808s & Heartbreak

Almost a year ago, back in September of 2008,- (Imma let you finish) a time where the world already agreed that Kanye was the biggest asshole (OF ALL TIME)- Kanye introduced his new single "Love Lockdown" at the MTV Video Awards. Now, I was never one to disagree with Kanye's pop career; despite the letdown that was Graduation, I saw an evolution: from soul samples to more synth-based beats or a noticeable effort to be "cinematic". I actually do enjoy his music, but I seriously thought Kanye was making the wrong moves. Consequently, I chose not to support his music and instead actively boycott the auto-tune, synthpop phase of Kanye's career.

Yet, circumstances change, and a part of my life caused me to explore 808s & Heartbreak- and what a trip that was. The beats were minimal, but perfectly reflected a troubled, lonely soul; the lyrics were simple, yet told more than, well, a blog could have; the singing sucked, however one can hear the emotion placed into every auto-note; and not every song was worth listening to, but the album was sporadically gripping and, at times, brilliant.

Kanye's work was a catharsis of the frustrations and emotional anguish of his life at the time; because of that, 808s got me through a tough time-and it still does. For all those who find it hard to enjoy this album as much as I have, know that one needed to release his/her emotions,. An objective viewpoint would only create anonymity and disinterest; the medium was catharsis, and one should be open to it in order to understand the message. Today, I can enjoy Kanye's album without releasing emotion- though I have listened to it many times for that purpose- because I understand its message.

Now I actually don't think this post is a measurement of 808s & Heartbreak's merit nor is it a recommendation, it's a shallow reflection of the album's impact on me. I don't like being open, but let me sum it up: I was miserable and Heartbreak relieved that. If I have gotten anyone to listen to its entirety, then sir or madam, I hope you enjoy the raw emotion as much as I did.