Lots of rappers discuss partying, doing drugs and scoring women, but Kid Cudi never makes it seem like much fun.
Kid Cudi's debut mix tape, "A Kid Named Cudi" (2008), was an intriguing effort that showcased the young rapper's flair for speaking directly to his audience. Songs like "Man on the Moon (The Anthem)" and "Down & Out" primarily consist of Cudi showing the dark side of the party scene. His first studio album, "Man On The Moon: The End of Day" (2009), followed this trend while adding sweeping production values and annoying narration by Common.
Now it's 2010, and Cudi is back with the second part of his "Man on the Moon" trilogy, "Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager."
In the movie industry, sequels are often criticized as unnecessary and inferior to the originals on which they are based; Kid Cudi, however, has improved on his debut record in nearly every way with this confessional, cinematic release. The lyrics are — somehow — more honest, the atmosphere is more tangible and the songs are simply better.
The title of the album's first track, "Scott Mescudi vs. the World" — aside from playing on this summer's cult movie — is indicative of the theme of the entire album. Kid Cudi opts to use his birth name, shedding his cool-rapper persona. His life is a "clusterf--- of darkness and evil," and the world is out to get him.
Cee-Lo Green sings the song's hook and explains exactly what the next hour of music is going to be: "This is a journey/into the horizon." We're on a trip into Cudi's mind, and it's not going to be very pretty.
The album's production makes all of these points abundantly clear. Saying Cudi's songs have "beats" in the contemporary sense — i.e. a driving background accompaniment — is not entirely accurate.
Rather than containing "beats," these songs have soundscapes. Fans of the first album's psychedelic values will not be disappointed with the new record, as the songs here have even more breadth.
Unique syncopation, thumping bass and synthesizers create a palpable ambience throughout the album. "MANIAC," in particular, is indicative of this trend: The chorus, which seems to have vocals playing forward and backward at the same time, is straight out of a psychedelic rock handbook. These trip-hop tendencies are what separate Cudi from his peers, and he's smart enough to use this strength to make some very interesting music.
A concept album split into five acts, "The Legend of Mr. Rager" truly feels like a complete work of art rather than a set of disparate club hits. Though this makes the album more cohesive, it also creates an interesting problem: Because all of the songs live in the "lonely stoner" theme, they are all incredibly mellow.
Of the 17 songs, only two can be classified as at all uplifting, and that's only to say they aren't entirely concerned with Cudi's personal problems. For listeners looking for more relaxed, party-approved fare, this may not be the place to find it.
For those who don't mind a journey into darkness, however, the album is nearly flawless. Only two songs fall flat: "We Aite (Wake Your Mind Up)," though equipped with trippy production, ultimately goes nowhere — it's a song about nothing, and the rest of the album is simply too strong for this to be okay. "The End" fails to impress, too; its guest spots — GLC, Chip Tha Ripper and Nicole Wray — make the song's verses too disparate, though Cudi's verse is commendable for its honesty.
These are minor blemishes on an otherwise spotless release, however. "Marijuana" is one of the most depressing love songs in recent memory, as Cudi serenades the very drug he uses as a crutch for the most basic of daily functions. "Erase Me" overcomes an awful Kanye West guest verse to become the song Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo has been trying to write for the past decade.
The album's final act in particular shines with perfection. The triumvirate of "All Along," "Ghost!" and "Trapped in My Mind" paint a picture of a man who has made significant strides toward conquering his demons. There's a difference between being alone and being lonely, and Cudi finally discovers that fact as a string section flourishes behind his vocals.
"Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager" is a touching, cohesive work of art that is not to be missed. It may be lacking in club hits, but those who approach it with an open mind will not be at all displeased. Buy it, listen to it and take that journey through the shadows.
