Maximum Kanye West (Interview) - Kanye West

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 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... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Gorgeous, retro production, memorable songs.
Disadvantages: Lyrically weak, and anyone with an aversion to vocoder best stay away.

...808s & Heartbreak, hip-hop maverick Kanye West'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... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: EXcellent lyrically and orginality
Disadvantages: None

...Kanye west regardless of his attitiude and behaviour outside of the industry is a hip hop genius, his arrogance maybe a deterrent for some people to not buy the album but personal opinions should be dropped as his musical brilliance is and has been confirmed and Late registration is no exception.With a large number of tracks you get value for money and most are quality tunes not just a mass in quantity recommended tracks are:Touch the sky(feat Lupe fiasco), goldigga, sierra leone(remix & normal) and roses(excellent), tracks are also spaced with humerous skits which I personally find funny however others may find as "filler" and would rather get to listening to the content of the album.Kanye west fans will certainly not be dissappointed and others will love it also recommend Kanye's new mixtape Can't tell me nothing which features... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful