Kanye West returns with his latest release since the massive Graduation, which saw him reach a peak of success and popularity. As a producer Kanye is always trying to push boundaries, and 808's and Heartbreak is absolutely no different. Some say that with this album he has created an entirely ... Read review
808s & Heartbreak sees Kanye West move somewhat controversially away from hip hop towards ... more
what he calls "pop art"--not the art movement championed by Andy Warhol, but his own artful pop music. This translates as Kanye dropping his rap shtick and picking up the Auto-Tune to help even out his singing voice, and trading his usual summery bounce for the brittle, wintry sound of the electronic Roland TR-808--the drum machine used in early hip hop and techno. Where previous Kanye albums have been about bling, 808s & Heartbreak is a paean to pain and misery. Prompted by the recent death of his mother, opening track "Welcome to Heartbreak" sets the album's key themes--lyrics about the emptiness of fame and wealth crooned over a desolate electronic backdrop. Things don't get much cheerier as Kanye continues to pour his heart out on songs like "Coldest Winter", "Street Lights" and the slow jam "Say You Will". High profile high guests like Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne and Herbie Hancock can't lift the gloom either, but the consistent aura of sadness that envelopes this unexpected album is ultimately what makes it so compelling. --Danny McKenna
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808s&Heartbreaksees Kanye West move somewhat controversially away from hip hop towards ... more
what he calls "pop art"--not the art movement championed by Andy Warhol, but his own artful pop music. This translates as Kanye dropping his rap shtick and picking up the Auto-Tune to help even out his singing voice, and trading his usual summery bounce for the brittle, wintry sound of the electronic Roland TR-808--the drum machine used in early hip hop and techno. Where previous Kanye albums have been about bling,808s&Heartbreakis a paean to pain and misery. Promptedby the recent death of his mother, opening track "Welcome to Heartbreak" sets the album's key themes--lyrics about the emptiness of fame and wealth crooned over a desolate electronic backdrop. Things don't get much cheerier as Kanye continues to pour his heart out on songs like "Coldest Winter", "Street Lights" and the slow jam "Say You Will". High profile high guests like Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne and Herbie Hancock can't lift the gloom either, but the consistent aura of sadness that envelopes this unexpected album is ultimately what makes it so compelling.--Danny McKenna
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Advantages: A brave change in direction! Emotional and personal. Disadvantages: Very different to his previous stuff, may not appeal to all die hard Kanye fans
Kanye West returns with his latest release since the massive Graduation, which saw him reach a peak of success and popularity. As a producer Kanye is always trying to push boundaries, and 808's and Heartbreak is absolutely no different. Some say that with this album he has created an entirely new genre of music. I think that would be more than a little over exaggeration myself. What he has in fact done it would seem is adapt a sound similar to the ... ...in their own right for some time now and added just more than a pinch of Mr. West.
I think the first thing we must clear up here before any extensive writing can be made upon this album is that Kanye West has not ditched rap. This is a highly personal album and it is said to be merely a stop-gap between what is expected in 2009. That is, a more traditional offering from the main man. Taking experiences from his life is what he does ... more
Kanye West returns with his latest release since the massive Graduation, which saw him reach a peak of success and popularity. As a producer Kanye is always trying to push boundaries, and 808's and Heartbreak is absolutely no different. Some say that with this album he has created an entirely new genre of music. I think that would be more than a little over exaggeration myself. What he has in fact done it would seem is adapt a sound similar to the likes of what T-Pain and Akon have been doing successfully in their own right for some time now and added just more than a pinch of Mr. West.
I think the first thing we must clear up here before any extensive writing can be made upon this album is that Kanye West has not ditched rap. This is a highly personal album and it is said to be merely a stop-gap between what is expected in 2009. That is, a more traditional offering from the main man. Taking experiences from his life is what he does best, whilst working them around his beloved Roland TR-808 drum machine. We expect then, highly emotive content. From the word go with this album and the sublime single 'Love Lockdown' this appears to be the case.
We commence the album with the heavenly and trippy Say You Will, a down tempo lengthy intro to proceedings. If this track lays down the marker of what to expect, many will be surprised. Auto-Tune vocoder lyrics and minus the traditional raps we are immediately made aware that this is not the usual Kanye West. However to say, as some already have, that there are no examples of true Kanye rap then that must be dispelled now. Track 2, 'Welcome to Heartbreak' almost introduces fully to the concept of the album, but does feature Kanye spinning lines, but in a more laid back fashion, whilst Kid Cudi provides the hook.
