Dan Cairns
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This so should not work: an album by a rap superstar that features almost no rapping at all; whose sonic tones (pulsing electro beats, synth bass, minor keys) are, barring two exceptions, of a sombre hue; on which West, autotuned and Vocodered, elects to sing; and whose limited palette is bound to strike some as samey to the point of tedium. Yet 808s & Heartbreak is a triumph, recklessly departing from the commercially copper-bottomed script and venturing far beyond West’s comfort zone. The death, last year, of his mother and his break-up with his fiancée seem to have unlocked an emotional candour of such a personal nature that listening to songs such as Street Lights and Love Lockdown can seem almost voyeuristic. On the latter, West combines a childlike piano motif with hurtling, tribal drums and a chorus whose spryness cannot obscure the bleakness at its heart. One of the album’s most fascinating aspects is that, no matter how deep West delves into the dark heart of his state of mind, his sharp ear for hooks cannot help but assert itself. Bad News’s funereal northern-soul two-step might be strange, but it lodges in the head. And the sheer mad fun of Paranoid’s nods to Blue Monday and Van Halen’s Jump is evidence that, amid the heartbreak, West is reconnecting with his mischievous side, too. A bizarre, brave and brilliant album.
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I heard 'Love Lockdown' and did not recognise that it was Kanye. I did like it though, asked who it was and no-one seemed to know. Presumed it was that rare R'n'B tune that catches my ear.
Listening to the album now, and if lacking his usual immediacy, he still manages to impress.
Sophie, London,
It was a complete surprise - and boy, do I love surprises. Kanye has made me reconnect with what I heard when I first got a listen back on Valentine's Day of 2004. And I haven't stopped listening since. He makes middle-class buppies feel like FINALLY! Thanks, Ye, it's a great album
Kim, Nashville, US
its worked. i can't stop listening to it. I CAN'T STOP!
Mags, Joburg, SA
thats what a fan like me whats to ehar, he can experiment etc. but its not worked
That is not really fan-like at all. But okay.
So far I am digging the album quite a lot. All the 80's references are cool. I think it's great that the 80's kind of Pop is being supported by such a big artist.
Boo, Utrecht,
Cool experiment. However, if this is anything more than a temporary departure from the music that has made him such a global sensation, I have a feeling a lot of people just bought their last Kanye West album. I know that's the case with me.
Jason, Royal Oak, MI, USA
Listening to so much autotune is like chewing aluminum foil.
CB, new orleans,
The Album is ok but you
got to hear this cover
of Good Life by Brooklyn "indietroica" band
Nite Club.
It looks Kanye's been out did.
http://www.myspace.com/niteclubmusic
susan, london,
I like what he's trying to do as a artist,
but aesthetically feel he went a bit overboard.
check out this remake of Good Life
by Brooklyn indietronica band nite club
i think they hit it right on target.
susan, london, uk
man...cant really day too much besides that i actually LOVE IT! honestly this is the 1st album ive actually bought since jay z came out with "BLUEPRINT 2" (SAD, i know). but i honestly recommend to anyone who loves music to take a chance to listen to this album. 808S AND HEARTBREAK!!!
Tone Webster jr., minneapolis,
Rapper Turns Vocoder! Kanye and this album is overrated. This whole rapper singing through a vocoder is nothing new. Snoop was the last memorable rapper to do it. As a Hip-Hop album it is weak, its better described as a novelty pop xmas stocking filler. It wont be remembered as a classic.
Sid, Birmingham, UK
i havent stopped listening to this album since i got it early a cple of days ago and it is absolutely unbelievable, massive change from the previous three albums but welcome and refreshing. some amazing beats are mixed with some great concepts to make one of the best albums of the year for me
David S, London, U K
Kanye's new album is wonderful simply because he's doing something many artists nowadays has ignored, SPEAKING FROM THE HEART! Especially in his last track, this entire album gives the listener a peak into the mind of Kanye based solely off the ambiance rather than the lyrical content. Kudos.
Toney G., Richmond,
This album is great. I like it because it's a revolution, a new state of mind. He's bringing hip hop back, with new ways to rhyme. It shows how great of a songwriter he is, because there is a lot to every track and the album as a whole. Listen, and you will understand.
Glenn, Madison, USA
He is undoubtedly a great artist. however, all of his work shouldn't be loved unconditionally just b/c it's Kanye. "808's and HB" is OK. As you would expect from Kanye, the production is flawless but as w/ any unchartered creative venture, the artist is bound to falter using unfamiliar tools.
Brandon, Bronx, USA
Kanye has proven that no matter what he does he can still make great music! The fact that he got out of his comfort zone and tried something different tells us how great he is! I love kanye
gerardo, glendale, united states
This album is amazing. Kanye music is something fresh, new and different. I suggest you pick up this album on monday!
Branden, Rochester, USA
The album can only be considered "terrible" if you listen to rap, and your whole musical world spins around rap only. For your own good I can only suggest you widen your palate, the album is what the industry needs right now, people who aren't scared to step out of their comfort zone, and make music
Rashid, Toronto, Canada
I'm in love with this record.
I got into Kanye cause of his lyrics, not neccessarily his rap.
He has a very unique style to his voice and I love that.
This record really touched me as did its first single.
He just sold me as a diehard fan!!
Kurt, Philly,
The album is amazing!!!
Terry, St Petersburg, USA
Definitely agree on the autotune. This record is impressive and extremely heartbreaking. I suggest you pick this record up on Monday.
Q, houston,
This album is terrible I don't know what he's thinking - I dont wanna seem narrow minded but he's a rapper and thats what a fan like me whats to ehar, he can experiment etc. but its not worked
Vindi, south london,