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Be
Common
Retail Price (not our price): $13.98
Release Date: 2005-05-24
Manufacturer: Geffen Records
Format: Audio CD
Discs: 1

Track List
Now here, for your listening pleasure, the tracks...

Disc 1

Editorial Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):

1) Amazon.com
Though heralded as an instant hip-hop classic by some, Common's Be doesn't quite live up to the hype, though it is still has several strengths going for it. Compared to the esoteric themes and production of his last album, Electric Circus, Be is far more grounded in street-level beats and rhymes, especially on songs like "The Corner" and "Real People"--Common's odes to personality and places 'round the way. At only 11 songs, this is a very compact album, both a blessing and curse by keeping the pacing brisk but it also amplifies weaknesses like the syrupy crossover attempt, "Go," or overly sentimental "Love Is." Production by Kanye West and Jay Dee is uniformly strong and it lends a consistency that is essential for such a relatively short album. It is worth noting that Common and Kanye's chemistry is especially well matched. -- Oliver Wang

Customer Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):
Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5

1) Becoming   [Rating: 4 out of 5]
The lyrical sense of Common on "Be (Intro)" embraces time and hope of a future and freedom over an orchastrated arrangement of instruments. From the concrete jungle of the streets, "The Corner" featuring The Last Poets, give statistics of violence and the lifestyle of the ghettos. Including witty contents such as "...now I roll in an Olds with windows that don't roll / down the road where cars get broken in and stole..." give vivid images of the surroundings. "Go!" is one of the highlights of Be with the subject of exploring sexuality and experiences over high pitched keys. The two verse "Faithful" where depth unheard of in the genre with verse one Common questions spirituality and beliefs of God being a woman. The second verse is about monogamy challenges of men and the struggles overcoming temptations. The scene set in a court where a woman "Testify" has the verdict making front pages throughout the trial. "Love Is..." expresses the power of the word giving and feeling it to change lives missing in this genre as a message. Both "Chi-City" along with "The Food (Live)" highlights lyrical delivery as Common has long been noted for. The multi-layered horn section of "Real People" gives a jazzy feel to complete the feel of the album and its direction. Attacking gossip on "They Say" featuring Kanye West & John Legend directs anger of media and what listeners should believe. Closing with "It's Your World (Part 1 & 2)" featuring The Kids reaching goals and living out dreams. As nine of the eleven tracks were produced by Kanye West with strong singles for a solid album as a whole. Common showed on Be the growth and his maturity expressed in a genre that is oppressed and plagued with self-indulgence. Thank you.

2) Common's Best Effort   [Rating: 4 out of 5]
Common broke through a lot of barriers on this release and I believe it is the best of his catalog. The beats are jazzy, his vocals are not masked or forced, and it just seems that he is having a good time in the studio through out this album. A highly recommended piece of hip hop for all fans of Common and his potential. A step forward in the right direction, and different than his current radio friendly singles.

3) The Corner is an electric start! 4.1 stars.   [Rating: 4 out of 5]
Skipping and not counting the intro...The Corner >< Fire...Beat is the standout. 4.5/5Go! >< Production is on point with The Corner. I like the lyrics better though. 4.75/5Faithful >< One of the hottest soul samples used. 4/5Testify >< Awesome song, 3rd single. 4.5/5Love Is... >< 3.75/5Chi-City >< 3.5/5The Food >< Pretty sick. Nice piano. 4/5Real People >< 4/5They Say >< Solid sample once again! Features one of my fav pianists, John Legend. 4/5It's Your World >< Decent closer. But too damn long. 4/5This CD contains some of the most-ill soul samples ever! I heard this disc was hot but D-A-M-N...Anyway, this is leaps and bounds ahead of Finding Forever. I wasn't feeling that one much at all!4.090909090909091 = 4.14.1 stars.

4) commonly good   [Rating: 5 out of 5]
i just discovered this man! he is the modern-day marvin gaye w/kanye west & seal all rolled into one! i've got 3 of his cd's so far & need to buy the whole collection!!

5) Let it Be   [Rating: 5 out of 5]
An incredible 5 star album. From the very first track Common has you thinking in new views. Each track has a lasting effect that keeps you striving for more. The lyric content of this album is what shouldn't be ignored in Hip Hop but still is. This album should have gone 5 times platinum. Usually I favor a hand full of tracks but all the tracks on this album make it worthy of buying it twice but the absolute track that is number one has to be "Be(Intro". It's lyrical content, beat and delivery are the key to isn't radiance.