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The biggest complaint has to be that the early single 'Nike Boots' is missing, but otherwise, this unique debut does not disappoint.
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Luckily, Wale never spreads himself too thin on Attention Deficit and maintains the urgency of his mixtapes to ensure that the set contains little filler.
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Well, there’s no doubt that he delivers with a rigorous, intelligent set, but let’s not go overboard. Attention Deficit proves there’s still room for growth.
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A shock in the uttermost worst way because Wale has suffered from the over-production, guest-crammed, lack-of-ideas style that usually follows with a major label release.
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There's little doubting Wale's potential but 'Attention Deficit' is so much like a lot of other rap fare out there that it will very likely suffer to be heard above the cynicism directed at hip hop in 2010.
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The thing holds together remarkably well, thanks to Wale’s upstart charisma and remarkable versatility.
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He often lives up to that promise on his major-label debut, tossing out deep thoughts and show-offy puns over beats that pay homage to the go-go of his native D.C.
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Overall, the ups far outweigh the downs.
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Internal rhyme schemes, halting phrasing, thoughtful self-exploration; this is Wale at his best. Not as a preening star filling in the gaps for a king-making debut. A regular person, with doubts and sadness, joy and confidence. There's just not enough of it on Attention Deficit.
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Ultimately, Attention Deficit stands as a solid introduction, though in venturing to bridge the gap between backpackers and the masses, Wale has clearly lost some of what set him apart in the first place.
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The rookie blunders are kept to a minimum, and Wale’s mesmeric talent--the left-field punchlines, the charmingly laid-back flows, the nakedly emotional storytelling--is enhanced by lively beats that juggle eclectic synth-pop with throwback soul.
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Q MagazineHis debut album isn't quite as off the wall [as his mixtape], but taps an irrepressible post-Kanye West mood. [Jun 2010, p.133]
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The biggest problem with Wale's debut LP is that sure, the music is good, some of the concepts are interesting...But it is all very middle of the road, and Wale himself is an MC desperately in need of charisma.
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The darker moments like 'Contemplate,' where he explores insecurity against an elegiac Rihanna sample, prove he's best as a doubter, not a hater.
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In its ambitious attempts to revive conscious rap and push the envelope sonically, Attention Deficit may be one of the best rap releases of the year even while it lacks the focus of a central persona.
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Straddling the line between street and pop, Attention: Deficit doesn't quite capture the pop zeitgeist. But it sheds light on Wale's evolving personality, and his circuitous story raps reward deep listening.
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Overall, Attention: Deficit should be considered a successful debut, albeit mildly uneven.
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Attention Deficit offers the best of both worlds; it’s pop music with integrity and brains. And, in the parlance of American Bandstand, you can dance to it!
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It’s now clear that though the District of Columbia might not have representation in the US Senate, residents do have a distinguished rep in hip-hop.
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The album is confident and catchy, with some telling moments. It’s also a measure of how limited Wale and his label think their hip-hop mainstream is.
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The production offers great instrumentation and paints moods very well for Wale and his expertly-picked guest appearances.
User score distribution:
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Positive: 29 out of 34
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Mixed: 5 out of 34
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Negative: 0 out of 34
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May 9, 2017
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Jun 27, 2013
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Feb 18, 2011