When people mention that an album "grew" onto them, I never really understood what they were saying. The statement sounded like they were trying to fill space on their reviews. I now understand the meaning of the said statement. The first time I listened to this I wasn't exactly blown away by some of the beats. Most tag them as vintage Dilla, even though I admit, I was never really into J-Dilla. Just listen to Heat or Doonit. They sound kinda boring TBH.I gave it another listen (a whole 2 yrs later embarrassingly) and was blown away by the poetic afrocentric atmosphere of the album. The only other release that gave me this feeling was BLACK STAR. This obviously isn't a trashy club banger. It's passion, skill, beauty, intelligence, and love in a single package. This album is for the mature hip-hop head. It is for the open-minded thinker who enjoys quality music that will last forever, and won't fade away (looking at you Wayne).LEMME BREAK IT DOWN...-The album is NOT, and I repeat IS NOT focused just on Dilla's beats. I was fooled into buying Group Home's "Livin Proof" that way. The heart of the album truly lies within Common's lyricism, tone, and delivery. In reality, the beats were tailor made for Common's voice and subject matter, so all of them seem perfect with a thorough listen.-At the beginning of "Funky For You" Com's reptition of Uh! just didn't work IMO.-Com is outshined by The Mighty Mos Def on "The Questions."-Some say this is the prelude to Be. That's like saying Illmatic was the prelude to It Was Written.-Yes the Premo produced 6th Sense is the BEST song on the album. It beats Nag Champa and The Light by a hair.-I was never crazy over D'Angelo, and his odd voice is just so.........wierd. Not soothing or fitting at all. He sounds like 5 fat old women, at least on Geto Heaven Pt. II.-It reminds me A LOT of Reflection Eternal's "Train Of Thought" (cop that too). Listen to Time Travelin, then listen to Talib's Africa Dream. Compare Love Language to The Light. The beat to Nag Champa to Good Mourning. Cold Blooded to Soul Rebels. Hmmmmm?THE FINAL VERDICT:A MUST BUY. This is not only essential for Common fans, but also for HIP HOP heads as a whole. If you don't have this by now and are still reading just cop it IMMEDIATELY. Make this your NUMBER ONE PRIORITY (unless you don't have Black Star of course). This is Common's lyrical best. Beatwise it is second to Finding Forever.BEST BEAT GOES TO: Nag Champa (Afrodisiac for The World)BEST LYRICS GO TO: The 6th Sense