Album Review: Kid Cudi - Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager

So...Kid Cudi's sophomore effort "Mr. Rager" has been released officially for a week now, which has given me time to listen to it a couple times through and form a fair analysis of it. Overall, this album is not the mind-blowing perfection of The End of Day. However, I wouldn't call it a sophomore slump. The album, I think, is appreciated best when it is listened to as a whole - a concept rare in modern hip hop. It is like a hip-hop version of the rockoperas of the late 70s and 80s. This album immediately reminded me of MGMT's "Congratulations," in that is what more about the psychedelic trip of listening to the sounds both for the audience and the artists, rather than being about the singles or the formation of individual "radio-ready" songs. This album is a commentary of Cudi's year goneby with his drug problem, fan altercation, jail time, and the birth of his daughter. Many critics have said that this album is just liquid cocaine to which Cudi replied, "I want my shit to be like you're reading a novel, not a Dr. Seuss book. (Complex)" Cudi did admit however that he needed cocaine in order to get past the emotional barriers that kept him from talking about his past - a major theme of the album. Read more and CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO...

The album is set up in five acts, befitting of the kind of artistic sophistication Cudi wants to implore. Act I (Tracks 1 & 2), The World I Am Ruling, opens up with "Scott Mescudi vs. The World" featuring the so-hot-right-now Cee Lo Green. In this song Cudi introduces the album and welcomes the audience into the world of Kid Cudi, "the lonely stoner", Mr. Rager, etc. from the point of view of Scott Mescudi, Cudi's real name. In "REVOFEV," for revolution of evolution, Cudi engages the audience into his plot and into his ideas and motives. In Act II (Tracks 3-6), A Stronger Trip, Cudi discusses the psychedelic world of drug use. These songs are trippy and a far cry from standard hip hop. Highlights include Cudi's rapping on "Mojo So Dope" and "Marijuana," which is exaclty 4 minutes and 20 seconds :). Act III (Tracks 7-10), Party On, the album takes a brighter turn as Cudi comments on the life that the media sees him live. This act features the one radio ready song "Erase Me" featuring Kanye West. Cudi said this song was just fun to create, as evident from the music video below, which sees Cudi live his Jimi Hendrix fantasy and features McLovin on drums!!! (sorry, its VEVO). Act IV (tracks 11-14) is entitled The Transformation. Highlights include "MANIAC" featuring St. Vincent and "Mr. Rager." The act really sums up Cudi's inner self through the catharsis of emotion he has built up inside. Act V (tracks 15-17), You Live & You Learn, ends the album on a note of reflection. It is evidence for Mescudi's maturation into the new life as Kid Cudi and into the new life under the limelight. "GHOST!" is the best song from this act.
Overall Rating: B
Advice for Listening: Let this album be whatever you want is to be because you are not going to enjoy or appreciate if you're looking for something specific. Also, just appreciate the process of creation. Kid Cudi is not rapping or R&Bing - he's telling a story...for his conscience, not our pleasure. As always say this for good music: let the music hit you, let it shape you're mood. Don't search for it because you'll never be satisfied, and remember good music is made by artists producing for themselves not for an audience. Best listening conditions for this album: under the influence of.....anything, or in your bed at night during those moments of introspection. Share your raves or comments below, and enjoy the video.