Reviews (page 8 of 15)
This is definitely an album by someone who lives in a Dark Fantasy…
I like Kanye West or Ye and a rapper I like his tone. I have his first 2 albums and Yeezus but lost interest in his later stuff. This album passed me by has some great songs on there however tails a bit off at the end and over long. A pleasant suprize.
I very much hate that this man makes (or made) really good music. Personal enjoyment: 4/5 Relevance to this list: 4/5 Kanye as a person: -100000000/5
Production is really wild, opulent and experimental, no doubt Kanye is top tier musician, that said it feels like every song is 8 minutes long and they don’t all hit
In his current mental health system, he's a terrible human being, I really hope he can get the help he needs. This album is objectively amazing and it's sad he's fallen so hard since.
I’m a casual hip hop consumer at best. Enjoyed this album but the first half was just ok. Standard fair guest artist featured w Kanye on fair/good tracks. Second half of the album saw styles expand, get more creative and move away from standard hip hop tropes. Second half was preferred.
Of all artists to feel conflicted about, Kanye West might win the Most Conflicted About award. I really used to be a huge fan, and this album was my favorite. I haven’t listened to it in a long time, because he is way past “off the deep end,” and I really don’t fuck with Nazis. But most of the things I used to love about this album, particularly its production and certain verses and samples, I still love. It just feels tainted now; it used to be a victory and now it’s a tragedy. The fact that Kanye used to be self-aware to such an extent just hurts to witness. He could have responded to the feelings that created this album in a better way. Oh well. He enjoyed being a douchebag, an asshole, a scumbag, too much and disappeared into that persona. RIP. Anyway, despite no longer feeling like it’s a five-star album, I do think it’s still a must-listen, if nothing else than as a cautionary tale. #81.
Masterpiece.
i hope he takes his medication and says wholesome not-bad things
very good. POWER is so fucking good. Def would listen to some songs on a daily basis
Too bad Kanye was and continues to be crazy cuz he clearly knows how to make an album. Chris Rick’s bit goes on a bit too long tho.
First time listening, pleasantly surprised. Lyrics are questionable at times, but the production is top notch.
Very sick. I knew some of these before but I'd never listened to the album outright. I definitely found some new bangers. And loved all the bon iver and other features!!
Kanye is nuts, but I remember enjoying this 💿 in 2010. Upon relisten… it holds up really well. Surprised.
Not a nice dude but what an epic journey
“This week has been a bad massage, I need a happy ending.” “Head of the class and she just won a swallowship” I mean, it’s a shame that Kanye is a straight up Nazi.
Ugh I like this but hate Kanye
I already love this album so this is easy. This is the album where Kanye finally figured it out. There's no skits thank god, but almost everything else you love from Kanye is here. Hard-hitting, sample-heavy beats? Check. Decadent verses that paint perfect pictures of the highs and lows of fame? Check. Tounge-in-cheek humor interspaced throughout? Super check. Not only does Kanye do some of his best rapping on this one, but the features all understand that we are here to make some of the best raps ever. Except Hov, I don't know why his verse on "Monster" is bad, but it's just lackluster to me. Other than that, everyone else kills it. My favorite track is probably, "Devil In A New Dress." The Smokey sample, the bassline, the breakdown with the strings losing their minds, how Rozay comes in after that insane Mike Dean guitar solo. Just everything. Is this Ye's best? No, but this is his purest album. I used to say this album was too perfect. Everything you'd want from a rap album is here, you don't need much else.
Can you separate an artist from their art? Hard to say. Some amazing tracks here, masterfully produced. Runaway, Monster, Power. Lots of self-aggrandizing, getting high on money and fame, at first glance doesn't seem to be one of Kanye's more vulnerable albums. On a closer listen, he's talking about negotiating mental illness when his sickness and his creativity go hand in hand; getting rich on being outrageous, provocative, leaning into psychosis. Why tone things down when mania feels so good (and makes him so successful)? Great collaborations in this album as well. Hard to fully enjoy knowing that Kanye is a racist, antisemitic, sexist, narcissistic asshole.
4/5 last good Kanye album before he went crazy? (Or was he all along)
still a classic but my god. he sounds soooo pathetic
Not every song is a classic (no, I'm not that hot on "Devil in a New Dress") and reminiscing about it makes harder to swallow the fact that Kanye is less than a shadow of who he used to be now... but it's still packed with bangers and one of the albums that introduced me to the endless possibilities offered by sampling. So... yeah, classic album.
enjoyed much more than i thought i would. 4/5
With the benefit of hindsight: was the King Crimson sample a plea for help?
Well, that was good. I tried getting into Kanye a few years after this came out and I didn't get it. I think I do now
Big sound and impressive production.
Not my style, but I thought it was undeniable in sound and production. Kanye West is a force as a producer, but only adequate as an MC. I think his talents outshine his boringly self-centered lyrics and average mic work to make a very impressive album.
нормалек. никогда раньше не слушал этого чела, относился предвзято, как и ко всему хип-хопу этих времен. оказалось довольно прикольно. еслть красивые мелодии, местами даже напоминает тейм импалу)
I really think Kanye is a genius. Some of the songs on here are incredible. I just wish he’d clean it up.
Ok, so this was super surprising because I can't stand Kanye as a man. So I never listened to this album before. There are SO many guests on it. I really liked all the songs except 2. This one was an hour and 8 minutes. Some bangers on here. "All of the Lights"... It was produced by West and features additional vocals from several other recording artists, including John Legend, The-Dream, Drake, Alicia Keys, Fergie, Elton John, Ryan Leslie, Charlie Wilson, Tony Williams, La Roux, Alvin Fields, Ken Lewis, Kid Cudi, and Rihanna; the latter two are credited on the official music ...
Wow. Never been a hip-hop guy, but there's so much to unpack here. And I know that he's kinda problematic, but this is a really good record. I guess it's all about being problematic, in a way, about what it's like to be Kanye, with some thoughts about how he got like that, but how everyone wants to be on his record anyway. Was he forgiveable in 2010?
