Props to XXLmag.com for the image.

While the opening track is titled “Good Morning (Intro),” it should be titled “Abstract” as KanYe paints a picture of his third album’s concept – himself.

“Mr. West, Mr. Fresh/Mr. by-his-self-he-so-impressed” opens the album by making fun of himself with lyrics that may seem comical, but they are layered words reflecting on his musical experience stating that “And yes, barely pass any and every class/Lookin’ at every ass/Cheated on every test/I guess this is my dissertation/Homie, this shit is basic/Welcome to graduation.” Believe it or not, this is a humble Kanye West stating that he should have been a failure, but he STILL received his diploma, like a “fly Malcolm X/buy any jeans necessary.”

Kanye is implying that his career has been judged by what he SHOULD do versus what he actually did. The industry had a strict curriculum for success – a cookie cutter formula that would make every hip-hop artist a valedictorian. “Look at the valedictorian scared of the future/While I hop in the Delorean/Scared-to-face-the-world complacent career student/Some people graduate, but be still stupid/They tell you read this, eat this, don’t look around.” As a paradox, Kanye sampled Elton John’s “Someone Saved My Life” implying that he saved hip-hop with his music by not aiming to be the valedictorian (or cookie cutter formula) and STILL graduated with Rosie Perez Ds on his report card.

This first track is your warning, if you don’t want know more about Kanye – turn off the CD.

Musically, Kanye continues to evolve by providing a timeless hip-hop sound with meaningful, classic samples (and expensive – Daft Punk and Steely Dan aren’t cheap!) with layered production and unique instruments that tell a story as much as his lyrics. Once again, Kanye is reflecting his life through his music and making his musical mentors – No ID & Jon Brion – proud. Each song has a timeless hook, astounding vocal production, and unique, yet subtle instruments that on every listen a new discovery is made. In a recent interview, Kanye stated that he had to focus on vocal production because while opening for the Rolling Stones, the white audience couldn’t sing along to all his heavy content within his music.

Despite his “poor grades,” Kanye’s astounding work experience is displayed by creating music that you can sing along to – but with a message. “Cant Tell Me Nothing” is as addictive as a “Superman Dat Hoe” (without the dance moves, of course) with lyrics like “La,la,la,la wait till I get my money right/la, la, la, la then you cant tell me nothing right.” On “I Wonder,” he pauses between each word so you can sing along or on Reecie’s favorite “Good Life,” where he slows it down, so you can sing along with T-Pain during the hook.

I digress, but can we talk about the genius “Good Life”? This is Kanye’s mockery of hip-hop’s valedictorian – his (better) answer to the current trend of popular hip-hop music using the instruments, styles, trends, and artist (T-Pain) while answering critics taking that the sampling the chipmunk soul is past trend. He speeds up Michael Jackson’s “PYT” to where it’s a melody and he is rapping to the melody of PYT!!! How crazy is that?!! Lyrically, Kanye is bragging more than ever…but rather than telling people what he owns (or rents…as most hip-hop artists do), he talks about his luxuries through his hard work. He even twists around 50 Cent’s lyrics – “50 told me go ‘head switch the style up/And if they hate then let ‘em hate/And watch the money pile up, the good life.” 50 looks like a fool for not following his own advice, especially during this 50 vs. Kanye battle, because 50 has not changed his style up and he has obviously struggled stacking up funds (the recent flops at G-Unit and 50 releasing 5 videos for “Curtis” and soon enough, he will not outsell Kanye in the first week).

While the introspective Kanye dedicates his album to his “cocky humble” complicated character, we are left without a “bigger picture” song. The CD lacks an “All Falls Down,” “Jesus Walks,” “Crack Music,” and “Diamonds from Sierra Leone,” where Kanye gambles his stardom for issues that the “everyday person” worries about but doesn’t discuss. Kanye’s approach is that of a preacher where he talks about his own past experiences to help that the listener learns about themselves.

On the “cocky humble” masterpiece “Everything I Am,” Kanye cockily expresses “that haters, start your engines /I hear ‘em gearin’ up / people talk so much shit about me at barbershops ” with a humble hook that states “everybody sayin’ what’s not for him everything I’m not, made me everything I am” while staying on topic with Kanye “spaz out at his shows /so say goodbye to the NAACP award /goodbye to the In-di-a Arie award /they’d rather give me the nigga-please award /but I’ll just take the I-got-alotta-cheese award.” Kanye makes a strong point that people may not always recognize your influence, but if you continue to “do you” then you will succeed.

While the album is extremely enjoyable and I think it will be considered a classic five years from now (even five months from now), I understand how some people (and critics) may call this Kanye’s “weakest” effort (which is crazy because his “weakest effort” is better than 95% of hip-hop releases, but the bar is set so high for Kanye) because the entire album focuses on Kanye. Even on the Jay-Z dedicated “Big Brother,” while he is talking about Jay-Z, he is only focusing on himself and his feelings…not once did he attempted to explain why Jay did what he did. Despite that, I still think the song is just as powerful as “Last Call” off his debut. If you are not a fan of Kanye or if you already think he is a cocky son-of-a-bitch, then you may not want to buy this album.

Call me petty, but while this is Kanye’s stronger lyrical effort (and I ALWAYS thought that Kanye was a passionate lyricist), some of the lyrics on the album are not as strong as Kanye claims (are we surprised?). For instance, the entire second verse of “Stronger” is a let down, especially with such amazing production and an amazing first verse. Anything for a blond dike? We can do better. Also, how can you not laugh at the “snakes on a plane” line on “Good Life” or the “Spouse/Blouse/Aroused” line in “I Wonder.” But then again – lines like those make us either love Kanye or hate him…

Kanye once said that he wants every album to be an experience, similar to a movie. If that’s the case, then call Kanye West the Peter Jackson of hip-hop as the underdog he crafted the Lord of the Rings Trilogy with his first three albums. It’s good to have an artist that looks as every album release as an opportunity to challenge his fan base, while enjoying great music. Now, that Kanye has graduated…I wonder when will he get his “Good Ass Job”?

What are your thoughts about the album? Do you think it is Kanye’s weakest effort? Do you miss the lack of the “bigger picture” song? What do you think of the production? Post your review