With the latest release by Kanye West being, for the most part, a crap fest of really addictive tracks that really aren’t that great with sub-par experimental production, the concept of universal mind control isn’t that hard to believe. The fact that there is this “sound” and this fascination with this new age non-hip hop sound by hip hop artists that seemingly brainwashes their audience effortlessly, is kind of scary, but trendy. The latest release from the usually steady, but recently lazy-on-the-microphone, Common, should be surprising because of its satisfying execution and not of the chic hip-pop style that is so ‘in’ right now. In fact, if anyone can pull off a commercially successful album while staying dedicated to his true formula, it is Lonnie Lynn. With Universal Mind Control, there is a lot to save it from being a write-off, but not enough to elevate it to any unbelievable standards of greatness.
The album starts off with the love it or hate it single, “Universal Mind Control.” Lyrically, it has flashes of brilliance: “I touch masses like a Catholic/ expensive rap sh*t/ my futures backlit/ Interact with the cat who macks and stacks my vern-ac to trash ya’ll react.” This same song also caters to a dance crowd; it’s a win-win. That lyrical gem is the ‘needle in the haystack’ of the album and evidently, Common is content with the current lyrical level he’s on with UMC. Kanye’s guest spot on “Punch Drunk Love” offers nothing and the sexually vivid Common is an awkward listen. Sex, unfortunately, is a topic Common discusses a lot on this project.
Cee-Lo jumps in for the albums brightest moment. No, it’s not another “G.O.D” or “Assata” or “Between Me, You & Liberation.” It’s “Make My Day,” a fairly simple song about Common liking a girl for making his day; challenging him, even. Bright light turns into darkness with the words-can’t-express-how-bad-it-is “Sex 4 Sugar.” It is a travesty and it is easily the worst song of Common’s career. While “Sex 4 Sugar” is an easily identified stinker, it certainly makes “Announcement” much better than what it might essentially be.
Production wise The Neptunes and Mr. DJ handle the LP. No particular beat stands out in ways that other Common projects have displayed, but this album is fortunate to have tracks that string together fairly well on a sound-to-sound basis. Lyrically, Common clearly isn’t out to prove anything. Still, shades of Common’s lyrical monstrosity are still around. “Gladiator” is a 4 minute slaughterhouse of punch lines, jab hits and uppercuts of pure braggadocio. And while it is not as great as something like “Real Nigga Quotes” it is sufficient for the quality and direction of this album. “Inhale” shows potential, but sadly comes across as jumbled and unfocused; essentially, making it easy to vibe to musically, but extremely hard to follow conceptually.
The length is possibly the album’s greatest savior and smartest characteristic. Coming in at just about 38 minutes, UMC allows for tons and tons of playback with plenty of easy listening material. Although, with something this short, there is minimal room for error, and of course, this album evidently has a few hiccups. It certainly isn’t a lyrical masterpiece, and sadly, it isn’t much of anything but a quick Common fix. Regardless, even with its laughably blatant sex talk and synth heavy production, Common has managed to create a fairly enjoyable album that would’ve been great as a (originally planned) summer release, a season where lyrics go to die.
Overall Score: 75/100
Standout Tracks:
“Make My Day”
“Everywhere”
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I just copped this an hour ago…I’m a work bump the joint but it just don’t feel right…smh
You failed to mention that the album was created to be a summer album and the original title of the album was “Invincible Summer”
ya its an okay cd
great review, i feel exactly the same way. i probably wont buy it, but i can’t say it’s awful. that song with kanye on it is just terrible though.
at least he accomplished what he was aiming for.
This is a joint I can rock to if I was drunk out my mind at a party, which is what Common was trying to accomplish with this album in the first place,LOL… It’s not a joint that will be added on to my regular rotation though, it’s one of those “special occasion” type joints….
special occasion? i’m not so sure about that. i’m disappointed with it. not as much as 808’s. it’s funny how they both brought out albums welll away from there usual style at the same time. maybe it was just something they had to get outta there systems & next year things will get back to normal. we shall see eh?
I’ve now listened to the album 4 times…slow day at work.
It ain’t bad, but, it ain’t Common. That’s the problem I have with it. It don’t feel like Common…smh
not feelin it. but there were a couple of common-mixtape releases which satisfied me. you should definately check out the mixtape of beatnick & k-salaam.
ps: “Common has managed to create a fairly enjoyable album that would’ve been great as a summer release” -> it got pushed back.
shit is really weak, i got love for common but fuck this album
Inhale is my favourite!! Great prod from the Neptunes
i wont be coppin this.. But universal mind control is better than the usual akon bullshit they are playin at the neighborhood parties when im just lookin to grind anyway. but deez i just copped the foreign exchange album…..
shit is dope, pretty good suggestion man.
do you know if there new one is good too?
