After dropping a Grammy nominated mixtape and performing with some of music’s biggest names, Drake is finally ready to offer up his debut album “Thank Me Later.”
Arguably one of the most anticipated albums of the year, the 14-track record is much of what we have come to expect from the Toronto native joined with traces of his artistic gonads. Yes, there is a lot of singing, but if there’s one thing that Drake knows how to do it’s make a catchy hook equally matched by his poetic flow.
With production from the likes of Timbaland, Kanye West and Swizz Beatz, the 23-year-old pretty much cooked up a recipe for commercial success. Perhaps the most blatant introduction to his career altering year is the lead single “Over,” which re-teams Drake with his ‘Best I Ever Had’ producer. The thoughtful club ready track carries an intro that sounds as if it were birthed in the 1970s with new aged pride and a tricked out symphony that explodes into fiery appeal.
Proving that hip-hop can have a softer side Drake eases on down the road of melodic “cushiness” by way of “The Resistance” and the Alicia Keys assisted “Fireworks” (where he cleverly calls out Rihanna for their very public yet very brief affair) but once he makes his way to “Find Your Love,” he is in full-fledged R&B mode. To his credit, tackling the brawny task of transitioning from singing to rapping, and back again, is more admirable than overtly enticing. Among the most daring musical hybrids on the album is “Karaoke” a track that tells the tale of a love gone sour by fame and deception. What remains so interesting about this song (besides Drake’s ability to tell a story so crystal clear that visualizing it is effortless), is his skill for jumping in one lane then another without making us feel like he’s trying to be something he’s not. Additionally, the obvious ode to Sade’s breezy voice carved out almost perfectly for a mixture of R&B and soft rock seems to transcend any of his leftover musical boundaries. Unfortunately this isn’t always a good thing as a few tracks sound like one long tune null of any differential factors separating one from the other.
As expected Kanye West earns every inch of his production credit on the medium-tempo “Show Me A Good Time,” a song complete with record scratches, middle register piano keys and Drake’s knack for a southern inspired lyrical delivery that comes together to form perfection. By the time his Young Money counterparts Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne lend their voices to two tracks, the album seems to push itself to a whole other level as bass beats and a hint of reverb collide with well earned conceit. Drake even goes so far as to pledge his love for Minaj on “Miss Me” featuring Lil Wayne but plays coy when he’s paired with her on “Up All Night.” Other ear catchers include the “Light Up” in which Drake understandably takes a backseat to Jay-Z’s appeal.
Although “Thank Me Later,” isn’t a clear cut “knock your socks off” debut, Drake gets props for sticking to his own definition of greatness, a move that might be too risky for other newbies in the game. The Toronto native stands in a league of his own because he dares to cover individual ground, which I’m guessing is direct result of his year of ultra-exposure. So much so that “Thank Me Later” feels more like a seasoned rapper’s attempt at doing his own thing finished by a few repeat-worthy and ring tone friendly tracks, plus guest list that’s any artist’s dream.
SORRY BUT DRAKE IS JUST MORE HYPE THAN ANYTHING ELSE TO ME
Big respects to Drake…very promising indeed…i wish you all the best in ur career…
P.S better luck nx time… Rihanna wasnt the one lol
I loved Drakes album, and like the article said “Thank Me Later,” isn’t a clear cut “knock your socks off” debut, it still takes me to another place. Props to DRAKE!!!
EH, His mixtape was wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy better. It has some catchy songs on there, too much singing and when he raps he has the same exact flow.
Good on ya Drake!
Im feeling the album
I wanna hear every verse..every line.. every hook
Its something refreshing.. my brain doesnt feel like its been fried with bullsh*t music..
Drake’s album is sick! 5 stars in my book great album. i downloaded it but i am still going to buy the album. loving what he is doing
The album is so complete. It gives you a little of everything.
Drake always will be an underrated rapper because hes signed with Wayne
but he has good flow and lyrics
one mistake was getting involved with the Nicki vs Kim beef been as he is an up and coming artist!
I’ve been hearing sooo much about Drake’s album (I’m from Toronto/GTA so everyone of course is talking about it) and I either hear that his album is amazing or just “alright.” The true Drake fans that I know say “So Far Gone” is much better and this is a disappointment (too much singing) but they’ll still buy the album and support him.
I didn’t want to listen to the whole album until it dropped (today!) but I’ll listen to all of the songs online now .. I don’t even buy cd’s but I MIGHT buy Drake’s just to support him.
Hope he comes out with some awesome sales for this and show that this isn’t just “hype”.
album is hot ! I like it
Looove it! I can play this album from beginning to end without skipping a single track. My favs are Karaoke, Unforgettable, Show Me A Good Time, and Shut It Down. The last 2 1/2 minutes of Fancy is pretty solid too.
I like “unforgettable?”" That is only because Aaliyah is on it!!!
