Kanye has given us two stellar albums in his debut College Dropout and Late Registration and now returns with Celebration, a album following the college theme of the previous two and signaling that the first two weren't lucky. This release was hyped by the album sales "war" between 50 Cent, whose Curtis LP came out on the same day and West's. West won the battle and most would say the war with a hot LP that sold 957,000 copies in the U.S. in it's first week (by the way).

Kanye does a majority of the production on the album with help from DJ Toomp, Mike Dean, Timbaland, Nottz, Jon Brion, Eric Hudson, Gee Robertson, Patrick "Plain Pat" Roberts, Warryn Campbell and Brian "Allday" Miller.

The album features singles "Stronger", "Good Life", "Flashing Lights" and "Can't Tell Me Nothing and songs I like are "Champion", "Barry Bonds" featuring Lil' Wayne, "Good Morning", the LP's first track with a movie-like beat, Homecoming featuring Chris Martin of Coldplay, "I Wonder" and especially "Everything I Am" featuring scratches by DJ Premier.

Guest appearances include Mos Def, Dwele and   T-Pain.

The beats are very good but not as abundantly spellbounding as the previous two LPs. "Flashing Lights" is one exception to that statement because it sounds like New Years or the fourth of July and the hook is simple but fits with the beat and the songs concept!   Otherwise the album is filled with good music but I won't listen to it before I would his previous two. Shorter than the other two, it's very good but something seems like it's missing.

I know Kanye's busy doing track for others but for the first time it seemed like he was too busy. There are tracks that have substance and a few for the clubs too yet I still feel like I wanted more. Maybe it was the lack of guest appearances, the length of the LP or the lack of topic contained on the first two LPs. Maybe Kanye is at a certain level and wasn't thinking of many outside his struggle and live experiences.

He's always been on himself a lot but Graduation seems like a big ole "I'm finally made it" and there is nothing wrong with that.   He doesn't talk about as much outside issues but shows growth as a writer when he does speak on topics like on "Everything I Am" and it's still a very good LP.   I guess I'm just spoiled.

The album receives 4 GeoGlobes.

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