Review Summary: A fresh hip-hop album with futuristic, sci-fi undertones, Man on the Moon is every bit as interesting as it sounds. Kid Cudi's unabashed originality will leave you listening to his debut "Day 'N Nite".
My feelings for this album are about as mixed as Kid Cudi's emotions seem to be. I absolutely dig the beats on this album. They deserve every bit of hype they've managed to garner. But I just can't dig Cudi's lyrics, and often have trouble with his flow. Sonically, this album is pure gold. Lyrically, it's pyrite. The problem is, hip-hop/rap has traditionally been vice-versa (remember a little mo-fo named Slick Rick?).
The trouble with Cudi's lyrics is his subject matter. Traditionally, a majority of Rap lyrics have always been about the struggle, and about rising above the muh-***in' haters. Too bad Kid Cudi hasn't had a very interesting struggle, and he doesn't seem too grateful to have risen above the haters. When contrasted to Grandpa HOV (and a good portion of other famous rappers), who raps about struggling to stay alive while dealing hard drugs or being shot at, Cudi's problems seem like trifles – trifles not worth rapping about. Maybe it's just me, but it doesn't take long to grow weary of hearing how Cudi has “some issues that nobody can see.” Not only is this subject matter trifling when compared to his predecessors, it's equally as trifling as anything put out by Lil' Wayne or Flo Rida. It's just a bit whinier and incorporates a slightly larger vocabulary. As much as Cudi would like to pass off this lyrical inaccuracy as him trying to relate to the average joe stoner, it's still a blaring inaccuracy. Like I said, maybe it's just me, but the best spitting on the whole album comes from Ye and Common in 'Make Her Say', and Chip tha Ripper's verse in 'Hyyer', making me wish that it was Common rapping over all of these purdy beats.
Despite its lyrical kinks, I seriously cannot stop listening to this album. The beats are SO fresh, in the truest sense of the word. Kanye has been practicing his synth skills since 808's and Heartbreak, and it shows on this album. Ye and Cudi do a top-notch job of seamlessly incorporating a spacey, Sci-Fi feel into some of the sickest grooves in recent memory. A lot of people say this album transcends the hip-hop genre because it incorporates such a wide range of sounds and styles. I wouldn't go that far. However, it is original, interesting, and highly enjoyable to listen to – something every artist should be striving for, and something Cudi, despite his drawbacks, achieves here. I would certainly have no qualms if qualities such as these spark the next trend in Hip-Hop evolution.
More importantly, this album illustrates the kind of potential Kid Cudi has. He's shown his strengths as a musician, and if he can grow lyrically, and manage to keep making sick, fresh beats, he might be able to create a true masterpiece (as corny as that might sound).
Bottom line – Despite it's lyrical flaws, Kid Cudi has made an highly enjoyable album (much better than Grandpa HOV's recent release – The Blueprint 3), and made a strong showing with his debut. Buy it, pirate it, whatever you do, find a way to listen to it.
Standout Tracks – Solo Dolo, Simple As, Cudi Zone, Pursuit of Happiness, Hyyer
