Kanye West - "808's and Heartbreakers"

Kanye West's new Album "808's and Heartbreakers" was released on November 24th, and was yet another disappointment in the winter-release line up. It is obviously the evidence of Kanye trying a new style, but one that is not working well for him. The first song on the album is called "Say You Will" and, although none of the other tracks are much better, this was a bad choice to put as the ear-grabber. The song is a repetitive drum line (that sounds like it was made with a garbage can), with an awkward, "Space Odyssey" "bleep" to keep the beat. The lyrics are, to say the least, pathetic. The repeated phrase "hey hey hey" comes far to often in the song, and some of the lyrics that fallow the hook, (it's not even fair to call it a hook how many times he says it in the song), don't even make sense. "Hey hey hey, don't say you will, if you will...", how does that make sense? "I wish this song would barley come true"...??? These lyrics are confusing. "Street Lights" is a sad example of what we know Kanye's beat making capabilities to be, the same can be said for his lyrics, however they are the most complex and harmonic on the entire album. This is the worst part of the album : Kanye distorted every single one of his vocal tracks, on every song. We all know Kanye has a wonderful voice, one that is smooth, and rich. Why he would think that adding this distortion to sound like T-pain or Akon is a good idea is beyond me. Not to mention, it probably sounds OK in a million dollar studio, but most people listen to this on Apple headphones or their computer, and that distorted voice makes for quit the unpleasant listening when you have a) small speakers and b) bad speakers.

Rating : 3 Mics

Suggested Mood for Listening : Eh, I just wouldn't suggest it.

Video Link - Sorry guys, couldn't find one for Kanye either!