Be
by Common
  • Record Label: Geffen
  • Release Date: May 24, 2005
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 163 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 146 out of 163
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 163
  3. Negative: 11 out of 163

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  1. IgnacioY
    Jun 30, 2005
    6
    Although it brings back some ideas from 70s legends, it is not anything you havent heard before. Better go to the sources and buy a classic
  2. JackM
    Aug 23, 2005
    4
    Best CD of the year in rap music?!? DENIED. Unless, however, you were willing to equate self-righteous, boring, derivative R&B with such praise. As a fan of Common's earlier albums (especially the tragically underrated Electric Circus), Be is a huge, monumental disappointment - and probably the most overrated album of the year, in any genre.
  3. HaloedB
    May 29, 2005
    6
    The pervasive statements that this is a "return to form" or a "classic match up" between Kanye and Common is pure marketing retoric (which I fell for). The music and lyrics border on corny and there is not one song that could be considered innovative. Great introduction, however, to the conscious rap movement of 1994.
  4. aaronl
    Jun 18, 2005
    5
    Ultimately disappointing, but mainly only considering how great Electric Circus was. Electric Circus forged new musical territory, and Common caught a lot of shit for it. At the end of the day, this is a step away from the experimentalism of Electric Circus. That being said, Kanye West makes a fine beat, even if they all have a similar style that has already been explored. Some of the Ultimately disappointing, but mainly only considering how great Electric Circus was. Electric Circus forged new musical territory, and Common caught a lot of shit for it. At the end of the day, this is a step away from the experimentalism of Electric Circus. That being said, Kanye West makes a fine beat, even if they all have a similar style that has already been explored. Some of the rhymes are also on the cheesy side, which occassionally hurts songs. But there are a few really nice tracks on here.… Expand
  5. JohnM
    Jun 17, 2005
    6
    The Dot Music review is dead-on. The album sounds good and flows well (except for the single "Go!" which needs a lot less Kanye and Mayer and a lot more Common), but the album in general is too sterile; it pushes no boundaries and its sound seems a little dated. There is nothing new here, just accomplished, albeit completely forgettable, music.

Awards & Rankings

39
#39 Best Album of 2005
51
#51 Most Discussed Album of 2005
14
#14 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Prefix Magazine
    80
    The album is an extremely satisfying listen, but if Common is to lead the revolution, he has to make more of a statement than a great bass line and some tight rhymes.
    Read full review
  2. AllMusic
    80
    Be isn't likely to be referred to by anyone as groundbreaking, but it's one of Common's best, and it's also one of the most tightly constructed albums of any form within recent memory.
    Read full review
  3. Blender
    80
    Be picks up where West's The College Dropout left off. [Jun 2005, p.113]
See all critic reviews »