Kid Cudi made such immediate hype in hip-hop a little over a year ago with the release of his mixtape A Kid Called Cudi [download]. When he released the instant hit “Day ‘n Night,” Cudi’s hype further exploded. A firm protégée of Kanye West, Cudi has received the seal of approval from numerous artists in the hip-hop game and outside the game as well. Released on G.O.O.D Music, Man on the Moon: The End of Day far exceeds traditional hip-hop and throws itself into an alternative, yet, conceptual abstract of Kid Cudi’s life journey.
Man on the Moon, much like a play, is broken down into five acts, transitioned and outlined by the spoken word of Common. Act 1: The End of the Day is introduced by “In My Dreams (Cudder Anthem),” an orchestrated track that is anything but an astonishing representation of what’s the album has to hold. Stretching over to “Soundtrack 2 My Life,” Cudi speaks of a bout with depression after his father’s death and the ever-lingering idea of being alone in the world over an eclectic array of guitar strings and keys. A chilling display of desperation carries over to Act 2: The Rise of the Night Terrors with “Solo Dolo,” a haunting and darkly produced track that Cudi’s voice rolls over so instrumentally.
Continuing with his alternative hip-hop deliveries, “My World,” co-produced by hit-maker Jeff Bhasker, starts to unravel the a sense of hope otherwise unimaginable on the album, as Act 3: Taking a Trip and Act 4: Stuck makes room for the radio sandstorms “Day n’ Night,” “Make Her Say,” and the Kanye produced “Sky Might Fall.” The optimistic “Sky…” incorporates a production pattern similar to Ye’s “Welcome to Heartbreak,” but in a much more simple and direct manner, which could be said the same for describing Cudi’s delivery on the song. The Lady Gaga inspired “Make Her Say” provides the platform for Kid to hold the mic alongside Kanye (who produced the track), as well as aforementioned Common. To no surprise, Cudi gets lost amongst the Chicago MCs, but nonetheless releases an enjoyable verse.
The bass-heavy “Cudi Zone” is single-handedly Kid Cudi’s strongest performance on the LP, smoothly transitioning his lyrical content from pen to ear for a vivid vocal piece, whereas the upbeat “Heart of a Lion” acts as an intellectual metaphor for courage (a la Wizard of Oz), something drastically conveyed throughout the album. Closing of the album with Act 5: A New Beginning, Cudi notions moving forward with “Pursuit of Happiness,” and “Up, Up and Away.” The former, which features electronic/indie rock band MGMT and electronic duo Ratatat (who produced the track), lets Cudi display a bittersweet lyrical content expressive of rising above all circumstances, whereas “Up, Up, and Away,” is a guitar driven upbeat track finalizing Cudi’s journey.
Kid Cudi’s fearless approach to Man on the Moon: The End of Day, lyrically and production-wise, makes it one of the most intriguing and thought-provoking albums of the year. Despite a clear understanding that Kid should not sing and can’t even rap that well [weirdly] only solidifies the ultimate power of this album. It sets a stage for one hell of a trippy dream sequence with some marvelously tasty and in depth stories along the way.
Cudi’s minimalistic and simplistic approach to his ‘rhyme’ schemes and deliveries are at times debatable, but there is a lyrical depth otherwise unannounced in hip-hop albums today. Imagine 808s & Heartbreaks with similar, more thorough production, as well as a more potent lyrical threshold. Similar emotion, even if he’s most likely on a little bit of a mellow high while recording, the pain, stress, success, and labour of his life is instilled in his craft.
Unfortunately, tracks like “Enter Galactic (Love Connection Part I),” and “Alive (Nightmare)” may have ruined this prevailing fluidity, as they don’t necessarily hold the same weight in the numerous layers of complexity that embody the album. The same could be said for “Make Her Say,” which hardly fits the mould of the conceptual atmosphere. Man on the Moon… is an eerily dark journey, solely capable through the outstanding bravery Cudi puts forth throughout. At times, the depressing (yet unimaginably intriguing) journey Cudi leads us on may seem overwhelming, but the superior intellectuality this album overshadows any hesitations present. Man on the Moon: The End of Day is an admission of struggles, fears, and hopelessness with the vivaciousness to overcome, and rise above. It may not be ‘hip-hop,’ but it embodies the bravery hip-hop was founded on.
86/100
Soundtrack 2 My Life
Cudi Zone
Solo Dolo
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Nice review, but that last comment left a bad taste in my mouth.
On first listen the album tripped me out…thought it was too spaced out. Further listens I can appreciate the concept/theme of the album. I appreciate the execution of pulling off his “dream” and making it work. He has some nice beats (Emile laces him).
I would disagree with a few things. I think this album shouldn’t be labeled anything, but Hip-Hop. He’s a rapper. He just does it differently than the “normal” imo. The score is kind of high for an album that is so low lyrically. I think he has potential, but beats can only carry an emcee so far. His lyrically game needs to step up.
