they flash a light in your face."-Mos Def<BR>"So I remain the main master of ceremonials, like Puerto Rico remains imprisoned by colonials"-Q-Unique (I think)<P>Rest In Peace Christopher Rios, aka Big Punisher.<P>"That's how the city be, everybody gettin they hustle on, Judge singin death penalty like it's his favorite fuckin song. Word is bond, takin my life you know they lovin it... God 'F' the government and it's fuckin capital punishment!"-Big Pun<P>"Get off your high horse, or die off like an extinction, Boricuas are like Mohicans, 'The Last of the Po'Ricans'"-Big Pun<BR>

I completely feel what you mean when you say it sound too mush like a roots album. I haven't heard all of the songs yet, so I haven't had a final judgement. but from songs like Aphrodesiac and questions, which I like, it sounds like a roots album.

The unmastered version is missing a lot! It contains none of the interludes- trust me, they're are plenty and are all very dope! Not to mention, the sequencing is all out of place and the unmastered version i heard is missing the MC Lyte joint and the best damn song of the year (in quite a few years for that matter) "Ghetto Heaven". Dont judge the album till u've heard it... and as for the Pop's Rap remark, i think u're crazy. This is by far the most profound one of the three for me. It sounds like pops heard the record and knew he had to come with it! A beautiful piece to me (written too!!), next we need a Common/Pop's song, i think Pops's has got some rhymes!

come on yo! don't tell me pops don't make you fall asleep.<P> but seriously,<P>just because you on the inside and get to listen to songs with mc lyte you can not tell me that this album is not more of a roots sounding album. and not just the roots! the song questions sounds like a straight up Q-TIP song. it's a phat song BUT IT JUST ISN'T COMMON it's common BUT IT JUST ISN'T THE SAME not sying he can't move on and work with awsome produers BUT IT HE SHOULDN'T JUMP ON THE BAND WAGON. i hope that makes some kind of sense.<BR> -naeem j.

>not sying he can't <BR>>move on and work with awsome <BR>>produers BUT IT HE SHOULDN'T JUMP <BR>>ON THE BAND WAGON.<P>Bandwagon? What bandwagon? The Roots bandwagon? Since when is there a Roots bandwagon? Last night? <img src="http://www.okayplayer.com/dcforum/Images/happy.gif"> Seriously, Com and the Roots have been working and touring together for minute, so it's not like he just up and decided one day to hire ?uestlove to executive produce a record full of "Roots sounds." The move to Soulquarian production was natural. Granted, I'm just as disappointed as the next man that the old Common production team isn't working on this one (search the OkayArtist board for that thread), but I welcome the change. And until I hear the mastered, sequenced album in its entirety, imma shut the eff up about it.<P>________________________________________<BR>HERE'S WHAT THEY THINK ABOUT YOU:<P>- " is a boring loser who only talks about himself and cheats at Miniature Golf."<P>- " supposed to be Dumpster-diving for ham scraps, six-piece Chicken McNobody!"

So, u tell me, what is a "Common" song supposed to sound like? Do u want to hear 100 different joints that all sound like I USed 2 Love HER?! Or 50 different versions of "1,2 Many"? Since when did Common have to be pigeonholed into one sound? And u cant say that this album sounds like a Roots album, because they didnt do it all!<BR>I can name at least six joints that dont sound like anything the Roots have done: "Time Travellin'", "Afrodisiac", "Payback", "Funky for U", "Hot Shit" (r u kidding me? what Roots song does this sound like? sheeit, name ANY song that it sounds like), "Thelonius" -please stop me at any time. And no, i never skip past Pop's Rap, maybe he's just too deep for u son.

>So, u tell me, what is a <BR>>"Common" song supposed to sound like? <BR>> Do u want to hear <BR>>100 different joints that all sound <BR>>like I USed 2 Love HER?! <BR>> Or 50 different versions of <BR>>"1,2 Many"? Since when did <BR>>Common have to be pigeonholed into <BR>>one sound? And u cant <BR>>say that this album sounds like <BR>>a Roots album, because they didnt <BR>>do it all! I can name <BR>>at least six joints that dont <BR>>sound like anything the Roots have <BR>>done: "Time Travellin'", "Afrodisiac", "Payback", "Funky <BR>>for U", "Hot Shit" (r u <BR>>kidding me? what Roots song does <BR>>this sound like? sheeit, name ANY <BR>>song that it sounds like), "Thelonius" <BR>>-please stop me at any time. <P>I have to agree with you. It's not a "Roots" sound. Heads need to listen.<P><BR>> And no, i never skip <BR>>past Pop's Rap, maybe he's just <BR>>too deep for u son. <P>Commandment 11. THOU SHALT NEVER SKIP PAST POP'S RAP!!!!!!<P><BR>Too often, we lose sight of life's simple pleasures. Remember, when someone annoys you it takes 42 muscles in your face to frown BUT, it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and pimp-slap the motherfucker upside the head...

