ABW Introspective: Universal Mind Control

[5th Letter]

Universal Mind Control is the 8th studio album by Common, it was released on December 9th 2008. Was this album as bad as they say it was? This can’t be worse than Electric Circus, but I guess we’ll see now…

Track 1. Intro, a woman speaks some kind of foreign language for a few seconds. The intro leads into the next song.

Track 2. Universal Mind Control, this track was produced by The Neptunes and also features Pharrell on the chorus. This song samples Planet Rock. People hate on this song but I like it. 7/10

Track 3. Punch Drunk, this song was produced by The Neptunes and it features Kanye West. Additional vocals from Pharrell. Kanye on the chorus. So far they are 2/2 on the songs. 7.5/10

Track 4. Make My Day, this is produced by Mr DJ. Cee Lo Green on the chorus. This song is a product of its time. Sounds like something John Legend would sing over. I’m not feeling this. 6/10

Track 5. Sex 4 Suga, produced by The Neptunes. This song sucks. Trash beat, lazy chorus. Lazy generic lyrics. 4/10

Track 6. Announcement, produced by The Neptunes. Pharrell spitting on the second verse. This was the second and final single from this album. Solid song but they should’ve made the previous Kanye song a single instead. 7/10

 

[5th Letter]

Track 7. Gladiator, produced by The Neptunes. I’m not feeling this beat, but Common was spitting on here. 6/10

Track 8. Changes, produced by Mr DJ, with Muhsinah on the chorus with additional vocals from Omoya Assata Lynne who’s his daughter. I like this. Great message. Smooth beat. 7/10

Track 9. Inhale, produced by The Neptunes. Solid track, nothing I’d go back to listen to again. 6.5/10

Track 10. What a World, produced by The Neptunes, featuring Chester French who’s an independent pop band that’s no longer active. I’m not feeling this at all. This sounds like a song they would use for a Target or Gap/Old Navy commercial 5.5/10

Track 11. Everywhere, produced by Mr DJ. Featuring Martina Topley-Bird, she is an English singer and songwriter. I’m not feeling this song. Another lazy effort by Com with the lyrics. Not a good way to end the album. 5/10

 

[5th Letter]

This album had a few solid-good songs but overall was very disappointing. This is a step down for sure. 6/10

 

[grYmes]

Going from Be & Finding Forever back to back to this was a major letdown. This was while Common was starting to get movie roles real heavy too so I’m not surprised that he half assed this album.

 

[Elzo69Renaissance]

Tried to recapture the magic w Pharrell and missed the mark

But inhale is one of my favorite songs

 

[RozayTabernacle]

If you look at the productions credits on Common's albums, he's really been blessed by some legends. From No ID to J Dilla, Kanye to the Neptunes, album with Pete Rock on teh way.

 

[Lab Baby]

If you look at the productions credits on Common's albums, he's really been blessed by some legends. From No ID to J Dilla, Kanye to the Neptunes, album with Pete Rock on teh way.

And either they got their start with him (No ID), gave him their best work (Dilla, Kanye) or added to their credibility (Neptunes).

 

[Elzo69Renaissance]

If you look at the productions credits on Common's albums, he's really been blessed by some legends. From No ID to J Dilla, Kanye to the Neptunes, album with Pete Rock on teh way.

He top 5

 

[757'sFinest]

Man this album was horrible lol

 

[rip.dilla]

Eh ... I loved that remix of Punch Drunk Love


Credit to Comm though. .. he's always keeps it to a minimum of 2/3 producers an album... Doesn't litter

 

[Goldie]

I always fucked with Punch Drunk off the strength of the heavy gogo influence.

 

[IUTpt2]

Sure I won't be checking for this.


I came in this thread cause of the title.