listen to madvillainy

At first, I was going to reply with a snarky post, something along the lines of "just listen to Madvillainy." But then I realized you took some time to post a response to my premises so I feel I should do the same.

 

Thanks for your time. I didn't intend to "prove you wrong", I'm simply stating why I like it, why many others may like it.

 

I think the image that Kanye built for himself on Twitter and other media appearances excused some of the overblown songs on the album. The critics were prone to saying stuff like, "oh this song is just an extension of his image and personality so it's ok."

 

It's a big record, but he can get away with it, because he's a big personality, is that what you mean? If critics have genuinely said that - I've not read a single review of the record - then that's not something I agree with. I believe he can get away with the grandiosity because he rarely wastes time. There's always something exciting going on, apart from So Appalled, which goes on two minutes too long.

 

Yeah, I'm aware of this fact. I was speaking more to the fact that the songs are so over-the-top that it all starts to blend in, making it feel longer; just absolutely exhausting to start from finish. This is not helped by the fact that the few low-key songs on the album are so boring that they just make the album drag on and on. There was definitely more variation with his first two albums. More energy.

 

I think there is plenty of variation on My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Many of the tracks are rock-influenced, there's swaggering R&B, pop, stadium-pop/rock, more traditional hip-hop... yet it's cohesive. Again, I don't think it goes on too long, but that's just me. If there's one thing that the album has in abundance though, it's variation.

 

Sorry, what subject material does Kanye tackle in MBDTF that he didn't before on previous outputs? Not to mention that his flow is getting progressively worse, making the lyrical clunkers stand out more.

 

How exactly is his flow getting worse? I don't see that. He's as good as he's ever been for me, and matched Jay-Z toe to toe on Watch the Throne. He might not take on any new subjects to talk about, but the balance between the ego and the vulnerability makes this record a lot more downbeat than the first three, and a lot more vibrant than 808s. I think it sums him up pretty well. It's the best expression we'll ever get of Kanye West, I feel.

 

I hope you don't mean the choice of samples on MBDTF are inspired or diverse in either the variety or scope. Because both premises are objectively false.

 

I do mean that they are inspired, and diverse, because My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is a Kanye West album. It's pretty mainstream. And I can't think of any other festival-headlining rapper that would sample King Crimson and Gil-Scott Heron on the same record.

 

Sure, I might have agreed with your assertion if I hadn't already listened to DJ Shadow's Endtroducing...... That album came out in 1996, 14 years before the release of MBDTF. Or if I hadn't already listened to The Avalanches' Since I Left You, which utilized over 3,500 vinyl samples. Look for yourself:

 

I love both albums with a passion. Endtroducing..... got me into producing, Since I Left You I discovered a few months back. Both brilliant alternative hip-hop records. But that's exactly what they, alternative. I'm not taking anything away from those guys, but do you think they'd choose the same samples if they made something more commercial?

 

Seems lazy in comparison doesn't it? You mentioned Gil Scott-Heron but how is the sample actually being used? Who Will Survive in America is literally just using a shortened version of Comment No.1; in layman's terms, it's pretty much the equivalent of CTRL+C, CTRL+V. Compare that with how Jamie xx used Gil Scott-Heron samples on We're New Here.

 

But wait! Those aren't actually rap albums right? So maybe you're still right that no rapper was as inspired as Kanye before the release of MBDTF? Again, I might agree with this premise if Madvillainy didn't come out in 2004, 6 years before MBDTF. Madvillainy samples sources like Steve Reich, the film Casablanca and the Street Fighter II video game. So sorry if I don't buy the claim that MBDTF is somehow innovative. It's not.

 

Is My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy solely a rap album? It doesn't have a true hip-hop spirit, really. It's mainstream, but it's not quite pop. I don't think it's as easy as to say "these people did it first" because it's unique, it fits into so many boxes, and yet none of them. And Madvillainy is fantastic, you're correct. I have listened to it, it's one of the best of any genre of the last decade. Of any decade, to be fair. But My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is a completely different kettle of fish.

 

When talking about MBDTF, I think about a conversation with one of my good friends. She and I were having brunch and somehow, the topic of Kanye came up. When I asked her if she had a chance to listen to MBDTF, she said something along the lines of, "I don't normally like rap music but I actually enjoy listening to this album."

 

And this is why it's so good. Because it doesn't sound like any hip-hop record that's come before, but it was still commercial and it didn't alienate Kanye fans, and it had a degree of fine artistry that he'd never quite pulled off before. That not many 30-million-song-selling artists have pulled off. When people remember Kanye West, they'll rank him alongside Jay-Z, Nas, Common, Kid Cudi, Drake, Eminem, Lil Wayne, those kind of guys. How many of them have released something as good as Fantasy?

 

At the time, I didn't think much of that comment but as I think more about it, I think it accurately describes why it got so much praise when the album first came out. The production on the album is astonishing, not too surprising considering this was Kanye's forte from the very beginning of his career. MBDTF does a very good job of combining a little bit of everything from previous releases into one shiny package. It's easy to get enticed by the hooks and the beats. But for someone like me who's already seen these tricks from other artists, I focus more on the substance and it's just not there.

