Graduation

Pitchfork 8.7/10 Though it doesn't quite match College Dropout or Late Registration in pleasure-center overload, Kanye West's third album is both his most consistent and most enterprising yet, indicating that he might actually deserve the legendary status he constantly ascribes to himself.

A.V. Club B Fascinatingly flawed, Graduation finds an imperfect man seeking, and occasionally finding, perfection in his music.

NME 3/5 ‘Graduation’ isn’t a bad album – he’s got away with it. But sometimes you feel hip-hop’s saviour is taking the maxim “genius steals” rather too literally.

Evening Standard 4/5 It's tip top.

Rolling Stone 4.5/5 On Graduation, West tries hard to address the problems on his first two albums, and succeeds: The new disc is tighter than Late Registration (fifty-one minutes long), with no skits (thank heavens) and less ornate production.

The Independent 4/5 His multi-culturalism is actually Kanye's trump card.

All Music 4/5 Graduation is neither as bold nor as scattered as The College Dropout, and it's neither as extroverted nor as sonically rich as Late Registration. Kanye still makes up for his shortcomings as an MC and lyricist by remaining charmingly clumsy, frequently dealing nonsense through suspect rhyme schemes.

The Observer 4/5 Graduation gives constant fleeting glimpses of a very different Kanye West. And this one is in the grip of a grave existential crisis.

Slant 3/5 Graduation is worth note in the sense that it offers proof Kanye isn’t on the five-year plan ... but I’m sort of looking forward to hearing the next album built around the disillusionment of his first entry-level position.

Pop Matters 8/10 For all of his apparent ego-tripping, awkwardness is the key quality of Kanye West’s persona, whether he’s aware of it or not.

The Guardian 4/5 For those not interested in unpicking West's Gordian knot of insecurities, Graduation offers several instances of brilliant, questing pop.

Hot Press 9.0/10 West crosses genres with wilful and speedy abandon, taking the listener on an epic quest where the journey is just as enjoyable and unpredictable as the destination.

RapReviews.com 7.0/10 ‘Graduation’ is neat, tidy, formal, but lacking in personality (kind of like an actual graduation ceremony). He’s graduated, but not with flying colors.