How The Hell Are You Going To Leave Out Boi 1 da’s Name???? He Has 7 Songs On This Album….
i have heard too much about this album already! I read in the newspaper THIS morning that the album was a huge disappointment… they said that his mixtape was better and it was too much hype behind this album that he delivered poorly. They said this album was more of an R&B album than a rap album but now i hear that it’s good and he delivered his best. which one is it?
This album isooooooooooo DOPE….
Guess we’ll just have to listen and decide for ourselves.
I love to read your reviews, but you need to sort out your spellcheck, if not your copy-editing, CL! ‘Sower’ should be ‘sour’ and ‘firery’ should be ‘firey’ for a start… come on, you’re better than that!
TML IS A MASTERPIECE!
This album is so dope. Drake is a very talented guy, and much more than just “hype”, as a lot of you guys say. I actually prefer the hip-hop/R&B blend he delivers.
I am a fan of Drake, but I have to admit I was disappointed with Thank Me Later!!! Drake set the bar really high for himself and he did not deliver on his first LP. He does to much singing on the album, his beats were no the best with the exception of a few tracks like the Kanye West produced “Show Me A Good Time”, and also his material became redundant. Therefore, he deserves 3 stars!!!!
The thing that I really like about Drake is that you can understand what he is saying. He is a lyricist first, and that’s important to me. He’s not just spitting about money and cars, but tells a story with each song. That is why I’m a fan of his, because alot of rappers make music that you don’t understand what they hell they are saying but it becomes a hit solely because of the beat, or who the song features.
Drake has a brilliant flow, and he’ll be around for awhile. His album is phenomenal.
Im from the GTA and I havent heard shit about this lmao
umm
Drake is from PETERBOROUGH ..not T.O
He is such a poser
I’ll have to preview it on itunes. I’m curious if anyone knows what Drake is projected to sell? It seems that with every other artist they know the numbers by the day the album drops. I’d be curious to know what he’s expected to sell, or the actual numbers.
I definitely think Drake is taking this album in a different direction. Its not just a “hip hop” album, it has splashes of r&b also. That being said I usually have to listen an album a couple of times and I always find news songs that I love over time. Overall, I wasnt completely blown away, but it is his FIRST album. A great effort overall, I think some of his earlier material set the stage for what ppl thought should/would be on the album (which is why some are disappointed). Im a big fan, so I will support all of his work, Thats my two cents!
This album is the shit. You may say that drake is singing to much but as a whole it is a cohesive album. In no way, shape, form, or fashion is this album average. Other than Jay and kanye albums, who in the last 5 years can match TML? (rhyming or intensity)?
many already had the cd of drake 2 wks ago ,so it coming out is no surprise.
disappointment cuz it was over hyped and did not deliver as it should have,for as long as he had,it should have been a double cd for the price of one.
sales will tell, if it does not move over 400,000 units,it is a major FAIL, FOR REAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@ 16….sis89bp
You can’t go by those national/city new papers. those critics have no clue what they are saying.
Drake’s album is really good. When people say that it’s too R&B…he never said he was purely Hip-Hop.
It’s a differant kind of album no one is used to this mix of singing (that’s good) a rapping..
oh my WORD!!!!
I love this site but pleeeeease PLEEEEASE take a writing class or at least study other music journalists/critics. This review is filled with too many cliches, there are syntax errors in every sentence, the descripitons and critiques are hollow, etc.
trust me… Enhancing the quality of your writing will elevate this site…
and I’m through
@Layla : singing and rapping isn’t a new mix. there are a lot of albums that have the same amount of singing and rapping that transcends way beyond Drake’s talent.
@AT NUMBER 40,
I heard he was from Richmond Hill .. doesn’t matter to me though – how many non-Canadians actually know other places other than Toronto?
I like Drake’s LP is pretty good. I think he was hyped up a little bit, but hey that is the record company’s job. Big ups Drake!
i’ve had the album a couple weeks now…dont believe the hate…cuz i started to until i got my leaked copy….its DOPE…dont have to skip one track
I really like Karaoke, Cece’s Interlude, and Find Your Love.
May not be a Floppy Joe after all.
This album is wonderful. I had been thinking about how to describe it and somebody above did it perfectly. Its very complete with a little bit of everything. Drake has a long career ahead of him. ShoutOut to all the haters! Bc this cd was amazing. Keep up the good work drake!
I give MAJOR props to Drake!!! he clearly came out and paved his own lane, not wanting to be the typical rapper but his album is quite interestingly enough soothing while rapping as well! I’ve had the album form 5 days now but im going to support him as well at the store. Like many i didn’t really buy into the hype but i will however say that its not a classic but its a very good start to his career!!! karaoke is a stand out song!!
oh yea to all the hater>> shut up, because clearly not all rappers sing and rap!!!!