...is like the Roots without Ursula Rucker. You GOTTA have two ending the album.<P>Com is lucky to have a father like Pops...it's like a jewel-dropping convo I wish I had with mine. It's tradition. Gotta listen to your elders. I guess that's what Com does by including his father at the end of his album.<P>Anyway I'm babbling, yet making sense hahaha<P>Uno<BR>Improv!?<P>***when moderators consider suicide...***<BR>DestroGold: dag only one person replied to my big up post <img src="http://www.okayplayer.com/dcforum/Images/sad.gif"><BR>DestroGold: i'm not that bad<BR>Gigfog: I replied!<BR>Gigfog: only like 13 replied to mine.<BR>DestroGold: ummm...you're the only one <img src="http://www.okayplayer.com/dcforum/Images/sad.gif"><BR>Gigfog: We arent loved<BR>DestroGold: *sigh*<BR>Gigfog: I swear..noone loves us LOL<BR>DestroGold: it's hard being an unloved moderator...<BR>Gigfog: it is<BR>Gigfog: we need a support group<BR>DestroGold: word...

This is by far Comm's most "unique" album thus far... What Roots song does "Time Travellin" or "Hot Shit" sound like? "Afrodisiac"? Ressurection is a classic to me, but what Tribe album couldnt have those beats been from? In my opinion, its the shit, but its a 95 album, "Like Water" is some next-millenium, hip hop soul shit, it doesnt sound like anything i've heard before.<BR>

>Ressurection <BR>>is a classic to me, but <BR>>what Tribe album couldnt have those <BR>>beats been from?<P>what on earth does that mean? i don't "resurrection" sounds like a tribe album and even if it did, that's a GOOD thing...heck, tribe has produced some of the best hip-hop CDs in history...I don't get your point at all.<P>Peace,<P>Spirit<BR><a href="http://amphibians.iuma.com" target="_blank">http://amphibians.iuma.com<;/a><BR><a href="http://infiniteloop.iuma.com" target="_blank">http://infiniteloop.iuma.com<;/a><BR>DC hip-hop is on the rise...<P>"High grade when I create beats/if I don't get signed/I'ma be the most dope bum that ever walked the streets" - <BR>Aychell (HL, of Khemystery)<P>"If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck, it's probably a tool of the conspiracy" - unknown

close your eyes spirit.<P>listen to 4 instrumentals from ressurection.<P>ok now can you hear diamond, or sadat, or fat joe, or puba, or black sheep rhymin on these same tracks?<P>is that your final answer.<P>now close em again.<P>imagine "communism" or "her" on midnight maruaders. same loops, only programed the way ali and tip did. <P>see?<P>that's the argument i was presenting. no one said that common was'nt stellar as fuck. or that he has some classics on this record. but cmon....some punchlines/chorus/beats are.....well? look i went through this before. no one dissed tribe or resurrection. <P>the problem is some cats are uncomfortable with people growing up. <P><P><P><P><P><P><BR>THE SOULQUARIANS<BR>chewy (quest).....jan<BR>luke (d)........feb <BR>lando (jaydee)......feb<BR>cp30 (james poyser).....jan<BR>r2d2 (jazzy jeff)......jan<BR>hans (chaos)........jan<BR>anakin (lil mike)......feb<P>honorary members:<BR>kelo- soulacorn.......jan<BR>common- soulcies......march<BR>erykah- soulcies......feb<BR>

pardon my language but there aren't enough words to describe the beauty of this album..<P>just wait for it, people..don't even bother with the mp3's..you have to listen to it all together. the sequencing is brilliant.. it all just flows so perfectly.<P>this album is excellent. support a brilliant mc who definitely gets it right on this album. <BR> <BR>peace and blessings,<BR>maria.<P>R.I.P. Erinness..<P>"no BLUE aqui." - the m&m.<P><a href="http://www.elevatedminds.com" target="_blank">http://www.elevatedminds.com<;/a><BR><a href="http://www.boondocks.net" target="_blank">http://www.boondocks.net<;/a>

the album is good and will be added to my collection, <BR> <BR> BUT WHAT I'M SAYING IS...<P> question pumped the album up to the size of a hot air balloon. he was all like, "common's album is the best shit i ever heard in my mutha fuckin life!" so i'm like oh shit! if quest is feeling it like that then COMMON, NO ID and DOUG INF. must have really brought it. little did i know he produced the mutha fucka. BROTHER QUESTION expressed a biased oppinion and SHALL NEVER BE LISTENED TO AGAIN!!!! (just playing) but for real i was disappointed because ?uestlove pumped it up too much.<BR> -naeem j.

