The  Dreamer/The Believer Image
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 35 Ratings

  • Summary: Maya Angelou, John Legend, and Nas appear as guests on the Chicago rapper's latest album produced by No I.D.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 26
  2. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. 100
    That he manages to express such ethical and religious principles without coming across like a sanctimonious buzz-killer is quite remarkable.
  2. Mar 14, 2012
    80
    [Common] delivers something fresh and vibrant by applying his seasoned skills to old-school breaks, classic hooks and a measure of eclecticism. [April 2012, p.104]
  3. Mar 22, 2012
    80
    The fire is back in his belly. [Apr 2012, p.88]
  4. It's a shame the God-bothering pomp of John Legend collaboration "The Believer" spoils it all at the end.

See all 26 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. 10
    It's a solid album that is significantly better than his experimental effort with UMC. Definitely strengthens his overall catalog, especially with songs like "The Dreamer", "Ghetto Dreams", "Blue Sky", "Sweet", "Raw", "Love I Lost" & "Cloth" all being on one disc. Solid 12 track LP, definitely worth of being in the 70's meta-score. Collapse
  2. Fantastic flow, and tight lyrics... but that is what you expect with Common. The only downside one could say about this album is that it sounds somewhat like his old albums... he treads familiar waters you could say... but i sure as hell don't mind that at all. Its not revolutionary or a career best or classic. Its just good wholesome rap... and sadly we don't see a lot of that these days. Expand
  3. Every song is just great and the collaborations work so well, one of the best albums I have bought. The album doesn't seem to repeat it's self in term of songs as they are all varied and interesting, Ghetto Dreams, Blue Sky and Celebrate are my personal favourites. Expand
  4. I like Common, and I have for a long time, that's why this cd was just "ok" for me. I like his flow, the beats are fine, but there's something missing for me. I think my expectations for his are so high, a conventional album just won't cut it from him anymore. It's very similar to Finding Forever for me. I did not like Universal Mind Control, but liked the idea of stepping outside of his box and trying something new. Expand

See all 13 User Reviews