G.O.O.D. Music - Cruel Summer
- Written by Leanne Sherman
So after many leaks and teasers, namely 'Clique', 'Mercy', 'New God Flow', 'Cold' and chief Keef's 'I Don't Like' remix, one of the years most highly anticipated albums - G.O.O.D. Music's Cruel Summer has finally arrived.
Kanye West's side project with his friends that make up G.O.O.D (Getting Out Our Dreams) Music has had many fans scratching the proverbial walls waiting to hear what happens when Big Sean, Common, Pusha T, Ma$e (yes - Bad Boy, found God, became a preacher, now back rapping - Ma$e), Kid Cudi and Teyana Taylor as well The-DREAM, R.Kelly, Marsha Ambrose, and Jay-Z all get together for a sing-a-long in the studio and the simplest answer is this.
And it turns out, those tracks that were leaked over the past few months were like the clips you see in a movie trailer - 'the best bits' so to speak. As a fan of Kanye as both a rapper and producer, it's not easy for me to say this, but Cruel Summer is initially disappointing, especially after the success of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and the all-conquering Kanye/Jay-Z collaboration on Watch The Throne.
A project boasting all these names, each with their own musical indivuality, came with much expectation and, instead of something groundbreaking, they've managed to produce nothing but 12 tracks which sound like they were picked out of a hat and pressed. There's little or no continuity that would make this an 'Album' - it's more of a compilation CD perhaps.
Standout tracks include Teyana Taylor and John Legend on the track 'Bliss' and of course the album's lead singles, like 'Mercy'. 'The Morning' is nice, with its reggae vibe going on, and I admit I enjoy the first minute of 'Higher' but on the whole skipping tracks was hard for me not to do with this one. That being said, this is by no means a flop and I'm certain die hard Kanye fans (as well as waiting outside my house with torches) will appreciate this and add to their collection - Mr West's production, if nothing else, makes it worth it.