Album Reviews
Kanye West – 808s & Heartbreak
Kanye West’s fourth album, “808s & Heartbreaks” is something completely different then West’s three previous releases displaying a complete change in style and subject matter; West’s main focus is now heartbreak. “808s & Heartbreaks” mainly consists of Kanye singing his sadness about love. It’s suspected that he is referring to his ex-fiancee, Alexis Phifer on the majority of the tracks. However on the album’s closing track, “Coldest Winters” its obvious that West refers to his mother who passed away last year.
The unexpected attributes of West’s concept album don’t stop there. For instance, West sings on the entire album with the aid of Auto-Tune, which he is proud of using, deeming it “the funnest thing to use.” During the Hawaii (area code 808) recording sessions, West insisted that each track had to feature the Roland 1980’s model synthesizer entitled TR-808 to generate the drumming, stating “[N]o typical hip-hop beats, they’ve gotta be tribal drums.”
“808s and Heartbreaks” is an album that is full of love songs with auto-tuned vocals, tribal drums, pop-beats similar to those heard during the 80’s, and a style that sounds rushed, extremely different and an attempt to re-invent pop music. Meshing musical styles, Young Jeezy is featured on the track “Amazing” in which he does the only rapping on the record.
Don’t call it a rap or hip-hop album. West has classified “808s & Heartbreaks” as pop music, which seems to be the goal of the album – that isn’t achieved. We’re left with an entertaining look at how pop music could sound like, but hopefully won’t.
release date: November 24, 2008
It is the worst music I have ever heard from Kanye!! Take the stupid t-pain thing out of your mouth and rap for a change. It was tight in the “put on” song with Young Jeezy, but that doesn’t warrant making a whole CD with that style. Rap…you are not t-pain!! People should stop playing, requesting, and buying this music. The lyrics are horrible and there is zero talent. Kanye, get your act together because this CD is a flop!!! I am ashamed to be from the same city as him. If I turn on the radio or go to a club one more time and hear that heartless song, I might kill myself.
This CD = Garbage
What’s up Skalla? Whats good everyone?
Sorry to say this but I’m gonna have to “agree to disagree” as my man Weezy would say. Sure, 808’s & Heartbreaks was an unexpected drop from Kanye, but thats just Kanye’s weird style right now and if you look around there seems to be a following of people rockin’ his look. I also want to mention that he has already gotten back to rapping in his recent track with The Dream titled “Walking on the Moon.” Back to 808s, artistically I thought this album had dark, electronic, 80’s sound that was fitting with coldest winter we’ve had in Chicago in a minute. Yea, it was dark and a little weird at times but, even Picasso had a blue period! He is just expressing himself in the loss of his mother and isn’t that what music and art is all about, expression? But wait you say music is a business right??? You gotta sell it. So, then listen to the latest track Kanye is featured in titled, “I’m the shit remix” feat. Kanye West (DJ Class). Kanye West says “Still top ten about 15 weeks later…That’s a middle finger to you 808 Haters!” This guys about Louey V’s & Pumas ($$$), not making everyone happy.
CASH IS KING
3/4 stars
What poppin Ciulla? Its been a long time!! I saw Joey the other day.
I think people are giving him way too much credit. He put together a half-ass CD and did the T-pain thing to get some listeners. I agree that it was a good move in terms of business, but as an artist its horrible. When the first Kanye CD dropped, Kanye had a unique style. There is nothing unique about his latest CD. He just did the t-pain thing and wrote shitty lyrics that mainstream listeners want to hear. He is no longer unique…he is mainstream. Even artists like Lil Wayne, who has mainstream hits, releases mixtape jams and diversifies his music. Kanye is making money and the radio loves him, but he has lost the uniqueness and creativity that I (and others) liked about him. Just turn on B96 and there is plenty of music like the garbage on this CD. You can only listen for a couple minutes and you have to turn it off…because its talentless. The business is about making money, so its no longer about being unique and having your own style?
Regardless, everybody has their own opinions and preferences when it comes to music. Kanye…please come out with some jams like “American Boy” that was hot!!
(Can DIPSET come out with something new already?)
Pace