I didn't know who Kanye was until the end of 2007, when The Good Life and Stronger where released and it was reported that he recorded for Madonna.

Now, I always liked his Beat Goes On rap but just yesterday I got me some copy of his 2008 album and... I like it very much!

How could anyone dislike it? Why?

I find it's amazing and brave, releasing an all-sung-album!

But I actually like the song and the production. The Roland sounds are amazing, and here my opinion:

Say You Will: A bit long, but great mechanical sounds and sad melody.

Welcome To Heartbreak: Not my fave, not a proper song more of a "program"-song, it's the albums real intro.

Heartless: The chorus pisses me off completely, it sounds like the typical R'nB song of 2008, a la Yo-Yo and Bakon. The verses are nice, though.

Amazing: I really like it, it's a cool song, cool drum programming.

Love Lockdown: The actualy song is simple, but I find the production intersting and fresh. Especially that little drum sound symphony at the end.

Paranoid: MY FAVE!! Amazing chords, choir and drum sounds!!! Reminds me of the Neptunes!!

RoboCop: I can see the quality but it pisses me off, though. That "okay, okay"-chorus embarrases me.

Street Lights: Another fave of mine. Interesting changes and stuff.

Bad News: Another song with a drum symphony at the end?!

See You In My Knightmare: Pisses me off, boring standard production. Awful, bland.

Coldest Winter: Sad and probably the most conventional melody of that album.

Pinoccio Story: Haunting, I really like it better than some album songs!!!

graecophilos said:

Quite frankly, from a musical standpoint I think it is a terrible album. To make an entire album with that effect in my opinion, just shows that a part of him was just going for the affect. He wanted people to talk about him as usual, but this time for a different reason. However, when you realize what he was going through while making this CD, you start to understand. I think his mom's death changed him and it shows in the record. This is a record that he had to make. I look at it as therapy for him.

i like it! i think it's his most interesting and accessible album yet. i wish that live track wasn't at the end, because it doesn't fit. other than that, i'm all for it. i think it's fun.

Well, why do people talk so much about the use of vocoders? I would be much more shocked if an actual singer would use it. Imagine MJ doing it!

But what do people think of the actual songs? I mean, they're no Talking Book, but are not bad! And the production is interesting.

And I wanted to know if you changed your mind about it, after 6 months.

i don't care about the vocoder thing, it's just the flavor of the day. i'm more bothered to hear prince using it than kanye.

From what i've heard i haven't been impressed with it but
i'll admit heartless has grown own me just a bit but i
won't be getting the album.

Anxiety said:

That's kinda my take. I bought a couple of tracks off of Itunes:
"Amazing", "Welcome To Heartbreak", "Love Lockdown", "Coldest Winter" and "Paranoid".

As I've mentions before I like West and his music. Tho I'm not a listener of a lot of rap per say, West has done some interesting stuff. In many instances artist I think feel pressure from the record company and fans/listeners to keep their music status quo, West had avoided this. Kudos to him for walking out on a limb...I look forward to hearing what he creates next time.
[Edited 4/15/09 8:38am]

the dude cant sing
auto tune makes it anoyying
he steps out of the box
and thats all i can say about it

motownlover said:

and what do you think bout the actual songs?


I'm pissed that people are more concerned bout the fact that the uses autotunes than bout the songs and production!

Because I think the songs are quite good.

Anxiety said:

Isn't that only on the special edition?

I think he pulled out some great songs on here. I am curious to see how it ages with the auto tune gunk that is all over it.. but having said that, I'm glad he did the album.. first track is worth it alone

lackluster cry for attention

aside from paranoid the vibe is far too sappy/melodramatic.

his lyrical ability is NOT up to par. that being said every song comes off with the same message of sadness without any whimsical lyricism to make up for it.

2.5/5 stars

It took me about a month to really dig it, however it doesnt take on the excitement and suprise that was on his previous albums

are there any more singles planned? how does kanye get away with releasing a new album ever`year?

i still love it. <3 its some deep deep on this album

I still give it a 3.5/5

I like Kanye West. I think although he's polarizing, he's an important figure in pop music. But this album sucks hirsute balls. Boring chord progressions. The awful Auto-tune. After a couple of months, you may still color me unimpressed.

I love this album. I think it was brave move and I hope he continues to experiment with different sounds. I'd love for a "happier" version of 808's to be next and maybe a rock album too!

oh man, could someone please give me some hint about what he did the last years, I mean in the public view. Why is he polarizing???
I know those freak stories, but aren't they all made up? Is he really gonna call himself Muhammed West?

graecophilos said:

Prince used it when he worked with Chaka on her CD, "Come To My House". For all intensive purposes, Jamie is a good singer. His debut CD, "Peep This", released in the 90's proved this. When you use something like what Kanye used, once it is cool, when you use it as many times as everybody has used it, it then becomes a joke.

I didn't want to start another thread now:

But do you think Kanye's sexy?

Sometimes he seems pudgy to me.