its not that good it hought he should have neva came out wit anything normally i dnt care bout his song but its not as good as it normally is i could be worng and nobody agrees wit me but all i got to say he sho is a whole lot betta den 50 cent cd

KanYe on the inside, Murakami on the outside. Who wouldn't like this album?

Graduation seems to be very risky. An electronic sound, almost no guest appearances, and no skits. Kanye should be out of his element. But aside from Drunk and Hot Girls, the album is amazing. As good as it is, it's not better than his first two.

Not as great as his last album, but that's like saying a porsche is not as nice as a ferrarri.

Kanye's best and a shoe-in for Album of the Year at the Grammys. R.I.P. 50 Cent. His retirement will spawn a new revolution in rap.

There is clear progression between CD, LR, and Graduation. All of them are very different.

I must say that this is really an upgrade from Kanye West.. Great songs, great flows and most of all.. GREAT effects.. Fx the piano on Homecoming (Ft. Chris Martin of Coldplay).. Kanye has definitely graduated in my eyes, and he has graduated with the highest grade possible! So, I think 50 Cent should just make an end to his career 'cause Kanye beats him big time.. My Top 5 on Graduation: 1. Homecoming (Ft. Chris Martin) 2. Big Brother 3. Stronger 4. The Glory 5. Everything I Am The intro Good Morning is also great.... I like it all, so people, buy this CD.. You are going to love it!!… Expand

Next to perfect, some of the people here are just hatin. Kanye's a genius; every track is great, nothing to skip. The production and beats are absolute perfection, listen with headphones and you'll catch some nice suprises and nuance's. The lyrics this time around are less substantial in terms of cultural references than the past two efforts, but they're ALL positve (which I think is great) and they still reflect Kanye's character, charm, and sense of humor, and that comes out worth a lot. This record is about the individual, the graduate, and what he percieves himself to have accomplished. It's brilliantly conceptualized and the album works best as a whole from "Good Morning" to the story's beginning "Champion", to kickin' back "The Good Life" through why he did it "The Glory", to the home coming "Homecoming" to family business @ home "Big Brother". However, the indivisdual tracks work really well individually as well and these 2 concepts make for one hell of a classic record.… Expand

Can someone please check the NME review! If you read it carefully, its quite obvious the reviewer is listening to a leaked copy of the album. He even talks about Good Night ft. Mos Def for crying out loud! Just terrible. This album is hot stuff though! only bad track is Drunk and Hot girls the rest is CLASSIC!

Not just the greatest rapper of all time but the greatest artist living today. Like Kanye said, if there was a modern day Bible written today he would be the lead character, the narrator and all the acknowledgements would be reserved for Kanye himself. Can anyone stop this man?

I can't compare it to his other albums since I don't have them, but I enjoyed it lots and almost all of the tracks - especially Good Morning, Stronger, Can't Tell Me Nothing, Barry Bonds and Big Brother - were great. It doesn't get a 10 because of the inclusion of crap such as Everything I Am and I Wonder - both average tracks which let Graduation down.

The Classic...

Kanye's "Graduation" is exactly like he mentions on the first track of the album, "And yes, barely pass any and every class" Yes kanye you did just that. His 3rd album's lyrics are the least thought provoking and kanye chooses once again to take the route of "but I'm doing songs with artists who arent in hop hop!" just like he did on his last album but this time the results are not there. Graduation is by no means a bad album but something that was overhyped. You will listen to this CD for a few days at most and get tired of all the songs, none of the tracks stand out as classics. Here to hoping that kanye's "master degree" or his next album will be in something besides medicore music.… Expand

Kanye West cd is not that great at all i mean the only songs i really like are flashing lights, goodlife and cant tell me nothing, thats it the other songs it just bores me. im really pissed off becuz all these critics are giving it 90's. The best album of the year is Chamillioniare Ultimate Victory. i can actually listen to the whole cd from beginning to end and still be awake. Man critics are trippin.… Expand

To ask for him to record an album to top Late Registration is simply not going to happen. With that said, this is a very good album, not his best, however easily on of the best hip hop has had to offer this year.