With that said I con’t to listen to the album…go figure.
http://kevinnottingham.com/2009/09/16/sample-of-the-day-kid-cudi-edition/
Don’t forget the samples!
Premier, why did that last comment leave a bitter feeling.
Note, Hip Hop is in Quotations, usually implying the Hip Hop in the knowing traditional sense of the word. If that is in fact the issue..
Tough album to review because there’s so much to say. There are some areas this piece didn’t even touch on, but frankly, there’s plenty to say about this Michel Gondry type of album.
Fantastic album, good review too
Definitely an album you kinda have to be in the mood for. “Emo-rap,” as some call it, isn’t exactly my cup of tea, nor is Kid Cudi. Having said that, I really liked the album, which came as a big shock to me. Props to eA on the review!
I don’t believe that Cudi is lyrically inept, but rather his deliveries aren’t strong. Lyrically, this album is a near 15 tracks of a genius vulnerabliity, making it as intriguing as hell.
And Deez already covered my question @ Premier, haha.
Emo rap? Noooooo not really. I beleive the term is space hop. I liked about 3-4 songs on the able and absolutely hate the first half of the album. Cudi can be cool, but shit dude is overrated. The beats really werent THAT great in most cases. I suppose the albm would be great to listen to high, but anywhere else it just doesnt fit. I’d personally give the album about a 65/100.
and that’s just honesty. It’s one thing to be original, it’s another thing to let an alright idea hold all of the weight of an album, rather than idk…..the lyrics? (which for those of you who label some things as “Emo rap” [which I thought was called HIP HOP], good lyrics are a huge part of it.)
Sorry but I for one thinks this dude sucks. Beats are straight but since when you aint half to be nice on the mic…..niot matter what the subjects or content is. Its like you get a pass for good concepts but mediocre execution and you hear shit like” he good a nice concept though” but if your shit is weak lyrically then it is weak lyrically. I mean Devin the Dude does not spit on the same shit as lets say Jay Electronica or Mos Def or Cee-Lo and though these cats have put together concept joints they have still been dope both lyrically and production wise. Not just in direction. I just think “hip hop; or whateva the fuck it is now cus i dont think it is hip hop anymore, has low standards and let shit slide. I listened to this dude shit and the whole time I was like ………..zzzzzzzzzzzzzz…what the fuck is this dude talkin bout…..
Forgive me, I blatantly over looked the quotations. I was just confused as to how it wasn’t hip hop.
This album is very out there in terms of mood, lyrics, concept, so as a result its a very “Love it or Hate it” kind of album. Anyways i was wondering how unknown heads like me, can get there reviews heard and possibly put on the site. What are the basic criteria you have to include?
Sure, Kid Cudi doesn’t have the skills to compete with the top MCs. This album is probably 4/10 in lyrical complexity when compared to Cuban Linx 2. But Cudi makes up for it by composing extremely honest and meaningful songs. He seems to have a great ear for music and ability to create a mood with his songs.
This is like Kanye’s 808s, done right. It has real meaning behind it, and you can actually feel the ups and downs.
I have to say as well that lyrically it is not of a high standard. Which, from a hip hop standpoint, immediately decreases its marks imo even if it isn’t an out and out hip hop album. The soundscapes and ambition are a highlight but this album is not on the same level as say Cuban LInx 2 (which was scored at 87). Regardless, well written review and it is always good to see a debutant perform well in sales.
I just copped Cudi’s joint yesterday, but I haven’t listened to it yet…. His style is very eccentric… I’m feelin the kid, tho… Great review…
I think Cudi is very Different…He’s somewhat fresh too, His style can bring a “feel” and that “feel” is good…When I hear him, idk, I feel relaxed for some reason…ENTER GALACTIC is a good song also…MY WORLD is one of the best songs on the album…This album certainly has its moments…
i really think this is one of the best debuts since food and liquor. despite what has been said about cudi’s lyrical ability, he makes songs that are honest and truthful
the whole atmosphere of the album reminds me alot of the cool, thrown in with some 808’s in there. i also love how there are those optimistic tracks in there to show that not all is lost
if this is emo-rap, consider myself a fan!
I think he puts out very love/hate music. My first listen to this album, I was wondering what the hell it was. But when you stop questioning, and just listen, you develop a whole new understanding/appreciation for it.
@ Random, Enter Galactica is a good song, but it’s placement on the album is a little off, you know?
I love the CD, period. I can relate to a lot of the things he says, and I don’t really care if his lyrics aren’t eloquent or extremely poetic. I think the message and the vibe that hip hop artists have are more important than the words they use to convey them. i.e Wayne can come up with a catchy-ass verse and have it be about something degrading or negative or stereotypical. Everyone’s a critic. And like what’s been said before, you either love the album or hate it. I admire his honesty and I also think he’s refreshing. Great vibes, great meaning. It’s his first album, and his lacking lyrical skills only show that he has room and time to grow and improve, but you can rap for YEARS and STILL not be able to show your emotions to your fans and relate to just the normal person as he has with just his very first album.