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True Magic [First Version]
Mixed or average reviews
Based on 9 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 12 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Geffen
Release Date: 29 December 2006
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Rap
Summary
Kanye West and Pharrell Williams are among the producers for the rapper's follow-up to 2004's 'The New Danger.' This version of the album is no longer officially available for sale; a second version with new artwork and a new tracklisting will be released in the spring of 2007.
Also By This Artist: New Danger The Ecstatic
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
NOW Magazine
A Wu-Tangy darkness permeates the whole album, which is cluttered with gems both musical (live sax and jazz flute) and lyrical.
Read Full Review >Tiny Mix Tapes
Mos Def’s third album is worth a careful listen: it’s not a happy record, and there are few, if any, genius rhymes. But it speaks volumes about the frustration and resignation of the underprivileged.
Read Full Review >Entertainment Weekly
A large chunk is bogged down by extended outros and lyrical inanities. [19 Jan 2007, p.81]
Pitchfork
Everything about this album is half-assed: From the bafflingly bare packaging to the at-times miserable mix, True Magic is a mess.
Read Full Review >Prefix Magazine
Quite possibly the worst record by a great emcee in recent memory.
Read Full Review >The New York Times
Mos Def may not be flossy or raw at this stage in his celebrated career, which is fine. But what he offers instead is lukewarm nostalgia and obligatory indignation. [8 Jan 2007]
Billboard
Like its predecessor, the equally undercooked "The New Danger," there is a sense that a deadline crawled up before the music was cemented. [13 Jan 2007]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 7.2 (out of 10) based on 12 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Ed gave it an8:
It's alternative, so not for everyone's taste. But if it's your taste (as it is mine) then it's top notch. It's refreshing to hear stuff like this alongside the more homogenous mainstream stuff. Plus I do like a retro nod.
mario p gave it a7:
I must agree with Daniston M. The tracks are killa, they way live instruments are used is enchanting. I was expecting more lyrical content. Hopefully his next album will not disappoint any.
andrew gave it an8:
I really don't get all the bad press. This album is much better than the disappointing New Danger. Not as good as Black on Both Sides, but still solid. I don't get all the hate. Had this since December and I've been rocking it on the regular ever since. Sure, the beats are minimalist, but that's fine with me. The New Danger was way overproduced anyways.
TM gave it a5:
I appreciate the raw approach to this album. I also agree that it does play more like an underground tape than a major release (and if the stripped down packaging was a move to lower the container deduction, I think Mos deserves to take a bow!) All bets are usually off when an artist(s) are trying to get out of a contract (Phrenology is a good example of this), so while this isn't Black on Both Sides, It does take some creative liberties, which is refreshing in itself.
Mr. Snake gave it a3:
What happened to this guy? Can't be the same Mos that was one half of Black Star. I think working with big names like Bruce Willis and Mark Wahlberg is getting to him.
Jimmy Z gave it a7:
Critics were expecting way too much out of this album. It's got great production, and lyrically it was alright. However some of the songs sounded like filler tracks. I know I've heard better, but Mos Def still works for me.
Gabor A gave it a7:
Even when he makes a bad album, this is leagues ahead of most of what hip hop has to offer these days. Not as intelligent as black on both sides but alive and creative nontheless.
