Album review: Kid Cudi, 'Man on the Moon'

In the middle of "Enter Galactic (Love Connection Part 1)," one of the few flirtatious songs on his moody, supercool new album, art rapper Kid Cudi asks a pertinent question. "If you can't do what you imagine, then what is imagination to you?" he teases his paramour, with whom he might have just shared a hit of Ecstasy.

That challenge makes a central point about the 25-year-old Kid Cudi's mission, which is to portray his own mind's meanderings within soundscapes as vivid as those other rappers create to describe gang battles or club-to-crib seductions.

Following in a line that includes legendary fabulists like Ralph Ellison and Sun Ra and intersects with hip hop via artists like the Wu Tang Clan, Outkast and Cudi's mentor, Kanye West, this Cleveland-raised former film student expands hip-hop's language by exploring the inner life of the inner city the way others focus on the action in the street.

Cudi, now a hipster Brooklynite, ponders his emotional downturns and upticks in sing-song rhymes set within spacious electronic sound beds. His father's death and his subsequent struggles as a teen preoccupy him, as do his daily efforts to inspire himself to be a "lion," not the paranoid insomniac he dubs "Mr. Solo Dolo."

It's all pretty self-indulgent, but in a way that's the point. Cudi's trying to do what Louis Armstrong did, according to Ellison: "He's made poetry out of being invisible." Alienated and adrift but determined to make his imaginings concrete, he presents his psychic turmoil (punctuated by the occasional seduction) as a true adventure. His flair for surrealistic imagery often helps his reveries soar.

So does the production by an array of studio experimentalists including West, Emile, Plain Pat and the dance-pop duos Ratatat and MGMT. Creative samples and an airy mix help these tracks surprise the listener, even after many plays, and make "Man on the Moon: End of the Day" a standout release.

The one overly consistent element, unfortunately, is Cudi's voice. His unhurried nasal flow is highly recognizable, but doesn't quite convey the sly wit of precursors like Slick Rick and Snoop Dogg. He's best when he lets the fog lift on more extroverted cuts like the funny "Make Her Say" and "Enter Galactic." Let's hope Kid Cudi finds a few more ladies to take into space on his next journey; they seem to help him get beyond his habits and hang-ups.

-- Ann Powers

Kid Cudi
"Man on the Moon: The End of the Day"
GOOD/Universal Motown
Three stars

Comments

[ANDRES FROM JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA]

Kid Cudi is a true genius at work. He has a unique flow and his hooks (chorus) are amazing. His freestyle are also dope.. Kid Cudi is soon to become one of the worlds best musical artist..

[Michael]

I don't like most rap, and Kid Cudi's music isn't really rap, per se, but it's brilliant! I bought the whole album from Amazon after hearing him perform "The Pursuit of Happiness" on Letterman last week. And while that particular song is a stand-out (I actually preferred the Letterman version with the orchestral accompaniment vs. the electronica version on the album) it's not even the best track on the album. "Up, Up & Away" is damn good, as is "Make Her Say" and "Enter Galactic". Don't buy the singles, get the whole album!

[Ray]

Kid Cudi tries too hard to be different, noticed, fly, and introverted all at the same time. I know that art is art, and an artist can do whatever they want, however they want. But if you're asking me to buy this and play it in my car or at home, alone or with friends, that is something I am not willing to do. In my opinion, he's beyond the borderline of being corny and represents the last stand of the hipster generation which emerged as a sub-culture in hip hop. In the end, hipsters are literally the younger bros of hip hop culture and they'll have to grow out of their insecurities, skinny jeans, and attention seeking personas. Like Jay said, "Grow a set man".

[Samuelle McFadden]

I thought this Album was quite Good.... I would rate it Four out of Five Stars....

[Kevin]

uhhh...personally i really don't like this album. He tries too hard to be laid back. He just needs to go out there and rip it. To me, theres only 1 or 2 songs i really like. It just wasnt for me.