all i can say is that it was worth the wait. no doubt<P>peace

<BR>>BUT WHAT I'M SAYING IS... <BR>> question pumped the <BR>>album up to the size of <BR>>a hot air balloon. he was <BR>>all like, "common's album is the <BR>>best shit i ever heard in <BR>>my mutha fuckin life!" so i'm <BR>>like oh shit! <P>1 out of 2 ain't bad........i never pumped it to the size of a hot air balloon.<P><P><BR>okay so you're saying that this record is not better than can i borrow a dollar?<P>ressurection?<P>one day...?<P>and if not, then tell me why?<P>making shit with live instruments feels like black/white relations. like "ahmir is a great guy, but keep him away from my daughter!!!"<P>once again. you mad at cube for going to the bomb squad in spite of dre?<P>my sound is my sound. a nigga wanted some of my sound. deal with it. sorry jack.<P><BR>THE SOULQUARIANS<BR>chewy (quest).....jan<BR>luke (d)........feb <BR>lando (jaydee)......feb<BR>cp30 (james poyser).....jan<BR>r2d2 (jazzy jeff)......jan<BR>hans (chaos)........jan<BR>anakin (lil mike)......feb<P>honorary members:<BR>kelo- soulacorn.......jan<BR>common- soulcies......march<BR>erykah- soulcies......feb<BR>

The new joint is def. better than "can I borrow...", and it's a little better than "one day...", but is it better than "resurrection"? <P>I think that's up to the individual. I, for one, think Resurrection is better, but maybe that's because of the time it came out, and the memories it brings back. <P>It also depends on whether you like a sample-type sound or a live instruments sound (I don't shit about makin beats or production as you can tell). I personally like resurrection better, but I can understand anyone thinking the new joint is better. <BR>--res-one--><BR>LPP for life (light pockets posse)<BR>peace, okayplayers...<P><BR>knowledge, wisdom, and understanding: with these three elements of life, we must build a better world, teach the young and old, use natural resources to uplift the people, not to make individuals rich, but to put the Human mind back on the right path and get rid of sick racist mentalities.- Afrika Baambaataa<P><BR><a href="http://www.mumia.org" target="_blank">http://www.mumia.org<;/a><BR><a href="http://www.thehungersite.com" target="_blank">http://www.thehungersite.com<;/a>

> okay so you're saying that this <BR>>record is not better than can <BR>>i borrow a dollar? <BR>>ressurection? <BR>>one day...? <BR>>and if not, then tell me why? <P>Here's why. I think that musically (what many like to call 'beat-wise'), that FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD SO FAR, this is probably his best album. BUT, lyrically, both 'Resurrection' and 'One Day' are better IMO (lyrics won't change when it gets mastered). Resurrection was probably the best lyrical album of all time, and was very well produced also. And 'One Day' has better concepts, AND i think 'One Day' was ALMOST produced as well as the new record, FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD. <P>So, IMO, I think that One Day is better than the new record (mostly due to the rhymes, and I can judge those on an unmastered version), and that the new record is about even with 'Resurrection'.<P>Now, check it, don't get me wrong, Common is unquestionably the best emcee in hip-hop right now, and this record is the best to come out since 'One Day' in 97 (no offense to the Roots record.. definitely the best of 99 and best album between the 2).<BR>

I too, heard the sequencing was brillant.<P><BR>Peace and love,<BR>-Ben (iLL)<P>"We Love Hip Hop!" -The Cake<P>Rupert Cadwell:"Brandon has told me a lot about you."<BR>Janet Walker:"Did he do me justice?"<BR>Rupert Cadwell:"Do you deserve Justice?"<BR>From Aflred Hitchcok's "Rope" (1948)<P>"The cures all ills and wrongs, the cares, the sorrows and the crimes of humanity, all lie in the one word "love". It is the divine vitality that everywhere produces and restores life."<BR>-Lydia Maria Child<P>"You can't fight in here, this is the war room!" -President Merkin Muffly(Peter Sellers) in "Dr. Strangelove"<P>A man that works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist. -Louis Nizer<P>"Wow! If its in a book, it MUST be true!" -Milhouse from "The Simpsons"<P>I can't knock you for not knowing/ But I could for you not wanting to learn/ Nor for asking/ But I could for you not willing to earn/ No I can't, for someone to even havta tell me twice/ So this music is my sacrifice/ So I be dedicated, determinated, and dependable/ To demonstrate directly/ And use the opportunity correctly/ So forget the gold teeth/ Forget the bald head/ forget it sound country/ Just remember what I said... <BR>-Atlanta's own Cee-Loo of the Goodie Mob

oneLOVE.<P>OkayBoricua known as... Mil<P><BR>"I effin LOVE this song!"-Nikki (Asialove)<BR>"Thats my thing.... haa haa... put that bitch in QUOTES!"-Nikki (Asialove)<BR>"Why did one straw break the camel's back? Here's the secret: The million other straws underneath it - it's all mathematics"-Mos Def<BR>"Say they want you successful, but that ain't the case. You livin large, your skin is dark, they flash a light in your face."-Mos Def<BR>"So I remain the main master of ceremonials, like Puerto Rico remains imprisoned by colonials"-Q-Unique (I think)<P>Rest In Peace Christopher Rios, aka Big Punisher.<P>"That's how the city be, everybody gettin they hustle on, Judge singin death penalty like it's his favorite fuckin song. Word is bond, takin my life you know they lovin it... God 'F' the government and it's fuckin capital punishment!"-Big Pun<P>"Get off your high horse, or die off like an extinction, Boricuas are like Mohicans, 'The Last of the Po'Ricans'"-Big Pun<BR>

from the few tracks i have heard the album finally pairs com with beats that, consistently, fortify and magnify the intellect of his rhymes. the beats are lush like the tropics and com's lyrics reveal why he is THE hip-hop philosopher.<P>if that does not draw you in, buy the album just to hear quest intoning at the end of afrodisiac.<P>native son<P><BR>"I have come to believe over and over again that what is most important to me must be spoken, made verbal and shared, even at the risk of having it bruised or misunderstood."<P>Audre Lorde

