The Cool

This is one of the best albums I'm come across to start the new year. Definitely pick it up.

Cluttered with hooks like "ay baby" and "super soak that hoe", rap music has become one long massagonistic ring tone. Enter Lupe Fiasco. I started listening to him a year ago after seeing him perform "Kick, Push" on tv. A few weeks later I purchased Food and Liquor and was amazed. The songs actually had depth. He is one of those artists that you have to allocate time to listen to because his lyrics go deep.

I purchased The Cool a few weeks ago and have been listening to it exclusively for the last week. In my opinion, this record far exceeds Food and Liquor. The songs are deeper and darker and you really get a feel for where Lupe is coming from. I love the majority of the songs and though there are a few I skip, I'm sure after a few months I'll give them another listen and love them too.

My Favs-
Go Go Gadget Flow
The Coolest
Superstar
Paris, Tokyo - For some reason the song reminds me of the old school song "I Wish" or something a Tribe Called Quest would do
Gold Watch
Hip-Hop Saved My Life - By this CD just for this song
Dumb it Down
Fighters
Go Baby - I know it's girlie, but I'm a girl so I love it!

To call The Cool a complete triumph is a bit of an overstatement. Conversely, to call the album a downgrade from Lupe's critically acclaimed 2006 debut, Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor is also an overstatement. The Cool lies somewhere between these two extremes; there are triumphs that overshadow (or at least come close) his debut and yet also a larger amount of "filler" material that wasn't present on the debut. Then, choice of words when describing "filler" in this case has to be considered - is it really filler or is it just the fact that Lupe's messages come across clearer on more exciting, more accessible tracks? Either way, The Cool is perfect for hardcore Lupe fans (like myself), but it somewhat segregates those who fell in love with Lupe's amazing "Kick, Push" or "Daydreamin'" from Food & Liquor. The "progressive" aspect of the album is often a bit over-indulgent, particularly with more than ample enough guest spots from Sarah Green, Matthew Santos, and the Gem Stones. There is also a more rock "oriented" edge about the productions which sometimes will grate on the listener. Overall, despite its flaws, it remains one of 2007/08's best rap affairs. And Lupe should definitely NOT dumb anything down.

One must get past a number of introductory tracks and past Lupe's limber, but average track "Go Go Gadget Flow". One thing that can be said here is that as a MC, Lupe has tightened his game. Also with that, he's a bit cockier and more self-righteous on this album, which could either be a blessing or a curse. This is only heightened more on the excellent, "The Coolest" in which Lupe asserts the fact that he is and I quote, "the coolest n#$*! what/ the coolest n#$*! what". Say what you will, but the melodramatic production and Lupe's killer hook and rhymes make this track one of the top of The Cool. "Superstar" rocks right along and is the very best Matthew Santos featured track on the album. The hook is made for commercial radio, where other tracks on The Cool might just isolate fans. "Paris, Tokyo" isn't bad, though "Hi Definition" featuring Snoop Dogg and Pooh Bear will cater more to commercial listeners. Commercial aside, Lupe is on his game. Snoop stands out as always, though he doesn't trump Lupe in the least. While Pooh Bear's appearance does signify a more limited budget that Lupe works with on this album, Pooh Bear's vocals are perfect here (Note: Pooh Bear is a vocal producer/songwriter as opposed to a "true" solo artist).

"Gold Watch" is killer with an old-soul/hip-hop feel. Lupe is at his best, as he is on the follow-up track, "Hip-Hop Saved My Life" which features Nikki Jean. "Hip Hop Saved My Life" is awesome because of it references Dr. Dre's success within the rap game and how "hip-hop saved his life". No would 50 Cent have really thought of that? (It's a rhetorical question.) "Intruder Alert" isn't bad, while "Streets On Fire" and "Little Weapon" are weaker than the best of this album. "Gotta Eat" revives things, while no Lupe fan can miss the strongest track of The Cool, "Dumb It Down", which doubles as a "f!@# you" to commercial rappers and an assertion that Lupe himself is "trill" (aka true and real). Either way, "Dumb it Down" which features Gemstones and Graham Burris is a Grammy winning performance on the part of Lupe. The rest of The Cool isn't as strong as the forefront; "The Die" is comparable "Go Go Gadget Flow" while "Fighters" is definitely not the best Matthew Santos feature. Again, there is nothing downright bad, but there is material that stands up better than the rest.

