13. "RE: yeah pretty much" In response to Reply # 2
>some passable production but it's all very forgettable > >edit: wanna point out this 5 mic quotable, in the very first >song "many many times from mistakes I ran/but I'm just a cake, >let me bake goddam" > >
I almost shut it off after that line. I DID shut it off after the "Her" song.
3. "Yea the Swizz song was so fucking weak lyrically." In response to Reply # 1
I really liked the aesthetic and video for "Show Me You Love" or whatever that song was called, that song and vid is vintage Comm IMO.
But I had a feeling this album was gonna be heavier on the syrupy, motivational speaker Comm stuff and lighter on the lyrical monster Comm ... which lessens my interest.
I'll still be listening of course, he's my fav MC of all time. But I'm not expecting it to be my cup of tea really.
Thankfully I still have Black America Again to go back to for what I'm looking for.
4. "RE: Yea the Swizz song was so fucking weak lyrically." In response to Reply # 3
>Thankfully I still have Black America Again to go back to for >what I'm looking for.
I think we should recognize at this point that he (like a lot of artists) kind of move in cycles - so considering that he had a pretty solid run from Nobody's Smiling -> Black America Again, he's probably about due for an album that is a bit less lyrical or a bit heavier on the corniness meter...
7. "Oh for sure. And I don't begrudge him that. He's great at that kind of m..." In response to Reply # 4
>I think we should recognize at this point that he (like a lot >of artists) kind of move in cycles - so considering that he >had a pretty solid run from Nobody's Smiling -> Black America >Again, he's probably about due for an album that is a bit less >lyrical or a bit heavier on the corniness meter...
That's why I was careful to say that it's "not my cup of tea" rather than "it's terrible !" or something like that. Cause it's not terrible. Common has always made high quality "love" music. And I've enjoyed a good chunk of it. I just don't typically enjoy full albums of that kind of music, personally. At least not from rappers.
6. "*Sigh* My sentiments exactly" In response to Reply # 3
>I really liked the aesthetic and video for "Show Me You Love" >or whatever that song was called, that song and vid is vintage >Comm IMO. > >But I had a feeling this album was gonna be heavier on the >syrupy, motivational speaker Comm stuff and lighter on the >lyrical monster Comm ... which lessens my interest. > >I'll still be listening of course, he's my fav MC of all time. >But I'm not expecting it to be my cup of tea really. > >Thankfully I still have Black America Again to go back to for >what I'm looking for.
One thing I can say though - I do like the production. It's kinda close to the mood and sound of the August Greene album, and it took me a couple of listens for it to click and now I love that album a lot. The thing about that AG and "Let Love" is that the mood of the album feels quite somber - and idk why I'm so drawn to it lol.
BUT I really miss the rappity rap Com too... especially on certain songs like "Hercules". I think it would make for a better album overall. Com is introspective in this one, but man, I know he could go waaayyy deeper.
I'm also glad that Burniss Earl Travis II aka Boom Bishop is finally getting the shoutout and major production credit on this one. He played on a handful of projects and songs I really love for the past few years. Looking forward to seeing his career flourish!
I still am trying to figure out how/if I like Samora Pinderhuges. Like on the August Greene album, there are a few tracks where I think he's a perfect fit, and there are others that are "meh" for me. I think it also depends if he sings falsetto too - which I'm not so much a fan of.
So "Let Love" (for me) would be one of the albums I'd put on if I'm looking to hear something slower paced and jazzy soul-influenced (idk how else to describe it, my mind can't think of something better lol).
(fyi - this is after my 2nd listen - I'll be coming back to add on if my feelings change after way more listens)
8. "Yea I came around on the AG album, too." In response to Reply # 6
>One thing I can say though - I do like the production. It's >kinda close to the mood and sound of the August Greene album, >and it took me a couple of listens for it to click and now I >love that album a lot. The thing about that AG and "Let Love" >is that the mood of the album feels quite somber - and idk why >I'm so drawn to it lol.
Yea - somber is the right word for it, for sure. That's the word I've been looking for. The mood is somber and mid-tempo/slow, which is fine. But it's obviously mood music and I have to be in a certain space (I assume most of us would have to be) to really enjoy it and take it in.
>BUT I really miss the rappity rap Com too... especially on >certain songs like "Hercules". I think it would make for a >better album overall. Com is introspective in this one, but >man, I know he could go waaayyy deeper.
Yea exactly. Comm mastered the balance of introspection and lyricism better than anyone in the prime of his career. One Day, LWFC, and Be were just masterful in finding that perfect balance. Nowadays it seems like he kinda chooses one or the other. Which is fine, the music is still mostly good. It's just some albums have better staying power (BAA) than others due to that.
>I'm also glad that Burniss Earl Travis II aka Boom Bishop is >finally getting the shoutout and major production credit on >this one. He played on a handful of projects and songs I >really love for the past few years. Looking forward to seeing >his career flourish!
Oh I don't know about this dude, at least by name. I'll be sure to check the production credits and look into his music.