Damn, how the hell are you gonna critic a UNMASTERED ALBUM. That version wasn't even meant for your ears!!!! (Unless of course your a homey, which I doubt because you would have told him in person or and actual review writer which i also doubt because you have an actual promo in your hot little hand by now instead of that UNMASTER MP3 VERSION) It wasn't even in the form that Com wanted it to be in at that point. But I know you couldn't help yourself...<P>"HEY LOOK MA, I'M THE COOL GUY NOW, I GOT THIS ALBUM BEFORE ANYBODY ELSE. AS A MATTER OF FACT, I WANNA BE AN INDUSTRY INSIDER, I'M GONNA DO A REVIEW!"<P>Gimme a fuckin' break already. The industry already has enough assholes getting PAID to rip apart people artistic ideas and hard work laid onto 2" tape without wannabes like you doing it for FREE.<P>NOT SAYING YOU CAN'T VOICE YOUR OPINION ABOUT THE ALBUM, BUT AT LEAST WHAT TILL YOU GET IT, NAIMEAN!<P>One

I BET YOU'LL BE THE SAME CAT DICK RIDING BACKSTAGE, TALKIN' BOUT "YO COM, I LOVE THE ALBUM, DUN!"<P>

Anyone who has a comp and an internet connection can get Com's album. ANYONE. So kill that tryong to act like an industry imsider mess.<P>And everyone has a right to critique shit. I don't totally agree with this cat but so what. I like the album a lot but it ain't the greatest thing ever. But there have been at last two other threads discussing this, so it's kinda tired.<P>Too often, we lose sight of life's simple pleasures. Remember, when someone annoys you it takes 42 muscles in your face to frown BUT, it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and pimp-slap the motherfucker upside the head...

How would you like it if I (a complete stranger that you didn't even ask for an opinion) stepped to you about something you were in the process of completing, be it an album, homework assignment or whatever and was like "Yo world, this shit right here is wack because..."<P>Now if he had of been like "Yo, I just got a promo of Com's album and it's wack..." I would have never said a word.<P>One<P><BR>

This is a forum to discuss the artists work. And that's what he is doing. Regardless if I agree or not. No where did he say Com was garbage, nor de he say that Com's album sucked. he said it didn't live up to his preconceivd notions based on the hype and that it sounds too much like a Roots album (which I think is bullshit).<P>If Common doesn't want anyone to not critique his work don't record and specifically he should go to MCA and pimp smack whoever put his shit out there early. <P>When Quest and JDET313 and others were saying that Com's album was the greatest thing since Illmatic, I didn't hear you protesting at all. You obvioulsy didn't have problems with those unsolicited critiques.<P>Too often, we lose sight of life's simple pleasures. Remember, when someone annoys you it takes 42 muscles in your face to frown BUT, it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and pimp-slap the motherfucker upside the head...

I'm talking about REVIEWING A UNMASTERED, UNFINISHED COPY. I'm pretty sure Quest and quite a few other people have FINISHED COPIES to critic. Like I said before, he could have said it was great or it sounded like dog shit, just as long as it was a completed version! THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MASTERED AND UNMASTERED, GO ASK NAS AND MOBB DEEP.

but as a singer, there ain't nothing better than a good mix, cept a good mastering. Mastering is the difference that makes the difference. If you heard the unmastered copy of ANY album that you listen to you may not "feel" the same way about it. <P>What I mean is.....I disagree with you. <P>Thank you for your non-cooperation, and have a great day!<P>SA-DA-TAY!<P>I AM BLACK MUSIC & Okayplayer's Original Powerpuff Girl<P>"Ima put a curse on you. Might as well cause honestly, don't want no one to have you but me....." Sleepy's Theme <P>"Now, who else wanna fuck with Hollywood Coles?"- Dre/Kast<P>"Guess I shoulda known by the way you parked your car sideways that it wouldn't last." - Prince<P>"If trouble were money, I swear I'd be a millionaire" - Stokely/MintCondition<P>"Make music, interpret music, that's why God gave us music. The boundaries are endless, but do not rape and abuse it, cause you'll lose it. - Fire<P>

My point is this. Money has no problem when people heard the unmastered copy and said it was Manna from heaven, but if someone says the album isn't perfect when listening to the same version they need to shut up and mind their business. <P>And like I said before I heard bullshit voodoo mp3s and immediatley knew that the album was amazing months before hearing the real deal so I'm not totally feeling that line of defense either. And I'm feeling Com's album for real.<P>However, I will not deny the importance of how an album is mixed.<P>Too often, we lose sight of life's simple pleasures. Remember, when someone annoys you it takes 42 muscles in your face to frown BUT, it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and pimp-slap the motherfucker upside the head...

