Damn, it's been time since I've touched the discography of Lonnie Lynn Jr. aka Common. The last time I got to him was in November when I reviewed his slept-on debut album, Can I Borrow A Dollar?, where I said it was pretty decent, but you get a weird feeling, especially considering that his work would be different from before. And I'd normally take at least a 4-5 month break from a person's discography, but in this case, it's been nearly 10 months.
But at least it ain't Mobb Deep. I skipped their debut album, Juvenile Hell, went straight to The Infamous (which was the blog's first review), and I haven't even touched Hell On Earth yet.
Therefore, this got me in the mood to do a special episode of + Other Stuff, a segment where I review 3 or more albums in a certain discography (in chronological order), and this one, as you obviously knew, focuses on Common...
Released: October 25, 1994
Previously, on the discography of Common, he released his debut album, Can I Borrow A Dollar?, in 1992, when he was known as Common Sense. Led and supported by the singles, "Take It EZ", "Breaker 1/9" and "Soul By The Pound", the album managed to be recognised in the underground community, and he managed to get praised for the album. However, later on after releasing the album, it was then that Common decided to get a little more serious with his material. And Resurrection was born.
Released in October 1994, Resurrection is the second album from Common, who was still using the name, Common Sense. the album features 13 tracks (including the legendary classic, "I Used To Love H.E.R."), which are split into two sides: The East Side (tracks 1-7) and The West Side of Stony (8-15). Like the debut, CIBAD; the album is almost entirely produced by No ID, with only 2 songs produced by Ynot. Also, No ID takes another take at rapping, and Ynot too, leaving Common to lead the album on his own.
The album would get Com to high universal acclaim (unlike CIBAD, where the underground only recognised him), especially when the first single, "I Used To Love H.E.R." took jabs at the West Coast gangsta rap scene, offending people such as Ice Cube and NWA. And speaking of that song, it would go on to be remembered by the hip-hop community, for its storytelling and old school vibes. And at times, other than Like Water For Chocolate and Be, Resurrection can be remembered as Com's best work yet.
But is it tho? I don't know yet. It's been long since I've listened to this album, so let's see if it's still fire...
1. Resurrection
The album starts off with a title track, which, while being jolly, actually bangs out with Common coming with some sick rhymes, over a beat from No ID (reminiscent of DJ Premier, considering the scratches during the hook). I really liked this song, Com actually did well, and the beat was sick. It was interesting how the scratches actually suited a lot on this song, and it was really great to hear. The sample was jolly and sounded like a soundtrack from an old children's TV show, but No ID actually flipped it really well. This was actually a good opener, getting into the seriousness that previously never was.
2. I Used To Love H.E.R.
The one and only classic is up next, and it's still a freaking good song. It's smooth, laidback and awesome as Common personifies hip-hop as a girl, who he treats as a friend that always talked to him, but managed to be with others too. You could see the jab thrown at the West Coast scene, where Ice Cube took offence, and replied. It was good for Common to tell this story, and ended this in such a wonderful way as he revealed that he was talking about hip-hop. This still proves to be a classic track, to this day. Maybe young people like myself don't recognise it often, and are focused on the new stuff, but I love this song, and to this day, does Com still love H.E.R.? I don't know...
3. Watermelon
Instead of the song being about watermelon, this is actually a lyrical track, where Com flows very well. I thought he was probably gonna use his CIBAD flow, being around the place, but it's still a great track, using his more developed flow. The beat was funky, and the samples were really suitable for the song. But, on to the next one...
4. Book of Life
On this very serious song, Common narrates the mind of a young man in the ghetto, focusing on aimlessness, depression and escapism. The beat is slower, and the drums bang out a little more. Com uses a louder flow, sounding angrier, especially when it focuses on negative issues. While being a dark song, there's a few old-skool vibes, and Com interpolates a popular lyric from Grandmaster Flash's "The Message". No ID's beat, while smooth, is kinda dark, especially considering the vibe you feel from this. The scratches were sick and the samples proved to be very good to hear. This was really interesting as this was really serious and a mature song, that didn't focus on lyrical content or stories, proving to be a standout on this album.
