808s & Heartbreak

You can't deny the guy has talent, dispite all the attitude..
I know that Kanye is not amungst the most liked people because of his antics, but his talent for music is undeniable. I only recently purchased this CD well over a year after the original release date, and after his popularity pummeted. Therefore, I was able to purchase the CD for what some have paid for a single song download. I can't stop listing to certain songs again and again. This was the only one of his albums that I didn't buy within days of release. In my oppinion Kanye is now 4 for 4, with about a 4.5 rating average on a 5 point scale.

A heartbreaking result...
I don't think that anyone out there is going to fight you on the fact that Kanye West is a ridiculous individual. He is an egotistical maniac who is so hyped up on himself that he lacks any and all tact that is required to substantiate his own talent. He is a very adventurous and visionary musician and his talent is unquestionable, but it is hard to really enjoy his work when you are constantly reminded of how horrible he is. That said, I have never really been one to label a person's artistic contributions based on their personal lives. So I purchased `808s & Heartbreak' based on the fact that `Heartless' is one of the best songs of the decade. I really wanted to love this album. I wanted to be able to spout, once again, on the fact that artistic merit is in no way related to one's social habits. Sadly, `808s & Heartbreak' is so far outside of Kanye's comfort zone that it becomes an admirable mess. It is awkward, uneven (at times even uninteresting) and underwhelming across the board really. I really feel that Kanye has courage as an artist, and he really tried some commendable things here, but in the end it is only really commendable if it is pulled off right; and Kanye doesn't pull this off. It's a conceptual album, but the concept seems to get lost somewhere along the way. I'll start by saying that `Pinocchio Story' is totally unnecessary. It doesn't belong here; it is basically inaudible and just painful to listen to. I don't even consider it a part of the album. It's just, awkward. I'll start from the bottom and work my way up. The two-star tracks... The opening song `Say You Will' should have been a great kick start to the album. It had some elements of technical excitement going for it, but in the end it winds up far too long and far too underwhelming. There is no `pop', no `bang for my buck' so-to-speak. It just falls flat instead of stirring my attention. `Street Lights' is just rather boring, and `RoboCop' is campy. `RoboCop' may be the worst track on the album. It's just really cheesy and that's not just the horribly written dialog present, but the actual musical arrangement is just cringe worthy. So far we have: 11) RoboCop 10) Say You Will 09) Street Lights Next, the three-star tracks... I really don't like `Welcome to Heartbreak' as a whole, but in parts I find something there to at least admire. The whole auto-tune facet of the entire album has been ridiculed to death, so I'm trying to stay away from that part of the equation. I really felt that lyrically, this is the strongest track on the album. Musically I also felt that it really had a nice structure. Sadly, the way Kanye delivers each word is so void of any emotion it basically does away with any impact that song could have had. `Amazing' and `Bad News' are really muddy, but they are at least entertaining for the most part. `Amazing' is completely owned by Young Jeezy, so much so that Kayne is completely overshadowed. So, we have: 08) Bad News 07) Welcome to Heartbreak 06) Amazing Now, the four-star tracks... Yes, `Love Lockdown' is a good song. It was the first single off the album and one that I enjoyed. It showed a new side to Kanye and one that was unexpected yet intriguing. If only the rest of the album could have lived up to this standard (and this isn't even that `amazing' after repeated listens). The drumming is instantly recognizable and memorable and just, well, very intriguing. The song makes you want to hear more. I really want to love `See You In My Nightmares', and for the most part I do. Lil Wayne makes everything better, and he OWNS this song. If this was just his solo effort it may very well be the best thing on the album, but Kanye drags it down a tad here. His aggressive spewing in parts ("that and you know") is awkward and unflattering. It's funny because usually I find Kanye to be the best part of the songs he guest raps in. `Coldest Winter' is well done, but it is a tad boring. I still rank it pretty high because it is one of Kanye's better vocal efforts. So: 05) Coldest Winter 04) Love Lockdown 03) See You in My Nightmares And now, the five-star tracks... As I mentioned, `Heartless' is basically one of the best songs of the past decade (see, I am not against Kanye). The song is new, fresh and very imaginative. I only wish that the rest of the album had achieved such greatness. The only song that comes close is `Paranoid'. There is a life to this track that is not found on any of the other songs. It is far from boring. It is fun, funky and exciting. I found myself thoroughly entertained. Sure, it is not your typical Kanye (then again, none of this album is typical for him) but it just captures such energy. In the end, I'm very disappointed with this album. I give it a low C. He could have had a brilliant masterpiece on his hands had he really honed this, but maybe this is so far beyond him that he would have been best to walk away from it. It is an admirable attempt, but I cannot commend him on the finished product.

Thanks
CD came quickly and in great condition! I only like 2 of the songs though. Thank you!

BEST EVA
KANYE West rocked this album with LOve Lockdown, Heartless, Paranoid so many other songs plus he has alot of artists that are singing with him and his songs all have good beats.

Minimalist Masterpiece
808s and heartbreak has got to be one of the best albums in recent history. The flow of the album makes sense and it feels very personal despite the auto-tune and 808 synthesizer if you can believe that. How to descibe this album? It's like John Wesley Harding after Blonde on Blonde; it's like Beggar's Banquet after Their Satanic Majesties Request; it's like Smiley Smile after Pet Sounds and like the Lady Madonna/The Inner Light single after Magical Mystery Tour. What I'm getting at is that its completely different to what it came before but it feels right. There is so much soul in this record; it really is Kanye showing us his heart. Highly recommended.