Thank Me Later (First Listen)

I'll freely admit this is my first reaction, so I might be eating my words later.  This also means that I can't really talk too much about lyrical content but mostly my first thoughts that come to mind with this.  Upon first listen, "Thank Me Later" is pretty infectious.  It doesn't have a dull moment and your are alert the entire time while listening.  The beginning of the album (the first 3 songs) remind me of "So Far Gone" which isn't a bad thing.  The only issue is that the songs don't seem to relate to the rest of the album.  The transition from "The Resistance" to "Over" is pretty cool because he end "The Resistance" with "Ain't no turning back to me I'm in it till its over." The "Over" starts.  However, the first songs on the album seem to be solemn and about regrets and fears while once over start its a bunch of bangers, celebrating success.  Not saying that these songs are bad, I just think by putting them in other places throughout the album would represent them better. 

Drake definitely considered the ladies in this album, with songs like "Fancy" and "Shut It Down." Its kinda like a celebration for women.  As much as I don't considered myself easier swoon and not the typical female (for isntace, I dn't like flowers because I truly think they smell like poop) the songs do bring a smile to the face. Also, "Up All Night" is a Young Money song and makes me think of rap posses of the past, like Ruff Ryders, and No Limit Soldiers.  Its cool, but its defintely a Young Money anthem. "Show Me a Good Time" showcases great production from Kanye.  It kinda sounds like the club beats that you hear on the radio, but the production and the lyrics class it up and actually make it pretty sexy.  Like a mature club banger.

On a somewhat negative note, I don't think all the features are necessary.  They aren't bad, they sound great, I just feel like Drake could hold the songs on his own.  Also, sometimes he sings for no apparent reason and sometimes it feels like a novelty and out of place.  And the whole Rihanna verse was pretty pointless.  I know he's talking about his experiences, but to bring it up so much later its kinda of irrelevant since that didn't really have much going on.

However, I am not disappointed at all by this album, its CRAZY RIDICULOUS and I keep wanting to listen to it again, and feeling I haven't had in a long time with music.  I can't wait to listen to it more in depth and have a more clear perspective on it.

Turns out I was right about "Over" being the turning point.  In this interview that I posted before but I didn't read until after I did this review he states that "Over" is the turning point of the album and the previous song allows you to get into his head.

Drake - MTV Shows

Drake is also the PUSH artist of the week on MTV.  Here's the interview.

Drake - MTV Shows