I guess that’s where we disagree. Because I think we do (need intense genre-stretching to keep music interesting). I don’t think music is interesting when everyone is working within the same boundaries. It gets interesting when someone decides to step out of those boundaries. I mean I love all kinds of music down to the simplistic blues of Robert Johnson in the 30s. But if someone came out with an album like that today, it would not be great. It was great because it was different.
-I could’ve used more vocoder on the new Killers, especially by Flowers.
Luis:
Wouldn’t you just end up facing loads of disappointment, then? Nothing
THIS big ever happens within a genre (having a juggernaut like Kanye
switch everything up) often.
Well, as far as Pretty Much Amazing is concerned, Kanye West’s 808s
and Heartbreak is a great album. Definitely in 2008’s Top 10. I’m done
talking about it! Lol
JP:
Yea, Flowers could’ve used vocoder his voice at times seemed out of tune.
Confusion:
Haha sorry I just like to argue about music. No, I’m not disappointed. I love music and I constantly find artists that push the boundaries, even if in much less obvious ways than 808s. I’m done talking about it too. I think it’s a great album for Kanye and a great album for hip hop.
Luis:
I like BFlo’s vocals! Even when theyre breaking up, pitchy, etc. It’s
a style, believe it or not. Alicia Keys tried it out a lot on her
newest album and many people weren’t feeling it. But i did!
Brandon Flowers’ vocal delivery has been this way since Sam’s Town. It
makes it feel/sound 100x more personal. I wouldn’t want it any other
way.
Kickinthepeanuts:
here are my two cents about “808s and Heartbreak” : I don’t think Kanye was interested in redefining anything other than himself with this record; he didn’t set out to revolutionize hip-hop or rap. The album is personal, and I’d like to think he made it for himself (if he was that interested in specifically creating an album his fans would gorge themselves with, he easily could have, and would not have released Love Lockdown as his first single!!)
I think this album is a brilliant showcase of his production talent, like Luis has been saying, and while he really doesn’t have a fantastic singing voice live, his musicianship is unquestionable (listen to the instrumentals that lie behind these tracks… even without vocals, these tracks would be insane!) I agree with the sentiment that just because it’s different and new, doesn’t necessarily make it worth our time: what makes it worth our time is Kanye’s ability to pull off something so different so successfully. I agree that this is a pop album, chuck full of pop songs; but the pop genre, as I firmly believe, is a legitimate one, and this album is case in point. It’s so aesthetically pleasing, and that’s worth something.
My theory behind the auto-tune: One, Kanye just couldn’t have pulled this record off without it, he’s just not that good at singing. Two, though, the process of using auto-tune on something this intimate and vulnerable (as opposed to, say Bartender or Buy U A Drink) somehow increases the music’s emotional intensity. On 808s, Kanye effectively gives birth to a robot persona, and grants it the ability to feel human emotion, heartbreak. I think it is the paradox of a robot with human emotion that gives the album some of it’s power.
I love the album. Lyrically I’m not sure he does love and heartbreak justice, but that is quickly overshadowed by the music.
Confusion:
I just want to say one more thing. I don’t think Kanye set out to redefine anything or revolutionize everything, but I do think it will have a big impact on hip-hop. Almost like Obama being president. Even if he is only doing it for himself as a personal goal, it will inevitably have a huge impacts on a lot of things and people.
WAWSTSF:
Anyway my opinion on 808’s is that it is a important album for hip-hop/all of music. He has taken a big risk and not playing it safe. He is pouring all he has into this album. The songs are important to his life, and it really shows. The autotuner was a brave thing to just jump to with a whole album. But Kanye did it to add texture to his songs, representing his feelings. It may not change hip hop but it will be seen as an important album. Why? Because he wasn’t afraid to take risks, he did something different and succeded. This album will grow on people over time, and it may become his most adored album yet. In one way or another we can all connect to what Kanye is saying. He all have been through heartbreak. That is why this album may just be that special.
The Roundtables Final Thoughts:
Confusion:
808s: Definitely lived up to my expectations. I’m not sure how well it will do on the year end lists. Seems like some people love it and some hate it, but I think it will definitely grow on people with time. I already love the album, but I think my favorite songs will probably change around a lot.
D&A: I’m a little disappointed. I hope it grows on me. Right now I’m still enjoying “Spaceman” and “Human” far more than anything else on the album. I don’t think this will be #1 on many end of the year lists, but it should fall in the top 50.
Kanye: 8.5 , Killers : 6.5
Kanye West – 808s and Heartbreaks – 9/10, Will rank within my Top 10 of 2008. DEFINITELY a grower — and I loved the album on first listen.
Killers – Day & Age – 8.5-9/10. Will rank within my Top 10 of 2008. Another grower, thought it took me a few listens to really appreciate the work.
JP:
Kanye West – 808s & Heartbreak
I like that Kanye West decided to do something completely different for his new album. He stepped away from his usual sampling for beats and rapping and decided to use auto-tune. The concept of the album isn’t something new but it is different than the rest of the other hip-hop releases this year.
7/10
The Killers – Day & Age
The Killers have brought back some of the things that they were missing from their second album. They have brought back melodies and abandoned the Americana influences of “Sam’s Town”. Brandon Flower’s vocals may sound out-of-tune but they mae the listner feel as though he were directly talking to them. This is the best album that the Killer’s have put out to date.
Kickin The Peanuts:
808s and Heartbreak will very likely be one of my favorite albums of the year. It’s a completely new direction for Kanye, rich and textured, masterfully produced, heartfelt and piercing, a pop album at heart, but more than that, a personal reflection on heartbreak. Kanye didn’t make the album for his fans, with this album he’ll likely lose some, and gain some, but rather for himself; with the album, he has conceptually and musically breathed life into the robot of his former self.
Day and Age is an album that hearkens back to The Killer’s Hot Fuss days, a step backwards largely welcomed. The album is incredibly rich, more glamorous and danceable than Sam’s Town, more U2 than Springsteen, and one I’m still sifting through; first impressions are, however, I love what I’m hearing.
808s- 8
Day and Age- 7
WAWSTSF:
Kanye’s album is a special one to me. In some ways I can really relate to his lyrics, and that makes the album even more special. The production on this album is amazing, the music comes from his heart. He redefined himself with this album showing he can do it all. This is a serious contender for many top lists..
Rating: 8.5
The Killers Day & Age is a big album with combined influences from many different bands, picking back up where they left off with Hot Fuss. The front half is absolutely killer. The second half showcases some promising songs but they falter for the same reasons they did on Sam’s Town. The Killers need to realize they can create a mega-single, and that maybe their whole album would benifit for more straight up rock songs.
Rating: 7.5
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Combined Ratings:
808’s & Heartbreak: 8.2
Day & Age: 7.6
[MP3] : The Killers – I Can’t Stay
[MP3]: The Killers – Goodnight, Travel Well
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