It could've been better; but still quailty.

Great album, its inspirational and moving. Different from everything out right now. A leap forward for Real authentic Hip-Hop Music especially people who don't carry 40 Caliber pistol.....lol

The beats are good, but it lacks real passion theres something a bit plastic bout it, don't get me wrong a good album i just expected more from the saviour of hip hop.

reinventing music one album at a time

It's Kanye...exactly what the doctor ordered.

Shows a much more mature lyricist and producer in Kanye West. Graduation is his tightest and most consistent album yet. It shows how he can stand alone without much outside help, unlike many artists making music today.

I think it is in the middle between the 1st and 2nd but one thing it is and that is good. Production is great and as a lyricist he has improved a great deal. I think he is one of the few that can smoothly make the transition from producer to mc. Kanye's got my top vote for the battle of the cds between him and that other dude!! Great job Ye!

Kanye doesnt dissapoint. Once more he has produced and written an amazing album. From the in depth lyrics of Big Brother to the ever imaginative and eye opening Flashing Lights, or to the old skool soul of The Glory. Another masterpiece.

Production solid all the way through. Sometimes the lyrics and delivery of same is clumsy but mostly pretty decent.

Consistent is one thing Kanye's albums have been. He doesn't break the mold with "Graduation". I can't recall many artists who's first 3 records were considered "album of the year" candidates each time one was released. Amazing.

Kanye is everything hip hop and rap should be all about. He is inventive, creative and breaks new ground. He makes exciting new and interesting material and should be a blueprint for what other rap artists should strive for, as opposed to the ring tone rappers who follow the same tired and over used formulas that went out of style in the late 1990's.

an instant classic

this is probably the worst album he has put out but its still fantastic! got rid of the skits and makes a more free flowing album but not as easily accessible as the other twoi. still highly recommended

Nobody pays more attention to production Musically this is by far the best hip hop album out there

The whole album still feels like classic Kanye yet most of it sounds nothing like his older stuff. Graduation's beats seem to be more electronic and popish rather than what is usually considered rap/hip-hop. Kanye fans might be turned off by this, but I find it to be rather refreshing. I was disappointed at first with this new sound, but after hearing it quite a few times, it really grew on me. It's a shame that the skits got dropped though, as dumb as they were they were still rather funny. There is still one thing that hasn't changed, Kanye is a lyrical genius. For example, the Back to the Future reference in "Good Morning" is a great as is the Adam and Eve line in "Can't Tell Me Nothing". Even when he rhymes the same word three times in a row, it just works. He has always been different from the norm (especially compared to 50 Cent). Few people can do it like Kanye and this album is proof of that. If you just want to get the top titles off of Graduation make sure you download these: "Good Morning" (it is amazing, the first track which really sets the mood of the album), "Stronger" (the best song on the album), "Can't Tell Me Nothing" (this reminds me of "Diamonds from Sierra Leone"), "Flashing Lights" (a very cool beat), "Homecoming" (very catchy song with some great lyrics), and "Big Brother" (a very nice song to end the album). "Champion" and "Everything I Am" are also pretty good. The only two really sore spots on the album are "Barry Bonds" and "Drunk n Hot Girls" (it's a really annoying song). So in the end Graduation is just as good as his previous efforts. Kanye always releases quality and this album is no exception. Is it his best album? It's hard to say if it is, but it comes really close. All of Kanye's albums are so great that it's hard to pick a favourite especially as this one is so different. But it is safe to say that this is my favourite album of the year. Keep up the good work Kanye!… Expand

Another brilliant album from the master of hip-hop. Everyone knows his skills as a producer, but I think he's underapreciated as a lyricist.

way better then the first album!!! i guess 50 aint supportin his next album, since u wooped his ass!!!

