Best Albums of 2009: #7, Kid Cudi's Man on the Moon: The End of Day

Rank: #7

Album: Man on the Moon: The End of Day

Artist: Kid Cudi

Label: G.O.O.D. Music/Universal

Kid Cudi's Man on the Moon: The End of Day could truly represent a shift in hip-hop, but that's something we won't know until his second release, at the earliest. From his daring, experimental approach, to his introspective lyrical set, Cudi's debut could very well be the opening of a new chapter of hip-hop. Of course, we've seen plenty of hip-hop this decade that was very decisively not hip-hop (look no further than Kanye West's 808s and Heartbreak for the proof). Yet, Cudi's first record seems different from those, too. Unlike the others, he's not attempting to be different, but instead, has simply become different by ignoring industry standards completely.

Rather than harp on hip-hop's usual themes, Man on the Moon presents us with a much more refreshing alternative. He acknowledges his hardships, his quirks and weaknesses, and then embraces them. The album has two distinct personalities-- night and day-- as exemplified by both the cover, and hit single "Day 'n' Nite." Minus the heavy bass that rules over the track is the story of someone who struggles for inner peace and content. Cudi has only recently become comfortable in his own skin, unlike many of his peers, yet he is proud of that fact, and it shows in his music. Already slated to team up with Ratatat for an upcoming full-length, Kid Cudi is already on the road to reinventing an entire genre.

Best Track: "Day 'n' Nite"