Back when Coldplay's new album was released critics and bloggers tossed around a lot of $3 words like "
revolutionary" and "
huge departure". While I enjoy
Viva la Vida, I do
not think it's groundbreaking work in the slightest. It's more of the same sappy, sweeping pop rock from a band who does it well. Kanye West's new album,
808s and Heartbreak, comes out tomorrow. And a
departure it certainly is.
Back in September his first single was released and
it got me really excited. The thing about
anticipation, however, is its affiliation with
disappointment. After listening to
808s for the last several days, I'm happy to say it's held up, Li'l Wayne's heinous affectations notwithstanding. And it's a new direction for him, leaving behind some of the arrogant showboating and scathing exposés of his rap-industry brethren. It's deeply personal and downright depressive. In the year-or-so since his last album, he lost his infamous Mama and his fiancé,
and it shows. Not since Alanis called out Uncle Joey has there been so much talk of heartbreak and pre-teen metaphors of winter and
its coldness.
On last night's American Music Awards, Kanye performed his new single "Heartless", and he did it in the raw. He was a bit unhinged and edgy, but it seemed less staged than usual. Vulnerability isn't his strong suit, but perhaps after a year like that one he's decided to let his guard down. What with less rap and more singing, he seems to be laying himself bare.
Speaking of, there's been a lot of talk of AutoTune and it's abundance on the record. I guess something Cher used more freely than leather and lace isn't often considered
artful. And if it weren't for a rich and melodic backdrop, I could see the vocal-device being a distraction. But for all the robotic and glitchy vocals, there are heavy drums (courtesy of the
Roland TR-808) choirs, strings and a great turn from Toronto's own Esthero (who co-wrote three songs -
cha-ching!) All in all, the album reads as fairly organic, considering Kanye isn't a singer and I can't imagine very many
actual instruments were employed. It might be a testament to West's charisma and raw talent. He's nothing if not passionate, and that comes through, no matter how robotic the voice. If this is a vanity project, I can only hope he retains some of the vulnerability on future releases.
I'm big into movies that air on Sunday afternoons. Some of my personal faves are Baby Boom, Sister Act, and Corrina, Corrina. As far as I'm concerned, there's no better way to spend a rainy day than curled up with something from the 80s.