Kanye doesn't disappoint on this album.

Kanye is a lyrical genius! I love the way he skillfully plays on words. My fav tracks on Graduation are Big Brother, I Wonder, Bittersweet and Can't Tell Me Nothing. But basically all the tracks are bangers, with the exception of Drunk & Hot Girls, [what were you thinkin Ye & Mos Def??]

I liked that he took the skits out; i dont think they were ever important and they messed up the flows of his earlier albums, the production is really good too, the only things that bother me in the album is his ego for thinking hes up there in rapping with big and pac, hes not in the top 15 rappers on my list, but he is one of the top producers, and album sales don't mean to much to be honest, if they did, ja rule would b a better rapper than biggie.. nuff said.… Expand

Kanye proves he is able to make actual music and not just repetitive commercialized rap-pop, with lyrics that are actually saying something new, rather than the standard cookie cutter hip-hop verbiage, Graduation is full of originality and intelligence musically and lyrically - Thank you Mr. West, the Stevie Wonder of hip hop!!

I am and always will be a rock guy. I listened to West's song 'Homecoming' at a party, and became obsessed with it. I bought the album, and will never look at rap the same way again. Thank you Kanye for revitalizing the genre.

Just great and different .His music is in a high level.

Incredible

One of my favorite albums in a long time really fresh stuff.

Nice...he still has a big mouth though.

Nice! If you like Hip-Hop then you'll like this album. It's one of those that you'll be able to listen to over and over.

fantastic

this album is ridiculous every song is at least 4 stars out of 5 flashing lights, stronger, good morning, big brother shit the whole album is straight FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BUY OR DIE

Two Rappers: One represents the Status Quo of hip hop, guns, bitches and bling, and the other represents hip hop in all its glory: what it was at its creative peak and what it hopefully will revert to in the future. Today, both their CD’s were released and while I’m not sure who’s sold more yet, I did purchase the latter: Kanye West’s Graduation. Hopefully, I’ll live a long and happy life without having to hear the former, Fifty Cent’s third album “Curtis”. Kanye has made a career out of defying people’s expectations of what his genre should sound like, using out-of-left-field samples such as Shirley Bassey’s “Diamonds are Forever” or on this album Daft Punk’s “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger”, collaborating with artists like John Mayer, Coldplay’s Chris Martin and Maroon 5’s Adam Levine, and bragging about his success while still discussing serious subjects that would make Chuck D and KRS One proud. On this album, Kanye looks back on his rap career and attempts to assume his place as the King of hip hop, delivering everything we love about his music while still surprising us with samples no producer would ever think to use. That’s not to say, however, that this album is flawless. While it is a good thing that “Graduation” contains less featured rappers and collaborators than his previous works, it only proves that he is a brilliant producer who is also a rapper, instead of the other way around. Tracks like “Drunk and Hot Girls” and “I Wonder” seem a little to instrumental because of this. Kanye’s massive ego seems to soak through every track, and while songs on the College Dropout and Late Registration were aimed at impressing the listening public, this album’s tracks attempt to make Kanye sound a little too larger-than life. Any of his detractors who claim that his opinion of himself is far too high would only need to listen to this album once to be convinced of this fact. But for his fans, and those who haven’t quite decided yet weather they like him or not, his masterful production skills will be more than enough evidence to prove how important he is to music. Without a doubt this immaculately produced and insanely melodic album is the best hip-hop album of the year, and with the exception of a few others (including his own two previous albums) one of the best hip-hop albums of all time. Mr. West has gone from the college-dropout with a backpack to a true professional. Cheers, Kanye, and Happy Graduation.… Expand

lyrical mediocrity overshadows any skill that kanye has behind the boards, not to mention his ridiculous pretentious content. somebody call puffy and tell him a twin brother has been discovered. peace

this album is classic kanye is at the top of his game and he made a great decision cutting back on all the damn skits. the intro, homecoming, big brother, and the glory are all standout tracks.good life is destined to become a smash hit. this is easily the best hip-hop album of the year

Great Album, both musically and lyriclly

This wasn't his best work but its still way better than most rap albums that came out this year.

