Hit the skip to check out my first weekly installment of “Currently Destroying Andrew’s Eardrums.”
I won’t take too long to introduce this new weekly series to you all, but here’s some background: I was recently chatting with Potholes writer Craig Jenkins about what the hell I should post next on here. I had several track and video ideas, but I wanted to do something more. I wanted to put together some original content for the site as I — and you, I’m sure — realize some of our posts are derived from write-ups on other sites, from Prefix to 2DopeBoyz to Pitchfork. But hey, we don’t have all the hook-ups here so we do what we can to provide you with a variety of the newest and best music. As for these columns, though, I want to use them as a means of introducing you to whatever the hell is currently destroying my poor eardrums.
And this week, it’s Kanye goddamned West. I can’t help it. I know you have all probably read a shitload of reviews, previews, columns, rants, etc… about this dude’s new album over the past week, but I can’t help drinking the Kool-Aid that is My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. I was actually waiting to purchase the record before hearing it, but too many of those close to me insisted that I grab a leaked version. To be fair, it wasn’t easy resisting. Although I was tough on the album’s first few leaks — I remember distinctly hating on “Power” when I wrote about it on Prefix — I had a good reason. Try as I might, I couldn’t get into 808s & Heartbreak. I know what he was going for, I respected the emotion in it, but it simply didn’t work for me. The Auto-Tune made my stomach turn and beats put me to sleep.
But I will admit, I have warmed up to Yeezy’s new album considerably. My first listen had me feeling like it was a bit too long. A nine-minute track, Ye? Really? Fine, I get it. You wanted to make “Runaway” your latest epic. Well, you succeeded. I still think the chorus is dumb as shit, but everything else about it is so fantastic that my hate can willingly be thrown into oncoming traffic. Then, you have several cuts that are at least five minutes long? OK, I get that, too, even if I feel like both “Monster” and “So Appalled”, no matter their lyrically insanity, are out of place on here. That’s a minor gripe, though, as they are strong posse cuts, especially the latter, which features a ridiculous guest spot from CyHi Da Prynce.
This is another genius piece of music from Kanye West. I have to give him that. I really do. He’s a douchebag. He’s an asshole with absolutely no qualms. And even when he apologizes, it sounds like another cry for attention. This is a man who is clearly alone, even when he’s surrounded by people, from his talented G.O.O.D. Music crew to what I’m sure is a slew of females. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy isn’t necessarily a cry for help; it’s a look into the mind of a mind. A beautiful, dark, twisted mind that knows how to craft one hell of a fucking album. Sure, it’s self-indulgent and perhaps five minutes too long, but it’s still an amazing record.
I always feel like artists who can put together a cohesive project deserve the most attention and that’s something Kanye has done since he debuted with The College Dropout. This is a guy who knows how to make a cohesive, well-rounded, creative album. He might not be the best rapper around and sometimes his beats might rely too heavily upon samples, but he is turn those flaws into strengths. And that’s no more apparent than on My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.
P.S. I didn’t mean to turn this into some kind of review of the record. It’s merely my thoughts on it. We will have a proper write-up on the record in the coming weeks. Peace.
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