The melancholy flows well throughout, but the album manages to retain elements of an upbeat sound and the next single 'Heartless' is a good example of that. Powerful beats and a simple synth stab underpin a gruesome tale of heartbreak which clearly has come from personal experience. One of the stand-out tracks from the album. One of the best vocal hooks you will hear throughout the 13 tracks.
Track 4, entitled 'Amazing' is a warbling journey through plodding percussion, with edgy strings and an appearance from rap star flavor of the month Young Jeezy. Potential single in the offing, but certainly not a highlight for me. Track 5 needs little introduction, and little discussion, it is of course the brilliant 'Love Lockdown' and the signature track for the whole album. Excellently produced, catchy chorus with plenty of energy.
Paranoid has a retro feel in it's beats, with a real electro vibe. More rapping here is on show, and Kanye lays off the auto-tune singing momentarily while this one powers out. I find this one will no doubt be a grower of a track. One that may get skipped initially but you could well learn to love it. In a similar vein to that notion is RoboCop, I'm a big fan of this one, the lyrics are great once you get passed the strange analogies and the chorus again is strong.
Lil Wayne pops up for his now trademark appearance on Kanye West albums. Okay, so it's his second in-a-row, but he is a rapper well and truely spreading the love around just lately! Hear Wayne flex his rap muscles on the spooky, 'See you in my nightmares'.
Once you delve into this album you realize you cannot pick out tracks to listen to individually than the obvious singles. To sum it up, it's a journey, one that you will need to be in the right frame of mind to listen to. It's dark, it's moving, it's mysterious in places and it's certainly a brave attempt at something a little different to the norm. No doubt, Kanye will receive almost as much criticism as he will plaudits for this album. A real Marmite effort. You will either love it, or you will hate it. Certainly worth checking out. But approach with caution!
Advantages: Some interesting sounds. Disadvantages: Kanye is a producer and a rapper. He should stick with these two.
As a concept album, this is not bad. The idea of using Roland TR-808's as the prominent production tool was an inspired one. Kanye West started off as a producer and then became a rapper. I felt he had alot of talent at both. Now he wants to become a singer. I'm far from keen on this. Kanye's singing voice leaves alot to be desired, even with a massive overuse of auto-tune and vocoder effects. The first single from this album, 'Love Lockdown', was ... ...good but the track was a bit repetitive and grated on me quite a bit. The second, 'Heartless', was a tad better but not much. I could at least tolerate this song. There are some really good elements here that I would like Kanye to have developed but he seems to have been to set on the direction he wanted this album to take. I just think some more effort is required. ...
dandadda 16.03.2009
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Review of 808s And Heartbreak - Kanye West
Advantages: Still KanYe at the end of the day Disadvantages: mot songs sound the same.
KanYe West has been a top producer turned rapper for years now. He has made some memorable and chart topping albums, however, his latest; 808 and heartbreaks seems to lack validity of feelings and just doesn't have the same feel to it as his other albums. Most people love KanYe for his clever lyrics, the way he strings them together, and most of all his catchy backing tracks and the overall sound and vibe of his tracks. This album all seems a little ... ...has obviously had a change of heart for what he wants to produce, and has steered away from clever lyrics about his hard struggle and racism in america, but instead wants to present people with the struggle of relationships and love.
Some good lyrics and songs, but unlike hi other albums, you can't jut sit and listen to it the whole way through. ...
lewismc 03.07.2009
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Advantages: Gorgeous, retro production, memorable songs. Disadvantages: Lyrically weak, and anyone with an aversion to vocoder best stay away.
808s & Heartbreak, hip-hop maverick KanyeWest's fourth studio album is, it's fair to say, a curious affair all round. Abandoning (momentarily at least) the politically astute, rapid-fire, hook-heavy rap that made his name, the record consists almost entirely of bleak, icy, vocoder-slathered R&B ballads, most concerned in some way with loss, stagnation, loneliness and death, metaphorical or literal.
The opening Say You Will provides the blueprint for much of what follows, delivering on the sonic and thematic promises of the album title - beats pulled from a Roland TR-808 drum machine ping-ponging around a sparse, almost minimalist reflection on a sundered romance.
Only the most delicate piano line and the flimsiest sheet of choral synth compliment the frail beat and West's voice (more on the voice in a moment). It brings to mind no ...