I was surprised by this album. I liked it. Maybe its 20mins too long but not bad
8.2
Fuck Kanye but I can see why his fans are so annoying about him
My favorite of his albums.
in my opinion, the most overrated ye album. it's too long (see: runaway second half (sorry!), hell of a life, blame game), and the entire thing has this low-fidelity, grainy rock sound on it in service of the maximalist theming. that being said, it's still pretty damn fantastic, and absolutely deserves its spot on this list. also, see me know is one of ye's best bonus tracks - that asphalt line kills me every time.
all opinions of the man aside, this is a great album. i still think either Yeesus or 808's is his best but i think im in the minority there...
Kanye may be crazy, but is music is original and powerful - I very much enjoyed this album. Just NSFW!
one of my favourite rap albums already, listening again is just so fun, 'Power' and 'All of the lights' back to back just makes you feel powerful.
Very good. Kanye is a musical genius
7/10 - One of the lyrics was "And I don't know how I'ma manage, If one day, you just up and leave." And I for sure thought he would say vanish because it is a slant rhyme and sounds so much better. This album was significantly better than I thought it was going to be. I loved the first 4 of the first 5 songs. If the whole album was like this it would have been like an 8. However, it went downhill at Monster. I can 100% see how people think this album is great. I also liked Lost in the World a lot. I did not like blame game very much.
Kanye the rapper and producer at his most self-aware. Its a shame that he turned out to be a REALLY shit person. Kanye went into a self-induced hiatus from the public (the Taylor Swift incident occured the year prior) and after getting all his favorite people to come out to Hawaii and help him with the album...the results are amazing. (He even got Elton John to work on "All of the Lights" with him.) The Production is incredible, the features are amazing (Kanye even said that Nicki's verse in "Monster" is the best one. Which coming from HIS ego is impressive), and the songwriting is fantastic. Kinda ironic that Bon Iver worked with Kanye on this album and would later work with Taylor Swift on "exile" 10 years later. I do believe that Chris Rock's part goes on for too long (it probably could have been cut out.) This album was integral to my music taste in high school. I still believe "All Of The Lights (Interlude)" is one of the most beautiful pieces of work and the intro to "Runaway" always gets me emotional and brings me back to high school. This rating is actually a 4.5. Loved Songs: All of them except for "Blame Game" , "Lost In The World" , and "Who Will Survive In America"
Very good. I know he’s an asshole but his music is great. Loved all the collabs on this album.
I actually really liked this album. Powerful music, with beats and lyrics that land hard. Perhaps I'll add to my rotation.
I have a soft spot for this album because when it came out when I was living in another country and my friends and I rocked the shit out of this album. It was nice to revisit it. I forgot how good the hook on Dark Fantasy is and I was totally good with it just going on for the last minute or so on its own. POWER with the King Crimson sample crushes Runaway is almost a classic but the last 4-5 minutes of autotune mumbling the chorus is unnecessary. I feel like this could have been a 5 star album if you cut out the skits tacked onto the ends of a track and beats that just continue to outro for multiple minutes, but alas, Kanye did not. Solid album though
Crackin' album that
second half not great tbh
Nice album! I know a lot of songs from this album! Classic
Very interesting
Huuuuh Great album. Quite a few songs were 5/5 but others dragged it down a bit. I'll probably listen to this one again. Also Runaway is always a classic
Kanye brings the heat! They call him the GOAT for a reason. I definitely enjoyed this album, but a few songs fall short for me. A solid feature list with banger songs. The end of Blame Game with Chris Rock was strange tho, but I guess Kanye is a strange man.
8.5/10 Good
Pretty good. Enjoyed some of the slower songs I hadn’t heard of before 7/10
Surprised myself by enjoying this. Melodic, a bit of fun, really dialled-in. Not especially coherent as an album, but overall it was a good listen. Seems like he hadn't devolved into a complete twat at this stage, or at least it wasn't in your face in the album. 3.5/5
I like the Chris Rock part
This is better than Yeezus.
“My presence is a present - kiss my ass” Monster is a baroque masterpiece.
I am not into hip-hop and the ones I liked the most are oldschool rap from the 90s. Despite of this I tried to listen to this with an open mind and ears also because I read how important this album was when it came out. This album is extremely well produced and for this reason it was a joy to listen to. I didn't care for the lyrics or the songs individually but the songs flew together very well and it works well as a hip-hop opera. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. It's between 3 and 4 personally but I will round it up to 4 because the production is really top notch.
five star album, knocked mostly because of who kanye is as a person but also because i had to hear the phrase "yeezy reupholstered my pussy"
production goes crazy. pretty even split between poetic bars and the stupidest (for better or worse) lines you've ever heard. wish there was less gooner shit but i suppose that's essential to the experience.
It was prolly peak i didnt listen
I'm not a fan of Kanye these days, due to politics and him being kinda a psycho... but I have to admit this album is pretty solid. Also a shame this is the most representation Bon Iver gets on the list.
Pre-Kim Kanye, so before he lost his mind and started believing his own hype to such a degree that he made shit music. Although this album is long, it is varied and has enough supporting artists to make each track distinct and memorable. Some elements are self indulgent which drops a star
高中時聽過了 大部分的tracks在現今來聽依舊前衛、獨樹一格，經典的kanye風格，很難想像它是2010年發行的作品 現在到了大一再重聽一次 感覺有稍微不一樣了（前幾年養成了聽experimental的美感習慣）不過某些曲目還是有點 underwhelming，不過整體還是很棒，最喜歡的是all of the lights, dark fantasy, 和 runaway
I don't want to like it, but it's great. Dammit!
Do you like Hip hop? if you do then this album is for you. Turn off the lights is fireeeeeeeeeeee, I like the beat, the lyrics, and I like Kanye voice. Monster suck to be honest that´s the only song I don´t like from this album. Run away tho is fireee to everthing about it is great. This alum is 9/10 its the good I recommend this album.
the album runaway is pretty good because I like the beginning it sounds like the theme for Michael Myers but then it changes and its kinda like a mysterious feeling the reasons I think it good is because of the lyrics they just sounded good and fit the instrument and the instruments are also good cause of how they fit perfectly with the lyrics I think this album was good and I would recommend listening to this album
Do you like Hip-Hop/Rap? If so, this album is definitely for you. In my opinion, I REALLY like this album. I love all of the other singers added to this album. Nice diversity. I also like this album because I like the beat and all of the music in the background. It has good beats too. I highly recommend that you listen to this album.