3 ½ stars is my final rating after all is said and done.

after hearing Lupe's first effort. I couldnt help but wonder if he'd be able to continue on the excellent path he started. He's answered that with a resounding yes in all respects. He has all moods and types of songs for anyone out there rap fan or not. The Cool does what a lot of cds arent able to do. Bring you something all the way through from the intro to Free Chilly to tracks with interesting names such as "Go Go Gadget Flow" (yes he's got that flow going on in this song) also Gold Watch as well.

Some other excellent tracks of note:

The Coolest
Superstar
Hip-Hop Saved My Life
Intruder Alert
Paris, Tokyo
Streets on Fire
Dumb It Down
Hello/Goodbye (Uncool)
The Die
Fighters

The Cool just keeps it going for the listener from issues about a soldier at war in Iraq to hip-hop and its reusing of the same flows/ideas and various other topics. There's fun to be had throughtout this but its also deeper than your average rap cd out right now and Lupe continues to amaze as he steps up the game yet again. Others coming out with tired flows and lyrics need to take note, Lupe is back and taking no prisoners in the New Year.

I was a Lupe fan ever since Food & Liquor. But I'm from the south and it seems my peers weren't ready for him. But I could actually on one level see why. Lyricist he may be, but he didn't have a sound that stuck wicha. But on this album I believe everyone will have to give him his props. Tho not perfect, I believe this album is better than his debut. {Tho thats arguable}

The first two tracks aren't songs so ....

Go Go Gadget Flow - 4/5 Its Crucial Conflict all day. With a lil Twista and Do or Die. One for the hataz to choke on.

The Coolest - 5/5 The coolest song on the album IMO. The music, the flow everything. Rather you understand everything he says or nothing at all, its still cool

Superstar - 3/5 I have nothing to say against this song. However I have nothing to say about it either. Not at all bad, but I tend to skip.

Paris Tokyo - 4/5 Very laid back sound and flow.

High Definition - 3/5 The chorus annoys me. Don't know why. Snoop doesn't help nor hurt this track

Gold Watch - 5/5 Another favorite of mine. Lupe names a ton of things he likes. Allot of people can relate to something or another. It bumps pretty well too if your system can pick it up.

Hip Hop Saved My Life - 5/5 I really can't imagine ANYONE not liking this track. Cool beat, easy to follow flow as well as a story. Play this track for the hesitant new lisener

Intruder Alert - 2/5 The beat slows down and speeds up on this track. Really throws me and therefore the score. But his subject matter is interesting and different.

Streets on Fire - 5/5 This song reminds me of American Terrorist off his debut album. Lupe just shootin off. Good stuff.

Little Weapon - 3/5 Talking about how allot of people are desensitized to gun violence. Be them young kids overseas who use them in real life, or kids here who play violent games.

Gotta Eat - 2/5 I hate the hook and to make matters worse it seems to play twice as much as other songs.

Dumb it Down - 5/5 Lupe's very own {f**k you} song to address the haters. He is well aware that he's above allot of peoples heads. But despite the haters' pleas in the chorus he doesn't dumb it down. Very hard to follow, and will take a couple listens to catch everything. A slap in the face for the haters.

Hello/Goodbye - 1/5 I really wish I could better explain my feelings. Suffice to say, Its my least favorite track

The Die - Marks the end of the Michail Young story . Fictional character talked about in previous tracks like #4 and #9. Fast flow from Lupe and guest.

Put You on Game - 5/5 Lupe goin off on the hip-hop mind-state. Very well done. Clever rhymes in this one.

Fighters - 3/5 Its so sad. Or at least it sounds that way. The fact that he admits to having only one more album to go is sad enough to me.

Go Baby - 3/5 Sounds a bit corny to me. But I gave it a 3 because I agree with the message of supportin ya girl.