Product Description
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
Product Details
| Publisher | Roc-A-Fella Records |
| Number Of Discs | 1 |
| Original Release Date | 2007-09-11 |
| Format |
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| EAN | 0602517412200 |
| UPC | 602517412200 |
| Label | Roc-A-Fella Records |
| Studio | Roc-A-Fella Records |
| Artist | Kanye West |
| Title | Graduation |
| Release Date | 2007-09-11 |
| Publication Date | 2007-09-25 |
| Manufacturer | Roc-A-Fella Records |
Customer Reviews
Get money, stunt, and stay gloriousReview by ems4e, 2010-04-20
Kanye West's third album Graduation has not only been a personal favorite but also a huge influence on the track of rap and popular music today. Since its release in 2007, Graduation has sold almost 3 million copies and has been certified double-platinum in the United States. As a hip-hop album, Kanye's lyrical ability shines as his best lines are interlaced with synthesizers and heavy beats. He also heavily relies on sampling other genres of music, particularly in "Good Life" with its Michael Jackson "P.Y.T." re-dub on loop and on "I Wonder" with the hook courtesy of British folk jazz. The first single off the album, "Stronger," is also a clear example of sampling, as it uses a revamped version of Daft Punk's "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" as its back beat. In my opinion, all the tracks are stand-outs, with my personal favorites being "Flashing Lights" with its heavy synths and "Everything I Am." Relating this album back to the past, synthesizers, computer music, and sampling using today's technology certainly shapes the incredible hit-making ability of Kanye's production and lyrical style.
Citing a bit of musical history, Graduation would not be possible today without the development of synthesizers in the 1960s and sampling done in the era of early electronic music. In my opinion, "Flashing Lights" is the best example of Kanye's use of synthesizers to set the mood for his songs. Adding accents to his 808s and high hats, Kanye uses synth riffs to contrast with the orchestral-like electronic strings with which he lays out his melodies. Although Robert Moog's analog synth definitely contrasts with the FM synthesis modern rap melodies use, it is undeniable that Kanye's use of synthesizers on Graduation signify just how far technology and music have come. "Stronger" is also a clear throw back to the French electronic group Daft Punk, whose original hit "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" is actually computer-generated voice riffs layered with synthesizers; it seems that just yesterday Max Mathews and his "Music 1" were being hailed as ground breaking. On "Good Life," Kanye also uses a throwback Jackson tune to set up his hook; this "sampling" from other artists is rampant throughout Graduation, but in my opinion used tastefully. Even on "Can't Tell Me Nothing," Kanye uses a woman's voice to create his actual beat texture - this can also be seen as a reference to the early styles of musique concrete and Pierre Henry.
Overall, Graduation is a stellar combination of music technology, marketing, and raw talent. Kanye West, despite his personal indiscretions, remains one of the best rappers and producers in the industry today, definitely defying the genre-based stereotypes of good rap. He really has been ahead of the game "since OJ had Istoners" - his tracks for Jay-Z's Blueprint ("Heart of the City," "I.Z.Z.O.") have shown his signature style since its release in 2001. Kanye has truly "graduated" from the world of basic, dirty hip hop beats that rappers feel the need to embrace instead of challenge. To conclude, "and here's another hit - Barry Bonds."
complete trash.
Review by Paul Ryan Gray, 2010-03-19
This guys is one of the lamest rappers out there. His flow is weak set to mediocore beats and he comments on social issues he knows nothing about. The only rapper i can think of thats as bad is Benzino. Don't waste your money theres better things you could be buying.... like toilet paper.
Dope diploma
Review by IRate, 2009-11-22
3 1/2
Some of West's most compelling, albeit highly synthesized samples to date are enough to keep things fresh, though the constant self-absorption via weak delivery can grow tiresome.
It's okay.
Review by Christian Suh, 2009-09-27
I remember first listening to Late Registration, possibly one of the greatest albums I have ever heard. I was excited to get Graduation to get more Kanye. I was not that impressed, the album definitely has more of a commercial sound(Stronger, Can't Tell me Nothing, Good Life, Drunk and Hot Girls). It's still a good album, but I love Lat Registration so much more.
Excellent
Review by Walter M. Was, 2009-08-18
One of the best CDs I've purchased in years. A must for any Kanye fan.