One of the best rap albums, does fall off a bit at the end.
One of the best Ye
Is er een muziekfiguur in de 21e eeuw die aan de ene kant zoveel verbindt, maar ook zoveel verdeelt? Kanye West is de spil in het voortstuwen van het Hip Hop genre, in een tijdperk dat het internet en de computer hoogtij vieren. Het brengt zoveel elementen samen die voorheen niet met elkaar leken te rijmen, en zoveel popartiesten die vloeken met het originele format 'Hip Hop'. Zijn voortstuwende werking van het genre bedoel ik dan ook vooral op gebied van modernisering, of het nou echt beter is voor het OG rap-genre is de vraag. Daarnaast is hij zo vaak onderdeel geweest van een cultureel momentum, waarin z'n stijl, doen en laten, en 'professionele' aanpak altijd het middelpunt leken te zijn van een rage. Maar juist daarin verdeelt hij ook ontzettend, en is Ye ondanks een 'stralend' brandpunt ook een man die van controverse zijn middelnaam maakt. Dit moest even vermeld worden, want dit is ook de context waarin ik veel van zijn muziek beoordeel. Het eerste deel, waarin zijn pioniersfunctie in de moderne Hip Hop niet onderschat mag worden, doet mij hinken op twee gedachten. Aan de ene kant vind ik veel van zijn werk echt extreem dapper, en is hij een soort 'art pop artiest der hip hop', door de gangbare popmuziek telkens een beetje op zijn kant te draaien. Daarnaast moet ik toegeven dat veel artiesten waar ik normaal niet echt wakker van lig, opeens wel stralen op zijn albums. Hij heeft een fantastisch oor voor wat wél en wat niét werkt, ook al brengt hij dat laatste dan ook gewoon doodleuk uit (zie zijn laatste albums, in het speciaal). Die eclectische mix aan artistieke invloeden overschaduwen dan wel vaak weer het rap-deel van Hip Hop, wat mij een liefhebber maakt van het originele genre. Zijn lyrics zijn vaak cringey, de vocalen missen enige vorm van passie, en zijn rijmschema's brengen zelden de muzikaliteit van zijn nummers tot een hoger niveau. Goed dat hij nog hier en daar wat goede rappers uitnodigt om dat enigszins te verbloemen. Het zijn de sublieme orkestraties die zijn albums vaak redden, en de muzikale plot-twists, en niet het menselijke aspect. Wat wat mij betreft wel vitaal is voor een goed Hip Hop album. Er mist een bepaalde flow. Het tweede deel, over zijn controversiële imago, is ook belangrijk mee te nemen. Want wat ik ontbreek aan rauwe persoonlijkheid op een album van Kanye, wordt voor een groot deel goedgemaakt door hoe hij zich presenteert rond een release. Hij heeft waanzinnig veel karakter. Tuurlijk, hij is een sociopaat en een ontzettende hondenlul, maar hij heeft wel karakter. Dus een album leeft altijd wel in de psyche van de mens die hem een klein beetje kent, zonder het muziekstek zelf heel veel 'soul' bevat. Dit album heeft denk ik de grote hoogtes bereikt wat het heeft bereikt door zijn uitgesproken identiteit, en niet perse omdat het een waanzinnig Hip Hop album is, in ieder geval niet in my books. Het is een sleutelstuk uit een unieke muziekcarrièr, getekend door net zoveel hoogte- als dieptepunten. En ik denk dat dit de plaat is die zijn gevoel voor wat de trends waren van de tijd, om die te presenteren in een Hip Hop context, het beste tentoonstelt. Het duurt mij net iets te lang, om alle prikkels die het verzend een plekje te geven, maar het is wel een ervaring. Een 'Hip Hop opera' werd het al ergens genoemd, en die theatraliteit, inclusief robotstemmetjes, James Blunt-pianootjes, en Nicki Minaj, hoort nou eenmaal bij 2010. Of, Kanye West heeft gezorgd dat het er vanaf dat moment bij hoort, want die invloed heeft hij. Ik vind het een moeilijk album om goed te beoordelen, en moet het echt los zien van veel andere, reguliere, rapgenres waar ik van hou. Daarom 4 sterren, voor het artistieke lef, maar niet perse voor de Hip Hop. 8/10 Highlights: Gorgeous POWER Runaway Lost In The World
Kan je Kanye haten, en dit toch een episch album vinden? Dezelfde twisted fantasy maakt Ye die knurft die hij nu is, maar maakt dit album legendarisch... Ik ben geen rasechte hip-hopper en heb zeker geen intrinsieke voorliefde voor mainstream hip-hop, dus het is vast een stukje nostalgie dat My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy altijd wel goed is aangeslagen. Volgens mij is de reden daarvoor best simpel... de tracks op deze plaat zijn uniek. Dat vind ik er vet aan. Het is geen klassieke hiphop-beat. Mede door de vele samenwerkingen bevatten de nummers ook veel rock en horen we (gelukkig) niet alleen maar Kanye rappen. West is volgens mij (daarvoor rijkt mijn kennis niet ver genoeg) niet perse een hele goede MC. De teksten heb ik -heel eerlijk- nooit echt goed naar geluisterd. Dan blijven met name de lekker harde en opzwepende tracks over. En die vind ik altijd weer verrassend voor een hiphop plaat. En godsamme, hoe vet dat Bon Iver hier op vier nummers mee doet. Zijn verdraaide stem past eigenlijk bizar goed bij deze muziek. En godsamme, gelukkig staat die samenwerking met Chris Martin hier niet op. Dat scheelt weer een ster. 8/10 Highlights POWER Monster (het rapstukje van Jay-Z is vet) Runaway Lost in the World
Super solid
Kanye may be a garbage person but boy can he make a music
For all that Kanye West is such a powerful cultural force, I’m not really acquainted with his music. So I wasn’t sure what to expect when I turned this on. I won’t say I’m a fan of all of it (ugh, Blame Game), but I couldn’t turn away from any of it. The album has a real pull. Monster in particular really blew me away.
Power is a great track, and its a showcase of the great production shown elsewhere on the album really shining. That said, the whole album is bloated, has some distasteful pieces and is a problematic listen only 14 years later (I could have written the same thing 5 years ago).