I think this album deserves a rating of 4, but I gave it a 0 just to counter some of the overhyped 10's he's been getting. As a matter of fact, both 50 and Kanye have put out uninspired albums at the same time, but at least this is the better of the two. The problem here isn't with the lyrics (which are just decent, not remarkable), but with the production. The hip-hop community is seriously off if this can even be considered 'innovative'. 50's beats may be boring, but at least all of his songs don't rely too heavily on samples; the way many of the songs on Graduation do. 50 and Kanye have truly exceeded the worst expectations with these latest releases. Neither of these albums even show a fraction of the potential their debut albums did. And they wonder why the music business is going down the drain?… Expand

I'm givin' him an 8/10 since I have so many rap artists like him dat are as good as he is, and don't getz me wrong I have luv 4 him its just I'd prefer artists like Nas over him. His alwayz lyrically at his best at all times but I won't be buyin' his stuff datz all. I don't feel him as much as I feel my otha rappers like him. but good kudoz 2 him and tha sucess of this "Graduation " record. Peace… Expand

flashing lights is the track of the year!!! if you thought that the singles on this album were good, just wait until you hear the other sutff. this album has absolutely no filler!

It’s hard to do anything but applaud after a listen through this album. I have tried to be negative and find fault, but I almost cannot. The only less than perfect moment on this album is "Drunk and Hot Girls," which is still catchy and likeable, just not on par with the other songs. With lines like "Fly Malcolm X-Buy any Jeans necessary," Mr. West brings his 'simple' flow to a deeper level. "You can't Rome without Caesar" is another brilliant moment on Graduation. Kanye spits fire on this album, which is a true evolution in his trilogy of educationally-themed trilogy of hit albums. The first single, Stronger, isn’t even the strongest song on the album. The second single, "Good Life" ft T-Pain, has already caught on at radio and is seeing a spincrease each day. Great moments include, Champion, Flashing Lights, Homecoming and Big Brother. But I say that and there aren’t any weak moments. Bravo Mr. West, Valedictorian of 2007 Hip Hop.… Expand

This album is not very good is fact number 1 and 50 ' s is in the same field Number 2, It is like Kingdom Come by Jay-Z nice clean production, nice layering in parts but no balls Fact 3 Another factor the songs are monotous, boring and fairly uninteresting, whereas Both College dropout and Late registartion had some great productions on this album i can't tel you one what stands out as a KAyne classic-sronger is not a classic and makes me wonder how he can get away with one of the most borign porductions he has done Fact 4 This album is lazy, and clearly overhyped, Kayne is better then this , he shpuld have wokred on it more, no british reivews added here and i know why as they would put the score down on this album 2 out of 5 guardian and others to name the score of four is that i believe kayne can do a better album nnd I liek Kaynes music (i don;t hate him so it is horribel for me to slate him) everything i am. i wonder and electricity nights are good jams..… Expand

this album is amazing

If he would only stick to producing... Sorry Kanye, but you can't rap! You're disgracing the Hip-Hop Community with this garbage.

wow

This is Kanye's best album yet.

Sputnikmusic reviews are always a joke. This is easily one of the better albums of the year.

Kanye continues to push the envelope with this album. This is a departure from his usual style, but it's good the first time around and more importantly for an album, you'll find yourself humming the songs for weeks afterwards. Maybe not terribly dance-able but as music it's a triumph. Hopefully some other artists (Lupe Fiasco?) start heading in different directions like Kanye has done. Much better than Curtis.… Expand

Easily Ye's most personal album. Definitely as good, if not better than college dropout or late registration. Shows musical prowess, and shows his intimate sides. Big brother is an amazing track, as is the good life. Check it out

Consistant. The beat for flashing lights is up there with 'what you know' as far as catchiness. Throughout this album it also seems like he's putting forth an aura of personal growth and presence. I enjoyed it a lot.