I agree lol, “artistic gonads” was a reach; and unfortunately, most people don’t know where and when to apply a comma, colon, or semicolon. A review should be crafted for Drake’s ghostwriters because this dude probably has not written anything for himself in 5 years. What Drake is, is the ambassador and prince of “f@g-hop”.
I like the album… Karaoke & Light Up are my favorite tracks…
I like the cd. I’ve had it for about 2 weeks already since it had leaked.
I LOVE the album! Fancy, Fireworks, and Show Me A Good Time stay on repeat…
I like Show Me a Good Time and Fireworks, but my favorite would have to be Unforgettable because Aaliyah is on there. Drake’s album is really good, I hope his album sells through the roof even though it was leaked.
I am beyond sick of him, Jimmy needs to sit down somewhere and let us miss him.
Album is fresh! i love the mixture with r&b and rap.
my favourite songs are Unforgettable, Cece Interlude, Find Your Love, Karaoke, The Resistance and Fireworks!
&& I love Drake’s voice!!
“Thank Me Later” is one of those albums that I can listen cover to cover which does not happen every often. It’s not about Drake as a person, it is him as an artist. He is quite talented and I am extremely proud of the job that he did because I wasn’t sure if I was going to be satisfied. I enjoyed his mixtapes and I am happy that his album lived up to that great mixtape status. For anyone who hasn’t listened to the album themselves, just take a listen and respect the Drake as an artist.
Enjoy!!
Hey, I know that a lot of people are saying that Drake’s album has to much singing. However, for those that feel this way, have you looked into the type of artist Drake is. If you LISTENED to his mixtape, you would have realized that on some songs he sings and others he raps. Also, I find it very funny that someone wrote something about a newspaper saying that this is an r&b album. For the record, this is not an R&B album, but a rap album. Obviously the newspaper does not know the difference between R&B music and Rap music. I wish him all the best of luck and I hope that people will support the album.
I heard the album review and its a major disappointment….I only like 3 songs and the rest are garbage, big hype for nothing just stick to mixtapes
One thing bout’ Drake’s music when it hits you feel no pain! Thank me Later is the s*it that will make you people feel insane!
I love the debut. It’s definitely a CD that grows on you.
I’m not really impressed by the album and I only have 3 or 4 favourites, being Find Your Love, Karaoke, Light Up and Unforgettable. Karaoke has to be my ultimate favourite though, I’ve had that track on repeat for days now.
I like the album alot but after listening to it for the 3rd time I started to feel like it’s incomplete like its short or something each song is a minimum of about 4 minutes keep in mind some come way short 3 mins and a couple run longer than 4 almost 5 or 6 but I think it’s because most of his songs only have 2 verses. And the other thing I noticed is that his R&B songs never reach a climax. Kinda like just reaching close to the top but never just reaching up and grabbing then coming back down. IDK i think it’s a solid effort for a first album but…..
There is NOTHING exciting about any of the 14 tracks or for that matter, Drake himself. He, like many “rappers/artists” of late are products of OVER-MARKETING. Sorry sir but this album, to me, is not worth the money.
I’m just saying.
I’ve listened to the album and I can’t say it’s a disappointment because it’s what I thought it would be. I must say though that this being the first time I’ve heard Nikki Minaj rhyme leaves me to think that she’s trash. Her verse was the worst on the entire album and Drake features both Young Jeezy and Swizz Beats and it’s hard to be more wack than those two.
Not a bad album because at least I’ve heard Drake do better. But, as I expected, his fan base will eat it up.
I bought the album because AALIYAH IS ON IT!! BUt, honestly it’s pretty decent.. I like cece’s interlude and his r&b undertones, he got some vocals.. work in progress… Solid
B – He has room to grow!! (Shake the haters)..
Not quite sure why anybody would go spend their hard earned money on this album, when its FREE on the internet. But was not that impressed with the album. Drake is a way better lyricist than a singer, and i’m a hip hop fan that does not like the two mixed. But since rap lyrics aren’t selling these days, Drake has to stretch his vocals. His fans will enjoy it but i don’t believe he’s gonna convert any new fans on this one.
I’m from T- DOT, and I have friends who know Drake personally, and the album is alight, but , He should’ve put the song called July, that song is the shit!!!!
KANYE BOOK WAS TITLED “THANK U, YOUR WELCOME, KANYE RUN DRAKE, WATCH UP TO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY. KANYE HAS CONTROL OVER THIS DUDE…
I bought it without previewing it because I wanted to support him because for the most part his music is positive. But I’m sorry, as I’m listenting to it now this is trash. And its not many hip hop tracks at all, he should just do R&B. He’s going to sell because of the hype but overall I’m not feeling this. Bring on J. Cole!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE EVERY MIN. AND EVERY SECOND OF THIS ALBUM! #Thatisall
I like it. The whole album sounds pretty decent to me. Go Drake – Good Job