5. In My Own World (Check The Method) [feat. No ID]
If you remember CIBAD, you should know that No ID took a turn at rapping, on "Two Scoops of Raisins", and he did pretty well. He returns on the mic again with this standout, while still on the boards, and actually starts off pretty well. He's a little monotone and chill, compared to their previous collab, where he was louder and more confident. Common comes on during the second verse, and he does what he always does: not disappoint me with his rhymes. But at the end, I think No ID did a good job, and impressed me a lot more, considering he's more of a producer than an actual rapper (although he did release an album where he did just that). One of my favourites!
6. Another Wasted Night With...
Just a skit...
7. Nuthin' To Do
A smooth ass track where Com rhymes really well on the banging beat about some times he had in the first 22 years of his life (he was probably around 23 when this album dropped). This was really interesting, as it was good to hear his stories and reminiscing on this song. A somber vibe is portrayed, in between the smooth sample and the banging drums, with the saxophone being frequent here and making this a really good song. The scratches in the beginning and the end is another that makes this a standout. I really like this song. Another standout.
8. Communism
Common raps on a funky beat for nearly 2 and a half minutes, with a flow just a little reminiscent of CIBAD, as it kinda feels like he's having a little fun with this song. He only spits a quick 24 while he leaves with an instrumental break. It's best to classify this as an interlude. A great one, really!
9. WMOE
A radio skit with Muhammad Ali... That's all I can say.
10. Thisisme
Now, this is something I can bump to. Com starts off with a flow that sounds a little poetic, before going back to his normal style. The beat is pretty good, and I like how he brings out some random thoughts, and once again, No ID does a lot of scratches. The sample is pretty good, laid back and somber, and Com doesn't fail to impress me. Even his singing is decent to hear, honestly. This is a pretty nice song.
11. Orange Pineapple Juice
This is more funky and is like "Watermelon", especially in terms of the vibe and the way Com flows on this song. And unlike the other songs on the album, he uses his silly/around-the-place flow in the way he has a lot of fun on this, which makes this look like a CIBAD outtake. But nevertheless, this is decent.
12. Chapter 13 (Rich Man vs. Poor Man) [feat. Ynot]
It always feels like the album had an error when it came to the tracklist because this is track 12, yet says chapter 13... Am I in the wrong here? Anyway, Ynot takes over the boards as he produces his first on this album, which follows both Com and Ynot going back-and-forth about the merits of wealth. Com does his thing, while Ynot actually has a lot of pop culture references on his verses. The beat is funky, smooth and they have a lot of fun here. Ynot's voice is something I should get used to, cos it kinda stops me from saying he outrapped Common on this track. But it's true tho, he actually kills it, and like No ID, being a producer, he did well. Overall a good song.
13. Maintaining
This is funky, something I can get down to, and one that sounds like another CIBAD outtake. Com's rhymes are on point, and the instrumental is a little basic... That's all I can say, to be honest.
14. Sum Shit I Wrote
This is the slowest track on the album, and to be honest, I just didn't like it that much, the beat was boring, considering that No ID wasn't on the boards, and while the wordplay was on point, it didn't impress me as much. So... Meh!
15. Pop's Rap
Common's dad, Lonnie Lynn, concludes this album, with some thoughts he decided to put out on the instrumental of "Thisisme". Here, he reminisces about the times he had with his son, including basketball, and more. This wouldn't be the first time Common's father would conclude the album by dropping some wisdom. Excluding his first album and the albums post-Universal Mind Control, he'd be on all the albums. A nice conclusion overall.
Resurrection is overall a big improvement from what we previously saw. Earlier on, we saw Can I Borrow A Dollar?, which had Com around the place with a silly, fast flow than usual. However, on Resurrection, Common finally cools down with more serious songs than the ones where he shows off often. He goes from an authentic sound to one that's more conscious and mature. Resurrection goes through 15 tracks of maturity, but however, at the same time, has some lyrical show-offs that sound more like outtakes from Can I Borrow A Dollar. At times, it's remembered as a classic and one of his best work, and I know it's due to the fantastic "I Used To Love H.E.R", but to be honest, is it? I know for sure, it's a good album, but his later albums would shit on this (well... Maybe not Electric Circus and Universal Mind Control), that including Like Water For Chocolate (you'll see why in a few minutes) and Be. Honestly, there's a lot of skippable songs, but instead of giving it a lazy 'meh', I actually wanted to share my opinion on it. And overall, it's better than CIBAD, but honestly, you could just listen to my recommended tracks, or you can stream it on Spotify and see for yourselves. Overall, it's just pretty decent, and is better than Can I Borrow A Dollar, but not as good as the latter material.
