Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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96 of 102 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hype and Substance, December 17, 1999
I don't like hype, and as a rule I'm suspicious of any album that's too widely praised. Nonetheless, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill proved to be an exception to the unfortunate trend of hyping mediocrity. Her sentiments are refreshing, she's emotional without being sentimental, she's devout without being proselytizing, and perhaps most importantly she writes interesting, ecclectic music with roots in Jazz, Rock, Soul, Gospel, R&B, ad. inf. Quite frankly, I'm completely bemused by the reviews claiming that her beats are predictable or her lyrics are less than insightful. I found the opposite to be true; her mixing and producing were exceptional and her collaborators were well-chosen and well-utilized. I was further confused by two reviews below, one of which claimed that Brandy was superior and another which claimed Celine Dion was. Putting my personal opinions of those performers aside for a moment, I would like to point out that neither Brandy nor Dion write or produce their own songs. They perform the work of other songwriters and musicians and then allow it to be mixed by studio employees. Ms. Hill is not a performer. She's an artist, and I would recommend this album to anyone, regardless of their musical taste.
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74 of 78 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lauryn Hill's Miseducation Is Our Education, July 20, 2003
In the mid-Nineties, The Fugees reigned supreme on the R'n'B scene. With their massive No.1 album "The Score" and a huge multi-million selling UK No.1 in the form of "Killing Me Softly," the talent of Wyclef Jean shone very brightly. Beyond Wyclef's talent, however, there was one other. Another talent that stood head and shoulders above everyone else, a musical and lyrical talent not since the days of artists such Aretha Franklin and Joni Mitchell. It was of course, the raw talent of Lauryn Hill.
Expectations were high for solo material from The Fugees members. The fall of 1998 brought Lauryn Hill's first solo record since her success with The Fugees. It was called "The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill." The album stormed to No.1 and went 7x Platinum in the US, also topping the charts in many other foreign territories. A few were calling it hype, but the critics were gushing for Miss Hill. Read any review of this album by a professional critic and they are bound to call this album something along the lines of "A ground-breaking classic that totally re-writes the Hip Hop rule book." Lauryn Hill deservedly earnt a record 10 Grammy nominations in 1999, and won five (Album Of The Year, Best New Artist, Best R&B album, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, Best R&B Song).
The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill is a classic record, which is up there with albums by artists such as Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye as one of the most influential and ground-breaking records in its category. The album is unique in its style - it encompasses many styles and captures many influences from sin, love, depression, street life, fame, wealth, the past, the present and the future. The first song, "Lost Ones," is quick to dispel the stereotypes of Hip Hop culture by taking on a different subject than most other rappers albums. Lauryn sings about the way people change, and how it's not always for the better. The hit single "Ex-Factor" shows a very emotional side of Lauryn. She sings of a lover who she is with, but their relationship is so difficult because of his dependency on her.
"To Zion" speaks a real truth about Lauryn's turbulent past. Martial drums and a beautiful chant towards the end makes this song totally epic. "Doo Wop (That Thing)" is the lead single from the album. Lauryn's rapping is at her best on here. Everything fits together so well - lyrics, beats, arrangement. It's all excellent, and it's extremely thought-provoking. The rather dreary "Superstar" sees Lauryn angrily attack all the rappers who are only concerned with the money, the girls and the bling-bling. It is followed-up by the wonderful "Final Hour." Lauryn's rapping in this song is on top-form, and my favourite part is where she sings, "Now I'm-a get the mozzarella like a Rockerfeller, still be in the church of Lalibela, singing hymns a cappella, whether posed in Maribella, in couture, or collectin' residuals from off The Score." It's amazing. The way she sings it, the tone in her voice, the emotion and the catchiness of it all - it really does touch the depths of your soul.
