First To Be Next: KiD CuDi – Man on the Moon: The End of Day (Review)

Initial thought was, is this what 808’s and Heartbreak was supposed to sound like minus the auto-tune? Man on the Moon is a self indulgent romp through the mind of the “Lonely Stoner”, although it doesn’t come off that way, I’m sure that is the point of the album. “I’ve got some issues that nobody can see/And all of these emotions are pouring out of me, ” get the picture?

Kid Cudi, Hip-Hop’s resident hipster takes you with him as he examines the effects of the death of his father, relationships with women and his alter ego the paranoid insomniac Mr. Solo Dolo. Cudi succeeds in painting this picture of emotional distress and loneliness while managing to keep you from turning the gun on yourself with tracks like “Make Her Say” and “Enter Galactic”. With production and guest appearances from Free School, Plain Pat, Mentor Kanye West and underground favorites MGMT and RATATAT, Man on the Moon has the feel of an experimental hip-hop album, some next shyt.

Among the albums highlights are “Pursuit of Happiness” which features MGMT on the Chorus, and “Hyyerr” f. Chip Da Rapper which is very reminiscent of vintage Bone Thugs n’ Harmony. It’s obvious that Kid Cudi has gone to extreme lengths to separate himself from the rest and he accomplishes this when experimenting with producers other than Mr. West, but this doesn’t mean that Kanye didn’t put in his normal stellar work. Two things that may be found annoying, his nasal flow and although genuine the constant referencing of his emotional state which he medicates with weed. I don’t know about you cats but I was tired of the depressed MC two years ago. Eh um (clearing my throat) Joe Budden.

Overall Man on the Moon: The End of Day is good album that should challenge others to push the genre forward. How many times have we heard a rapper say they’re on to the next but only take a few steps in the direction of Next. Cudi’s effort is a welcome surprise in a time where diversity in the music is lacking. Like it or not you have to salute the dude for doing something different, tight jeans and all.