The Furious 5ive
I Used To Love H.E.R.
Book of Life
In My Own World (Check The Method)
Nuthin' To Do
Thisisme
And... On to the next one!
Released: September 30, 1997
With the release of Resurrection getting critical praise and having Common to a little mainstream status, Com had a good 3 years messing around, and making some fire songs, whether it's a diss track to Ice Cube or a song on the Superrappin soundtrack (and especially a wonderful feature on a De La Soul song). However, he got to a point where he had to shorten his name as he was sued by a band also under the name of Common Sense (the funny thing is that they ain't even that popular), for having that name. So around 1996, it was changed, and he started going around with it, continuing as he released a few singles, leading to his first album under that name: One Day It'll All Make Sense.
One Day It'll All Make Sense was his third album and last released on Relativity, which was released in September 1997. Supported by 3 well-known songs, It was recorded at a time where Com was becoming a father (and as a matter of fact, it was originally scheduled for a 1996 release, but because of paternity leave, he had to push it back a year). Not only was it his first album under his shortened name Common, it was also his last to be produced by longtime friend No ID, as he'd work with different people such as ?uestlove, The Neptunes, and of course, J Dilla (Com and No ID would later reunite on his ninth album, The Dreamer/The Believer, just after Com left GOOD Music). The album was the start of Com working with popular artists, such as De La Soul (as they previously collaborated on "The Bizness"), Lauryn Hill, Black Thought, Q-Tip, Chantay Savage and a pre-relationship Erykah Badu.
One Day... is actually known to be one of Common's underrated albums. While it can be seen as a decent piece of work, it doesn't get the same level of praise and recognition that Like Water For Chocolate and Be. With this album being his last on Relativity, Com would later go to MCA, releasing two albums before the label went defunct (and you know the rest... Blah, blah, signed to GOOD Music).
But anyway, is this even any good? And would this be a replacement for Resurrection as one of Com's best work. Did the features even make it better? Well... Let's see!
1. Introspective
The album starts off with a short opening track, which hears Com welcome the listeners to the album, and it's kinda alright to hear... Enough said!
2. Invocation
So this is how Com continues the album. Straight after the "typical rap album intro", we hear a really funky (nearly) 2 and a half minute song, where he hits us with a one verse wonder, over a sick beat from No ID. I really liked this, and it was a good way to start the album, especially flowing well with the intro. But honestly, at the end of all this, it can be really forgettable.
3. Real Nigga Quotes
On a fire instrumental for Dug Infinite, Com parodies the concept of realness in hip-hop (whether it was the 90s rappers, especially Pac, calling themselves "real niggas"), from the frequent cursing, the violent content, and the corny hook from Dug. What could've made it better would be putting quotation marks for "real nigga", considering the concept of this song; unless I got it wrong, and it didn't really have a content. But overall with 3 verses in 4 minutes (adding a skit at the end), this is a really great song.
4. Retrospect For Life (Feat. Lauryn Hill)
Lauryn Hill is the first guest appearance on the album, as she sings over a really sombre song, which, being dedicated to his daughter, also follows black-on-black crime, and how pointless it is. Weirdly, there's two verses on this song, while the length is 6 minutes. And although I could've expected a verse from Lauryn, we didn't get one and instead, get her singing the hook repeatedly, with a skit at the end. But anyway, this was pretty good. The concept was interesting, and the somber vibe is easy to feel here. It was smooth, and while I could've expected better from Lauryn, I didn't mind as much. It was an alright song.
