808s & Heartbreak - My SECOND Review...Yes Second Review

808s & Heartbreak - My Second Review

This is probably the first time I have ever written a review for something...twice. My first review for this album was mainly negative, criticizing the album not for its use of Auto-Tune, but the exaggerrated use of it. I praised West for delivering one of his most personal albums, and also trying something new, but overall when I first heard the album I seriously disliked it.

Now you're probably asking yourself: "Why the hell is he writing a second review?". The answer is that my first review does not hold up to my new perspective on the album. Over the last few days, for some odd reason, I started playing the CD again. To my amazement, some of the tracks started to grow on me. I still tried to hold my criticisms as I continued to go through the record. In the course of a week and a half, I have grown to really like the album but also appreciate it.

What made me change my mind? Kanye's personal take on the album is so deep that I could relate to a lot of the experiences he goes through. Since West doesn't talk about money, clothes, cars etc. the average music listener can relate to what he's saying. The problem is that it's hard to appreciate the album when you first hear it, because frankly the vocals are over exaggerated, and he uses mixing techniques and pitch correction in places he doesn't really need it, giving that poor quality sound to his voice. But West stated he used it for emotional effect, and it really works when you listen closeley. When he's angrier or more depressed, the vocals begin to get crazier jumping all over the place.

Now I'm not saying this album is perfect, but a lot has grown onto me. "Say You Will", the opening track on the album, isn't the best but it is quickly growing on me as well. The lyrics are emotional, and the vocals aren't too bad. The album really should have started with what should have been the opening track: "Welcome To Heartbreak" where West sings:

My friend showed me pictures of his kids,
And all I could show him was pictures of my cribs.
He said his daughter got a brand-new report card,
And all I got was a brand-new sportscar.

This completley removes the materialistic aspect we see on some other records, and it really brings in the emotional side of the artist. The music is beautiful, the vocals are very muffled with that robotic/walkie-talkie effect, but overall the song is very deep.

The album continues to pick up with one of the best songs on the album "Heartless", where the vocals are clear and the production is perfect. The next song "Amazing" has probably one of the most muffled, robotic, walkie-talkie vocals on the album, but probably one of my favorites as well. In a song where you think he would flatter himself, he instead claims he will never give up on his life accomplishments:

I'm a monster, I'm a maven
I know this world is changin'
Never gave in
Never gave up
I'm the only thing I'm afraid of

The album continues to give hits such as "Love Lockdown" and "Paranoid". Even the song I hated, "Robocop", grew onto me (most likely because I heard the leaked version which was unfinished, the rest of the leaked album was the same as the final product). The complete version comes with amazing production, and some of the best string incorporation into a beat I have seen in a while. The album soon delivers "Street Lights", which was the song that made me think twice on the whole album to begin with. The song has a beautiful melody, beautiful production, and beautiful background vocals. This is a song you can definitley close your eyes while you listen to him sing:

Seems like streetlights glowing
Happen to be just like moments
Passing, in front of me so
I hopped in, the cab and
I paid my fair, see
I know my, destination
But I'm just not there.

The next song "Bad News" is one of the most personal on the album, but also one of my least favorites. It may grow on me, but the singing on this one isn't very good. I do respect the fact he is showing us his personal side. West then gives us "See You In My Nightmares", his angry side to a heartbreak. The song's vocals are very exagerrated, but once you listen to the lyrics it really grows on you. As the album finishes we get "Coldest Winter", a song dedicated to his mother who passed away not too long ago. The song is beautiful, the vocals are clear and it is an amazing song many people can relate too:

On lonely nights i start to fade..
Her love's a thousand miles away..
Memories made in the coldest winter..
Goodbye my friend, will I ever love again?

The final track is called "Pinocchio Story", which is Live in concert. The song is VERY deep, but I really don't like hearing songs Live. Maybe when a finished version is out I will love it.

Overall I like the album, except for around two songs (Bad News and Pinocchio Story). This is one of those albums you really need to get use to in order to appreciate it. West tries something different, and it definitley doesn't work the first time you hear it. Once you accept it for what it is, then you really have a great album. I apologize to Mr. West and others for giving it a negative review at first. It truley is a great album. Different is always a good thing, and it works here if you listen more than once and give it a chance. I am, however, looking forward to him going to back to Rap. Maybe his raps will become even more personal, which would be a great touch.

808s & Heartbreak may sound like tragedy at first, but it really is a renovative album and it is highy recommended.

Pros: Amazing production, very personal records one can relate to, amazing lyrics
Cons: Only twelve songs, two of which aren't that great.

Overall Rating: 4/5

Pick it up!