Mos Def Album: “True Magic”

Let me preface this by saying I'm a huge Mos Def fan... Brought all his other albums, seen him in concert; in my opinion he's one of the best MC's out there today. Black on both Sides is legendary material. That's why I'm so disappointed in this album. I agree with one of the other reviewers, this sounds like filler material. It might be better than a lot of the crap on the radio nowadays, but it isn't up to par when compared to his previous work. Even the production sounds a little off. I don't know if he's getting 5 stars from some people based on reputation, but I've listened to his album over and over and still can't get into it. It's so frustrating cause Mos is so talented; what happened to the Mos that could break off a rhyme so drop and precise that it's mind blowing. He isn't on here. Please Mos give me something I can feel! Giving him 3 stars cause I have too much respect for him to give him anything lower... even though in this case it might deserving .

Mos Def to me represents BLACK MUSIC. I was so happy when he did the "rock" album. In consideration that rock owes it's everything to blues and R&B, it was fitting that he dabbled in that genre. Rock is at it's essence Black music (buy some Chuck Berry if you disagree). Mos has from what I can surmise found a way to explore Black music in it's many different forms. His "sung material" is reminiscent of field hollers and the early days of gospel, jazz and blues in the cotton fields of the South.

His lyrics are uplifting and enlightening and reflect a serious social sensibility. I only wish that more performers had the chops and the brashness to step out of their comfort zones. Mos celebrates himself and his culture through the different varieties, types and sounds of music he creates.

I've read that Mos needs to go back to his "roots" and do more Black Star type music....

It seems he has gone back to his roots after all...just a little farther back than most can remember.

Anyone complaining about this album needs to listen to it again and again. As far as flow of the album, its simply wonderful listening straight through. There isn't a song on there I would skip. The wordplay and lyrics are some of his best and some of the best I have heard all year. Next to The Roots - Game Theory - this album outshines everything else. The lyrical content is current well put and the production is really original. Mos even reps GZA's Liquid Swords, which is arguably the best, or at least most lyrical hip-hop album in history, and Mos does it quite well. His flow just grabs you and the content speaks to anyone. "Dollar Day" jumped out at me as an instant classic. As far as the new albums out that speak about Hurricane Katrina, this song outshines them all, Mos simply kills it. Listening to the album, it seems that each song works well with the others. Nothing is overdone, and he covers an incredibly wide spectrum of issues that are all important. The album is simply wonderful to listen to, and if you have doubts, put it on repeat.

With all sincerity, True Magic is one of the best I've heard in a LOOONGG while... Audibly pleasing, word play is poetic, vocab use is profound, delivery is confident, and knowledge is deep. LOVED it.

Each song has a meaning, the beats plays a major part in manifesting Mos' vision and character.

Mos def storms back on the scene with a very impressive, truly magical album. Unlike the last album, Mos def goes back to rapping on the majority of the album True magic. So if you are familiar with Mos def's lyrics, you are in store for some great verses that are laid on some tight tracks. Mos does do some singing on a few of the tracks, and they are decent also. Mos def is definitely a highly skilled emcee and this album needs to belong to your collection!!!!!