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J. Tinsley: All the comparisons to The Blueprint 3 are irrelevant in my opinion. It’s not the golden standard to what all albums should be compared to this year…seing as how we all agree it wasn’t the best album of the year or his career for that matter.

Jesse H: I wouldn’t object either rating, but I do worry that ranking this high will come across as just ooh-ing and aah-ing. This is like that celebrity that all of your friends find insanely attractive, and although you can see why people may find them attractive, you personally can find a handful of faults with them — so they end up coming across as “definitely pretty,” but kind of overrated.

TC: *coughsanaalatham*

S. Cadet: Let’s get back to the good stuff. The record does a good job of showcasing CuDi’s ability to switch speeds. His styles change enough to keep things fresh and they’re good enough. He goes from quasi-rap on Soundtrack to My Life,” to a slower paced song man on “My World,” then transforms into an all-out rapper on “Hyyer” (although Chip The Ripper’s contribution bested CuDi’s on that one.) It may sound bi-polar at first but it works.

K1NG: The only thing that keeps me from being an all out supporter of this album is the fact that “Day N Nite” is probably the best song on the album. It’s the only one that he seems to be human on. On the rest of the album he seems to be trying to create a persona that sounds manufactured. In my mind this sits right at 3.5 Cigs.

TC: Yeah, but you can’t overlook the strengths of the album or sweep them under the rug that easily. “Day N’ Nite” as well as “Sky Might Fall” are classics that will keep him on a stage for the rest of his life. Hell, tracks 2-8 make the album worth buying off jump. Throw in “Pursuit of Happiness” and “Make Her Say,” combine that with random personal faves and you got yourself a nice well-rounded album with some very key highlights.

Patrick M: “Heart of A Lion” is a signature song for me in that I find myself getting angry at the lyrics while singing along at the same time. It’s hipster crack, that I will admit. And the more listened, the more the music keeps growing on me. But what’s keeping it from a 4 for me is the lyrics. He really needs to tighten up his lyrical game. Take some voice lessons or work on your flow. It’s never a good sign when you feel someone needs Auto-Tune.

MZ: But regardless of what he does, he has the ability to pull you into his world and that’s what good music does. Production is top notch throughout and really is a big help to his master plan. When you can accomplish such a feat, lyrics don’t have to make as much sense. And as great as “Make Her Say” & “Day & Nite” are, “Heart Of A Lion” & “My World” are my personal favorites. Like I said: Hov knew what was coming. Between this Wale, Lupe & Kanye…

Beware: I’m personally sick of the rap circus. I think they try too hard and are always trying to prove something to someone else. So, when I hear a CD I can simply enjoy musically like Man On The Moon, instead of trying to decipher every line and without some fucking fake ass gimmick….it’s welcomed with open arms. Simplicity is Cudi’s selling point, not his downfall!

MZ: It’s a 4 for me, I came in this one expecting absolutely nothing. Like I had a CuDi bias and was expecting 3 Cigs or worse. Instead I was met with a sprawling trip into his psyche. To me it slows down tempo wise a lot after “Make Her Say.” Songs like “Pursuit Of Happiness” kind of drag because of the rapid fire intensity that the album started out with. But the music is still engaging.

Patrick M: I totally understand the argument and agree it’s probably the fair rating.

S. Cadet: Man On The Moon: The End of Day has it’s rough spots but it’s an enjoyable listen. The LP resembles the sound Kanye chased on 808′s but KiD CuDi makes it easier to accept and digest.

4 CIGARETTES

Previously Posted — KiD CuDi – “Day N Nite” Video | KiD CuDi Feat. Kanye West & Common – “Make Her Say” Video | Notable Quotable – KiD CuDi’s “Solo Dolo (Nightmare)”