an unmastered album may be the difference between 500,000 and 1,000,000 copies. <P>Give some unmastered albums to some MTV kids. They would go into convulsions from not hearing polished material. Most consumers aren't A&R people that understand the "roughness". <P>(Stop arguing with me in public, you're embarassing me!)<P>SA-DA-TAY!<P>I AM BLACK MUSIC & Okayplayer's Original Powerpuff Girl<P>"Ima put a curse on you. Might as well cause honestly, don't want no one to have you but me....." Sleepy's Theme <P>"Now, who else wanna fuck with Hollywood Coles?"- Dre/Kast<P>"Guess I shoulda known by the way you parked your car sideways that it wouldn't last." - Prince<P>"If trouble were money, I swear I'd be a millionaire" - Stokely/MintCondition<P>"Make music, interpret music, that's why God gave us music. The boundaries are endless, but do not rape and abuse it, cause you'll lose it. - Fire<P>

Too often, we lose sight of life's simple pleasures. Remember, when someone annoys you it takes 42 muscles in your face to frown BUT, it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and pimp-slap the motherfucker upside the head...

i fully agree with Nesta here. people have the right to voice their opinions without being called "wannabe insiders".

>(Stop arguing with me in public, you're <BR>>embarassing me!) <P>LOL Yeah me too!!!!

You mentioned the other cat, HE HAD A FINISHED COPY when he started that thread. Do you want me to go read all the other repies and add replies to the peeps with unmastered versions? Don't think I'm trippin' because he said something negitive about Com's leaked album, that's not the point. It's just that all this posting about "HAHA I got it before you" is getting old.

are people bragging about having it first? Actually the poster that you refer to as having a FINISHED copy is probably the only oen bragging besides Quest.<P>People r offering their opinions. And u seemd to make a point that since he hadn't heard the real copy he should stop critiquing it. Now you're saying no one should critque it good or bad. That's cool but I just never saw you clamping down on anyone who had lavish praise for the album.<P>When I posted about the album, I asked people to let the album come out and marinade before labeling it a classic and all that other stuff. But no one is up in here acting like they'r big and bad because they downloaded mp3s that anyone could get. So kill that noise.<P>Too often, we lose sight of life's simple pleasures. Remember, when someone annoys you it takes 42 muscles in your face to frown BUT, it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and pimp-slap the motherfucker upside the head...

"FLUCK" it, Post reviews about the next Roots album, Boobby Browns comeback album as the "king of R&B" (according to Whitney), Biggie's next album go ahead. What do you mean you don't have a copy yet?!?!<P>Hey XXL reviewed streetcorner bootlegs in their last issue, why not, let's all do it. (SMILE)<P>I quit, you win with your persistance. Happy?

Too often, we lose sight of life's simple pleasures. Remember, when someone annoys you it takes 42 muscles in your face to frown BUT, it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and pimp-slap the motherfucker upside the head...

I have to defend Jay and say that time and time again I hear ALOT of bragging shit going on around these parts, it's sooooooo stupid. If I started "bragging", everyone would think I was a dickrider, so I DON'T DO IT. This board is about the artist's not everybody and their Grandmom and who she knows and who they're working with. <P>If Quest worked on the man's album, how come he can't "brag" on it? He produced it! Um, he has a right to talk about it. Mp3 downloaders have a little less room.<P>(Recommendation: Midol works for me around that time)<BR>SA-DA-TAY!<P>I AM BLACK MUSIC & Okayplayer's Original Powerpuff Girl<P>"Ima put a curse on you. Might as well cause honestly, don't want no one to have you but me....." Sleepy's Theme <P>"Now, who else wanna fuck with Hollywood Coles?"- Dre/Kast<P>"Guess I shoulda known by the way you parked your car sideways that it wouldn't last." - Prince<P>"If trouble were money, I swear I'd be a millionaire" - Stokely/MintCondition<P>"Make music, interpret music, that's why God gave us music. The boundaries are endless, but do not rape and abuse it, cause you'll lose it. - Fire<P>

Heads for the most part were not braggin..ooohhh i have the album ooohhh i'm an insider. the only ones doing that were the insiders Quest and JDET313. <P>And even if that were the case does that mean no one else has a right to discuss the album because a few fools are bragging?<P>When I posted that heads should stop hyping the album and let it just come out. Heads were more than willing to let heads say the albumis the greatest thing ever. <P>My onl point and I'm sick of this topic is heads have a right to their opinion..let them speak..it's one thing if they're simply hating but if they r sparking a discussion (even though I disagree with this cat) let them be<P>Too often, we lose sight of life's simple pleasures. Remember, when someone annoys you it takes 42 muscles in your face to frown BUT, it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and pimp-slap the motherfucker upside the head...

