Customer Reviews

Thisisme Then: The Best of Common

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is Common before he started getting really popular. That's why all his newer tracks are not included. I mean seriously, what's the CD title? It's "Thisisme Then" as in before. Think about it. He wants his newer, possibly younger fans who are just recently starting to grace their ears with his beautiful music to hear his classics. To hear what he sounded like RAW before he was gradually poured into the mainstream. This is good for the newer Common fans, but this does NOT at all make up for all his older albums. Buy this and then decide if you want to buy them all seperate. Ressurection and LW4C are definite must-buys. The only big complaint I have for this album, is that is doesn't include "Chapter 13 (Rich Man Vs. Poor Man)" Damn, what a good track. Theres also a handful of other Ressurection songs that could definitely be on here. On the whole like I said, it's good for the newer less experienced Common fan.

First of all, for starters, this is Common (Sense) when he was on Relativity Records, which showcases hits from his first three albums: Can I Borrow a Dollar?, Resurrection, and One Day It'll All Make Sense before he switched labels. Most of these songs here were his hit singles back in the early-mid 90's (as far as I'm aware of). Songs like "Take It EZ" and "Heidi Hoe" showed the young female chasing B-Boy of him. With "I Used To Love H.E.R.", "Thisisme", Gaining One's Definition", and "All Night Long" showed the introspective side of him (something people are used to him hearing). The album closes off with "High Expectations" which appeared on the Soul In The Hole: Original Music From And Inspired By The Motion Picture Sountrack.

Like everyone who runs into these greatest hits albums, we have our own personal prefrence of what should be on the album. Tracks like "The ***** In Yoo" (fellow diss to Ice Cube), "Soul By The Pound (Remix)" and a few b-sides could have made their way on to this album. And I personally don't see why "Stolen Moments III" (which is part of a story) is on here, as it seems out of place. The overall album is worth owning. Especially for those people who don't listen to rap/hip hop except for Common and other related artists should check this out to see how much he has grown from 1992. Most heads already have all of his albums, and shouldn't have to worry about this. Peace!

Please Note track #3 is "Soul By The Pound"

Lyrics: A
Production: A
Guest Appearances: A
Musical Vibes: A-

Top 5 Tracks:
1. All Night Long (featuring Lauryn Hill) {personal favorite}
2. High Expectations
3. Take It EZ (featuring No ID)
4. I Used To Love H.E.R.
5. G.O.D. (Gaining One's Definition) (featuring Cee-Lo)

Not often can we associate the word smooth to Rap or Hip Hop, but here's an artist who can intertwine the two with no problem!
Common's the man when it comes to Intelegent inner city Hip Hop, keeping his lyrics real and in check (NOT DISGUSTING US WITH VULGAR DEGRADING RYMES) relating to women, or the Culture in general.
A lot of us ol' skoolers can appreciate his message, and how as he's aged his artistry is even more appealing and respected universally.

This compliation shows just how talented Common really is and how he is able to make some of the best underground hip hop songs.

Great product, and great service- I will definitely buy from your store again in the future. (HIP HOP and ya don't stop-yeeeaahhhh)!!!!

You can't go wrong with one of the best lyricists of all time. It takes me back to when he first started making noise in the early 90's. This album is probably going to have a second part to it, like the Roots did with their Greatest hits, to this point, album. I always felt Common should come out with something like this because he brought out some hits way before the mainstream actually caught up to him. This is definitely a must have for Hip-Hop fans. Unless you already have every one of the earlier CDs already... which would also be safe buys if you want more.

Rapper Common, formerly known as Common Sense, has evolved as an artist since his 1992 debut album "Can I Borrow A Dollar?" which featured his breakthrough song "Take It EZ." Common has released several critically acclaimed albums since his debut and he is considered a hip-hop pioneer. "This is Me Then-The Best of Common" is a greatest hits compilation which was released by Relativity.
The songs on the 15 track compilation go as far back as "Take It EZ." The greatest hits compilation features Common hits "I Used To Love H.E.R." and "Resurrection." The disc includes songs from Common's first album, "Can I Borrow A Dollar?", his follow up album "Resurrection," and his third album "One Day It Will All Make Sense."

The compilation doesn't include any tracks from the albums "Like Water For Chocolate," "Electric Circus," "Be" or "Finding Forever." Nor does the disc include any of Common's big soundtrack hits such as the song "Love of My Life," which features Common and Erykah Badu from the "Brown Sugar" soundtrack. Also missing are songs such as "The Light," "Come Close" featuring Mary J. Blige, or the songs "Be" and "Testify" from Common's 2005 CD "Be." Although "Love of My Life," is missing from the set, the song "All Night Long," featuring Erykah Badu is included.

Guest artists featured on "This Is Me Then: The Best of Common," include Lauryn Hill, Chantay Savage, Cee-Lo, and Q-Tip.

The CD includes bonus material. If you place the CD in your computer it will unlock 4 bonus music videos. The CD features the music videos for the songs "Take It EZ," "I Used To Love H.E.R.," Retrospective For Life (featuring Lauryn Hill), and "Invocation Hungry."

Heard about Common from someone who's not a rap fan. He said this guy is a poet and has heart. Thought I'd try it. Takes some getting used to, but he's right. The guy's good.

I haven't bought this CD - though I will-, but just looking at the track list I am disappointed at how thin this "best of" album is. The songs on the album are classic, no doubt, but really this should be a two disc set. Come Close and The Light are just TWO songs that should be added in this album (I can easily give you a list of more).

Perhaps Common didn't have a choice in releasing this CD. I really hope that is the fact. People are going to buy this album; its Common, I hope that his record company doesn't come out with a two disc set soon cause that will mean people will be double dippin' I know that he knows that his fans are being short changed.