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RapReviews.com

Those who have slept on Wyclef Jean's catalogue may need to give it another look after listening to Carnival Vol. II.

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Village Voice

Just when Carnival II begins to feel comfortable in hip hop, Paul Simon hops onto the mournful 'Fast Car' and a massive Bollywood ensemble powers the roiling 'Immigrant.' [Dec 2007, p.108]

Mojo

Jean's sonic scope is breathtaking, complemented by imaginative lyrics. [Dec 2007, p.102]

All Music Guide

Carnival, Vol. 2 strives to give the immigration problem a face, turning those thousands of marchers seen on the news into a thousand personal stories of struggle and hope. It does so while pulsating with life and displaying an unabashed love of music that's rich, daring, and delightful.

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Billboard

Carnival II sounds louder when it's quieter.

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Rolling Stone

It's a breathtaking, ambitious ride through a carnival of global music too rarely explored.

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The New York Times

Mr. Jean’s sixth solo album, is yet another mishmash, this one a cosmopolitan hip-pop grab bag full of big-name guests, baffling miscalculations and bursts of inspired songwriting.

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PopMatters

Carnival II manages to touch points all over the musical map successfully, while also dropping science and making people dance in equal measure.

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Entertainment Weekly

Such transcendent moments are rare on the exhuasting Vol. II. [7 Dec 2007, p.76]

Blender

As Clef drops mostly trite lines about green cards, strippers and police harassment, this strategy either succeeds brillantly--or goes haywire. [Nov 2007, p.153]

The Guardian

The reggae-lite production is seductively summery (especially on the gorgeous 'Slow Down'), if slightly aimless at times; despite the influence of Wyclef's conscience, his eye is too firmly set on a carnival atmosphere to ever sound preachy.

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Q Magazine

He's still no Jay-Z, but the roll-call of guests reflects his savvy, anything-goes approach. [Dec 2007, p.124]

The Onion (A.V. Club)

Immigrant goes down smooth. Just don't expect it to linger.

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Spin

The former Fugee throws hip-hop, reggae, synth pop, and heavy metal into his trademark melting pot with little worry that the results might not blend. [Jan 2008, p.98]

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 8.5 (out of 10) based on 8 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Davey J. gave it a6:
A decent if bland RnB album, but nothing of what makes Wyclef Wyclef - no innovation, no humour, nothing. It's overproduced mass-market hip-hop, like you get from countless other artists. This isn't worthy of the Carnival name - that album was ground-breaking and unique. This is hip-hop by-the-numbers, and Wyclef rests on his laurels and lets the various guest artists take over. We want our Wyclef back!

nutral nutraly gave it a9:
A great album, a great style with diversity of songs. i like most of the songs, great hiphop and r&b. some of the best numbers, riot, sweetest girl, fast car, touch your button. but overall allt the songs are great.

Dan Z. gave it a9:
Wyclef's best CD. Yes its a little more pop than his past but they are all good songs. Standouts include Heaven's in NY, Slow Down, Fast Car, Any Other Day, RIot.

Josh F gave it a7:
Pretty good stuff...surprised mC didn't mention Paul Simon is on it. Great track, by the way.

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Carnival II: Memoirs Of An Immigrant

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