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!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Akon doesn't react to sound. He is a TRAVESTY. But on the front of this album - is it more of an EP than a full-length record? Only five or six songs here?
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
very helpful by (100%):
![Late Registration (Parental Advisory) [PA] - Kanye West](http://imagesa.ciao.com/iuk/images/products/small/956/prod_small-6260956.jpg)
![808s And Heartbreak [Digipak] - Kanye West - review by DavidJay](http://images.ciao.com/ide/images/stars/2003/stars40.gif)
