top 5 hip-hop album- common at his best

Author's Rating:

Pros: theres nothin out there that can compare to it

Cons: theres nothin out there that can compare to it

The Bottom Line: 
Buy it, and listen to the genius released from Common's breath

Author's Review
Back in 1994,Common Sense released his 2nd album, titled Resurrection. Arguably the most most influential year in recent hip-hop history (and yes i think more important that '88.............think illmatic, 36 chambers, ready to die) Resurrection was overshadowed by these more high profile releases and is still an album that receives less praise than it should be awarded.
Now ive had the album for a while and i just thought i had to share it with others. Having put it in my minidisc for the first time in ages a few weeks ago it hasnt left the player, i forgot how good this album was.
A combination of great production from chicago producer No I.D. and witty, provocative lyrics from Common, i dont skip any tracks any find it hard to pinpoint a favorite.

The first track lends its name to the album (or vise versa)and features a running beat, smooth bass and a pleasant piano loop. The track has no particular substance, kinda common freestyling, but does introduce the listener to his unique style. Look out for the witty lines and puns and I also like the scratching over the hook

I used to love H.E.R. is recognised as a hip-hop classic, no doubt about it. It is. Not a spectacular beat, a nice melody from a keyboard but what makes the track is commons's subject matter. he talks about his relationship with a girl and how she has become consumed by the wrong things. he reveals at the end of the track that this girl is actaully a representation of hip-hop.
my personal favorite line from the song
"a few new york n****** used to do her in the park"
i remember the first time i heard it, i was like whoa, thanks for tellin me that, didnt really need to know about that. then he dropped the reality of his rhyme and it all made sense.

The third track, watermelon, is a bit short at 2 minutes 38 but it contains some great lyrics from Com and a superb beat from No I.D. probably my favorite beat on the album. Again there is no real substance or topic to the lyrics but common does hit you with some gems.
"i derail ur train of thought"
"i can, like a pop machine"

track no 4 is Book of Life. Common tells the listener about his life, a good beat but it doesnt quite fit common's unusual flow. the hook contains that famous hip-hop line "heres a little stroy that must be told" and a tiny sample of a Mary J track that i cant quite remember. This track also contains maybe the cleverest line ive ever heard on a microphone. I cant do it justice by writing it down, u have to hear it for yourself. Common states
"They say become a doctor, but i dont have the patience/patients"

If i was really pushed into saying my favorite track of the album its probably In my own world (check the method). A sublime beat from No I.D. and a great jazzy melody complement the lyrics perfectly. When i listen to it on headphones i do kinda feel like i'm in my own world. The hook contains a sample of a Tribe song from Midnight Marauders called Keep it rollin' where Large Professor raps "yeah yeah now check the method" but it is not credited on the album sleeve. No I.D also picks up the mic for this one and doesnt let the listener down, good lyrics and a soothing voice and flow.

Next comes a skit from an answering machine message. I usually hate skits but this one isnt all that bad.

Nuthin' to do is track no 7, another jazz fuelled beat from no I.D. that sticks to the album's style. Common raps about his time growing up in Chicago and it is an interesting listen. The hook contains a sample of ODB from Protect ya neck by Wu which came out on 36 chambers earlier in the year(and yes maybe in '93 but in the uk if i recall it was '94).

Communism is an intersting title that reflects common's use of "com" throughout the track using loadsa words that start with "com". A running beat and a mellow organ sound provide the backing to a single verse from common. The beat fades out around 1 minute 40 and then re-appears to fade, an effect that No I.D often uses on the album and an effect that i really like.

WMOE is a skit or an introduction to the next track called This is me. This is yet another first class beat from NO I.D. and one the most outstanding tracks from the album. Common changes his flow on the odd occasion as he explains himself to the listener over the jazzy mellow backing.

Track 11 is Orange Pineapple Juice. Originally this was one of my least favorite tracks on the album but when you hear it enough times as with many of the tracks from the album the lyrics come to the fore. Common manipulates so many words that you have to listen again and again to find all of his witty puns. A few examples

"Mack like Donald, flows i change like coins...
I draw a crowd like blood"

and there are plenty more.

The next track sees the introduction of a different producer to the album, Ynot never the less. he provides a good backing with a clapping beat and he also makes an appearance on the mic. I like his flow and he has a commonesque way with words. Chapter 13 (Rich man vs Poor man)is also an interesting approach from common as he tells the listener a story in the final verse from that traditional joke stance, in this case he uses a black man, a white man and a chinese man to relay an imaginary story.

Maintaining has a piano loop that is slightly similar to the loop on resurrection and as we return to the production of No I.D. The track has no real theme like many of the tracks on the album but once again the lyrics are outstanding
"i draw attention, like a letter to a sergeant"

The final track is also produced by Ynot. this is the epitome of the whole album. Common is freestyling and dropping more and more clever lyrics. The deep basslike keyboard sound is perfect for common's melodic flow.
"i can hold back like a masseuse"
is another line of sheer brilliance from com.

Pop's rap features common's father talking about his son over a good beat from No I.D and concludes a classic album.

Although common's flow is unusual and at times slightly awkward his way with words is outstanding and the beats on the album are classic.