OK. Deep breath, everyone. I am NOT going to hate on this album. Suprised? Let me explain.
I think that this album should not be classified as HIPHOP. I think it should be put alongside music like Chromeo, I would call it electrofunk or something of the sort. Once reclassified correctly, this album fits in nicely. Also, after his last album, GRADUATION, he had an unbelievable followup issue. So maybe, unconsciously, Kanye just decided to put out this type of album so completely make the followup issue moot. Or maybe I'm putting too much faith in Kanye's self-awareness...
Eitherway, this album can be played at a party or get together, and it will probably fit perfectly because of the beats. Furthermore, if you are a sad and lonely soul, this will also be great for you to listen to because the lyrics are all that classic Kanye melodrama.
Lov it or hate it, if things go according to how they have int he past, his next album will be great. So just wait, haters.
flow - 2 1/2 (because he doesn't actually RAP on the album much)
lyrical content - 3 1/2
production - 5
album-ness - 4 1/2
overall - just below 4
all of the ratings will be out of a 5 point system. obviously we won't be rating horrible albums, so all of the albums SHOULD be in the upper range, but who knows, one of us could be having a bad day when we do the review. BUT DON'T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT!
flow - is how the emcees ride the beat and what their cadence is. this may also include evaluation on the emcees' voice and tone.
lyrical content - is what the rappers are ACTUALLY SAYING. we know that nobody listens to anything but the beat nowadays, but bear with us.
production - is the quality of the beats and other musical content on the album. thank god for 9th!
album-ness - how all the songs are cohesively arranged on the album and the overall feel of the album.
overall - self-explanatory.