5. Gettin' Down at the Ampitheather (Feat. De La Soul)
De La Soul return the favour (from the Stakes Is High standout, "The Bizness") as they get on what can be considered a standout on the album, just like The Bizness. Both Posdnous and Dave come off pretty good, and I loved how Dave started off the song, with a better flow than usual. And the way they all flow is pretty sick, especially considering that they kicked off their verses in the same order that The Bizness went. The difference is the fact that this is more of a get down song, rather than a laidback lyrical song. And once again, while Com was alright, Pos came with another fire verse, and he didn't disappoint. At the end, it does feel like a leftover from the Stakes Is High studio sessions, but then you realise that No ID was on the boards, and as of '96, they didn't have Prince Paul on the boards (also, that there's a freaking skit at the end). But I talked too much, this is fire! [*fire emojis*]
6. Food For Funk
Ooooh, another hot song. I like it! No ID's beat is alright, and I thought that he could've done better with it, but the lyrical performance from Com saves it from being a little boring, and with his boastful rhymes, he kills this song so well. Maybe not as much as a best song, but it's recommendable
7. G.O.D. (Gaining One's Definition) [Feat. Cee-Lo]
In all honesty, Cee-Lo can fit on any sombre rap song. His lovely humming, and his hook singing works well for personal songs and makes the vibe much better. An example is here, where Common lays off his boastful lyrical self, and actually gets into society and more conscious. And being recorded at a time that Com was starting to become a father, I can understand why he was to take a break from his normal self. This song was really appealing, and was interesting as Com softly raps, thinking about his personal problems. However, things change when after his chill hook, Cee-Lo actually does a verse of his own, well... Considering that he was still part of Goodie Mob at the time, and was rapping a lot. Honestly, while he did his thing, I always wondered why he sounded like a pastor trying to calm himself down from shouting the whole church down. But as the song goes on, it sounds like a personal musical conversation between Com and Cee-Lo, and weirdly, sounds a little too quick, consider that it ended a little mediocrely. It doesn't make it a bad song though.
8. My City (Feat. Malik Yusef)
I should tell you that this isn't a short spoken word interlude. Nope, this is a full one where spoken word artist Malik Yusef spits some truth dedicated to both Com and Malik's city, Chicago. In 5 minutes, Malik does well with his poetry and spoken word, and he comes out on point. Although it's a full track, it's best if you take it as an interlude.
9. Hungry
Once again, Common spits a one verse wonder, and he doesn't disappoint on this one. The beat from No ID isn't that bad. As I said before with "Food For Funk", he should've done better with it. And here on this song, I can fully see why this can be seen as one of Com's best verses. This is a standout, and for one verse, it's a really sick song. One of my favourites!
10. All Night Long (Feat. Erykah Badu)
The thing with Com and Erykah is the fact that before they were even dating, they already started collaborating, and it was good timing, considering that Erykah was one of the newer neo soul singers coming in '97. Com's lyrical performance was good, but at times, it's a little boring. And why is it 7 minutes, for goodness sake! The skit wasn't even that necessary at the end, you know.
11. Stolen Moments, Pt. I
Ok, maybe that skit was a little necessary as it sets the scene for this track right here. The following few songs you are about to see are part of a trilogy (well, apart from track 13). This is the first part, which follows Common, wondering who broke into his apartment while he was doing a show. It's a 2 minute song, which shows Com's storytelling skills, while on a really dark beat. It was really interesting hearing the story, and how his reaction was like. The beat scares me tho. Anyway, Let's continue into the second part...
12. Stolen Moments, Pt. II
With an intro and outro done by Black Thought, the saga continues, as Com wonders who did the robbery, whether it was a friend of his or a stranger. The beat switches up to a violin sampled beat, and sounds more lighter than usual. All I can say is that it's a good continuation.
13. 1,2 Many
Common takes a break from the Stolen Moments trilogy and performs a different track. No ID is not available, and instead, Dug Infinite is the guy here. The beat is funky and Dug takes part on the hook. Common's lyrical performance is much better, and his verses was on point. It sounds a little short, but it impresses me a lot more than the others.
14. Stolen Moments, Pt. III
With Q-Tip on the intro and outro, Common concludes the Stolen Moments trilogy, by focusing on how he finally saw who broke into his place. This one is interesting and my favourite part, not only because of how we finally found the suspect, but it sounds a lot more polished than the previous 2 parts, especially the beat, and dialogue at the middle of the song. Like Black Thought did at the end of Pt. II, Tip pays a homage to his own song: "Sucka Nigga" off Midnight Marauders, and it comes out good. My favourite part, and the most interesting.
15. Making a Name for Ourselves (Feat. Canibus)
Canibus is the next guest on the album, as he comes on this standout, which is more of a "NY meets Chicago" type of song, especially with the banging instrumental from No ID. Common has a more serious and conscious-like flow, while Canibus comes with your typical East Coast flow. If "All Night Long" wasn't a minor single, I would've hoped for this. It would've been a good one and the music video would probably be sick. This is an awesome song.