"When It Hurts So Bad" is an excellent song about confused love, while "I Used To Love Him" is a fantastic duet with Mary J. Blige in which the two sing about a guy they once loved, but don't anymore. Plain and simple. "Forgive Them Father" is a song about the sinners who use people and then talk them down. A thought-provoking song to those who take people for granted. "Every Ghetto, Every City," is a brilliant and funky R&B song in which Lauryn reminisces about her childhood past, and how she remembers everything. "Nothing Even Matters" is a duet with D'Angelo, and a beautiful ballad. You can just sit back and relax to this wonderful song.
"Everything Is Everything" is definitely an album highlight. Striking beats and wonderful vocals are joined with amazing lyrics with references to the bible, Egyptian past, European culture and much more. It's a very interesting topic on life and how you chose to live it. The album's title track, "The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill" has a brilliant piano, and Lauryn's vocals are stunning. This song is a complete revelation and a perfect 'official' closing song. Bonus tracks include a cover of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" and "Tell Him." Both fantastic songs, which should've been included on every version of this superb album.
OVERALL GRADE: 10/10
In between many of the songs on "The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill," we get to listen to a high school lesson in which Lauryn should be present at, but isn't. They talk mostly about love and people - how to treat them, and the way people live. Lauryn is obviously not present for the lessons, so she offers us her 'Miseducation' through her songs. Her songs are her 'Miseducation,' and she educates the listener on her experiences. When listening to the songs, you realise that Lauryn didn't even need to be present at the lessons - she's done fine on her own, and she is a total genius. If you're looking for a superb R&B album all through, look no further than Lauryn Hill's masterpiece, The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
You can believe the hype...it's all true, March 23, 2001
Usually in any musical group, one person far outshines the other members, sometimes undeservingly, but in the case of Lauryn Hill, this could never be true. She deserved the attention. As the lead singer of the New Jersey-based hip-hop/R&B group The Fugees, you heard Lauryn's beautiful alto voice on hits such as "Fugee-la", "Ready Or Not" and the wildly successful remake of the Roberta Flack classic, "Killing Me Softly With His Song", which basically sold the Fugees' CD it came from, THE SCORE, in 1997 and made it a Grammy contender. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that as good as her groupmates Wyclef and Pras were as rappers, Lauryn was clearly the best of the three, and she didn't really need them because she was REALLY good. While I loved the Fugees as a group, I have to concur that Lauryn is probably the best female MC of all time and it was eventual that she would do something on her own.
When Lauryn decided to do just that and made THE MISEDUCATION OF LAURYN HILL, she was showing the world that she was not just the lead singer or rapper in the Fugees, but a prolific and sensitive songwriter, too. This multiple Grammy-winning CD is well worth the hype. When I brought this CD in August 1998, I knew I would like it, but after listening to it several times over I realized that this was no ordinary CD. It has its bangin' beats for those who are looking for that, but it also has a touchingly tender side to it, which is what mainly attracted me to this CD in the first place. Lauryn displays a side of hip-hop here that we rarely see in that genre: vulnerability and a woman's point of view. Take my two favorite songs, "Ex-Factor" and "To Zion" , which features Carlos Santana and his hyponotic skills on the electric guitar...they both make me want to cry with the raw, honest pain and frustration of loving someone who constantly lets you down, and thinking about the unconditional love you can have for your child. Absolutely bordering on brilliance! Lauryn wrote these songs from her heart and you can tell by the passion she possesses as she sings them. Obviously they hold deep meaning for her, and she successfully transfers those emotions to the listener. And even though I'm not as much into hip-hop like I once was, I loved all of those cuts on it, too. Lauryn has an incredible flow on her hip-hop tracks, her skills rivaling those of the most furious male rappers. Her lyrics are powerful, spiritual, intelligent and thought-provoking...for example, you have GOT to check out songs like "Lost Ones", "Forgive Them, Father", "Superstar" and "Everything Is Everything"!! And she has given REAL R&B new life. This sista has TALENT! Don't sleep on her or this CD. I guarantee, you will love everything on it. Just put it on and prepare to be blown away. I hope Lauryn is around for a long time, putting out superior material like this!!
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