Common – Finding Forever

Where its predecessor “Be” left off, “FF” continues. It's not quite as dense and fresh as C´s return from the experimental "Circus" and offers a few weaker tracks in between, "Break My Heart" is perhaps the king of them and musically lame, even almost annoying, "Misunderstood" also kind of languishes, but the longplayer also contains a few really good compositions, some of which sound a lot like Mr. Kanye, chipmunks and stuff, also the spiritual "Forever Begins", "The People" is quite a catchy tune, "Southside" also kicks. Overall, the work is quite balanced, at times very soulful, which Common should develop more and more in the coming years, but also a bit ambivalent after all. However, Common has enough strength and tools to keep it classy and well together. In between we have one of those big hip hop nods, namely "The Game", unofficially but unmistakably made by DJ Premier. The already ed away Dilla also contributed or left behind a beat, although it doesn't blow me away, like many of his productions. Yes, I think he's slightly overrated ... But it still contributes to the quality of the overall result, so "FF" is surely not Common's magnum opus, but still an experience worth listening to.

Com plus Ye with a bit of Dilla sprinkled on top proved to be a winning combination on “Be”. This is the follow up, two years have past and its unfortunately not on the same level by any stretch of the imagination. It does however hold a few heaters. “The People” first and foremost is amazing! Words can not describe how great the synths from Gil Scott-Heron’s “We Almost Lost Detroit” sounds on here. Another true highlight is “So Far To Go” produced by Dilla who chops up The Isley Brothers to great effect. These two songs belong to the best Common has ever recorded and that’s really saying something! Other songs worth checking out are “U, Black Maybe”, “Southside and ”The Game”. The rest fall between just okay and nay for this fan.

This release was very underwhelming for me. Especially track 2, Start the Show. I'm used to it having heavy bass and it had zero on this release. Volume is also very low throughout. I'm happy to own this album cause it's one of my favorites, but I was hoping for better.

A beautiful album , though obtuse in comparison to it's better in "Be". "Finding Forever" has some of the best soulful production in Kanye production in "Break My Heart" & "Drivin' Me Wild". "Southside" , "The People" & "The Game" are real crowd-movers sharing the balance with a track like the album closer "Forever Begins" , with another classic outro by Common's pops.
"So Far To Go" threw me for a loop, because I finally heard some lyrics placed on a classic "Donuts" record. I just wish those extra drums weren't added on it. Some remixes just don't need to be.
The prior record, "U , Black Maybe" is now one of my favorite Common tracks. Nice and relatable story of just not being comfortable in your own skin, but still pushing through that and expressing pride for the body you are in as well as the culture you are apart of.
The stories kind of teter off , since I was spoiled by Lil' Wayne's Carter 3, so "Misunderstood" just doesn't hit as it should. If the stories were over another beat, then yes, but the album could have really just ended on tne C Side, Pop's outro and all notwithstanding. Common always has alot to say, with such a small tracklist, but here less could have definitely been more. I wanted to listen to "Finding Forever" , not feel as if I would be listening to it for forever.

The mix, master, and pressing of this release sound very good to me. Recommended.