Common: Universal Mind Control
8/10
Seemingly more of a vanity project than any he's ever had before, Common returns after 2007's "Finding Forever" with the futuristic tinged "Universal Mind Control", an album that is sure to leave many of his fans perplexed, especially after his string of more traditional releases.
"Control" clocks in at a speedy 38 minutes boasting 10 tracks (seven of which are produced by The Neptunes), that are less of the conscious variety and instead display a more fun-loving, sexually charged emcee, on tracks like "Sex 4 Suga" and "Punch-Drunk Love" Featuring longtime friend and collaborator Kanye West as he spits "What make ya feel so good that type of stuff you cant explain/ I do what I do to do to make it rain", and other lyrics that may make your mother blush.
Though his album is devoid of many of the topics that have become status quo for Common, it doesn't take away his lyrical prowess. On "Gladiator", Common releases his inner Maximus Meridius exclaiming "They say he's a radical he dont fit the game, a heart full of glory, a fist full of pain" over a heroic sounding Neptunes beat complete with appropriately placed horns and synths.
The album is more or less a love letter to the days of Afrika Bambaata, with it's spacey production (think more Whodini and less "Graduation") and Common's more defined syrupy flow.
"Universal Mind Control" works in the sense that Common is comfortable enough as an artist to come out of his own comfort zone (a big theme for rappers in 2008 it seems), and is still able to take listeners through an enjoyable (if short) journey.
