this is about a week late, but better late than never. wale’s attention deficit is my favorite hip-hop release of the year thus far. i couldn’t be more content with this album’s release – exceeding my expectations for the record is no easy task.

it’s a shame that the record company undershipped the album, but i think more and more people will begin to catch on to his movement. anyway, it’s 3 in the fucking morning and i’m way too tired to write anymore on the info. pick up this album as soon as you see it in a store.

review after the jump.

-grizzly

Artist: Wale
Album: Attention: Deficit
Record Label: Allido/Interscope
Release Date: November 10, 2009

After 2008’s captivating The Mixtape about Nothing, Wale’s quick-witted wordplay, go-go leanings and verbal finesse made fans out of the most pompous of bloggers. With the budding hype building slowly around the release of his debut, Attention: Deficit, fans were discouraged at the album’s delays and setbacks. Considering Mr. Folarin’s arsenal of thought provoking and topical song content, Jimmy Iovine and the Interscope machine undoubtedly would have a hard time deciding what songs would be right for an album that was unlikely to achieve success in the mainstream.

The D.C. native has stated several times in the past that Black Thought is his personal favorite emcee. Aside from the name drop in “Prescription,” the influence is apparent on Wale’s often double-timed and fluid delivery. His apt and fine-tuned storytelling ability (“Diary,” “Contemplate”) is comparable and held up to a standard of a Nas or a Lupe Fiasco of the freshman generation. With these talents on deck, it’s also safe to assume that it was troubling for him to overcome the pressures of having major label debut, keeping in mind that there is a certain number of sales that would be expected of him.

Finding a comfortable resting place between and pleasing fans of the mainstream and underground, a normally daunting task, seems nearly effortless at the hands of Wale. From potential mainstream crossovers like the Gaga-assisted “Chillin” and the anthemic “World Tour” to the fanfare of “Triumph” or the astute “Mirrors,” Attention: Deficit does a notable job of living up to its name.

At first glance of the album’s liner notes, it’s hard not to notice the amount of features on the album. However, most of the album’s cameos come from the soulful vocal stylings of some of r&b’s finest songbirds. Melanie Fiona, Marsha Ambrosius (of Floetry fame), Jazmine Sullivan and Chrisette Michelle all bring a brooding and captivating aspect to the choruses that Wale would not be able to execute himself. On the flipside, guest verses from Bun B (“Mirrors”) and fellow Roc Nation signee J Cole (“Beautiful Bliss”) proved to be both a reckless and rewarding decision. Both emcees unquestionably lay down their verses with poise and arguably outshine Wale on their respective songs.

“Let it Loose,” featuring Pharrell Williams and the production of the Neptunes, isn’t composed of the stature it’s liner credits may suggest. Cheap production value and equally tried song content really halter the album’s flow. Couple that with the abysmal Gucci Mane verse on “Pretty Girls,” and you have the album’s only shortcomings.

Wale wasn’t as lucky as some of his peers, namely Kid Cudi and Drake. Both of the aforementioned artists had a Kanye West or a Lil Wayne coattail to help propel their career. Wale, however, has built a grassroots following and has been hard at work, releasing three of the more critically lauded mixtapes in the past few years. Aside from Wale’s organic approach to the music and the marketing, it’s that same approach that will allow his career in hip-hop to maintain the commodity that is scarce nowadays; longevity.

Grade: 9.2/10

-grizzly