16. Reminding Me (of Sef) [feat. Chantay Savage]
This one is dedicated to a friend of Com that passed away, and actually comes out as a funky track as Common rhymes with some sick wordplay and lyricism. The input from Chantay was a little decent and for a serious song, it actually works well. Ynot is on the boards here, and makes this good, especially improving his production, especially after CIBAD and Resurrection. This song, including the video, gives me a lot of nostalgia, even if I probably didn't even listen to it in my early years, maybe because of the sample and the way the video was set. Com's verses are on point, and his lines impress me very much, especially suiting to the beat, with his flow. Another one of my favourites.
17. Pop's Rap II/Fatherhood
Lonnie Lynn aka Common's dad dedicates this to Com, and his first-born child, considering that he recorded this at a time where he was becoming a father. Don't be confused thinking it was a Pop's Rap mixed with a Com track, it's a full Pop's Rap that focuses on fatherhood and how Lonnie felt. Overall, this was a good conclusion... And it's over!
Remember why I said One Day It'll All Make Sense is a slept on album, I think I'm understanding why, a little bit. Look, I'm not saying that it's bad because it actually proves to be a very great companion to Resurrection. With Common being a father at the time, he had to get a lot more serious and not that boastful, when coming to his rhymes. The first half starts off alright. The intro, and songs like "Real Nigga Quotes" and "Gettin' Down at the Ampitheater" are good highlights on that half, considering that Common, along with the guests, do well there. The mid-to-end half does get shaky tho. Maybe the "Stolen Moments" trilogy was alright, but songs like "My City" and sometimes "All Night Long" can be mediocre at times. Overall, it's pretty decent, really polished and has a refreshing listen, compared to Resurrection (mostly due to the content and features), and if anything, this deserves to be third up when ranking Com's discography [instead of Resurrection]; but the overall project just ends up being a little too shaky at times. It's a little worth of your money, but I'd really suggest that you look at my favourites and then, you can see for yourself...
The Furious 5ive
Gettin Dowm at the Ampitheater
Reminding Me (of Sef)
Real Nigga Quotes
the Stolen Moments trilogy (preferably Pt. III)
Hungry
Honourable Mentions
Food for Funk
Making A Name for Ourselves
And now, for our Feature Presentation...
Released: March 28, 2000
Following One Day It'll All Make Sense, Common signed a new major label deal to MCA in 1999, which caused his departure from Relativity. With that happening, he became part of a loose collective called The Soulquarians (formed by ?uestlove), which featured people from J Dilla to D'Angelo. Through their major collaborations, Com was featured on albums like The Roots' Things Fall Apart and the Rawkus compilation, Soundbombing II (on the single "1999" with Sadat X). It was then in early 2000, that Common finally got to release his fourth album, Like Water For Chocolate.
Released another 3 years after One Day It'll All Make Sense on March 28, Like Water For Chocolate was Common's first out of two albums released on MCA (the latter being Electric Circus). Executive produced by ?uestlove, and massively produced by J Dilla, the album features 16 tracks, with guest appearances from D'Angelo, Bilal, Jill Scott, Mos Def, MC Lyte and Slum Village. It was supported by the DJ Premier-produced "The 6th Sense", the classic Grammy-nominated single "The Light" and "Geto Heaven", and is known debatably as Common's best work, either behind or in front of Be. The album is named after a 1989 novel by Laura Esquivel (turned into a movie in 1992), and also relates to the photo on the album cover (1956 Alabama). Unlike Com's first 3 albums, LWFC is notable for its Afrocentric themes, while still having a lyrical but socially conscious flow. And during the making, Dilla and Com, both coming from the Great Lakes region, gained a good relationship, causing the major contributions on this album.
Like Water For Chocolate, as I said, is known to be known as Com's best work. In its first week, it sold 70k copies (which, if released in the modern day, many would call a flop, considering people like Drake sell over 600k first week). On August 11, 2000 however, the album was certified Gold by the RIAA. LWFC is also Com's first commercially successful album, as his first three albums never got to the level this album had, having universal acclaim and even a PopMatters editor calling it his personal favourite. Many have put LWFC as one of the best albums of 2000, and the major input from Dilla is also known as some of his best production, other than Donuts.
I don't need to ask questions about whether it's good, I think I know the answer...
