andrew86
"Kanye remains true to himself and his fans."
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The fourth... very different... studio album from Chicago hip-hop artist Kanye West.
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Rating:
Usually when I'm waiting for one of my favorite artists to drop a new record, I have an idea of where it's going to be coming from. With Kanye West's '08 brainchild, 808s & Heartbreak, that was far from the truth.
+5
West debuted the album's first single, "Love Lockdown," to raised eyebrows at the 2008 MTV VMAs, including my own. Had he gone crazy? Why was the shutter shades-wearing hip-hop star on stage, dressed like Pee Wee Herman, singing love songs, all the while sounding like a robot?
I decided to let emo-Kanye play out and see what resulted. The second Auto-Tuned-assisted single, "Heartless," was a little more College Dropout and a little less "pop art," his self-created genre, spawned from the '07 death of his mother and abrupt end to his engagement not long thereafter. This was the end of my exposure to this Kanye until the 808s release late in '08.
…and it was a good move.
Beginning with the repetitive—yet addictive—beat on "Say You Will," it became clear that doubters might need to rethink their presupposed opinions. He had apparently captured the myriad of emotions that had weighed him down, leading him to break out through 808s & Heartbreaks.
One of the standout tracks is the "Kissing in the Rain"-sampled (yes, from Great Expectations) "RoboCop," a tale of his presumed ex-fiancé and her relentless investigation and interrogation. The orchestration helps to make this less a song and more an event, culminating in a Journey-like final act in which he tears into the "spoiled little LA girl."
West is joined by G.O.O.D. Music up-and-comers Kid Cudi and Mr. Hudson, who on "Welcome to Heartbreak" and "Paranoid," respectively, add to the hooks on two personal favorites. Hip-hop superstars Young Jeezy and Lil Wayne are also there, but the direction remains congruent.
808s & Heartbreak is a relatively spontaneous account of West's '08 struggles. Those still pining for the "real" Kanye need to take a second look and listen to the most honest, heartfelt and real Kanye yet.
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andrew86
January 14, 2009
Yeah... he's supposedly going back to the same college-themed albums--I think the next was supposed to be Good Ass Job. They were saying he could release another in June, but I doubt it. I'm hoping he comes back somewhere in between... something like "Put On" Kanye.
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angelodignacio
January 12, 2009
I really do love 808 - and I think my favs have to be "Robocop" and "Street Lights." I think he is truly creative and it's a good look in terms of new sounds and such. But I still can't help to miss the flows and beats that Kanye did even before Dropout....but I do agree, it seems as if his recent troubles have influenced a different kind of music he now makes. Did you ever know about the original fourth album he was supposed to release called "Get a Damn Job?"
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andrew86
January 09, 2009
I've definitely heard that a lot as far as the arrogance and whatnot. I just try to appreciate good music. ...and the favorite track is definitely "RoboCop," with "Paranoid" and "Welcome to Heartbreak" rounding out the top three.
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Friedpez
January 09, 2009
I really like this album, too, despite the fact that I don't really care for Kanye as a person. Do you have a favorite track?
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HealthyRache
January 09, 2009
Nice!
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About the reviewer
andrew86
Member Since:
Jan 9, 2009
Last Login: Feb 7, 2010 12:48 AM UTC
Last Login: Feb 7, 2010 12:48 AM UTC
About this album
The ten-time Grammy Award® winning musical phenomenon, rapper, producer, and now singer embarks on a new musical journey taking his audience to new heights. Kanye West returns with his fourth album 808s & HEARTBREAK. His highly anticipated new album set for release on November 25th, featuring the heart pounding first single LOVE LOCKDOWN which premiered live for the first time on the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards. LOVE LOCKDOWN quickly exploded at radio with the video premiering nationwide on the Ellen Degeneres show. "Heartless," the second single, is next up to hit the airwaves further amplifying the story behind the musical direction for 808s & HEARTBREAK.
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