It's five o'clock and you know I never really post on the weekend. And arguing with you would be like........Sunshine sweetening trash......you ain't gonna win.<P>Thank you and have a great weekend!<P>SA-DA-TAY!<P>I AM BLACK MUSIC & Okayplayer's Original Powerpuff Girl<P>"Ima put a curse on you. Might as well cause honestly, don't want no one to have you but me....." Sleepy's Theme <P>"Now, who else wanna fuck with Hollywood Coles?"- Dre/Kast<P>"Guess I shoulda known by the way you parked your car sideways that it wouldn't last." - Prince<P>"If trouble were money, I swear I'd be a millionaire" - Stokely/MintCondition<P>"Make music, interpret music, that's why God gave us music. The boundaries are endless, but do not rape and abuse it, cause you'll lose it. - Fire<P>

a few fools are <BR>>bragging? <P><P><BR>uh.....is i a fool sir?<BR>THE SOULQUARIANS<BR>chewy (quest).....jan<BR>luke (d)........feb <BR>lando (jaydee)......feb<BR>cp30 (james poyser).....jan<BR>r2d2 (jazzy jeff)......jan<BR>hans (chaos)........jan<BR>anakin (lil mike)......feb<P>honorary members:<BR>kelo- soulacorn.......jan<BR>common- soulcies......march<BR>erykah- soulcies......feb<BR>

<BR>Wasn't talking about you..<P>even though you have been bragging <img src="http://www.okayplayer.com/dcforum/Images/happy.gif"><P>But you've earned it.<P>Too often, we lose sight of life's simple pleasures. Remember, when someone annoys you it takes 42 muscles in your face to frown BUT, it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and pimp-slap the motherfucker upside the head...

Only quest and JDET313 heard finished copies.<P>Everyone else heard the exact same unmastered copies that this guy did. Check the post for your self here's the link <a href="http://www.okayplayer.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcextra.cgi?az=show_thread&om=3216&forum=general1" target="_blank">http://www.okayplayer.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcextra.cgi?az=show_thread&om=3216&forum=general1<;/a>.<P>So if they can offer unfettered praise at the album from hearing unmastereed mp3s he has the right to offer his opinions.<P>And frankly I have the unmastered joints too and yes there are one or two songs missing and the levels are off but the essence of the album rings through on these mp3s. I doubt my opinion of the album will change much when I purchase it (I like it by the way). <P>But I heard shitty ass Voodoo mp3s five months before the album dropped and i knew after one listen that the album was amazing so I'm not feeling that unmastered vs. the real thing argument either.<P>Too often, we lose sight of life's simple pleasures. Remember, when someone annoys you it takes 42 muscles in your face to frown BUT, it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and pimp-slap the motherfucker upside the head...

i didn't know it was a crime to listen to an unmastered common album, and then express how i feel about the album in okay players open forum.<P>when did i ever try to front like i had an inside scoop. jay is a stupid idiot and wanted to make me look like i was irrational because i expressed my oppinion to get feedback from my brothers and sisters who share a deep interest in hip-hop like myself.<P>atleast someone read my statements carefully and made resonable statements. and he disagreed with my origional statements. i'm not hating anyone. it's been fun. thanks nesta. peace.<BR> -naeem j.

.

He said all that I needed to say.<P>If you want to critique it so bad...<P>Buy the album: Like Water for Chocolate. March 28th.

come march 28th i will have the album<P><P><P>"10 g's BANK on it!!!"- heather b.<P>"toOT toOT!!!"- me<P>"HI, im the HERB of the year!..." -b.t.<P><P>

P.S. Tell Ajile, Jay from the RKCNDY in Seattle said "what up".

<P>>When Quest and JDET313 and others were <BR>>saying that Com's album was the <BR>>greatest thing since Illmatic, I didn't <BR>>hear you protesting at all.<P><BR>scuse me? i never said that this record was better than illmatic. if you can find me the thread that says this nesta i will shut the fuck up on this subject. daaaaaag! i said this was common's best record. didn't say this was the greatest thing since sliced briz. stop puttin words in my milz.<P>sheeeesh!<P><P><P> <BR>THE SOULQUARIANS<BR>chewy (quest).....jan<BR>luke (d)........feb <BR>lando (jaydee)......feb<BR>cp30 (james poyser).....jan<BR>r2d2 (jazzy jeff)......jan<BR>hans (chaos)........jan<BR>anakin (lil mike)......feb<P>honorary members:<BR>kelo- soulacorn.......jan<BR>common- soulcies......march<BR>erykah- soulcies......feb<BR>

You never said it was better than illmatic. Other cats did and ran with it. <P>Too often, we lose sight of life's simple pleasures. Remember, when someone annoys you it takes 42 muscles in your face to frown BUT, it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and pimp-slap the motherfucker upside the head...