1. Time Travelin' (A Tribute To Fela)
On this six-minute opening, Common pays a tribute to the late Nigerian musician, Fela Kuti by getting Vinia Mojica, Roy Hargrove and Fela's son, Femi Kuti to help. This remains one of the first occasions where The Soulquarians were all together in one studio, and here, D'Angelo, ?uestlove, James Poyser and Dilla borrow from the Afrobeat genre, actually making this funky as hell. Being a Nigerian myself, it's really nice hearing this, as they pay a tribute to a legendary musician. Hearing Com's verse in the middle is pretty good, and the beat is fire as they mixed funky Afrobeat with hip-hop. This was a really great opening to this, and I loved how everyone did their thing on this track.
2. Heat
*insert fire emojis* Woooooo!!!! This is that "hot shit", exactly how Dilla and Com said it at the beginning. Common goes through with his boastful rhymes and wordplay, and doesn't fail with his impressive lines, such as "I lecture how I got God but don't got religion", while Dilla comes with a funky beat, using a Tony Allen sample. Even at times when it feels short, I still love this song. This was fire, and both Com and Dilla came with that "heat".
3. Cold Blooded
With Roy Hargrove playing the trumpet, D'Angelo, ?uestlove and Kelo provides Com a decent beat, using a George Clinton sample. It's so good that I nearly thought Dilla did this, until I heard the bass. It's a hot song, and judging from the title, I never thought it'd be very funky, and hot... This song freaking BANGS!
4. Dooinit
The title actually reminds me of "Dinninit" by De La Soul, and with that, this song is pretty good. It's a very freaking hot song, and Dilla's instrumental is actually very good, with the bass and funk, and I still get impress by lines like "He fell off because I pushed him". And with Dilla's contribution, it's actually reminiscent of A Tribe Called Quest. This is great, another one of my favourites!
5. The Light
The classic Grammy-nominated single is up next, and it's a freaking great song. 15 years later, it still rocks, and with the soft production from Dilla, and content that focuses on Erykah Badu, it's hard not to deny this as simply Common's best song. Using the sample of Bobby Caldwell's "Open Your Eyes", Common focuses on Erykah, and his love for her, while Jay Dee aka J Dilla provides a funky and soulful instrumental. It's a little unfortunate that many rappers were not like Common to make a song like this, due to their gangsta self, and even today, not many people do this, even while in a relationship. And if Erykah and Com were still dating to this day, maybe girls would have different "Relationship Goals" other than Beyoncé & Jay Z or Nicki Minaj & Meek Mill. Because I ain't the only one annoyed by the "goals" tweets I see on my feed every day! Oh yeah, the musical interlude was fire tho!
6. Funky For You (Feat. Bilal & Jill Scott)
Bilal & Jill Scott help Com out on this standout, and it's funky as hell. Com's three verses are alright, and the contributions from Jill and 'Lal is pretty good, while Dilla comes with a hot beat, as usual. It's just a freaking funky ass song, need I say more?!
7. The Questions (Feat. Mos Def)
Mos Def is the next guest on this hot song, which hit my heart the first time I heard it. Honestly, this is my third favourite on the album and both Com and Mos do their thing on this song; watch how Com uses questions to spit some hot fire, with Mos goes with a slower flow, with a reference to Q-Tip's line on "Find A Way", using questions like "Why do I need ID to get ID?", and having murmurs from ladies in the background. The way things were on this track was so good, that I made so many squint faces, thinking about those lines. This is how good it is. A standout on this album!
8. Time Travelin' (Reprise)
Just a reprise of a song I'd call one of my favourite album openings of all-time... And it's pretty good.
9. The 6th Sense (Feat. Bilal)
DJ Premier is on the boards next on what was the first single off the album, and it's a fire song. Here, it follows Com at his finest, being conscious but lyrical as hell at the same time, with Premo using a Mobb Deep sample for the chorus, and Bilal singing just fine. The beat is on point, obviously considering that this is Premo that's on the track, and Common is just awesome, and just like "The Light", this is probably one of Common's best songs.
10. A Film Called (Pimp) [Feat. Bilal & MC Lyte]
Com and the legendary MC Lyte go back and forth, as the skit at the end of the previous song sets the scene for this, while Bilal returns to sing the chorus. The beat is fire, and although Com did well, Lyte killed this song. The concept is very interesting, where Com is a pimp, trying to change the female (Lyte) for the better, and it makes this song more appreciative. It's not much of a standout, but I really like it.
