For haters eager to see Kanye hit a sophomore slump--no such luck. Late Registration can't replicate the novelty of last year's College Dropout, but otherwise, this is an impressively more mature and labored-over album. Lyrically, Kanye's only improved a notch but musically, the album sounds incredible, especially with co-producer Jon Brion helping polish the songs to perfection. Tracks like "Heard 'Em Say" (featuring Maroon 5's Adam Levine) and "Hey Mama," are richly … mehrtextured in their soulfulness while the flint-edge of "Crack Music" and "Gone" (feat. Cam'ron) will appeal to the street-oriented. There's a few duds on here--the sickly-sweet, syrupy "Bring Me Down" (feat. Brandy) being one of the worst offenders--but when the album's good, it's very, very good. In short, Kanye's detractors may not be swayed in their resistance to his charms but not only will his past supporters be rewarded but Late Registration has enough appeal to earn new crowds of fans. --Oliver Wang weniger
1 - Wake Up Mr. West
2 - Heard 'Em Say
3 - Touch The Sky
4 - Gold Digger
5 - Skit #1 (Kanye West/Late Registration)… mehr
6 - Drive Slow
7 - My Way Home
8 - Crack Music
9 - Roses
10 - Bring Me Down
11 - Addiction
12 - Skit #2 (Kanye West/Late Registration)
13 - Diamonds From Sierra Leone
14 - We Major
15 - Skit #3 (Kanye West/Late Registration)
16 - Hey Mama
17 - Celebration
18 - Skit #4 (Kanye West/Late Registration)
19 - Gone
20 - Diamonds From Sierra Leone (Bonus Track)
21 - Late weniger