Your talking some bullshit! Wannabee record critics? I guess anyone with an opinion is a wannabe record reviewer for the source? "At least wait for the album to come out... til you judge it" (or whatever you said). FOR WHAT? I, as did others, heard it earlier so why wait to express your feelings about it?<P>When I wrote my feelings on the LWFC album I said that it sounds amazing unmastered and on real audio..., I acknowledged that fact. I guess if I said it sounded like shit you'd be hopping all over me as well.

i mean i just got it monday and have listened to it non-stop...it has its moments of course. BUT, i dont think it can hold a candle to Resurrection, i mean no tracks on it hit me the way that "communism", "watermellon", or a half dozen others did off that record. and the way the volume level goes up and down from song to song bothered the fuck outta me. i would comment on certain tracks more, but i dont have any titles on my copy. i mean its great to hear common back, and you certainly know by listening to it that the roots are involved, i just think the hype and com's past achievement with ressurection are impossible to live up to.<P><BR>

and the way the <BR>>volume level goes up and down <BR>>from song to song bothered the <BR>>fuck outta me<P><BR>you gave an example. this is what i like. not just...."oh shit is wack!!!!!!" <P>hank shocklee told me that volume control is the key to mastering records. song after song i turned volume up .5dbs however i still think "the ?uestions" sound low. i can claim the com's record is his best simply because i've been with it for a year. i'm sure you will feel different about it in due time. peace.<P>THE SOULQUARIANS<BR>chewy (quest).....jan<BR>luke (d)........feb <BR>lando (jaydee)......feb<BR>cp30 (james poyser).....jan<BR>r2d2 (jazzy jeff)......jan<BR>hans (chaos)........jan<BR>anakin (lil mike)......feb<P>honorary members:<BR>kelo- soulacorn.......jan<BR>common- soulcies......march<BR>erykah- soulcies......feb<BR>

Just look at it this way, with more experience common has more to write about and different topics to touch on. He has grown with each passin rhyme and will continue to grow. Thats why each album is better then its predecessor.<P>"flashbacks of past raps make me so glad i made it" - Common (from hungry)

your point of ressurection being the bomb (and itll all make sense, i might add) combined with the greatness of the 6th sense (it's always hard for me when the lead off single is better than most of the album cause it hypes me up so much and then ... flat) puts us in agreement ...<P>i do like the album, but i liked his old beats better ...<P>IM name: reefdogg1 (number one that the end)<P>For that real (audio) hip hop Monday nights 9pm - 11pm EST ...<BR><a href="http://www.brown.edu/Students/WBSR/listen.html" target="_blank">http://www.brown.edu/Students/WBSR/listen.html<;/a><P>"I got so much drama on my mind, REFUSE to LOSE!"<P>"I circle like sharks while y'all panic / I cruise the Atlantic /<BR>Y'all think I'm spaced out, human from the Earth planet /<BR>That's right tomorrow I plan to boo your shows in the Apollo /<BR>You follow, in the crowd the audience is hollow" - Kool Keith<P>

A complete, mastered copy of said album (lwfc) so that I can give it the "white glove test". I'm so tired of hearing about this "album" without hearing it. Read: I can't argue with ya'll if I don't know what I'm arguing about. So if I don't get a copy no one can post about it anymore, gotdammit!<P>Heehee<P>SA-DA-TAY!<P>I AM BLACK MUSIC & Okayplayer's Original Powerpuff Girl<P>"Ima put a curse on you. Might as well cause honestly, don't want no one to have you but me....." Sleepy's Theme <P>"Now, who else wanna fuck with Hollywood Coles?"- Dre/Kast<P>"Guess I shoulda known by the way you parked your car sideways that it wouldn't last." - Prince<P>"If trouble were money, I swear I'd be a millionaire" - Stokely/MintCondition<P>"Make music, interpret music, that's why God gave us music. The boundaries are endless, but do not rape and abuse it, cause you'll lose it. - Fire<P>

This album is classic. Period. I don't even want to hear about "is it really better than Resseruction" - Resseruction fuckin pales in comparison to this album. As for your "too much like a Roots album" comment about the music - (a) is that a bad thing? (b) isn't that naturally better than Res. or One Day and (c) it dosen't just sound like a Roots album - it sounds BETTER than a Roots album. ?uest and co. have truly outdone themselves. I'm fuckin estatic about the music. When the record offically comes out and I hear it on some real speakers, I'll rave and give thanks to god and everyone involved with this album in all threads possible, unless hearing it like that changes my perspective (not that I see how that could happen), but until then all I have to say to anyone questioning this masterpiece is...wtf are you talking about?

Why are you complaining when you have the unmastered version You aint even supposed to be hearing the ish...its unmastered cuz umm its not 100% finished.. <BR>And umm If you dont like something try and give an explanation.. if u can't do that I cant put any value in your criticism..<P>or just put out your own album and if it's better then maybe i'll start to listen.. <P>I understand there are some people out there who actually can figure out what/how things should be run but since they arent in the situation they can't i'm just tired of the fact that everyone thinks they are that person.. and then on top of it they can't break it down if u were that person u could break it down..simple as that.. if this last paragraph was too general<BR>example you think you know how to coach a team better than so and so but youll never be the coach how many of these people are actually right im sure a few but not too many and the few usually have some sort of intiution or a better understanding in which they can explain why things would be better off that way.. you know?<BR>maybe this should have been a whole other thread but oh well...<BR>-Contagious <BR> <P>

...I said the same thing and Einstein called me stupid.