 

The thing about the substance, again, don't just look at Kanye, look at the guests, the choruses, maybe the lyrics aren't your thing, but I think he's got a hell of a lot better. It's thoughtful, varied and a vast improvement on his previous work. But that's just my opinion.

 

tl;dr version: MBDTF is a good, yet flawed album. Not a masterpiece. Also, listen to Madvillainy.

 

Yeah, it's flawed, most albums are. But when I said it was the greatest hip-hop record in recent memory, I speaking subjectively. It's totally different to Madvillainy, which I am also a fan of, so I'm not going to say one's better than the other, because both have their positives, and both have made separate impacts. But like I said from the start, no one expected Kanye West to release a record as good as My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. He's one of the most famous popstars in the world, and to record an album of such scope, variety and pomposity, it's unique amongst his peers. And hey, an Aphex Twin sample is pretty inspired. It's not the most obscure, but it's beautiful, it fits the piece, and it sounds like it was written for that song, which is what all good samples should do, right?

New album Yeezus apparently leaked!

 

EDIT: The leak is fake.

I have been pretty excited for this. :awesome:

I have been pretty excited for this. :awesome:

 

Same, but looks like the leak is fake :(

i googled it and couldn't find anything, but i'm sure it won't be long to wait.

I like the new songs. They're very angry but I'm an angry teenager so I'm okay with that

Trying to get into Black Skinhead, not sure on it, but New Slaves has me a lot more excited for the new album. I loved MBDTF, only found maybe one song average and everything else near greatness, it still can't really compare to Madvillainy and I'm not sure what else could except for maybe a new Madvillain album if that ever happens (Has anyone heard, any, news on that? I have never heard of new songs being made, being in the studio, just rumours that it's happening and should've already been released a few times in the last couple years). Well actually I just did a quick search and like 9 months ago Doom said it's almost ready, AND he said it would be ready by 2012. Jeez.

I should really give the albums a listen. I like a lot of what I've heard but I haven't heard a lot in a while. Really like Flashing Lights. Think that's my favourite.

 

A playlist would help. Maybe ten songs. Anyone fancy sorting that for me?

Yes I didn't realise how many Kanye songs I like (Including Flashing Lights) until the last album. You want a playlist? Sheesh every album song he's ever had is easily available lazy bones. From the last album I particularly liked Dark Fantasy, All of the Lights, So Appalled, and Lost in the World, if you don't wanna buy it they'll all be on youtube (Even if tuned up half a pitch).

I liked So Appalled. Not too keen on the others. There was too much going on in some of them, and too much vocoder.

Wow you didn't like All Of the Lights? Wow.

Sorry.

Listen to a Snippet of What Sounds Like New Music from Kanye West

If you go to Kanye West's website right now, you'll find the confirmed cover art for his new album, Yeezus (allegedly out on June 18 via Def Jam). Roll your cursor over the cover art, and you'll hear a few seconds of what sounds like some new music that may or may not appear on Yeezus. Is the snippet part of a new song that we'll be hearing soon? Who knows-- but for now, check it out.

 

http://pitchfork.com/news/50974-listen-to-a-snippet-of-what-sounds-like-new-music-from-kanye-west/

that shit scared me :dozey:

I like that artwork

Obviously can't make much of an opinion from that "snippet" but I don't dislike it, obviously it's very different from what I could've expected from the other 2 songs.

 

that shit scared me :dozey:

 

At least it wasn't Black Skinhead.

 

I like that artwork

 

Did something not load for me, are you talking about the clear plastic CD case with what may be a bandage that says Yeezus on it?

 

If so, OK. I mean I get it in the context of the visuals he put out on SNL and what the theme will be, but, um OK.

Did something not load for me, are you talking about the clear plastic CD case with what may be a bandage that says Yeezus on it?

 

If so, OK. I mean I get it in the context of the visuals he put out on SNL and what the theme will be, but, um OK.

 

I think I probably meant "I like this aesthetic" more than the artwork itself. Now that I thinka about it Kanye has pretty much covered every aesthetic possible

He's still working on the album? http://www.theatlanticwire.com/entertainment/2013/06/kanye-wests-next-album-out-next-week-and-still-unfinished/66066/

Watch Kanye West Perform New Material at Governors Ball

We haven't heard much from Yeezus at this point, but at his headlining set at Governors Ball Music Festival in New York tonight, Kanye West brought out some new material ("On Site", "I Am a God", and an untitled number).

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtGXW3kqdnM]Kanye West - On Site (Live @ Governors Ball, NYC) - 6/9/13 - YouTube[/ame]

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RDdsWm3uRU]Kanye West - I Am a God (Live @ Governors Ball, NYC) - 6/9/13 - YouTube[/ame]

 

http://pitchfork.com/news/51084-watch-kanye-west-perform-new-track-at-governors-ball/

This has just leaked

 

But I can't find a good link cause all of them are already blocked or removed

This has just leaked

 

But I can't find a good link cause all of them are already blocked or removed

 

This album is absolutely incredible. :o

Yeah I love it :bomb:

Wait on which track is Justin Vernon supposed to be?

Hold My Liquor? But isn't that him on I'm In It too?

Both of them :cheesy: and I am a God too (Apparently- haven't really listened to it all yet).