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At the moment, i feel like i owe Kanye an apology. I may not have written it on here, but I was worried about this album. Love Lockdown never hit me like other Kanye singles have, I couldnt wait for this album, but i was scared it would not live up to the sort of magic he is capable of. I listened to the haters, I thought it might be a poor T-Pain rip off, a showcase of Kanye's poor singing. I needn't of been scared. this album is ridiculously good. It is definitely a different direction to anything he's done before, a move away both musically and lyrically from the heavy sampling fast flowing egotistical Kanye of his past 3 albums. This album is much more personal, and (admittedly my rap/hiphop knowledge is pretty limited) the most vulnerable/personal hip-hop album I have ever heard. Kanye has been heartbroken, both by his well publicised split with Alexis Phifer and obvi the death of Donda West. This album is almost as if Kanye is having a mid life crisis at the age of 31. Kanye has lost his fiancee, and his mum, he is a lonely, bitter guy and this is translated brilliantly on this record.

Say you Will kicks the album off telling a girl "dont say you will, you do", presumably to Alexis, its an awesome tune, really low-key start which suits the rest of the album, i like the interpretation given by "beatalchemist" on songmeanings. "Welcome to Heartbreak" is one of the album highlights for me, with kanye pondering his loneliness, comparing himself to his friend. While his friend is celebrating his children, all Kanye can show off are his material possessions. Lyrically this is awesome, and the production (as on the whole album) is classic kanye brilliance. Love Kid Cudi's chorus as well, woul have been nice if he couldve had a verse, but i guess it would have taken away from the personal meaning of the song...Heartless (single no.2) just keeps growing on me. this is the closest to the "old Kanye" on the album, witty lyrics and great production, and rapping! track4 sees another personal highlight for me "Amazing" with young Jeezy, with the best use of the 808 on the album, Kanye shows that cocky persona is still there, and Jeezys verse is actually awesome. Check out this live video i posted of amazing and put on. Kanyes verse in put on is just ridiculously good, almost like a set up to this album. Anywho, after love lockdown (which does sound better in the context of the album), mr hudson guests and co-produces on paranoid. This was originally gonna be Kid Cudi, but Mr Hudson replaced him! love this song so much, reflecting on his relationship and basically how it broke up i guess. awesome production on this, the music almost reflects his bitterness and frustration with Alexis. Robocop is another brilliant track, my current favorite, continuing the theme of paranoid, with Kanye explaining that "Shorty kinda crazy but it turn me on" haha. Robocop is definitely single/club material. Street Lights is so chilled its brilliant and Bad News, despite maybe a little too much autotune effects, is great. See You In My Knightmares with Weezy makes Barry Bonds look like a joke freestyle, Lil Wayne sings the riff really well! More depressing but brilliant stuff. Coldest Winter is about Donda, its heartfelt, its great.

Overall, a fantastic album. people shouldn't be so dismissive of thus album because its not the hip-hop Kanye has produced before. What other hip-hop artists are this innovative and brave to make such a vulnerable and alternative album?

just because its funny...
50s views on 808's
""I heard, like, seven songs. There's a place for it. I think people will enjoy it if you're actually in love or going through something. I think Kanye's going through an interesting point in his career.
"I don't think the public will forgive (West) for it, but it's interesting. I think it's T-Pain's record, but I'd rather buy it from T-Pain.""

Lol, i dont think people in love would particularly enjoy this record for this reason. the vast majority of this record is about being out of love. 50 cent could never make a record like this. he probably would never be able to articulate his feelings into even one song, except for liking money and fit girls. (NB i do love i get money/pimp(snoop remix)/in da club/21 questions/window shopper/heat/ayo technology) but apart from that 50 has never made a good song.

repost; DmCA takedown. i find it very unfair that the DMCA only seems to remove posts about huge artists like kanye, coldplay and the killers who have huge no.s of fans and money, rather than small artists who are potentially hurt by illegal file sharing on blogs. anyway, links have been removed...sorryyy