Common Album: “Universal Mind Control [PA]”
![Common Album: “Universal Mind Control [PA]”](http://www.rapmusiczone.com/covers_prC/common/2008_170_170_Universal%2520Mind%2520Control%2520%255BPA%255D.jpg "Common Album: “Universal Mind Control [PA]”") Description :
Common has done this sort of thing before--namely, coming up with a record so different in tone and musical style it confounds fans and critics alike. The unchecked experimentation on ELECTRIC CIRCUS had his public polarized and left some wondering if Common's future work would be anything like hip-hop. This time around, on his eighth LP, the Chi-town lyricist once again bucks expectations, with 10 tracks of Bambaataa-esque electro courtesy of the Neptunes and Mr. DJ. This is original hip-hop--as Pharrell's "Planet Rock"-inspired hook on the opening title cut should proclaim loud and clear for those old enough to remember. On the lyrical front, Common is as captivating as ever. In between the lusty club-bangers and throw-your-hands-up anthems, he comes correct with a lofty, extended-metaphor take on the Obama era ("Changes") and an inspired homage to Biggie ("Announcement (Sped Up)"), where he and Pharrell rework some of the notorious one's most memorable lines.
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Track Listing :
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Album Information :
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Universal Mind Control [PA] |
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UPC:602517836914
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Format:CD
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Type:Performer
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Genre:R&B - Rap
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Artist:Common
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Guest Artists:Kanye West; Cee-Lo; Pharrell; Muhsinah; Martina Topley-Bird
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Label:Geffen Records (USA)
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Distributed:Universal Distribution
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Release Date:2008/12/09
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Original Release Year:2008
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Discs:1
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Mono / Stereo:Stereo
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Studio / Live:Studio
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
- I Have It But Trust Me I Did Not Spend My Money
Those are definitely words I thought I would never say about Common Sense who is one of the greatest to ever do it. But man oh man, I guess when you've been around this long that you'll have one or two of these misses. This is not the first time he's done the short track list deal but "BE" was not like this. Universal Mind Control has some heavy songs on here and a couple of my favs being "Punch Drunk Love" and "Make My Day". Now here's where the problems come in and I'm sure plenty of others have said this. Half this album is as weak as the Detroit Lions season this year and the other half is on a much much higher level.
The production with the corny tracks start you off in a bad mood and you don't even want to listen to the song after that. "Changes" doesn't even really sound like a Common track, honestly a few of em don't. Then of course you got the hot "Universal Mind Control" which was a nice first release and "What A World" is pretty good also. Lyrically the album is not one of his strongest. Common almost seems to be loosing himself a bit over the past year or two.
Really I got this album for "Universal Mind Control" and "Punch Drunk Love", there were more mediocre and bad tracks on here than I've ever heard from the man that was thought to have more sense than any rapper in the game. So get it if you want the few songs but my advice is find a way to get it without paying full price.
13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
- There is some heat but then there is some....... (3.5 stars)
WACK ISH on this album. Common comes with a fairly short album of ten tracks. Stand out tracks that i immediately go to are PUNCH DRUNK LOVE, ANNOUNCEMENT, and GLADIATOR. The songs I absolutely hate are MAKE MY DAY, EVERYWHERE, SEX 4 SUGAR, and CHANGES. Common got a little too experimental again on this one similar to how he got on Electric circus. So with me the album is 50/50. Half dope, half experimental/WACK. Half the beats/songs are dope, the other half are weird and WACK. Its really gonna come down to how experimental you are in your taste of music if you will accept the weird half of this album. if you are looking for the effort of the last two Common albums in this album, you will be disappointed. 2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
- 1 of his worst albums!
1 of his his worst albums since that Circus crap he put out, all the hype that was surrounding this release, wow what a disappointment, I'm still a real fan of his, but this is subpar.You want some great Common music skip this one and grab "Be, Like Water for Chocolate,and Resurrection." 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
- Ouch!!
Common hurt me on this one he was on a roll after BE and Finding Forever I thought he couldn't be stopped. Then this came out I don't even want it in my house. 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
- HALF-N-HALF
Look, I have been listening to common since the first album. This one in my opinion is good, not great. I'm a b-boy and I cant tell you how long lots of other people have been waiting for a single like Universal Mind Control. If you listen to house music, you will like Everywhere feat. Martina Topley which is a sick song. Make My Day has a unique flare to it feat Cee-lo, makes you want to dace. Announcement, Gladiator & What a World are pretty good songs too if you listen to what he is saying in the song. Again, GOOD album.......just not GREAT! Will keep supporting ..... |
