The Al Green of Hip Hop

Common, bland...but still hot

It's hard to criticize someone like Common, one of the few mainstream rap artists not making up slack-jawed slang and selling it as ringtones. His newest album, Finding Forever, isn't as good as Be. But it isn't as bad as some critics proclaim.

And just because Common isn't spouting metaphors like a leaky toilet does not mean he isn't an effective rapper. On Finding Forever, you aren't going to find anything new. There are the tasteful and clever battle raps (Start The Show), the ode to Chicago (Southside), the song to uplift the hood (The People), the song for the diaspora (U Black, Maybe)...the song with Lonnie Sr. (Forever Begins) Common still misses Erykah Badu on I Want You. He has possibly started feeling himself and become a player on Break My Heart. Good for you, Common.

The album features the same lush and soulful production that many of Common CDs have featured. Kanye West fills in for often collaborator J. Dilla for those head-nodding neo-soul jammers. Dilla and D'Angelo come back from the dead in So Far To Go, as Common explores his sexy side. I Want You, produced by Will.I.Am, is Common at his most sonically interesting, since Testify. DJ Premier and Kanye go for a typical old school vibe on The Game. I think he's talking about rappers and life or something. There isn't much more to say about Common's new CD, besides it is Common, once again, doing what he does best. Making adult-contemporary hip hop music.

Do you own the Best of Al Green? I am a huge Al Green fan. But I've noticed that his best work, featured on the compilation, sounds very similiar. I appreciate Al Green for describing a couple of emotions...heartache and love...in so many emotional ways. How appropriate is that spiraling horn for each occasion? Al Green will never morph into a new-school, appeal to the youth. You have to had utilities in your name to understand some of the things that Al Green wails about. Only the introspective kids dug Al Green. Well, Common is a similiar artist. He will never have enough ways to describe his life in Chicago, his life finding love, his life trying to uplift. His lyrical play isn't as colorful as Lil'Wayne, he's not trying to have anyone question his age or demographic. But his clever wordplay will make a smart person smile with understanding everytime.

Finding Forever is a very listenable collection of smart hip hop. It is very taupe and predictable, nevertheless. This album won't get you to the club feeling like a rockstar. It will get you to work, and maybe through a road trip. I can't be mad at Common for developing a signature style and being consistent. His best work will continue to be mellow with lyrical rewards along the way.

Best Songs: Start The Show, The People, I Want You, Southside, U, Black Maybe