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KANYE WEST - LATE REGISTRATION (2LP)

KANYE WEST/LATE REGISTRATION (2LP)

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 textured 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.

1. Wake Up Mr. West (:41)      
2. Heard 'Em Say featuring Adam Levine of Maroon 5 (3:24)      
3. Touch The Sky featuring Lupe Fiasco (3:56)      
4. Gold Digger featuring Jamie Foxx (3:27)      
5. Skit #1 (:33)      
6. Drive Slow featuring Paul Wall & GLC (4:32)      
7. My Way Home featuring Common (1:43)      
8. Crack Music featuring Game (4:31)      
9. Roses (4:05)      
10. Bring Me Down featuring Brandy (3:19)      
11. Addiction (4:27)      
12. Skit #2 (:31)      
13. Diamonds From Sierra Leone (Remix) featuring Jay-Z (3:53)      
14. We Major featuring Nas & Really Doe (7:28)      
15. Skit #3 (:24)      
16. Hey Mama (5:05)     
17. Celebration (3:18)      
18. Skit #4 (1:19)      
19. Gone featuring Consequence & Cam'Ron (5:33)