Common has enjoyed a long and well praised career. Although it would be hard to say that his style hasn't changed (sometimes for better sometimes for worse), for the most part his concepts and views have not. With recent appearances it seems that Common is returning to where he began (check out Kanye's Get Em High, his spot on Chappelle's Show - Food, and Jada's remix to Why among others). But, Common's hunger and brilliance was first fully realized here.
One thing you cannot fail to mention when talking about Resurrection is NO I.D. who produces all but two tracks on the album. The tracks he made for this album are beautiful; it's always made me wonder what happened to him (although he's shown up again recently on Ghostface's Pretty Tony album). Even more mysterious is the albums other production credit goes to Ynot, who's disappearance is even more drastic (barring this album I've never herd him mentioned). Regardless the two provide a stellar backdrop for the album with their production. All the beats in general are very jazzy and sample heavy. Almost all tracks do NOT have your typical chorus (and absolutely NO R&B hooks), instead replaced by repeated relevant samples (DJ Premier style if you will).
The album opens up with the appropriately titled Resurrection accompanied by scratches proclaiming the same. Nice smooth production over a jazzy piano loop, as Common just seamlessly flows over the beat. Great opener, also a nice touch of bringing the beat back after the fade out. In general Common's ability to flow over the beats on these albums is incredible, especially when you consider he actually switches it up.
I Used to Love H.E.R. is probably the most well know song on the album. This was the first time the concept was used. After you hear the twist at the end, like a movie, you'll want to go back and see the real meaning of the song. Also started the Ice Cube beef when Cube took offense to the Boys N' the Hood reference. Makes you long for the days when songs were less one-dimensional. Has anybody ever realized that Hip-Hop has taken even more declines than at the end of the story?? Is that not scary?
Watermelon, is a laid back groove with Common just flowing ("Everybody that here me say I Jams like the NBA cause I'm on fire/Even if I was a Michelan I wouldn't tire"). Book of Life, goes for the more introspective Common as he relates to the struggles of urban life growing up. This is a great track that not should be overlooked on this album, as I often did at first. Great references and samples (Roy Ayers's "Everybody Loves the Sunshine").
The interlude into In My Own World is incredible, almost disappointing it wasn't used as a full track. Then the main beat comes in, and you tend to forget this. Jazzy xylophones accompany scratches and a nice baseline. NO I.D. raps here and actually holds his own along with Common. This is one of the album highlights, if only for the production.
Nuthin' To Do, infuses some nice sax samples including an Ol' Dirty Bastard sample. Communism has more of a vibes along as Common rips as many words with `com' in them for about a minuet.
Thisisme, follows this is one of my favorite songs on the album, mainly to the smooth groves and samples provided again by NO I.D. The chorus samples Naughty By Nature ("I love the way I am and can't nobody out here change me!") as Common proclaims himself just as he is.
Orange Pineapples, is more of a somber track has Common switching up his flow back and forth every other verse. Chapter 13 follows and is the first track on this album not produced by NO I.D. Instead it is handled by Ynot who also exchanges rhymes with Common. This is another incredible track on the album, with a good mix of meaningful lyrics and some clever punch lines, backed by excellent production.
NO I.D. returns with Maintaining, an up tempo piano looped track and subtle horns, along with a sample from `Scenario" (Tribe Called Quest). Common flows really well over the beat dropping some nice lyrics. Ynot follows this track with a slow paced low key piano loop. Another nice track and lyrics, Common makes a lot of references to other songs, people and even throws out a little jab at LL ("When I'm alone in my room sometimes I stare at the wall/ And in the back of my mind I hear.. a wack-ass rhyme!!").
Finally to close off the album is Pop's Rap (parts II & III to be followed on his next two albums). It's actually Common's father (at least I'm assuming) pulling a Gil Scott-Heron over a nice beat and some keyboards.
The final running time on the album is about 54 min, although it certainly doesn't seem this short, probably due to the fact that no time is wasted (excluding about 2 min of skit time). There's no song on here that's skippable, in fact it's the opposite. The smooth production is enough reason alone to just listen to Common's flow. Common's lyrics never stray away from intelligent wordplay or meaningful insights, making almost every moment of the album brilliant. The album also has a high reply value, it'll prolly find it's way back into your deck easily.
Bottom line: amazing production, superior lyrics that don't get old, and almost no time wasted. I seriously cannot think of any flaws that this album has, and if I'm just overlooking any there are defiantly none that would cause great problems. It's a must for classic Hip-Hop fans, you won't be disappointed by how good this album is, or how easy it is to listen to. (9/10)
"They say Hip-Hop is dead, I'm here to Resurrect me"
i used to love h.e.r., too
15 tracks
15 tracks
