Ottawa XPress - Music - Spin - Late Registration

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September 15th, 2005
Kanye West - (Roc-a-Fella/Universal)

Late Registration
Brendan Murphy

A 4 out of 5 for a follow-up to a multi-platinum debut album is tantamount to a dismissal, as Kanyeezy reviews all start at a minimum of 3. By collaborating with the multi-instrumentalist Jon Brion, unleashing his Time Magazine-approved brain with its atypical (and undeniably needed) social message and his next-level production skills, he drops a great album if he were anyone else, but it comes off slightly underwhelming if compared to his last. Diamonds From Sierra Leone is hot, no doubt, especially with the Jay-Z help on the remix; Touch the Sky is fun, as is Heard 'Em Say with blue-eyed crooner Adam Levine. But my favourite verse on the album, somewhat inexplicably, is Paul Wall's on Drive Slow, in which he steals the show from Kanye and GLC.


	Write your review of this record !

Kanye West - Late Registration. 4 out of 5

While most artists struggle to maintain the same success of their debut cd, Kanye's sophomore album outshines his debut album 'College Dropout'. 'Late Registration' is an album which explores aspects of life that just about anyone can relate to. On the tracks 'Heard em Say' featuring Adam Levine of Maroon5 , 'Diamonds from Sierra Leon'e and 'Addiction' are tracks which deal with struggles on different levels. 'Roses' and 'Hey Mama' are powerful songs that depict his relationship with his family. While the album explorers some serious issues it still delivers club banger tracks such as 'Gold Digger'. The Album 'Late Registration' made me realize that Kanye West is an artist with a lot of interesting things to say. I'm sure he will be around of many years. Unlike a lot of rap artists, Kanye doesn't promote guns and violence; he speaks his mind through his music.

Damian Smith

{11 votes}

September 16th, 2005

Album Review - Kanye West - Late Registration

It seems everything Kanye West touches these days turns to gold. His protégé John Legend has already gone platinum and it seems everybody wants to work with the controversial hip-hop figure. And rightfully so! Late Registration is Kanye West's aspirations to commercial superstardom and he succeeds in a big way. Not only did he make an excellent follow-up to his predecessor College Drop Out but he came up with THE hip-hop album of the year.

What can I say that has not been said about Kanye? He exudes confidence (many might say arrogance) and knows how to push all the right buttons. Mr. Jesus-Christ poser draws from his influences to a haunting effect. The Ray Charles sample of "I Got A Woman" sung by Jamie Foxx compliments Kanye to a key on the mega bomb "Gold Digger", and "Touch the Sky" is a blatant homage to those great 70s soul hits. Not surprisingly, this album generated so many singles for him: "Hey Mama", "Heard 'Em Say" (trying finding the cool Michel Gondry-directed video for this one), etc. If only he would not have to include those interludes / skits found on hip-hop albums these days. Sorry, I just don't get them. Concept is one thing but ridiculous is another.

The guests on the album are a plenty ranging from The Game to Brandy to Jay-Z. I guess respect merits respect. Kanye West remains one of those artists that set the standards high when it comes to making music. He's constantly on the forefront of the hip-hop movement and is a bankable certainty in hip-hop today.

Ronny Pangia

June 5th, 2006

I Disagree!

This album definitely deserves a full five stars ( if not more)! I think both the lyrics and the music have far more depth than his previous work. The instrumental music is enchanting. The words have so much meaning. His song " Hey, Mama" is a beautiful tribute to his mother who worked so hard just to keep a roof over their heads. This album is one that you can listen to over and over again and never get tired of it. My recommendation is go out and buy it. You won't be sorry.

Heath Abram

{6 votes}

September 19th, 2005

Not disappointed!

The highly anticipated follow up album from Kanye West is finally out and is definately Not a sleeper! This guy's got a different style to his music and that's just what makes him a star. His first album was off the record and you can see by the second album, that this man has not fallen off track; and probably won't fall off for a LONG time. "Gold Digger", the first single off the album brings back the old Ray Charles era, with no one else but Jamie Foxx doing the vocals. A strong song, back to get the party started. "Heard Em Say" is another joint on this album that I particularly liked as listeners get to see his story unfold. His album explores both the party aspect and the struggle. Each song sends out a message, in which we all learn of who exactly Kanye West is.

This album is a must have for your collection, as this man will definately be around for a while. Let's just hope his George Bush commentary won't lead to his falling.

Meghna Patel

{8 votes}

September 17th, 2005

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