Wanted to hate this as Kanye is a massive cunt, but this a good album. The production is top notch, with great guest performances. Favourite track is Runaway 4/5
Honestly thought it was way too "pop" on the first listen, but this has been in my rotation for well over a year atp and honestly the production is super impressive and fairly uncommon at the time. Amazing samples and guitar instrumentals from Mike Dean, some of the best features from the 2010's (namely Pusha T and Rick Ross) and generally great performances from Kanye. Blame game is annoying as fuck but I mean I guess it's sorta funny? Also Dark Fantasy unfortunately got ruined from the memes.
The star of the show is the production. Impressively immersive, huge sound. I've sometimes been a hip-hop hater, but I can appreciate why this album is talked about highly.
I dont like hiphop, but all these melodies were cool, the voices too. I never heard this guys music, only the memes
Hard separate the musician from the music. This has a lot of my favourite songs I put lights, monster, runaway power, dark fantasy, and gorgeous. It’s too bad what Kanye has become.
Yeezy got my pussy reupholstered
"I miss the old Kanye"
It is a weaker Kanye album. Thats why it is just 4
Kanye might be a terrible human but the music’s good. 4.16
Felt like I should be doing a power hour in Kerst. Could have been 5 stars but I felt like just couldn’t connect with the material…
Great album, I forgot how solid it was. Not really something I like to listen to much but it's really good for it's style.
Fantastic album - production is immaculate and so many epic tracks. Thought it did have a couple of skips, and thematically was a bit much for me at times though. 7.75 / 10
Not my usual jam but I actually enjoyed that
I liked this slightly more than College Dropout. There's a lot of strength in the features and production on this one.
It's hard to really separate Kanye West's sad mental health journey (and public persona) from his music, but taking this album out of this context is probably the best one can do. It's definitely more interesting and expansive than "The College Dropout" (listened to previously), and it has a few entertaining highlights -- "Dark Fantasy", "POWER", and "Hell of a life" (in part from the "Iron man" riff). The video/singles are also well-produced and entertaining ("Runaway" especially (didn't watch the whole 30-minute film, though) and also "Lost in the world", although "All of the lights" not so much). Much like "The College Droupout", it's waaay too long, with a number of very forgettable songs (and the latter half of "Blame game" is just downright unpleasant and tedious and offensive), but still a very solid album, if you can separate the person from the music (which I personally find tough, given how toxic he's been). The Wikipedia entry for this album feels like it might have been written by a very devoted Kanye West fan, as it rarely makes a lot of sense. Many of the sentences seem to start with one thought and end in the midst of another, with very little coherent in between. ("He elaborated that a minimum of 80 percent was genuine, with the remainder 'fulfilling a perception' for the public. West also insisted that he was not criticizing My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and instead failed to reach satisfaction, then openly revealed his idea of the truth." Or whatever.) But reading between the non-linear lines, it sounds like the production process was fairly tortured and excessive and expensive, which sounds about right. Kanye West put an entire fridge's worth into a blender, and I'm impressed with the strange, rich stew emerged.
sometimes i dont really understand how this album works, simply because it opens with nicki minaj doing a poor british accent but has some of the best hip hop of my generation, so idk. fuck kanye, but damn this album has some highs (including i sent this bitch a picture of my diccckkkkkk) 1.) runaway 2.) devil in a new dress 3.) blame game
Maybe my favourite Kanye, but still is Kanye
Pretty good, some legendary songs. Didnt like the latter ones as much but still enjoyable listen
Not really sure about this. Hard to reconcile what was actually quite an interesting and artistically meritorious album with the route that Kanye has gone. Feels like sipping tea while watching the mushroom cloud grow.
Annoyingly I enjoyed the album, he might be one of the biggest tools alive but back in the day he could craft a tune
Might be a lil nutty but he is a genius
Viewed in a vacuum this album would be an easy 5-stars. So good. Like give me chills at points good. But, unfortunately, Kanye has disappeared down a conspiratorial, MAGA rabbit hole. So, sticking to my guns, I have to knock it a star.
Yup, heard it a bunch. It's good, but not his best
Not my type of music at all but that was a damn good album.
not a lot of substance, but its a fun time, highlight is runaway
All songs are very enjoyable listens, without a doubt one of Kanye’s best albums. However, some songs were very weak compared to others, like Monster to Runaway or POWER. Overall, great album. 8/10.
4 love that there’s actual musical elements to the album rather than the incessant trap beats of current rap
Correct album with a commercial sounding, heavy production. Some song can be very long, overall very good.
80% Best: Gorgeous; POWER; Devil In A New Dress; Runaway; Hell Of A Life Must-Hear? Sure
This was a bit sad to listen to know where Kanye went. Great album, very tight throughout. Power has such an incredible vibe and I remember hearing a pull from King Crimson in it and wondering where Kanye was going to keep going musically.
Kanye West is very likely struggling with a diagnosable mental illness. He is not OK and really ought not be in the public spotlight. However, he is also a brilliant musician and it is really necessary to compartmentalize his music from his ... whatever the rest of his life may be. Certain musicians put their POLITICS into their music. I am not even going to imagine Kanye can not automatically feed his emotional states into his music, but that is what makes it what it is. An insane sort of beauty. Just in so long as you don't focus on the man, and just focus on the music, everything will be OK!
Really good. Some of the songs hit harder than others, and some parts really don't work for me, but others really are amazing. 4/4.5
Awesome beats, still a mid rapper. I liked it better than TCD.
Overrated by many, but still a great rap record.
Very close to a 5 but doesn't quite get there 88/100
Side A is better storytelling, side B is catchier. All in all, a solid solid album.
Fuck yeah
increíble álbum para tener de fondo cuando querés sentirte poderosa. buena compañia
Very good
Incredible way to start this off. Bangers piled upon bangers on this album. Every song feels consequential, and I love almost all of them. 4.6/5
Didn’t think I’d really listen to this album with any sense of enjoyment. I was surprised with the variety, the musicality and the poetry of his lyrics.
