Universal Mind Control
by Common
  • Record Label: Geffen
  • Release Date: Dec 9, 2008
Metascore
53

Mixed or average reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 26
  3. Negative: 3 out of 26
  1. Sputnikmusic
    30
    Universal Mind Control is offensively bad.
  2. PopMatters
    30
    Pharrell and his Neptunes exert a svengali-like control over the record helping Common release his most contrived and banal album to date.
  3. Pitchfork
    28
    Universal Mind Control is a painful misstep from a talented rapper who's decided to be as nasty as he wants to be--which turns out to be much, much nastier than we'd like.

User Reviews

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User Score
5.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 32 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 32
  3. Negative: 6 out of 32
  1. clem666
    May 17, 2021
    5
    Hard to say Common recieved help from Pharrell Williams (and by extension from The Neptunes) because they totally broke into this record andHard to say Common recieved help from Pharrell Williams (and by extension from The Neptunes) because they totally broke into this record and fuse with it. I guess the first choice was from Common to produce different music than he did but the contrast is just inconfortable to witness.

    If some tracks are not really bad, Common (& The Neptunes) never manage to elaborate a stunning music, preferring to stay in the register of simple muddy jams. Structures are silly and effortless, lyrics are boring while not offensive and inappropriate. It is really hard to rationally understand why Common primarily chose to focus that much on girls and sex.    … Full Review »
  2. Chrislake94
    Jun 3, 2011
    0
    First of all any Common fan would know this album is shocking. He changed his style, his content for this?! Hopefully his next album will beFirst of all any Common fan would know this album is shocking. He changed his style, his content for this?! Hopefully his next album will be NOTHING like this and he be back to his old self.… Full Review »
  3. PeterF
    Jul 10, 2009
    9
    This album is awesome. From best first track of album ever (UMC- maybe best song on album, definitely best beat on album) to great This album is awesome. From best first track of album ever (UMC- maybe best song on album, definitely best beat on album) to great turntablism in Inhale. In my ladder of US hip-hop albums, second after 808s and Heartbreaks. … Full Review »
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