1 out of 5

[dbMonK]

This is the first hip hop/rap/rock/pop/funky the list goes on in a long time that I have been able to sit down and enjoy the entirety of the cd. Too many times you see the pitfalls of young stars trying to jump the shark. Cudi has a unique way of crossing over various genres and even vocal styles, and his lyrics ranging from fun to deep but an overall positive message. Rolling Stone mag kinda slammed this album for having "fake deep" lyrics. Isn't that better though to have an actual message behind your music rather than stooping to your own social stereotypes and treating your raps like an endzone celebration in all of its audacity. First new young star in a long time to take the game seriously, and to have such great construction on your first album is almost non-existent. This guy has the right formula I can't wait to see him in concert.

[Hip Hop fan since 89']

Only one funky hip hop track on there, "Make her Say". Now that's a nice track.

[Juice]

Personally I would of liked to hear cudder RAP a little more, the album is an album not a glorified mixtape like some of the other new artist out there and I'm glad to see Mr Solo Dolo come out strong..

In an industry where change and survival go hand in hand, he's headed in a good lane of his OWN..I liked this album a lot and I don't want him to come with more "pop" songs like "make her say" even though in a song like that you hear a different side of the stoner, but the stoner who is a million miles away on the moon, in my opinion will pull in a long term fan base of just that, people who feel and can relate to his stories. I doubt if he stays around very long but thats not because of a lack of talent just a lack of cudi-esche listeners.3/5 with 5 being "808's and Heartbreak" and thats saying that "m.o.t.m" is a loveless 808s and heartbreak..If that makes sense..Good rookie album

[spinvinyl]

words void of music are only spoken. music missing lyrics is organized sound. combine the two and you get songs. kid cudi has made a fine album full of great songs. that's all one can hope for. it won't change the word... but hey the day now sounds better.

[DjLambo]

If you ask me? I'll tell you the homie is good I like his music because it is something catchy and different. I'm at a point in my life where I'm bored with the same subject in rap and hiphop and the dance songs are coo. A small few rappers just has a message ta sit and pay attention too or a new vibe of music ta roll to. With the addition of Lupe, Driz, and Kanye, Cudi gave me a new type of beat ta jam dig and I'm supportin tha homie. Lookin forward ta big things from him. Tha boi got his own drum ya kno lol.

[warren carroll]

Lets be honest. Kid Cudi is our last hope of real hip hop(not rap)having a substantial substance that connects the real world to the urban world. By having a foot in both worlds, i feel this guy has gone far and beyond(hense his whole 'moon' theme) his call of duty. Its nice to hear a cd that has a relatable theme that carries out through the whole cd. Not only that,the sounds on the cd also adds to the qauilty ingredients of lasting modern music. Cudi's personality mixed with his personal music of choice(pop-rock&emo)and close mentors(jay z,kanye,and common)is a recipe for a bright future and longlasting albums. I give the KID a 8.5(u always have to have room to grow)and the cd a 9 out of 10. Keep It Up Mr. SOLO DOLO

[sls]

he is a genious. next big thing hands down

[Victoria Vlisides]

This review in and of itself was inspiring to me. I just recently went from a moderate to an obsessive CuDi fan and it was because of this infectious album. This review brings up some excellent commentary on the album and Kid CuDi. It's also a million times better than the review in Rolling Stone. I wholeheartedly disagree with the categorization that Ratatat is a "dance-pop" group, they deserve a lot more credit than that.

It was a pleasure to read this review.

[G at Studio G]

Brilliant album ! Hip Hop / Rap has faded to radio-friendly shlock, and its refreshing to hear an artist come out of left field ( Or outer space ) with this genuinely original concept of soundscape.

For anyone that appreciates music - pick this album up. Its just incredible !

[Idiot lyrics]

How about when Cudi sings about driving drunk and high (Pursuit of Happiness) and about how if he dies, at least he lived life to the fullest. What a brilliant sentiment that I can see impressionable young 16-year olds singing along to as they pound liquor behind the wheel. Don't worry about the people you kill ... just live life to the fullest, baby--dodge them bullets. It's catchy, but ... more immature and self-absorbed than about anything I've heard lately. If that's imagination ... spare me.

[Inspire]

This album is the best!! Enter galactic is prety catchy but to me up up and away is the best motivational song... this album is to be appreciated! 5 stars