What a fascinating listen. There’s so much here, even before you get to the music. Has there ever been an artist, literally worth nearly a billion mostly built on his critically acclaimed discography, who decides to essentially throw most of that away because of becoming enamored with antisemitism and sexual deviance? That alone makes his story memorable, no matter how you feel about Kanye. Classic, “Do you support the art or the artist?” debate. In the end, I land on Kanye being one of the most talented producers and hitmakers of all time (not much of a rapper though; his flow has always been rudimentary to me), so I gotta give him his props for that. And this album is likely one of his early masterpieces; the title literally says it all. One of his best traits about Kanye as an artist is you don’t have to wonder what he’s thinking about; it’s all in the music for better or for worse. In the end, as the debate about Ye continues online where he still has his worshippers as much as those who’ve written him off, I land with the teenager who described him thusly: “Amazing artist, shitty human being.” Either way, his music is too good, too stimulating, too irritating at times, for me to write him off. He’s just too talented and like a car crash, I can’t help but check it out even as I pass it by.
Pop Rap, Hip Hop
I hate how good this is. I want to punish Kanye for being the person he is, but I can’t deny this album’s greatness. I can however give props to the many, many guests who elevate this material even more, most of whom are not problematic, I think? I just won’t google it. Problem solved.
I legit think Kanye is a creative genius. I disagree with just about everything about him as a person, though. This album is very good, but I don’t think it’s his peak. I think some of the features in the middle and near the end drug it down for me.
Very good start to this one. I get a little fatigued by the end of it. Will I listen to again: 60%
What happened to my goat :( Genuinely depressing listening back to this one, its like a completely different person made it. Hit after hit after hit. Legendary run of tracks. But it does have to be said the back half falls off pretty significantly after Hell of a Life, drags a bit after that. Such a fun listen but now I'm sad. Separate the art from the artist I guess. Dude was the soundtrack to my life for years. Fav Tracks : Dark Fantasy, Power, All of the Lights, Monster, So Appaled, Runaway, Hell of a Life
4 Runaway was too long
4.50
Great beats for a beast
Great album, seriously twisted dude.
Kanye West's first 5 albums were legendary. An amazing 5 album run. Is this the best album overall of his from those 5? Very hard to say. Basically, every one of his albums up until this one is great, almost perfect but not quite. This one is no exception, I LOVE the first half of the album but it just loses its way towards the end unfortunately. It's not a perfect album but it is very close, the highs are very high.
Shocked that I enjoyed this album as much as I did. Never heard a single one of these songs until today. Probably helped that there are so many cool people collaborating on it. Go figure.
Almost every track overstays it's welcome a bit, how are they all 5+ minutes sitting on the same beat. Even the best beat gets boring after that long. Didn't like the sampling of 21st century schizoid man, don't think it meshes well and just makes me wish I was listening to the better song. I like the use of the electric guitar on the album, not used to hearing that in hip hop. The album goes out on a high, perhaps the tightest tracks on the album. I don't know, the highs are really high but it feels pretty bloated. There's not a lot to keep me coming back to it tbh, other than a couple of tracks. 4/5
It's hard to seperate the artist from art and this album is a great example. This is a great album made by a crazy person. It is extremely original with the first song being an incredible opener. Each successive song keeps the pace up and are all really great. I can't rate it higher than a 4 though because I don't agree with many things Ye has said and done.
Great album. Power, Monster and Runaway are the big hits and lots of crafty lyrics.
West is a piece of shit. Ridiculous, misogynistic, manipulative, controlling, delusional, and quite possibly in need of support with his mental health - which may be the root cause of his flaws. He is also incredibly good at making his music. I have very little experience or knowledge of hip-hop as a genre, but I can spot good when it's presented to me, and this album is good. Very good. It is, of course, overly long and that along with the closing 'comedy' skit stops it being five stars, but it is a really solid four. Even though it is made by such a colossal piece of shit.
What an incredible album - lyrics were fun, flow was great, production out of this world. couple of songs were misses but overall, a stellar album. I finally get why people love his music.
I think I’ll always have a soft spot for this album, because it’s so closely linked to a specific time and place for me. (Summer 2018, Tokyo) I first listened to it on a total whim on a long bus ride - vaguely recalling that it was considered one of the greatest albums of the last 20 years, and curious as to why - and it grabbed my attention from the first track and I was blown away by how much I enjoyed it. I immediately listened again from the start, and I listened many times over those summer months. It was a transitory period when I was often sad and deeply conflicted, and something about this music in particular seemed to offer an escape. I can’t really rationalize or explain what it is I like so much about this album (although there are definitely objective measures by which it’s great), but despite everything surrounding its artist, it’s one of those that I’ll always appreciate for the role it played in my life. (This time, too, I listened through without stopping and listened a second time.)
Some of these tracks are true classics and it was a joy to listen to. Other parts of the album drag on a bit and some of the tracks I'm not a huge fan of. The tracks that work really work for me but there are a few skips in there too that bring it down a star.
4☆/5 07.11.2024
Bangers throughout.
歌真不戳，可惜人疯了
Would be a 5, but Kanye's ego gets in the way. 4/5
4.4
Cool, but less memorable than I remember
It is a very good album
La segunda mitad del álbum slaps hard damn son
Quizá aquí Kanye no tiene el flow que en CD, LR o Graduation, pero es otra faceta de su vida. Me gusta toda la orquesta, el uso de las cuerdas en las canciones, el uso de colaboraciones. Pienso que algunas pistas duran más de lo que deberían, pero detalles en la producción lo salvan.
Day170 -i was prepared to hate this and give it one star but it’s good. much better than either kendrick lamar album i’ve had to listen to
The hits are sure hits. The rest are….fine. Not bad? Not a perfect album by any means. I feel like this was KW’s highest height — the range of guest stars is insane, he was clearly at the top, and now all of that good will is gone. And rightfully so!
Very good
9/10 Incredible with a lot of catchy tunes. Kanye use a lot of pop sounds, as he did previously, but with a more impressive sounds. It seems like a testament for the hip-hop/pop culture. Maybe too much mainstream and not revolutionary, but this album managed to revive Kanye's destroyed career and make it more important and louder than before. In conclusion a solid pop album with a lot of artist and a bunch of contamination making it a perfect album but without that something extra
Unfortunately very good. Favourites: dark fantasy, all of the lights, monster, runaway.4/5
Would have been a 5 if he wasn’t a 0 of a person.
