Oh, Cleveland. There’s not much hope left for the city whose motto is, apparently, “Progress & Prosperity”; especially after LeBron’s overhyped decision to flee Ohio for Miami. But before everyone decides to skip town for happier surroundings, they should probably listen to Cleveland native Kid Cudi’s new album, Man On The Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager. Sounds like an overlong prog-rock album title, but the material is diverse, slick and catchy hip hop that will please fans of his 2009 hit “Day ‘n’ Night” and win over plenty of new Kid Cudi fans.

Scott Mescudi’s fame most likely comes from his unwillingness to sound like the faux-Euro techno hip hop bilgewater that keeps showing up on top 40 radio stations. His attitude doesn’t match the overblown, outdated gangster rap style that was ever-so-popular with middle school kids a couple years ago (see Cent, 50); it corresponds more to the Grandmaster Flash/Run-DMC school of rapping. Compared to his last release, Man On The Moon: The End of Day, he’s just as buoyant but a bit darker than usual. He boasts, but not too much. He self-deprecates, he’s aware of the newfound pressure that comes from fame, he smokes a lot of weed – maybe too much weed? Kid Cudi has the rare quality of sounding affable even when giving the verbal finger, not to mention he can rap and sing his hooks, which puts him in a pretty talented bracket of performers. Add this to his ear for decent beats, and you’ve got a hit.

The Legend of Mr. Rager’s first big bang is “REVOFEV”, a warped, bouncy tune, during which Cudi delivers a skeptical intro. “I am your big brother,” says Cudi, “what do I have to say to the kids?” His suggestion is typical laid-back adage material: “Let go/Life does get tough/No room to stress/Hold you back too much.” Then there’s “Marijuana”, an ode to…well, duh. Piano-driven with a gentle, insistent refrain and a faux-choral element, it isn’t hard to imagine what Kid Cudi was doing recreationally during the recording of this album. “The Mood” is pretty dark, opening with sampled, rhythmic maniacal laughter and a minimal electro line. He recounts a rendezvous with a stranger: “I forgot her name/Something that sound like Penelope/Maybe a French twang to it/Tongue was quick/She was French, I knew it/A lovely foreigner, foreign to racism.” “Mr. Rager” drives along with tom-tom drums, a simple bass line and Cudi’s voice; it doesn’t sound remotely like hip hop, especially with the yearning chorus. A few songs make great use of atmospherics, like the vocal sample in “Mojo So Dope” and the violin/drum combination in “All Along”. The synths on “GHOST!” have the same wonky quality as the Danger Mouse Grey Album remix of “Change Clothes”. It’s a mixed bag with mostly incredible results, exposing a darker underbelly that is just as fascinating, if not more so, than Cudi’s perpetual mellow disposition.

Cudi goes it alone for eleven tracks, which is impressive for someone without a ton of material under his belt. The solo stuff is actually stronger than the guest appearances, like the lackluster “The End” with GLC, Chip Tha Ripper and Nicole Wray. Cee-Lo Green is in good form on “Scott Mescudi vs. The World” and there’s no denying the appeal of Cudi’s collaboration with Kanye West, “Erase Me”, which has the snotty, heartbroken punk charm of an old Blink 182 song. Crowning achievement goes to “Ashin’ Kusher”, which features Kid Cudi’s best flow on the whole album. “We in this bitch laxin’ ” he exclaims, as if it would be shocking to find Cudi and crew in a state other than total leisure. If you didn’t know Scott Mescudi before, this album will be a fitting introduction, and previous devotees will find a lot more to obsess over – you’re a good man, Kid Cudi.

Track List:

1. Scott Mescudi vs. the World (feat. Cee-Lo)
2. REVOFEV
3. Don’t Play This Song (feat. Mary J. Blige)
4. We Aite (Wake Your Mind Up)
5. Marijuana
6. Mojo So Dope
7. Ashin’ Kusher
8. Erase Me (feat. Kanye West)
9. Wild’n Cuz I’m Young
10. The Mood
11. MANIAC (feat. Cage & St. Vincent)
12. Mr. Rager
13. These Worries (feat. Mary J. Blige)
14. The End (feat. GLC, Chip Tha Ripper & Nicole Wray)
15. All Along