Now I just heard an unmastered, real audio version of lwfc on hiphopaudio.com and my friend and I were bugging out. The evolution of Common's sound is almost like a return to simpler, organic music of African tribes or something. The intro song (I think) Time traveling, the second track, Questions, the one about Assata Shakur etc... I could go on & on but I feel like this is a continuation of stellar albums from a family of musicians. (Lauryn, Outkast, The Roots, The Jazzyfatnastees, Mos, D'angelo and now Common) <BR>Both my friend and I agree that Time sounds very, very similar to the playa intro on Voodoo, the way the beat comes in with talking in the background and that the Questions beat is on some "I don't know" tip, (even Com's rhyming style is similar) but IT SOUNDS DAMN NICE!!!!!!<P>Common's musical evolution, is just that, growth. He is still finding his way musically and lyrically but I always find that his shit is inspiring. <P>Watch, in a couple of years we'll all be saying how amazing and important this album is to the annuals of hip-hop music. Just like when Miles Davis changed his sound on Bitches Brew, he was chastized for it by jazz heads. But ten years later (or so) it was being hailed as a classic. <BR>Common's new album is next.<P>Like water for chocolate; the hip-hop equivalent to Voodoo (I have a feeling I'm going to catch flak for that one! Ah well!!!)

I forgot, the version I heard was unmastered and on real audio and it still had my friend and I going whoa!!! that's ill!!! yo rewind that!!! noooooo, that shouldn't be allowed!!! on my crappy computers speakers... <P>IMAGINE THE REAL CD, MASTERED, WITH LINER NOTES TO READ (I ALWAYS FEEL THAT A REAL VERSION AS OPPOSED TO DUBBED {EVEN MP3} SOUNDS BETTER, I THINK IT'S ALL IN MY MENTAL), BUMPING ON A CAR SPEAKER OR AT HOME, HAVING SONG TITLES AND PLAYING THAT MOTHERFUCKER LOUD AS HELL as well as having the option of being mashed!!! It's going to be over!!! <BR>Those beats are going to live in my body and his lyrics are going to spark the mental! What more can you ask for!?!

Sorry Com,<BR>I see you as like an older brother schooling me through your lyrics, I just couldnt wait any longer though. I currently have 12 tracks from like water for chocolate, banging, all of them, better than anything in recent history (Mos Def, Black Star, maybe even things fall apart, now thats a debate for that ass). I cant see how cats say the questions is weak. Sounds like jay dee, the instrumental enough is golden. You can definitely trust I still will be buying the album march 28th, even though Im soon to get the other 5 cuts that Im missing in the next few days.<P>That joint dedicated to your lady hit me in the heart for real.<P><BR>2000 is looking real good for music.

<a href="http://urgent.rug.ac.be/vinylators" target="_blank">http://urgent.rug.ac.be/vinylators<;/a><P>'We've got to change our own minds about each other. We have to see each other with new eyes. We have to see each other as brothers and sisters. We have to come together with warmth'<BR>

1. The album aint even fuckin out yet, Niggas two hours from Common who respect his shit and understand his shit probably more then MOST of ya'll ever will havent heard it and are waiting paitently for the shit to drop.<P>2.how can you even compare Common to Black Thought when Common's Whole shit is a different type vibe, His structure to his lyrics are different then thoughts, so that shit doesnt sound fuckin logical.<P>3.How are you going to say you are "a big fan" but disrespect the man's father? , I myself know that what his father say's compliments the tracks on the album, but then again some of the shit his father is talking about, you have to be from around the chicago area. Of course it's gonna sound like he is ramblin' when you don't know shit about what he is talking bout? I mean honestly when common says "Like going to the COunty and being a Neutron" means? do you know what county jail he is talking about? DO you know what a neautron is by chicago meaning? Do you know when malik is saying his Poem when he says Ju-Town where that is? Or what GDN till the world blows up means? Do you know what a Stone is? Until you learn and have a better fucking argument stick with the "coffee shop chicks and white dudes" and keep talking about Unmastered shit, you aint supposed to be listening too, and flows you dont know shit about and claim "I am Common's biggest fan"<P><a href="http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Pavilion/4927/Arson1.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Pavilion/4927/Arson1.jpg<;/a> <--dats me<P><a href="http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Pavilion/4927/Arson7.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Pavilion/4927/Arson7.jpg<;/a> <---dats me too<P><BR><a href="Http://arsonist.8k.com" target="_blank">Http://arsonist.8k.com<;/a> <--my site <P><a href="http://ill-matik.8m.com" target="_blank">http://ill-matik.8m.com<;/a> <------the best site I ever made..Instrumentalz, Clothes Reviews, Album reviews, African American Topics, Poetry Board, Freestyling boar, DIscussion board, Real Audio Board, Underground Emcees Real Audio's..<P>ill~est since 1980