[.ca] Graduation

From Amazon.com:
Kanye West's third in a whimsical trilogy of "scholarly" albums, Graduation wears its predecessors' badges of success on its sleeve. Matriculation has its rewards, apparently, and it's time to take stock. Lyrically, there's plenty of self-congratulation to attend to, but the real fun comes in the collabs, and West chooses co-conspirators like a kid in a candy store--John Legend ("Good Life"), Coldplay's Chris Martin ("Homecoming"), Mos Def and the Section Quartet (both adorable choices for the foreboding "Drunk and Hot Girls")--and plucks samples with A-list braggadocio: Elton John, Steely Dan, Daft Punk, Can, Michael Jackson, Public Enemy. Nothing here quite captures the superlative symbiosis of West's past best beats (think "Gold Digger"), but the central motif remains: No one ever accused Kanye West of being too cool for school, and Graduation still knows how to party. True, Kanye West will happily whine about the pitfalls at the top of the heap, clear his throat and try to rhyme it with Barry Bonds, or diss fish in a barrel all day, but that can't stop a shameless good time, and Graduation maintains an unshakeable knack for producing it. --Jason Kirk

new kanye:
Though it doesn't quite match College Dropout or Late Registration in pleasure-center overload, Kanye West's third album is both his most consistent and most enterprising yet, indicating that he might actually deserve the legendary status he constantly ascribes himself. Where his past records have mostly functioned as contagious nostaglia trips, Graduation finds him expanding his palette, merging his familiar vinyl-crackle soul samples with European sound sources ranging from Can to Daft Punk.

Very good cd:
I must say that the "Graduation" album is alot better than the first two albums. You can listen to this album from start to finish, with the exception of 2 songs. My favorite tracks are "I wonder", and "Flashing Lights". The sample used for "I Wonder" really makes the song stand out. I didn't purchase this CD because of the "contest" between Kanye and 50 cent, however I would not buy the album from 50 cent because I'm tired of his arrogance. I also got tired of hearing him rap about his bank account.

Not Sure of what I think, But Sure that it's Overrated:
I'm a little torn, there are only 4 tracks I like which would make it a bad album. But those 4 songs are SO GOOD that I want to call it a really good album... I'll give it a safe 3 stars, for the price its still good for 4 good songs :P \oNot safe is calling it one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time like some people seem to be doing :@ Give 2001 by Dre a spin then try and tell me this is better ;)\c BTW they are Stronger, The Good Life, I Wonder, and Good Morning.

Graduation is no match for Curtis from 50 Cent.:
Kanye West moved his album forward to cost 50 Cent his third #1 album on the Billboard 200 albums. Stronger may have topped the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart- but it doesn't have the same appeal or charisma as Gold Digger from his previous album, Late Registration. Stronger samples a song from Daft Punk and the result is impressive. It's currently topping the Pop 100 in the U.S. Good Life, the second single is equally impressive. Graduation may have outsold Curtis, but that doesn't make the album better. No. Curtis may have been runner-up to Graduation- but it's still a better album. I can't help but wonder how impressive this album is considering that James Blunt's All the lost souls is #1 Canada and Reba Mcentire's Duets is #1 on the Billboard 200 Albums. Graduation is still a great album- but the winner of the 50 Cent-Kanye West rivalry is 50 CENT.

Better Than 50:
Kanye droped the bomb on this one. He used his terrific verbal skills to lay down fantastic lyrics and had some amazing beats. Some of the hard to pick favorites are "Flashing Lights", "I Wonder", "Good Life" & "Everything Iam" (Gotta love the premo turntable scratchings!). Overall this album is grand and was one of my favorite buys. Legendary album for sure. Everyone forgot all about 50, but who cares his time in the spotlot was long gone. Cop this album kids! You wont regret it and you will talk about "yo I have this legendary kanyeezy album, wanna pop it in" when your older. He's the new generation of hip-hop. Everyones gotta have this one!

• Good Morning
• Champion
• Stronger
• I Wonder
• Good Life feat. T-Pain
• Can't Tell Me Nothing
• Barry Bonds feat. Lil Wayne
• Drunk and Hot Girls feat. Mos Def
• Flashing Lights feat. Dwele
• Everything I Am feat. Scratches by DJ Premier
• The Glory
• Homecoming
• Big Brother