Not a fan but was good
Aham, nuca se capitalizó tanto un casquete. Tiene la cancion de la colonia esta. En verda temardos, i el perque el negri/nazi/loco este lo ha petao. Also, monotema de parlar de la seua pinga en cada tema ofc. na en verdá ma gustao prou pero ja cansa lo de que este tipo de musica estiga en el "Top 100" get som musical kulture dude.
Sorpresivo y atrapante, como para conocer mas
Weird but nice. Interesting and catchy. A fresh album in this genre.
This could have easily been a 5-star if some of the fat was removed. “Runaway” alone almost makes up for some of the mediocre songs.
J’ai une idée pour notre ami Kenny; il pourrait se recycler en compositeur instrumental! Ce que je reproche souvent au rap c’est la médiocrité de la majorité des tracks instrumental et le mixage déficient sur leur album. Ce que Kenny a fait ici musicalement est renversant, je dirais même émoustillâmenflant! En plus, l’avantage des chansons instrumentales c’est qu’il n’y a pas de voix! Kenny va pouvoir enfin fermer sa gueule, en gardant ses propos rasciste et misogyne pour ses personnalités multiples! Hésite pas à m’appeler, Ken, j’t’arrange ça
An album of two halves, light n darkness Side A 5*, side B 3*
"Runaway" is so freakin' good. So many brilliant moments.
Nice
Man's insane but this record is also insane
4.5 great but has weird moments like too many features on some songs
Thoughts before listening: I remember this being a really good album. That being said, Kanye is a major douche which makes it hard to enjoy his music anymore. Judging purely based on how much I like the actual music though, I'm sure I'll love this. Review: The music on this is awesome. Some of the best production of its era. A lot of the lyrics are cringey at best with Kanye really coming off as the misogynistic POS he would soon prove to be on a lot of the songs. Still though, these songs are fun to listen to, and I'm adding a few to the playlist. 4-stars.
Really really strong songs I'm here and always something to be interested in. Only thing keeping it from 5 is how awful Kanye is now
okay i get why people meat ride for this for the most part. kanye is def the weakest part of this album but the choirs, instrumentation, the features are all great. stand out songs for me are runaway, devil in a new dress, all of the lights, and gorgeous. didn’t like blame game or the chris rock monologue.
Täytyy myöntää, ettei tää enää lähde yhtä timanttisesti kuin ennen. Power-AotL-Monster on toki jäätävä kombo ja varmaan 2000-luvun popin kovin 3 biisin putki. Mutta melkein kaikissa muissa biiseissä on pituutta ainakin minuutti liikaa. Tälle voisi antaa vitosen sen takia, kuinka monta kertaa on kestänyt kuuntelua. Oon silti aika varma, että tää tulee olemaan mulle jatkossa ennemmin 4/5 levy, eli mennään sillä.
Two things are undeniable: 1) Kanye is bat shit crazy with an ego the size of Jupiter 2) He is one talented and creative mofo. I absolute love the intro of Runaway. Also funny that he makes so many toasts to you in that song (and you know I’m talking to you).
Aangenaam verrast, ben geen hiphop/rap guy maar deze tunes kon ik goed hebben
I didn't give this album enough of a chance when it first came out. It's actually quite good.
Obligatory fuck Ye. But really, fuck this guy. This ain't even close to his best, but it's still pretty great. Top 5, give or take. Several incredible tunes, a bunch of good songs, some stinkers, overall it's great but nothing mind-blowing to me. Never understood the hype tbh. It is one of 3 most important albums of the 2010s (at least in the internet communities) along with TPAB and Blonde, I'll give it that. It would probably land in the 101 albums to listen to before you die as well, that's how massive its influence is. You should pirate it and listen.
Solid
Josiah - 5 Elen - 2 3.5
4/5 - I enjoyed I keep seeing Chris Rock on a gambling advert and I have to change the channel bc it makes me cringe too much
I thought the first part of this album was very good, the 2nd half (after Monster which is an excellent tune) I didn’t vibe with so much.
Not really into this music but some good singers and rapping and you start digging some pieces the more you listen to them. I like monster, so appalled, blame game and others.. Very cynical about women.
Mostro sagrado
Amazing production
Ye peaked here.
sono distrutta dal fatto che mi piaccia così tanto. Kanye sei una persona di merda e mi sarebbe piaciuto se facessi anche musica di merda ma non ti si possono negare i crediti per questa mina di album. la cosa che mi ha colpito di più è la lista di features e di artisti impressionati che sono creditati. tra alcuni: Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), Nicki Minaj, Teyana Taylor, Amber Rose, Rihanna, Kid Cudi, John Legend, Alicia Keys, ELTON JOHN, Fergie, Drake, Chris Rock. io scioccata.
Kanye sei un essere umano deprecabile ma la tua musica spacca
I hate to admit this was really good
I really wish I could give this a 3.5. It's varied and interesting and exciting. That said, I see glimpses of Kanye becoming who he is today in a few of these songs. Sometimes the lyrics feel weak. That said, even when I'm rolling my eyes at what he says, the composition of the cong always makes up for it.
It's alright
*THIS REVIEW STILL DOES NOT CONDONE THE RECENT COMMENTS/ACTIONS OF THE ARTIST* The comeback of the decade. Still sounds great after all this time.
Great album. Nicki’s verse is the highlight though.
first listen in entirety
Separate the art from the artist, but in certain lyrics he’s almost foreshadowing his downfall. The fuck boy in me loves this album. The lover girl in me wants to take his advice & run away as fast as I can
I have never listened to a Kanye album, but have heard how talented he is and this album reflects that perfectly. His lyrics are deep and impactful. The beats and songs are mixed so seamlessly. Each song was unique yet fit so well together as an album. The only one I wasn't a fan of was Devil in a New Dress (tracks didn't line up as well and 'background' vocals to me were too prominent). Wish he could get some mental health help so his music could be the complete focus of his legacy.
I still don’t get how this ranks higher, hell, even no. 1 in Kanye’s discography by many people. This is like his 6th best for me, some songs are just clearly better than others and the lows are so low. Still a Decent 8
My first time listening to this album focused. I must say, this album ain't as bad as I thought it out to be. The creative lyrics along with great instrumentals keep the listener engaged throughout the entire thing. 8/10
This one takes me back to freshman year of high school. One of the best albums of the 2010s and Kanye's most cohesive work. This album is packed with so many top producers, great features and classic tracks. It sucks Kanye went crazy.