Not as good as his first album, but worth the $10.00. good beat and lyrics from the heart. I hope he beats 50. 50 should be ashamed of his new album, pure crap. I want my $$ back

Spec-tac-u-laaaaaar

Better than 50 Cent, sure, but the album is still thoroughly mediocre. Ironically, the best songs come from DJ Toomp's production; his epic hooks fit especially well with Kanye's slow, enunciated flow. Get "Can't Tell Me Nothing" and "Big Brother", skip the rest.

Another outstanding accomplishment from Kanye! "I Wonder" is my absolute favorite, but I've grown pretty fond of the entire album! If you can get your hands on the bonus track "Good Night" .. well, do so! It's phenomenal, too!

wow

Not terrible...but the beats seem to overshadow his lyrics at times...but still a good listen, though.

Kanye shows that he is at the top of his production game. On tracks where he slacks lyrically he makes up for it with beats and vice versa. The feel and the sound of the album is 100% 80's synth with hip hop and I loved every second of it. An amazing album to end the trilogy. My only complaint is he didnt use skits to make it feel more like part of the trilogy.

This album is definately what I expected from Kanye. Though there are a few songs that could have been better (think "Drunk and Hot Girls), it's an overall solid effort. Kanye has always been a visionary and I think that all three of his albums have showcased his unparalleled artistic talent. I actually quite liked the bonus tracks (Good Night, Bittersweet Poetry), but do agree that Bittersweet Poetry would have been somewhat out of place had it been included on the US release as a main track. All in all, Graduation is a solid album with only minor weak points.… Expand

classic if you don't like it you're lying to yourself

Kanye West should stick to producing . The Only Song that is almost flawless is The Good Life and it is because of T-Pain. He is def a over rated artist who is foolish for going against the best.

Kanye West is the savior of Hip-Hop. Three Times a Charm

The two leadoff singles were strong enough which lead all to expect the best from this album. However, at the end of the day what we're left with is a sorry excuse for a Kanye album or a rap album in general. The album opens with the completely annoying sample on "Good Morning". "Champion" features some of the better rapping on the album but the song itself is terribly boring. "Stronger" is the catchiest song on the album but the rapping is painfully stupid. "I Wonder" is a terrible song by any standards with another annoying sample and the choppiest stupid rhymes ever put on record. "Good Life" is another radio song but a far inferior to Stronger. "Barry Bonds" and "Drunk Girls" are two desecrations and are an embarasment to rap music. "Flashing Lights" brings the album back to decency but comparing the paparazzi to nazis is kind of ridiculous. "Everything I Am" grounds the album a little bit and saves it from it's electronically influenced consistency. "The Glory" continues in this vein but in all fairness should have been a Common song. "Homecoming" is completely cliched and Common undeniably did it better. "Big Brother" is another droning boring song which makes you wonder what Ye was thinking putting this together. It all ends with "Good Night" yet another boring beat. That pretty much sums it up... make your own conclusions just don't go in expecting much.… Expand

I think the new record's good. A lot of good stuff. Wish it had officially included Bittersweet Poetry which is fantastic. But I'd like to respond to Brendan D. that ABBA's pretty perfect, finely crafted pop music. Even great music curmudgeon (and personal hero) Lester Bangs saw that.

Whenever I hear Kanye rap it makes me wanna puke up my pelvisbone and beat myself to death with it. He's so bad lyrically, a deaf pigeon would spit better. And his production? Please! He was never original, he just started making extremely boring beats, and then kept making the same song for 3 albums. I hate Kanye West. Can't he ever shut the hell up? And can please all the tonedef reviewers out there stop thinking he is good, he's not. He has one flow, one! and its so incredibly annoying.. Like a mosquito when you are trying to sleep. I'd prefer the latter.… Expand

Sounds about right.