This is Electric Circus PT.2. Has some joints, but def. a fall off from Be & Finding Forever
i aint read shit but i listened to the tracks and could tell that was Mr. DJ haha sounds like some shit Outkast would fuck with
I haven’t really cared for the last two Common albums, but this was slightly better than I expected….which probably isn’t saying a whole lot.
Yeah Tracks
Punch Drunk Love (yeah, really)
Announcement (didn’t like it at first)
Gladiator (probably one of my favorite songs of the year)
Inhale
Meh Tracks
Universal Mind Control
What A World (sounds like a recycled beat for “She Wants To Move”)
Everywhere
Make My Day
Blah Tracks
Sex 4 Suga
Changes
Don’t be jaded by Inhale. I enjoyed it on a first listen too, but an in depth listen really destroys the appreciation that was once there
Funny enough, I feel like you should just dumb yourself down for this album.
The lyrics on this album and formation of it are sometimes about as equal to dialogue Common has in a movie
When I scroll on my iPod for Common, I choose ‘Be’ every time. That’s how it’s always gonna be until he records something of that standard again.
Make My Day is really good…perfect going into summer down under
Gladiator is another mean track
Inhale and Changes are almost as good as BE/FF tracks
as much as i like this, it’ll just tide me over til the Ye/No I.D. produced The Believer
WTF?
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/softwearbymicrosoft/
lol buda! i think common is havin a change in his life. dude just changed…
This is commons I am too busy caking up on Hollywood cheese to be worried with doing a thoughtful album… album. He just wanted to keep teh door open for music in case the movie money ceased and he didn’t make it near the Will Smith excepted level of the game. You know how it is for black actors in hollywood, not a lot of roles for leading men and they usually stick with one black guy to do all of the roles to rep a generation. Last time around you had Denzel and now you got Will who is the safe black guy. Common got to keep them options open because that hollywood life is expensive and the doors close even quicker than music thus he does a album of dance tunes in hopes to be added to the grown and sexy head wrap crowds party platter and maybe even picked up by some new fans all while isolating some old…. Say isn’t mister west trying a similare expirement?
I used to be a HUGE Neptunes fan and the thought of 80% of a Common album being produced by Pharrell/Chad would have been on my dream collabo list! However, in my opinion, what we end up with is a paper-thin collection of second rate Neptunes beats that even Common’s class on the mic can’t save. The best tune on the album is Everywhere and this is one of the 2 non-Neptunes beats! I take your point on the length being a good thing Deez, but if this scores 75 then Be and Finding Forever should be 90+. Pains me to say it, but I think The Neptunes have fallen off, I cannot emphasise how much I hope I’m proved wrong on this!
Too over produced for me.. thought his collaboration with Guru a couple of years back was spot on with State of Clarity…
On point review Deez!
Bangers:
UMC
Gladiator
Inhale
What A World
Horrendous:
Punch Drunk Love (remix is much better)
Average:
Make My Day (not feelin’ this like everybody else, its waaaay to happy haha)
Changes
Announcement
Sex 4 Suga (dig the beat on this but his raps are pretty weak)
GREAT review. Minus ur Kanye bashing at the beginning but we know how I feel about that. Lol.
The album does its job as u say with the replay value and fun vibe, and its def easy listening. But with Common, his lengthy disco has so much deep and introspective stuff that this is a nice step out of the box.
Everywhere is that SONG! Man, if Common wasnt even on it, it would be dope!
My only beef with the album is the HORRIBLE Sex 4 Sugar…Sweet Lord…what a waste of a pretty solid beat. Common was borderling embarrassing on that track. Besides that, I have given the album a full 3 spins since purchase (weds) and plan to give it more…oh, and this album should have DEF been released in the Summer. This doesnt represent the cold Chi-Town nights that were used to Common telling us about.
people need to check out the rapreviews review of this
Haven’t heard a lot to make me wanna listen to this, certainly won’t be prioritising it.
Nice read Deez
WTF IS GOING ON THIS YEAR WITH MY TWO FAVORITE CHI-TOWN G.O.O.D MC’S THEY DROP MEDIOCRE AT BEST EXPERIMENTAL ALBUMS
THIS PROVES COMMON SOUNDS BEST OVER THE BOOM BAP
AT LEAST JOHN LEGEND’S JAWN WAS CRACK
quality album, common moving forward as he does, if u want old com, listen to old com.
Bold album done well.