Thank Me Now...

Due to the long-running hype surrounding Hip-Hops newest superstar, it seems like 'Thank Me Later', Aubrey 'Drake' Graham's debut album has been a long time coming. Finally released this week, the LP doesn't disappoint.
Given that, personally, I think Drake's vocals trump his rhymes every time, there is a disappointing lack of singing in 'Thank Me Later', the obvious exceptions being 'Over', the hauntingly beautiful 'Shut It Down' and stunning new release 'Find Your Love' (easily the album's stand out track) with a couple more to boot. More often than not, though, Drizzy returns to old form by spitting real rhymes for the majority of the tracks. Still totally addictive though, the verses on 'TML' show Drake on top form.
As well a showcasing his own talent, Drizzy is joined on the album by some surprising collaborations, and some a little more predictable. Returning the favour (if you can call it that) of Drake performing on 'The Blueprint III', Jay-Z appears on the mature, piano-led 'Light Up'. The gorgeous Alicia Keys put in a shock (but small) performance on the equally gorgeous 'Fireworks', with her vocals perfectly complimenting Drizzy's rhymes. Topping off are The Dream (again), Wheezy (of course) and Swizz Beatz, to name but a few.
For me, the album is let down by the bonus track of 'Best I Ever Had'. Not due to the track, of course, but for what the track stands for. I know I may be thinking into it a little too much, and call me snobby, but I feel that 'Best I Ever Had' is one of Drizzy's most renowned hits. It's presence at the end of the album, to me, suggests the commercial desire for new, bandwagon-hopping fans. Most of Drake's fans, based in the UK, USA or elsewhere, who have been looking forward to 'Thank Me Later' for months on end should already own 'Best I Ever Had'; it did, after all, appear on the readily available 'So Far Gone' EP.
If it weren't for this blatant and disastrous finale, 'Thank Me Later' would be the perfect start to Drake's album career. Now just bring on the young star's two London shows next month......