The realest s**t I ever wrote

Heartbroken
written by JusHH

Before PTM, I used to write album reviews for another website. I realized that the easiest reviews to write are for albums that you either loved or hated. The thoughts are clearer and its simpler to articulate your points to the audience. It’s reviewing those albums in the bell curve that’s the real challenge. It’s harder to describe that an album is good but not great or mediocre but not terrible with out sounding confused.

Without question the most controversial album to be released since PTM was launched is Mr. West’s latest effort, 808’s and Heartbreak. There have been 7 posts written that mention this album since “Love Lockdown” was leaked. I have found myself in the unenviable position of being in the minority – not really supporting Kanye’s new “look”. This has led to a few shots from my colleagues whizzing past my ear. So of course, it should be me to write the review for this album. So without further ado, I bring to you JusHH’s review of 808’s and Heartbreak.


First off, let’s be clear on what this album isn’t.

This album is not a musical journey of originality and creativity. I don’t care what you want to call it, Hip-Hop, R&B, Neo-Soul, Electro-Pop, European-Techo-Rock, there’s nothing on that album that hasn’t been heard before. Kanye making the decision to use autotune for an entire album isn’t new either. The guy from Tallahassee has been doing this, very successfully I might add, for years. Making an album about love and heartache? Nope. Been done, just look at any R&B artist’s catalogue. A big deal has been made about Kanye stepping outside of his comfort zone as if it’s never happened before. Lauryn did it ten years ago, Andre 3000’s effort was much more shocking and Ye’s labelmate, Common, created an album much farther from the “box” in 2002. So let’s bring this album back to earth for a few minutes. We all together? Great.

Now let’s get to what this album is.

Kanye West’s 4th studio release is one of the purest albums in terms of artistic expression that you will ever hear. One thing that has been missing from music in general has been raw, honest passion to the point where each song is a glimpse into the thoughts and feelings of the artist. It’s been no secret that life has been incredibly tumultuous for Kanye. Losing his mother and then going through a major breakup with his fiancé has taken a toll on him emotionally. Rather than repress these feelings, he let it all out in his music and allowed us to take the trip with him. This album is also extremely courageous. Considering how fickle fans are today and in the current age of downloads, no artist seems to be guaranteed his next album. So to make an album not giving a f**k about album sales is as remarkable as it is rare. Every song he made, he made for himself and not for us. The music was truly his therapy.

There’s no questioning that Kanye is one of the greatest producers alive, so it’s ironic that it was his lyrics on this album that was the most impressive. Oftentimes, it was his words that helped carry songs with lackluster production (“Welcome to Heartbreak”, “Robocop”, “Bad News”). To help compensate for a lack of a true singer’s voice, Kanye leaned on the “Ghost of Roger Troutman’s past” for support. His inconsistent use of the autotune was the weakest aspect of this album but the depth of his lyrical content that more than made up for this shortcoming. The hooks are nothing short of infectious as you will find yourself reciting them at random times during your day.

“Heartless” and “Street Lights” are the two best songs on this album. They both combine the unbridled passion and pinpoint song structure that we’re used to from Ye. (As opposed to the rambling at the end of “Robocop” or the painfully long instrumental piece at the end of “Say You Will”) Lil’ Wayne and Jeezy also provide quality performances on “See You in my Knightmares” and “Amazing” respectively. If you could take Kanye’s pain, bundle it up and download it on an MP3, you’d get this album. Like most people’s pain, its not clean and packaged perfectly – it’s messy and dark. But the musical flaws are given a human quality that can be appreciated because we are all aware of our own imperfections.

The truth of the matter is…

Kanye is one of my favorite rappers of all time and he’s on his way to being on of the G.O.A.T’s. His first three albums are certified Hip-Hop classics. So when I heard that he was going to switch it up, it reminded me of another legend from Chicago who quit what he did best to hit homeruns. Ye set the bar so high that when I heard his music and it didn’t reach that standard, I had a strong negative reaction. But after listening to the album on my computer, in my car and through the headphones, I was able to see the value, the purpose of this album. 808’s and Heartbreak isn’t like MJ playing baseball, it’s more like Will Smith taking a break from his summer blockbusters to do a more indy-style movie that allows him to showcase his acting skills. You have to view it as apples and oranges and just appreciate it for what it is. This album is undoubtedly his worst but it is a must have because to fully understand Kanye West the artist, you need this album. So until Kanye works on his next I Am Legend, I’ll follow him while he fights his demons in his Pursuit of Happyness.

I just hope he gets back on the court soon.

Wait, what analogy was I using again?