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Review: Common – Finding Forever

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By: Kendall | in: Music |

Hip-Hop seems to go through eras and changes every so many years. A few artists break the mould while others step back to let the real talent come forth. Out of most of the hip-hop flooding markets today, Common is a stand out that comes with a jazzy style and an intelligent flow instead of a crunk persona. He has had a music career for nearly 15 years and 7 albums. His latest is Finding Forever. Most of the album is produced by fellow Chicago native Kanye West, and is one of the strongest showings from both artists.

Common

“People” Is the first single. It’s a very sample heavy track, but unlike a lot of the vocal samples on Common’s last album Be are not sped up and chipmunk like. This is a much more natural single, and a much more natural album. As with many Hip Hop records, there are plenty of guests, but these seem to be wisely chosen brethren and not simply a way to get friends known. Look for Lily Allen in a dirty drum looped, piano tickler entitled “Drivn’ Me Wild”. West doesn’t get all the credit on the album, and guest star/producer Will.I.Am seems to have a way with combing old sounds into a tight, but groovy track. That mixed with some delay effects over Will.I.Am’s vocals make for a hooky chorus over conga drums, but the track doesn’t seem hold up to the intellectual flavor that Common lays over it. The most effective guest track as far as style fitting is concerned would be “So Far To Go”, featuring D’Angelo. If common stands out in hip-hop, the D’Angelo would be his equal in R&B. The wispy and easy vocals layered atop each other feel nostalgic, and give the “come together” feel that lends itself to a track holding a woman high.

Common

If you are fed up with most radio hip-hop, this is a record worth a listen. It’s put together smartly; the guests put their talents to smart use that helps propel the tracks properly. Common seems to better himself one album at a time, and if he continues this upward trajectory, he might just find forever in hip-hop legend.

Common - So Far to Go (featuring D’Angello)


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Posted on August 1, 2007

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