CD Review: Drake 'Take Care'

Drake, Take Care.  Courtesy of KillerHipHop.com

Read this before you continue*

This was Drake's 2nd album (4?5th? cd if you include his mixtapes before he got famous) and it was a perfect follow up to his first. I've been a fan of his since he released his first single "Replacement Girl" with Trey Songz back in 07; His voice was raw and unpolished unlike the voice we're familiar with today sounding a bit like Weezy. I was suppose to watch him in concert a year or 2 ago but couldn't make it since my concert partner had to work the late shift. That's okay though--I'm sure he'll be back!

With this album I found that he was trying to take a softer approach. There were a lot of singing from him this time which was fantastic because I love his singing voice. A few of his songs I found were him explaining his story on how he came to be, what people expect of him and what people think he should be, his constant battle about his terrible father, and his rollercoaster relationships.

This is kind of off topic, but whenever I hear the collab of 'Waving Flag' by K'naan..I swear my ears are on high alert trying to listen to his part when he slowly sings the melody. It's ridiculous, really.

Of course we're all familiar with his recent tracks:
3. Headlines
5. Take Care featuring Rihanna
6. Marvin's Room (Chris Brown does a great remix btw)
which I don't even believe to begin to scratch the surface of the amazingness of this album. Great songs, but honestly way better songs on here.

To make note of:

1. Over My Dead Body. OH-MY-EFFIN-GOD. THE perfect song to lead into a cd. Along with the "procedure" on how I listen to an album..the first song/track is equally important. On his first album 'Thank Me Later' his first song was 'Fireworks' featuring Alicia Keys. AMAZING. For me, the first track needs to captivate me emotionally and it should set the tone on how the rest of the cd will be for me. This song featured fellow Canadian artist, Chantal Kreviazuk as well.

2. Shot for Me. Did I mention that I LOVE this singing voice? LOL. I love a man who can alternate the highs and lows of their voice. This song is kind of a like "FUCK YOU" to his past (ex gfs...haters even) for not seeing how amazing he was to them. Great song to relate to if you have ever had someone tell or made you feel like nothing.

Fave line in this song is....*drum roll*

"May your neighbours respect you, trouble neglect you, angels protect you, and heaven accept you."

4. Crew Love. This was a great collab with Toronto native, The Weeknd. Now you're probs wondering (like I was) who the eff is "The Weeknd" and why isn't he getting the cred he deserves? Great voice and sounds a bit like The Dream/Chris Brown. I have to say...I think I paid more attention to him than Drake. :p Take a listen to his remix of 'Trust Issue's UGHHH SO GOOD

10. Make Me Proud featuring Nicki Minaj. Everyone knows I'm not a huge Nicki Minaj fan but I have to admit..she collabs well. Super catchy chorus "IMSO IMSO IMSO PROUD OF YOU" and I love that background noise that kinda sounds like a windtunnel/water going through a tube. Some Science World kinda shiz.

13. Doing It Wrong featuring Stevie Wonder. By far my MOST favorite track on the whole album. This song is about how people stay in relationships despite knowing how wrong they are for each other. They can do all these things to try to avoid the problem but it has to come to an end sooner or later.

" We live in a generation of, not being in love, and not being together.
But we sure make it feel like we’re together.
Because we’re scared to see each other with somebody else."

And plus, that mini harmonica part by Stevie is absolutely beautiful.

14. The Real Her featuring Andre 3000 and Lil Wayne. No comments really. Great song (obvs) but it's a super chill song that I like listening to when I'm driving.

17. Practice. HOW CAN YOU NOT LIKE THIS SONG?! It freaking samples a Juvenile classic- Back That Ass Up. No words.