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Universal Mind Control
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Universal Mind Control Image
Metascore
53

Mixed or average reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
5.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 32 Ratings

  • Summary: The rapper's eighth album features Pharrell Williams, Cee-Lo Green, and Kanye West as guests.

Top Track

Sex 4 Sugar
Girl, you're been touch by the forces of the nature I'm just tryin' to motivate ya Electricity is definitely there I got shot when I touch your... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 26
  3. Negative: 3 out of 26
  1. Uncut
    80
    Tough and determinedly sexed-up, here you'll find talk of beefs, booty and bitches, rather than brotherhood. Producers Neptunes and OutKast's Mr DJ oversee this exercise in alluringly moderne hip hop. [Oct 2008, p.83]
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  2. Spin
    70
    While we're used to Common in the role of poetic prophet or self-righteous rhyme slayer, Universal Mind Control is primarily a rhythmic celebration, paying tribute to Afrika Bambaataa and Jonzun Crew jams.
  3. Billboard
    60
    As was the case with John Legend, who beamed into the club on his latest, the initial effect is jarring, even in its star's capable hands. But it also settles in nicely.
  4. Entertainment Weekly
    50
    Universal Mind Control seems to move Common backward instead of forward, which for a lyricist of his caliber is truly disappointing.
  5. The New York Times
    40
    It’s a blatant mismatch, Mr. Williams’s blunt-force id with Common’s casual gravity. The Neptunes, who produce seven of the 10 songs here, treat Common as an obstacle to be worked around, which, in fairness, he is.
  6. Blender
    40
    The MC turns largely to the Neptunes for music, and their lithe, bombastic space-porno sonatas provide a vitality and playfulness he’s still capable of matching. But a string of increasingly awkward and thoroughly ludicrous sex jams finds him slapping asses, and may leave his devotees smacking their foreheads.
  7. 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.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 11
  3. Negative: 2 out of 11
  1. mark
    Dec 9, 2008
    10
    Underrated; its short, but it doesn't need to be any longer and it seems like people go into the album hoping to come away hating it Underrated; its short, but it doesn't need to be any longer and it seems like people go into the album hoping to come away hating it because of the change of sound, even though it doesn't appear to be a permanent style change... it's really not all that bad to be honest.… Expand
  2. FrantzL.
    Dec 10, 2008
    9
    This Album is really good because of the fact that common changed the music up on his tracks and still kept the meaning. Notice when he raps This Album is really good because of the fact that common changed the music up on his tracks and still kept the meaning. Notice when he raps about sex its not just about calling girls names but he lyrical makes sex more sexier. He is a legend and for a legend to get this type of recognition...its shameful. He cant win can he? When he raps "conciously" he's hailed as a lyricist that cant sell. And when he switches it up a little by getting beats that people cn dance too he's labeled a failure? This album was extremely creative and original and i give it a 9 out of 10… Expand
  4. 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. … Expand
  5. LawrenceH.
    Dec 9, 2008
    7
    Universal Mind Control is generally a fun album to listen to if you can get past Common's mediocre punchlines and lyrics.
  6. JimmyP
    Dec 9, 2008
    6
    I love Common. He is on my top 10, but I think that he is outta element on this cd. Party jams isn't exactly his forte. It's not a I love Common. He is on my top 10, but I think that he is outta element on this cd. Party jams isn't exactly his forte. It's not a bad cd by anymeans, but I didn't think that I would put Common and mediocore cd in the same sentence. The second have gets better which makes its an above all just okay listen.… Expand
  7. 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.    … Expand
  8. 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.… Collapse

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