Kanye West is just trash. His music does not even sound like HIP hop its some trash mix of Back Street boys and M J and add some black ness to it. I can not belive anyone likes this guy. 50 cent is a heck lot better. Fuck Kanye that Cock sucker

Aight. Now I wouldn't say this album is as good as Late Registration (Except the removal of the skits, thank God.) or the triumph that The College Dropout was. But...hell...Kanye proves he is definintely the best producer in the hip-hop game with this album. With such a broad palette of sounds being used....and all of the beats he creates with them being forceful and catchy as hell, he proves it. And I know Kanye may be a little dull lyrically sometimes...but the beats usually compensate...but at other times his lyrics are very clever and humorous. In a lot of songs it's his references to pop culture that keep the lyrics fresh. This album is definitely a welcome addition to Kanye's winning streak and I give it a 9 straight up.… Expand

AMAZING.

Possibly the best album of the year!

Nice use of diverse samples.

in some ways this is kanye's best album because of the restraint he shows. his first two had an "everything all the time" approach, but this feels more focused. truly original in its combination of french house, american hip-hop, synth strings, real strings, buzzing keys, and soul. i think he is an original lyricist, which is what turns people off. he is in his own world and that makes for some captivating music. and why does everybody hate on "barry bonds"!? i think it's amazing. once it ended i had to re-start it to take it all in. great song. great album!… Expand

Not a huge fan of Kanye West, but come on. This isn't even fair how unbelievably produced it is.

This album is amazing the only drawback that i had was that it is only 13 tracks. I don't understand what some of these critics are talking about when they bash this album. They must have been Kanye haters from the start. Favorite Song: Flashing Lights

This album is getting majorly slighted just because it's Kanye West and there were serious expectations. If an album of this quality were released by any other rapper, the reviews would be much more positive. For example, this album is much better, both lyrically and musically, than Lupe Fiasco's debut, yet that album has an 82 or 83 on here. Different but just as good as his last two albums.… Expand

Don't be fooled if you thought the first couple of singles were kinda weak. All the tracks fit remarkable well together, and the album just flows by (both not usually the case for a hip hop album) No skits. No filler. Still, with Jay-z as a mentor you'd think he's rhymes and flow would improve ...and not get worse.

Hands down Kanye's worst album, no substance, no lyrics, the only thing that saves this album is the production quality. In College Dropout we saw a glimpse of a lyrically qualified West, but each album seems to get worse, as if Kanye's book of rhymes has dried up. Please take some time off Mr.West or stick to producing until you can come up with higher quality lyrics, after all you are making a Hip-Hop album.… Expand

This album is average at best. It only has four good songs. It will not be an album that lasts. Kanye's work has gotten progressively worse. I don't know what's causing it, but he needs to get it back together or go back to being a producer. If this was his first album, then nobody would be talking about Kanye. And don't let me get started on 808 and heartbreaks.

Is one of the best. Attracts many people even those who don't listen to rap.

This was an amazing achievement for Kanye. The sheer variety in the songs makes it one of the most colorful and intriguing albums I've ever had the pleasure of listening to.

Great music all the way through.....to all the people out there that rated this cd 1-5 you don't know hip-hop...just stick to your ringtone raps.

This album isn't a bad one. What sets this set apart is the simplified structure of the songs. While I preferred the ornate production of Late Registration, the production here on Graduation could very well be more focused and cohesive here.

Soul-less garbage. Kanye West is the next P. Diddy.

TOTAL CRAP!!! better off burning 12 bux than buying this cd

An amazing album- definitely better than 50 Cent's "music". Kanye put all his heart & soul into the music, & all 50 did was put work into the beef they had going on.

Kanye as a producer is the greatest out there. As a rapper, he is still better than most

This album is amzing and I am not even a big rap fan a must buy for 2007! My favorite songs are Good Morning,Stronger,Good Life,Champion and Can't Tell Me Nothing! Go Get It!