After finally buying this album after it was released here about two weeks after it was in the US, I was a little bit disappointed. Not because it’s a bad album or that I don't enjoy it, but due to all the reviews and such I've read through in the past couple of weeks I almost expected another Illmatic. My main problem with this album is the beats. While it definitely has an original sound to it compared to most rap albums, there are many that I don't love. 'Real' is one such example. 'Might Be Okay' follows on a bit from there but the chorus is more memorable. When it works it works excellently though, with songs like 'The Instrumental' and 'American Terrorist' being strong favourites. In terms of the rapping, it's all been said. Lupe is one of the best new rappers doing it in terms of lyrics and his rapping ability. Overall, it’s a quality album and one of the best of 2006. However, it is an album that while looking through my ratings, I do feel it is out of place with many of the 4/5 star albums, but I don't feel like it belongs with the 3.5 bunch either. All in all I love a handful of tracks here, that no doubt go a long way to this earning this its 4 star rating, but the overall sound doesn't send me into a feeling of ecstasy. 4 - 3.5 / 5. Best Tracks: Might Be Okay, Kick Push, The Instrumental, The Cool, American Terrorist. Kick Push II