I love Kanye's music. His personality we could all do without - in fact, I wish he'd let his music speak for itself more often. He'd be a lot bigger artist if he left the bravado for his records (as most hip hop artists do). But his music is undeniable - 3 amazing records so far (especially the first two), and one pretty good experiment.
My quick take on MBDTF: Pretty amazing, but oftentimes way too indulgent. Some of the indulgences could use some trimming, particularly toward the end of the record. It kind of reminds me a bit of Oasis' Be Here Now, where all the songs are pretty much awesome, but just go on for too damn long. The first half is near perfect, although I think "Gorgeous" could be tightened up by losing a minute (not losing Raekwon's verse/the beat change, because of course that's amazing, but maybe Kanye could've edited out one of his 3 verses). I love all the changes to the GOOD Friday songs, particularly "Devil in a New Dress." They earn their lengthy times.
Probably the most controversial part of the album will be the lengthening of "Runaway." I actually like the vocoder singing and strings, but even that could've been chopped down by a minute, minute and a half...it would still be an extended outro, but wouldn't seem as endless. I think with the extended outro, "Runaway" would've made a good penultimate track before "Lost in the World." Just my opinion, but trac order is really important.
I guess my main issues with the album come with the next two tracks. "Hell of a Life" just doesn't do it for me. I love the beat, but I hate hip hop songs that completely lift a well known melody that I've already heard a thousand times. If I want to listen to "Iron Man" I'll listen to Black Sabbath, thanks. And again...too damn long.
"Blame Game" is awesome, but again, overindulgent at times. The outro with Chris Rock just goes on FOREVER and I don't think it's that funny (and I even like Chris Rock.) It would've been okay, if it had lasted a minute, and not 3 minutes, the length of an average song.
"Lost in the World" is just awesome.
I would've loved to see "The Joy" on here, and maybe another short and sweet track near the end to relieve the tension. Don't get me wrong though, the album is all-around pretty much amazing. I've made a playlist and CD (for the car) of the GOOD Friday tracks that aren't featured on the album, and I recommend it to anyone else, because that's also been great listening. If GOOD Friday continues until Christmas, Kanye will have released enough material for 3 great albums in one year.
When this was announced a bit ago as an upcoming single, I was extremely excited. I thought it was going to be THE GREATEST THING EVER. Then I heard this for the first time, at work, with my headphones in my crappy laptop...and just thought it was okay. Then I went home, and listened to it again, this time without any expectations...and gotta say, though my expectations are always ridiculous, this almost meets them, and that says a lot. Pretty amazing...and I can see now why this wasn't a single, because it's more than just a "radio" song.
Nope, not godawful at all. That beat is pure ear candy. Although I was hoping the next single he'd come out with would be the one he premiered a snippet of last week ("All of the Lights"), this is more of a pop confection. When Kanye made as ass out of himself at the MTV Video Awards, I knew it was a good thing for the music world, because it meant he'd have to make some insanely good music if he wanted to get back in people's good graces. Kanye may be an obnoxious ass but his music gives me more pure enjoyment than almost anything coming out these last 5 or 6 years.
Did anyone notice how weird that high school girl's eyes were on Community? Who is that? She was the strangest looking actress I've ever seen. Those eyes haunted me in my sleep....
I didn't listen to the new song, because when the album (solo or Radiohead) comes out I want it to be completely fresh, BUT that version of "The Eraser" was amazing! The horns really add a lot, and I love the rock out outro. Really wish the tour was going a few more places....
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