♫ [ALBUM REVIEW] Kanye West – 808s & Heartbreaks
Author: Staff | Date: November 26th 2008 | Filed: Album Reviews
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Kanye West – 808’s and Heartbreaks – Dropped out of college. Then he re-enrolled, and, on his third album, finally graduated. Next, he was supposed to get a “good ass job.”
Instead, he had his heartbroken. With life, expect the unexpected. Kanye West has had one hell of a year. West’s first and only true love, his mother, Donda West, died from surgery complications. He’s been arrested twice after clashes with the paparzzi, and he even called it off with his fiancé, Alexis PhiferHe’s lived through blow after blow, and the album itself is a reflection of how reality can reflect art or vice versa.
So, with all that Kanye has been through thus far, it shouldn’t shock anyone that he shelved his original album titled, Good Ass Job, and recorded an album full of loss, vocal robots, and heartbreak.
LISTEN: KaNYE WEST – SAY YOU WILL
“Say You Will” opens up and the production is so dramatic and intense. We were overwhelmed just listening to West sing his pain. The album features artists such as Young Jeezy, Lil’ Wayne, and Mr. Hudson. West takes you on a roller coaster ride with auto-tuner and ridiculously addictive production. He even takes a few jabs at his ex, Alexis Phifer with lines like: “Just a spoiled little L.A. Girl” and “Who knew she was a drama queen that’ll turn my life to Steven King” and “You’re like the girl from Misery.” Certainly, he made sure she knew she did her part in his heartbreak.
Stand out tracks on the album include the following: “Paranoid,” “Robocop,” “Bad News,” “See You In My Nightmares,” and “Coldest Winter.”
LISTEN: KaNYE WEST FEAT. MR. HUDSON – PARANOID
Overall, the album album’s production is incredible. Kanye West never slips with the 808. However, this isn’t his best work but this isn’t taking away from the album. The album is enjoyable and is one hell of a banger.
If you’re ever feeling down and need some inspiration – Purchase, Purchase, PURCHASE!!! If you and your girlfriend or boyfriend break up – Purchase, Purchase, PURCHASE!!! If you lose a parent, guardian, etc – Purchase, Purchase, PURCHASE!!! If you can’t get those haters off your back – Purchase, Purchase, PURCHASE!!! If you find yourself saying, “Life isn’t fair.” This album is a must – Purchase, Purchase, PURCHASE!!! Kanye West gave us his pain and we’ll leave you all with, “Street Lights.”
NO THANKS
November 26, 2008 at 9:04 AM
Kanye is a genius! He’s my favorite my MC so I’m gonna rep him (of course). LOL My faves are RoboCop, Amazing, Heartless, and Coldest Winter so far. I’m sure that’s subject to change after a few more lessons, but the album is 100% quality just like his first three joints!
GO ‘YE! <3
Jai
November 26, 2008 at 9:07 AM
^^^ Ignore that comment above. LOL It’s me, Jai. But yeah I LOVE the album and after a few more listens my faves will probably change because that definitely happened when I bought Graduation. I’m just glad to see him back with new music! I can’t wait til he hits the road to perform the new stuff!
cdd
December 12, 2008 at 2:24 AM
Well, I find it mind boggling that NO ONE has even mentioned Marvin Gaye and the similarity Kanye has to him on this pleasurable aural journey. Marvin went through a similar heartbreak period when he recorded “Here, My Dear”, his double LP opus for the Tamla label in 1798, a then subsidiary of Motown. The critics panned the album, saying that Marvin showed too much emotion, beginning the album by saying “I guess i’ll have to say this album is dedicated to you….although perhaps you may not be happy…this is what you won…so i’ve conceded….I hope it makes you happy….there’s a lot of truth in it, baby…” Fresh off of the divorce case with his then wife Anna Gaye, Marvin recorded this album to fulfill a debt to her. He owed her money and the only way to get it was this album. Now, years after it was shelved, it has been remastered, praised and is said to be one of Marvin’s best works. (Not to mention the use of “Funky Space Reincarnation” in that perfume commercial!!)
Now on to Kanye. Similar circumstances, another album born of heartbreak that sadly, it seems will not be understood until 10 or 20 years from now. The critics are basically panning this album, just like Marvin’s, saying that maybe Ye should have not shown so much emotion on this project. I beg to differ. Have you ever wanted to write something special for someone, even on a Valentine’s Day card, and not know what to write??? Okay, now imagine being Kanye West, one of the most successful producers on the planet, with these emotions running around inside you that aren’t rhymes, but more like songs of confession and pain. Hello auto-tune.
I love this project unlike many others that have voiced their concerns for Kanye’s ability to deliver a solid project. To me, executed with beautiful precision and the grace that comes with bearing it all, “808’s & Heartbreaks” is Kanye West’s “Here, My Dear”. That project by a world class artist that will be misunderstood until our minds free themselves enough to digest it’s aural elegance, heartfelt lyrics and trend-setting production. Hopefully, it will be sooner than 20 or 30 years from now…..
Standout songs: : “Say You Will”, “Welcome To Heartbreak”, Heartless”, “Amazing”, Paranoid”, “Street Lights”, “Coldest Winter”
john
December 16, 2008 at 7:26 PM
i think i want to fuck kanye west