Posted 27th October 2008 in The Neptunes, Universal Mind Control, common, great way to end a good year
From billboard.com…
Common has announced Dec. 9 as the new release date for his forthcoming Geffen album, “Universal Mind Control.” The set was originally expected in July.
Two songs, “Announcement” and “Universal Mind Control” both of which feature Pharrell Williams, have already been released. The album also includes two fresh songs, “Gladiator” and “Inhale.”
The former comes closest to prototypical sincere Common rapping, as he rhymes about destroying other MCs over horn wails, driving drums and a thick bassline.
“Punch Drunk Love” now features Kanye West spitting the catchy chorus “Am I crazy, or was you giving me the eye?” “Sex 4 Sugar,” which Common previously described as a conversation with a dancer, now has faster drums, and “Everywhere,” which was formerly called “Runaway” and set to feature Santogold, now sports a dreamy layered chorus, sans Santogold, over a guitar riff similar to Pat Benatar’s “Love Is a Battlefield.”
The album’s production is still split between the Neptunes and OutKast cohort Mr. DJ. West has not contributed any production to “Universal Mind Control.”
Here is the track listing for “Universal Mind Control”:
“Universal Mind Control”
“Punch Drunk Love” featuring Kanye West
“Make My Day” featuring Cee-Lo Green
“Sex 4 Sugar”
“Announcement” featuring Pharrell Williams
“Gladiator”
“Changes”
“Inhale”
“What a World”
“Everywhere”
-The ‘Punch drunk love’ joint kind of is not a surprise. At the concert, Pharrell came out and did the hook, so I always figured it was P. But, something in the back of my head was always hearing Kanye while Pharrell was skipping some words on the hook. Anyways, we got like 7 Neptune’s tracks. I definitely enjoyed the Neptunes production this year, very pleased with them to say the least.
I am hoping this album will be on ‘Be’ status.
-Blaze of Glory
(-mtouch)
I think all Common fans want it to be on BE status. That’s my favorite album of all time. Alas, I think this will fall well short of that.
Don’t get me wrong. I love The Neptunes. I love Common. But I think Common’s style matches Kanye’s soul samples perfectly. I’ll still be coping this when- if ever- it comes out.
Comment by Siempre Fresco on the 28th October 2008 at 1:47 am
It sure as hell won’t be…’Be’
As much a fan as I am of both…Be was just some other shit…Com’s even taking it easy on the lyric side of this project….and while I’m still gonna support it, I’m ‘eh’ in a way…
but the next album, The Invincible, will be produced ENTIRELY by Kanye West and NoID….heard it here first…
Comment by $port on the 28th October 2008 at 4:27 am
^I hope yeezy will be back to the correct mindstate by then. Anyway, I agree, it prob won’t be ‘Be’ status, but from what I heard at the concert, there is def some firepower on the album. I know com sense is more well received along the grain of soulfulness and such, so the whole futuristic new wave hip hop type ish he is displaying now is not really what the og com heads want.
Well, none-the-less, he’s got some fucking heat coming from this joint. I for one will be coping the day of.
Comment by Blaze of Glory on the 28th October 2008 at 4:35 am
It won’t touch Be, but after hearing Gladiator live, I’m optimistic… though I won’t be surprised if I have to pump the brakes when this actually drops.
Comment by Atari on the 28th October 2008 at 4:53 am
Yeezy never left the correct mindstate
i guarantee you the ‘Invincible’ album and Ye’s next album around June-time will be back on what we expect from him, just with a little bit of progression. He’s not gonna make common sing and shit lol, come on.
Either way, I see this album as a bit of a break for ol’ Common…a bit of fun. I feel like dude’s been coming serious for the past few years, we forgot that he can take it out of the atmosphere and into space.
It’s not going to be his best work, at all – but it’ll probably make you nod your head silly.
Comment by d. on the 28th October 2008 at 1:26 pm
This cd will be on “BE” status…
Sorry $port. lol…
This cd will be DOPE…
I think it will be neck an neck….
Because to me “BE” was his best….
I think it match up perfect…with a different feel…
~Flash
http://www.myspace.com/flashhiphopmusic
Comment by Flash on the 28th October 2008 at 5:43 pm