- Ich bin mir bis heute nicht sicher, ob mir Twisted Fantasy oder Graduation besser als Album gefällt. Tendiere in letzter Zeit, vielleicht auch, weil es meiner Meinung nach die erwachsenere Platte ist, zu My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. - Auch wenn das Werk als absolutes Meisterwerk und Meilenstein gehandelt wird, springe ich nicht ganz so sehr auf diesen Grad der Verehrung auf. Ich finde der Typ hat coole Hits und vor allem zwischen 2008 und 2013 einflussreiche Kreativarbeit geleistet. Gab aber immer Künstler wie Kid Cudi, Kendrick Lamar, Tyler the Creator und Childish Gambino, die ich zu genau der Zeit (und heute ehrlicher weise auch noch) wesentlich mehr abgefeiert habe. - Das alles lässt jetzt einfach mal außen vor, dass sich die Bewertung eines Werkes von Menschen mit diagnostizierter psychischer Krankheit und darüber hinaus mehr als fragwürdigen Positionen nicht immer einfach gestaltet. Es fällt mir sehr schwer, Kanye West, den ich jetzt seit gut 10 Jahren wirklich für seine Äußerung verachte, unvoreingenommen zu konsumieren; selbst wenn das, was ich höre weit vor dem liegt. Ist aber auch vielleicht mein Problem - hatte immer schwierigkeit Kunst und Künstler zu trennen 4,25/5
- Ich hatte es insgesamt irgendwie noch etwas geiler in Erinnerung - Aber es ist meckern auf hohem Niveau, da einfach sehr viel Banger dabei sind - schade, dass der Typ absolut durchgedreht ist
The feeling I get from this album is that Kanye had quite a few ideas that he really liked and are objectively good, and then sort of filled in the rest with random stuff that would “suffice”. This is true for lyrics: some lines really had me thinking, while others felt like an 15-year old white boy had written them. For beats as well: Every song had a good beat, but most of the time I didn’t feel like it went anywhere beyond an initial build. And also for collaborations: it seems like he wrote down a list of people he wanted to be on the album and then just threw them together randomly. Even with all this criticism, I still pretty much liked all the songs. Favorites were Runaway and Blame Game (though the last part was weird and cringe). Also, lots of random product placement. Wonder if he got paid for that.
I knew this is often regarded as one of Kanye's best albums but I've always been somewhat hot or cold with ye (public persona notwithstanding). Holy shit what an album. I can absolutely see why this album is as highly regarded as it is. The beats, the samples, the lyrics even, all are incredible. I can hear influences other artists got from this album. I mean, even Nobody by Avenged Sevenfold uses an almost identical arpeggio as Hell of a Life. M Shadows has been very outspoken about ye's influence on LIBAD and now that I'm hearing more by him I can tell. Too bad he's a nazi bitch. 5 for music, 4 because of aforementioned nazi bitchness.
4 As someone who hates Kanye just as much as the next rational individual, I feel like I’ve been subconsciously avoiding this album for some time now due to fear of enjoying it, and, well, I did. I totally see why this album was acclaimed when it came out - yes, Kanye’s rapping is great, but the production here is unreal. I know this is classified as a hip hop album, but it really seems to transcend the genre to become its own elevated thing. There’s a lot going on in the mix, but it never feels overcrowded or overblown, and there are splashes of just about everything you could want in an album going on at some point - R&B/soul here, classic rock there, some strings mixed in for good measure, and there’s even a reference to his appearance on South Park. Each and every song feels like its own totally unique thing while still managing to flow perfectly into the next, resulting in what feels like a ride from start to finish. Admittedly, I do think there’s just a bit of a slump in the middle with the stretch of Monster to Devil in a New Dress, despite featuring quite possibly the best rap verse of Nicki Minaj’s career (though that’s a low bar). However, things pick right back up with the best this album has to offer in Runaway - it’s a beautiful, powerful track that feels nowhere near as long as its 9-minute runtime would suggest and, as much as I hate to say it, with its conclusion, I now have a favorite Kanye song. And it really doesn’t slow down from there between the rocking, Iron Man-interpolating Hell of a Life, impassioned, Chris Rock-monologuing Blame Game, and finally, danceable, Gil Scott-Heron-inspired Lost in the World, which provides a great sense of conclusion to the album (especially with the segue into Who Will Survive in America). So, yeah, I enjoyed this more than I thought I would or wanted to. That being the case, it presents a bit of a struggle for me knowing that it came from Kanye West, known racist, Holocaust-denier, and general psycho. And even if you’re someone who believes in/is able to separate art from the artist, the thing about this album is that Kanye doesn’t hold back from putting his insufferable personality on full display in a lot of the lyrics here. It’s insightful in some ways but just as disgusting in others, and in a lot of ways, I feel like it holds me back from truly appreciating the album at max capacity, putting an asterisk next to every moment of enjoyment. At the end of the day, I do think acknowledgement is owed to this album’s fantastic production and overall place in the musical world. You can be a monster and a talented producer, two things can be true - look at Phil Spector. I don’t support or endorse Kanye in any way, but as a music fan, I have to say this is a good album. So, I say give it a listen if you like it, but idk, maybe pirate it or something so you’re not giving this dude more money.
Najbolje pjesme: 1. Runaway 2. So Appalled 3. Blame Game 4. Dark Fantasy 5. Devil In A New Dress 6. Gorgeous 4.5/5
C'est chiant, mais c'était vraiment un bon album.