11. Nag Champa (Afrodisiac for the World)
Nah, this song is just pure heat! I was about to scream the house down when I first heard this, and you should've seen the amount of squint faces I did, hearing this song. It's just so good! Not only that, but hearing Dilla sing on this (yes, I said "sing". This wasn't a joke) is just a musical turn-on, and he sounded very good on this song. And the beat is just freaking hot, I can't deny that, with Com being a lyrical master on this. This is just awesome, I can't say any more.
12. Thelonious (Feat. Slum Village)
I can't forget the fact that I did a write up for this on my review of Slum Village's Fantastic, Vol. 2, as it was a bonus track on the album. But, I might as well do another one. And I still freaking love this song. It still suits on Vol. 2, and while nothing has changed about that, I managed to get used to it here, as it still feels like Slum Village's song, rather than Common's. If SV got their album out on time, rather than in mid-2000, maybe this wouldn't have been the standout on this album, and things would've changed. While I love everyone's verses, from T3 to Baatin, notice I didn't say J Dilla cos... Man, I still get turned on by his verse, and I get excited hearing it. As I said before, Dilla is more of a producer than an actual singer and a rapper, but damn, if he took rapping a little more seriously, then... Wow, I wouldn't know what would happen. He still remains one of my favourite rapping producers, along with Black Milk and The Alchemist. Anyway, this still rocks like a goddamn chair.
13. Payback is a Grandmother
This song is actually a sequel to the Stolen Moments trilogy, which was pretty good. This one, however, is just epic, as Com tries to see who robbed his grandma, and it's more interesting than the Stolen Moments, especially considering that his storytelling skills improved here. And luckily, there wasn't any parts, it was just a full song, maybe something Stolen Moments could've been. And Dilla is a God on this one.
14. Geto Heaven (Remix) [TSOI: The Sound of Illadelph] {Feat. Macy Grey}
The album version I'm listening to is the alternate. While nothing has really changed from it, the replacement of Geto Heaven, Part Two with the Remix is the only change in that version. And also, Com gets Macy Grey, and actually makes this into a very appreciative remix. I'll always like the original, but the remix is just A1! This is fire.
15. A Song For Assata
Com dedicates this one to Assata Shakur, and it's actually very interesting. With Cee-Lo singing on the hook, Com focuses on the arrest, trial, and incarceration of Assata, being a part of The Black Panther Party, and listening to this makes me think a lot about the black struggles, racism, and finally being free. Damn, I wish I took History for GCSE. This is nevertheless dope!
16. Pop's Rap III... All My Children
Ah yes... The traditional Pop's Rap, seen at the end of nearly every Common album, where Com's father, Lonnie Lynn, speaks some truth. It's nothing special really, just a very decent ending.
Like Water For Chocolate is finally the one I needed. Out of all the albums from Com I've recently reviewed, this is just pure perfection! I mean, if I rewind back to Common's first three albums, CIBAD was pretty decent, and while being lyrical, I feel that he was around the place. Resurrection, on the other hand, showed Com at a mature and changed state, but at times, wanting to have fun and get jiggy with his songs. One Day, was the complete change, and with features, made this a little complete, but honestly, it wasn't all that, and went a little shaky. Which leads to LWFC, which is just all so perfect. It's my cup of tea! With J Dilla on the tracks most of the time, while Com spits some fire. It's so good that... That... I don't know how to describe it. Just pure perfection, pure flames, and pure music. Along with Be, I know that Common cannot make another fire album like this. Maybe his recent albums will be still good, but not on the same standard as LWFC and Be. We finally see Com at his finest, especially on songs like "Thelonious", "The Light" and "The 6th Sense", and it's just so good. Some of the features make this one more complex than any of the other albums. Bilal sings well on "The 6th Sense", Slum Village just kills "Thelonious", and not to forget MC Lyte's contribution on "A Film Called (Pimp)". And if anything, it's probably one of my personal favourites, and I rank it at #4. It's a fire album, one to vibe to, one to sit down and listen to. Use this as your turn for the aux cord, and believe me, your car will explode. If it doesn't, then... Don't blame me. Buy this, download it, listen to it, show it to your friends. I don't care if they don't care! This is lovely, and knowing Com will probably never make another album like this, is kinda cringeworthy to think of it.
The Spectacular Se7en
The Light
Thelonious
The 6th Sense
Heat
The Questions
Nag Champa (Afrodisiac For The World)
Dooinit
In fact, with this being my favourite 7 songs, everything is recommendable.
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