The eighth Common album was originally titled "Invincible Summer," but delays slid its release back to December. Though Mortal Winter might've been more apt, Universal Mind Control does correctly point toward a lighter, less cerebral set relative to the MC's discography from The Resurrection onward. The glinting "Change" is a track filled with hope and optimism about younger generations and the rise of Obama, and "Inhale," another standout, carries a surplus of uplift and urgency. Otherwise, Common's here to have a good time, no strings attached, with uneven results. Occasionally adopting a casual old-school flow, best heard on the neo-Bambaataa electro throwback title track, he spends most of his time boasting about his prowess, whether he's referring to being on the mike or in the bedroom. At the album's lowest, he sounds uncomfortably out of character, as on "Announcement"; its stern beat, one of the seven provided by the Neptunes, resembles a Clipse cast-off, pushing Common into ill-suited thuggishness. The sluggish, mindless "Punch Drunk Love" ("My ungh is in your body/My ungh is in your mind") and "Sex 4 Suga" ("Girl, ooh, you look ungh") are nearly as dire, likewise sacrificing cleverness for bluntness. The album's last two tracks, production-wise, depart from hip-hop and will hopefully send some listeners back to the flawed greatness of Electric Circus. "What a World" features some of Common's most enjoyable, if simplistic, old-school rhymes, but the song is impaired by its dance-rock/Rapture-knockoff backdrop; and even with some of Common's most energized lines appearing as late as midway through the much more effective "Everywhere," the Dungeon Family's Mr. DJ (who produced two other tracks) drops some low-slung sci-fi synth-funk for Martina Topley-Bird's spaced vocal feature.
Not too many artists can say they've put out eight albums, won two Grammy awards and co-starred alongside Denzel Washington. The conscious Chicago MC who once called himself Common Sense has grown into Common the entertainer - rapping, acting and doing GAP commercials. Maintaining a career in the hip-hop industry since 1992 and trying to [...] Related posts:Fucked Up - The Common Chemistry of L
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After successful acting roles in Wanted and American Gangster, Common ( real name Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr ) finally returns with his eighth studio album? and the 36 year old is at his experimental best. But Common delivers his lyrics with vigour and rescues the track to shine as one of UMC's cornerstones. Everywhere enlists Martina Topley Bird, whose trippy vocals punch away agreeably to the rave...
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I think it's safe to say that one can't properly critique/review an album without being familiar with the artist's previous work (assuming they have any). So as I sit here with Common's post-'94 discography stacked on my desk, I can't help but feel disappointed by [...]
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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 [...]
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We know how much you guys love some new Common content. Via nah right here's a video of Common performing in Houston last night with Pharrell. The song is labeled as "There's Nothing You Can Do" but sounds to me like the song we posted awhile back called "Gladiator" (the youtube clip was removed). Either way, it's dope. Another bit of news we received is that Common's album is now titled...
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At first, Rash was clearly going off the dome, and I thought we were home free until the 1:20 mark when he dropped the Lil Wayne/LOllipop/Lil Wayne/Lady Cop line. I really didn't think he was going to do it this time around. Color me treated. Can someone put a phone call into him or Derek [...]
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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 [...]
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Hey all!My review of Common's album Universal Mind Control is now up on Blogcritics Magazine. Here's an excerpt:After two critically acclaimed albums with Kanye West at the helm, Common goes in a different direction with his new album Universal Mind Control. Executive produced by Pharrell Williams and produced entirely by The Neptunes and Mr. DJ, this album isn't without its charms. However, i...
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01. Universal Mind Control f/ Pharrell 02. Punch Drunk Love f/ Kanye West 03. Make My Day f/ Cee-Lo Green 04. Sex 4 Sugar 05. Announcement f/ Pharrell 06. Gladiator 07. Changes 08. Inhale 09. What A World 10. Everywhere Above is the tracklist for Common's next LP, Universal Mind Control, hittin' stores on December 9th! Interesting that there's only 10 tracks, but Common usually [...]
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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.Full story here.
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Brace yourself for the music of the future with Common’s new album, Universal Mind Control. The Zune staff loved this latest work from Common and wanted the world to hear it, starting with you. So, to help spread the word, for a limited time you can get the entire album for the price of just [...]
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Common "Universal Mind Control" f/ Pharrell VIDEO PREMIERE! Definitely the busiest weekend in awhile for me (and I'll eventually have a post dedicated to a part of the reason why.. stay tuned) so allow me 2 catch up and post some loose ends from the weekend. We'll start with some heavy heat from the Chi, with the [...]
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Common Talks Universal Mind Control IN STORES DECEMBER 9TH! Here's a quick update for ya ears starting with a video of Common on top of a rooftop (hah, he did this for Finding Forever also) describing his favorite trax off the upcoming album, Universal Mind Control, which hits stores next week! Definitely an interesting view for hardcore [...]
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Last night i couldn't sleep and watched some hip hop videos...Is it just me or is Common gunning for the Kanye West look/sound? I think It was nice while it lasted but Kany totally wrecked that electronic hip hop sound to another stratosphere, can't we catch a break? I love Common and think he has some great lyrics however, the sound on this track was just not good. I love that he's sampling ...
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Common's 8th album (count 'em), Universal Mind Control , managed to move 81,000 copies in its first week on shelves and landed at number 12 on the Billboard charts. Not bad considering the album leaked to the internets almost a month before its intended release date. Although, I must say I'm a bit surprised as this album seemingly had more promotion than any Common release ever, other than B...
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I just read this review of Common's Universal Mind Control by Jesal 'Jay Soul' Padania at RapReviews.com and just had to repost over here. I haven't read anything this funny in ages! I don't necessarily agree with the review; I dig the new album, but this was just too funny not to post. Read on [...]
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If you think Common's latest release, Universal Mind Control, is different then check out these remixes of some of Common's classic cuts by Isbjerg! Go 6th Sense The Light Announcement The Corner I Used To Love H.E.R. Bonus: I Used To Love H.E.R. (Mario Remix) DOWNLOAD Check out more of Isbjerg's Remixes No Tags---Related Articles at Kevin|Nottingham: This Is Hip Hop:No Related Posts
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We know how much you guys love some new Common content. Via nah right here's a video of Common performing in Houston last night with Pharrell. The song is labeled as "There's Nothing You Can Do" but sounds to me like the song we posted awhile back called "Gladiator" (the youtube clip was removed). Either way, it's dope. Another bit of news we received is that Common's album is now titled...
More >
Not too many artists can say they've put out eight albums, won two Grammy awards and co-starred alongside Denzel Washington. The conscious Chicago MC who once called himself Common Sense has grown into Common the entertainer - rapping, acting and doing GAP commercials. Maintaining a career in the hip-hop industry since 1992 and trying to [...] Related posts:Fucked Up - The Common Chemistry of L
More >
Common sits down with OkayPlayerTV to talk about the new album, Universal Mind Control, due December 9th. This is gonna be a different sound from Common, but we gonna do it up big here on the site with a full week dedicated to Common, so look out! What up Tunji! No Tags---Related Articles at Kevin|Nottingham: This Is [...]
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