Common - "Finding Forever"

Rating - 91%

Anyone down with the underground hip-hop scene certainly knows about the rapper formerly known as Common Sense. Since 1992 Common has been carrying the torch for "backpackers" everywhere, kicking conscience rhymes throughout six solid albums. Only on 2005's excellent album, "BE", did Common catch somewhat of a commercial following. Thanks in large part to Kanye West, Common continues to finally get the attention he deserves on his latest album, "Finding Forever."

With a lean-but-mean track list only eleven deep, Common rides over each Kanye beat like a natural. Sometimes he almost sounds too at ease, where as Common used to viciously attack beats, he now rides them with slickness. Things jump off with "Start the Show," the first of many tracks where Kanye shows off beats with an underground influence. Common the smooth shows up on the will.i.am produced track "I Want You" (one of the few not provided to Common by Kanye). Say what you want about Will or the Black Eyed Peas, he is a superproducer at this point.

Things keep on the mellow tip with "Break My Heart," "Misunderstood," and "Black Maybe." Normally songs like these are too slow and lackluster, but the rhyming of Common, combined with excellent soul-music sample selection, make each song very strong.

The album really takes off when Kanye ups the tempo, and Common ups the intensity. The lead single, "The Game," is one of Common's best boom-bap tracks to date... not to mention it features cuts by the legendary DJ Premier. Not far behind that is the stellar "The People." The underground beat influence again shows through on the Kanye West beat, with a smooth chorus sung by Dwele. Not to be forgotten is "Drivin' Me Wild," featuring Lily Allen and "Southside," a back and fourth mic-duel with Kanye.

"Finding Forever" might be more of a grower than "BE," but if you give it a few spins, you will definitely hear the strong points. Give Kanye West major credit; he is about to drop a new solo album and still had enough beats to supply Common with a great follow-up to his biggest album to date.

Must Listens:
- The Game
- The People
- Drivin' Me Wild
- Break My Heart
- Start the Show