Advantages: 'Amazing', 'See You in My Nightmares', 'Coldest Winter' Disadvantages: 'Say You Will', 'Paranoid', 'Robocop' (AKA the mess)
Ever since 'Through the Wire' hip hop star, KanyeWest burst on to the scene in 2003, I feel he has done his job every single time it has came out to putting out a new record. Especially if his job is to split opinion on him as much as possible, as ever since he used the Ku Klux Klan imagery in 'Jesus Walks' to samply Daft Punk on his biggest hit -- 'Stronger' -- this guy has had us talking, or singing his tracks. '808s & Heartbreak' comes as Kanye's fourth studio album and being released at the end of a year that has seen the loss of his mother and the breakdown of his relationship, this shall be the album to divide us all the most. '808s' has already had Rolling Stone magazine referring to Kanye as an emo that has always hid it well is just a snippet of evidence for everything I have said so far. Does that make me emo?
*01, Say You ...
Advantages: Some great, powerful songs are very welcoming and easy to listen to Disadvantages: Some poor songs which ruin the album, electronics overused in some songs
KanyeWest - 808's And Heartbreaks
Fresh, Unique, Full Of Spirit and Brilliance (although electronics are overused)
Intro
~~~~
I have all KanyeWest's albums and enjoy them all. I use to dislike his music a long time ago however I find him to be the best hip hop star out there today. With his style, freshness on his music and the spirit that lives through his songs is brilliant. I have recently been to his glow in the dark tour in Glasgow and loved it. He is full of energy on stage just as is the case with the energy he puts into his songs (some more than others)
I was very sceptical about his new album, no rap and all singing, however I actually enjoy it and think its got great tracks and potential. Maybe the use of electronics and all that other gadgets used in the music business today in order to keep pitch and all in tune ...
Product Information for "808s And Heartbreak - Kanye West" »
Product details
Title
808s And Heartbreak
Performer
Kanye West
Genre
R&B
Sub Genre
Rap
Release Date
01/12/2008
Original Release Year
2008
Label / Distributor
Roc-A-Fella / Universal Music
Pieces in Set
1
Studio / Live
Studio
Stereo
Stereo
Format
Performer
EAN
602517872790
Catalogue Number
1787279
Additional notes
Album Notes
Following a 2008 of misfortune (the death of his mother, the dissolution of his engagement), hip-hop's enigmatic impresario Kanye West returns, a bit more somber, slightly more urgent, but still pushing boundaries, on his fourth record, 808S & HEARTBREAK. From the first track, the sprawling, drum-n-bass-propelled "Say You Will," and from the ubiquitous lead single, the propulsive "Love's Lockdown," it is clear that West is venturing further into the electronic sound he explored on GRADUATION. West has decreed that all beats on 808S be derived from the Roland TR-808 for a more "tribal feel," and he distorts his voice at will, producing a surreal sound, one bordering on a robot having a mental breakdown. On this adventurous album, West is King Lear's Edgar, a sharp-minded philosopher lost in the forest of despair, unsure how to react, how to perceive reality. That's not to say that he's simply wallowing, even on the most despondent "Welcome to Heartbreak," a tribute to his mother. While 808S is an album that may be challenging at times, it's also often hypnotic and unquestionably catchy--basically, everything one might want from a Kanye West album.
Album Reviews
Rolling Stone (p.92) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "Thankfully, there are those 808s. Kanye constructed the songs using a classic Roland TR-808 drum machine, and the results are a pleasant shock: stark, spacey tracks, which owe far more to Eighties electro and synth pop than anything on hip-hop radio." Entertainment Weekly (p.71) - "[H]is flair for wordplay remains gratifyingly intact....He offers this glimpse of the soul beneath the swagger, and we like him better for it." -- Grade: A- The Wire (p.66) - "[H]is lyrics he tempers with humour, and these enormous tracks, built like New Orleans blues-like dirges, have the soft touches of piano and chords given the full sustain." Mojo (Publisher) (p.104) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "808S AND HEARTBREAKS' bravery makes it compelling...it feels honest....It is his most fascinating, and bewildering, record to date." Blender (Magazine) (p.82) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[A] chunk of emotional permafrost -- a beautiful soundtrack for a long, harsh winter....He's found a way to turn numbness into art." Clash (magazine) (p.102) - "Given the reduced palette with which Kanye is working, it's amazing there is such a spectrum of styles and influences covered."
Titles on disc 1
1.
Say You Will
2.
Welcome To Heartbreak - West, Kanye & Kid Cudi
3.
Heartless
4.
Amazing - West, Kanye & Young Jeezy
5.
Love Lockdown
6.
Paranoid - West, Kanye & Mr. Hudson
7.
RoboCop
8.
Street Lights
9.
Bad News
10.
See You In My Nightmares - West, Kanye & Lil' Wayne
11.
Coldest Winter
12.
Pinocchio (freestyle live from Singapore)
Ciao
Listed on Ciao since
27/11/2008
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