>I still am trying to figure out how/if I like Samora >Pinderhuges. Like on the August Greene album, there are a few >tracks where I think he's a perfect fit, and there are others >that are "meh" for me. I think it also depends if he sings >falsetto too - which I'm not so much a fan of. > >So "Let Love" (for me) would be one of the albums I'd put on >if I'm looking to hear something slower paced and jazzy >soul-influenced (idk how else to describe it, my mind can't >think of something better lol). > >(fyi - this is after my 2nd listen - I'll be coming back to >add on if my feelings change after way more listens)
Yea I mean here I am heavy in a thread about music I haven't even heard yet outside of 2 songs lol . So I'll be back once I actually listen to it as well.
19. "Finally listened yesterday and yea - the rhymes are elementary for sure." In response to Reply # 1
And the rhyme schemes.
I think that was by design, as this is more a personal album than a lyrical one, with focus on the grooves and soundscape.
But that said, that's not really an excuse for an entire album IMO. Comm has done the deeply personal songs before and still came with it lyrically. Many times in fact.
9. "Hercules is dope AF to me" In response to Reply # 0
Show Me That You Love is the best song of the three, and I really like HER Love too. For me, I'm glad that so far this isn't a big let down after Black America Again, which was a near classic.
High Society Member since Oct 13th 2003 7375 posts
Mon Sep-02-19 12:58 PM
21. "I believe it’s stolen moments 1 & 2. Payback on LWFC" In response to Reply # 20
Testify Fifth Story (nice triple entendre if that’s what he was going for... fifth floor (story) / it being a story - making it double and then 5th story in his catalog making it triple.
Though - I hardly look at this as Com’s 5th story joint. Tekzilla is a story. He incorporates stories in a lot of tracks, maybe not for whole verses or songs but at least passages... that’s a big reason I loved Common so much. I Used to Love Her, EC has a couple story joints. Between Me, You, & Liberation Star 69 A Song for Assata
47. "either way that song is garbage" In response to Reply # 11 Wed Sep-18-19 04:32 PM by Stadiq
I just don't think storytelling is Common's strength- at least, not like this. When he tries to give the story a twist or some shit...its just not fresh. I hate Testify too.
On top of the general corniness of the track, the lyrics are fucking awful.
sniffing his nuts like an elephant? or whatever...word?
And honestly, after this post, I sort of judge him for not at least calling it 6th story or whatever would have been accurate. It was right there.
The song is pointless. Just like Testify, but with elephants sniffing nuts.
12. "Off first listen I really like it" In response to Reply # 0
Really like the production.
It's not BARS Com and there's some mild corn here and there, but I appreciate the introspection and perspective he's coming from. __ I don't like the beat anymore because its just a loop. ALC didn't FLIP IT ENOUGH!
Flip it enough? Flip these. Flip off. Go flip some f*cking burgers.(c)Kno
Allied State of the National Electric Beat Treaty Organization (NEBTO)
14. "Common on poetry mode on this one." In response to Reply # 0
This is based on his life.....so there's a lot more songwriting and poetry and less BARS this time out.
I find it really smooth compared to some of his last records and no real clunkers....I think this is one you just let play through while your doing things. It's mostly Karriem Riggins producing so you know what you're getting.
Leaders is the standout right now tho....it doesn't sound like something A-Trak would be involved with.
I will admit this tho.....next album I would like some drums lol. After 3 LPs of mostly smooth shit a more basic hip-hop joint would be dope.
15. "Fifth Story was good" In response to Reply # 0
the rest was just eh..and considering Little Brother, Jidenna and Raphael Saadiq came out recently, I really don't have patience for mediocre music from Com. Having said that, he's on his 27th year in the rap game, so he's still winning
27. "It's not nearly as bad as I was expecting after reading this post..." In response to Reply # 0
I agree with whomever said the rhymes have a syrupy motivational speaker feel. But I also think the production on this is very sharp.
It's not his best by any means but it's not a horrible album.
My girl just got his book from the library so I wonder how if there's any sort of cross-promotion or connection between the 2? I don't know anything about the book so that's why I'm asking.
28. "RE: It's not nearly as bad as I was expecting after reading this post..." In response to Reply # 27
> My girl just got his book from the library so I wonder how >if there's any sort of cross-promotion or connection between >the 2? I don't know anything about the book so that's why I'm >asking.
Yes, the album is inspired by the book and they share (almost) the same name.
WHich isn't his most popular track. But I justify it as thinking after hearing this folks wanted to hear his harder hitting stuff like that can be found on that album.
********** "Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson
its boring but the beats are and hooks are pretty good. i wouldnt say common is bad but just not really a fun or engaging listen. we'll see if it has replay value.
40. "Ha I actually meant to come back here and rave about "Leaders"" In response to Reply # 38
I gotta check out "Memories of Home" again but I remember liking that one as well.
But yea. On "Leaders" he's SPITTING and this is proof of what I said in response to someone else in here, that lyrical monster Comm still exists ... we just don't see him as much anymore.
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