Not my favorite Kanye but gotta respect the bangers
I can’t deny this artists talent Not his best album, but an arguably strong album Most songs hit the mark and exceed expectations
De foute fantasie van een flapdrol, wat een feest. Wat me gelijk opvalt is dat de eerste nummers hele lange herhalingen hebben van deuntjes. Weinig afwisseling van het riffje of de akkoorden. Totdat het bijna je strot uitkomt. Minimaal een couplet en een refrein minder had wel gemogen. En het geldt eigenlijk wel voor meerdere nummers, het is soms allemaal net te lang. Waar hij over rapt, dat boeit me weinig en het is denk ik ook beter om het niet te weten, maar ik vind zijn flow altijd wel fijn. Voor de zangpartijen worden allerhande beroemde artiesten ingevlogen. Of beroemde samples gebruikt, zoals 21st century schizoid man, wat natuurlijk van King Crimson is. De man kent wel zijn klassieken. De productie is uitermate gelikt, de beats zijn goed. Het is absoluut wel van een bepaalde kwaliteit. Het is niet helemaal mijn favoriete muziek, maar het bombastische en moddervet geproduceerde geluid zorgt toch wel voor een prima luisterervaring. Ik zou het dan ook kunnen waarderen op 3,5 ster en aangezien ik graag naar boven afrond, komen we zowaar op 4 sterren uit voor deze geflipte fantast.
#2 "Is hip hop just a euphemism for a new religion? The soul music of the slaves that the youth is missin'" - Gorgeous Kanye will forever be one of the best producers/samplers in modern hip hop with some of the wildest lyrics ever penned. It's his comical lyricism and self-absorbed bravado that you can never take serious that throws him off being the G.O.A.T. The emotional tenderness of Runaway along with its abrasive 3 minute autotune solo over dramatic strings seals the top spot for me but there are definitely several more solid tracks with gorgeous symphonics, next level sampling, killer beats and a pleasant amount of heavily distorted guitar recurring throughout.
Great album, but it's hard to separate the music from the artist
Gostei!!
favourite song: blame game good album
I’m so conflicted. At the time I thought this was one of the best produced records I’d ever heard. Of course modern day Kanye is a problematic concept and it would take quite a backflip to change my current opinion
Here's a toast to the douchebags 🥂
Here's MBDTF making the case for separating art from the artist. The production is great, the guest spots are great, Kanye West's lyrics are not so great... But you can see how it was such a big deal at the time.
Yeezy. Monster to DIAND is a crazy 3 peat
Anthemic hip hop. Without speaking on Kanye as a person, his musical output for many years was unrivaled compared to most of his contemporaries. MBDTF followed 808s in a big pivot of style. Some of his greatest songs can be found on MBDTF. Grandiose production value, every song sounds really good, amazing mix. Beats are all killer, lyrics are top tier for the most part. It kind of drags in the middle with two songs back to back bloated with features, but then picks back up quickly afterwards. Quite a long album overall but it never feels like it's dragging since the energy is always there. For sure a classic. Don't listen to Kanye much anymore but I'll still probably revisit.
This is a great album, I'm just not the biggest Kanye fan... He means a lot for the hip-hop community and his works are generally fantastic, but he's a bit of a twat.
I get the hype. This is fantastic. Looses just a bit of steam after track 10
My previous review for Kanye as a person still stands. He's a class 1 cunt, no question. Musically he can be top-class though. Another very good album.
Still fresh after all these years
Kanye before he went cray! Good memories. In between 4 and 5 on this one really, but landing on 4. Good beats and flow all over, and almost all tracks are enjoyable to me. All features works well.
Probably his peak
Great album, not my favorite from him but still have the best songs in his discography.
This is one of the Kanye albums that I always see on lists, but honestly haven't listened to that much. I really liked College Dropout and Graduation when they came out. As I listened to this today I actually really liked it, and I think I'll listen a bit more over the next few days.
Always thought he was just a gayfish then watched a video of him producing something with Jay-Z and listened to this album makes me think he’s also somewhat of a musical genius High 4 just because I can’t rate it as high as sgt. pepper even if he made Paul famous
This album feels like a smoothly produced ride from the start to the end. Enjoyed it a lot, but missed a few highs that I think Graduation has for example.
All these comment about it being a shame that Kanye is crazy now. As if he's ever not been crazy. Luckily he's also crazy good.
My first listen to this album. This is a really great pre-controversial Kanye album. Lots of variety, interesting guests, and great songs/raps. Too bad he went nuts: I have trouble separating the art from the artist on this one.
Крутой альбом
Reconciling my feelings on Kanye has been difficult lately considering how much I love his first six albums. I didn’t listen to MBDTF today, but I’ve listened enough over the years to know where I stand. Not my favorite of his, but undeniably a powerhouse album. I still remember feeling really moved by his 2010 VMA performance of Runaway despite only being 13 at the time. Lost In The World, Monster, Gorgeous, Devil In A New Dress, All Of The Lights… so many classics.
Where the bad bitches, huh? Where you hiding? This album lived in the Outback’s 6-disc player for several years. It brings me back to our transition period from NY to CA. POWER, Runaway, and All of the Lights are particular faves.
I have the album. I enjoy Kanye's music. The Chris Rock skit is why I didn't vote 5. Best tracks: Power and Monster.
....damn it I hate that this is as good as it is
It's a fantastic album. “Monster” is one of the best collabs ever and there’s such great production. Too bad Kanye is unhinged.
Very good, all of the lights is still huge
This album is a mother fucking monster. Deducting 1 star due to future craziness but 2010 Kanye was a genius
A reminder of just how good he was before he lost the plot.
ddd
Another one that wasn't new to me. I listened to this quite a bit when it came out- even though hip hop isn't really my thing. Kanye has gone to shit in the past several years, but this was a fun album if you ignore the lyrics. Not my thing.
Not sure how to rate this one. Super annoying, not my genre at all - but also really impressive. Impossible not to see why this has the acclaim it does, and I'm sure if this was my genre it would be an absolute go to. Really stands out against other albums of the same style/period. Update - Monster is a beast. Easy four stars from me.
Good album before he went nuts
5/5: Runaway, Monster, All of the Lights, Dark Fantasy, Power, Blame Game. 4/5: Lost in the World. Rating: 4/5
3.5 meer. Iconic met Monster etc
Irritatingly good, albeit you could take the middle third out and nobody would miss it
BL: One of the major Kanye albums I have not listened to, I probably should've but never got round to it due to the turbulent discourse surrounding it - some laud it as the best, other spew Fantanoisms about it and agree with his and others opinions. I for one come into this unbiased so I will evaluate it as literally as possible. AL: I Liked this. Best album of all time? No. Best Kanye album? Also probably no, I enjoyed the direction he took with this though, there are some really good ideas and musical motifs explored here. This is probably the second most culturally significant Ye album (besides The College Dropout), and it certainly holds up as it. FT: "Dark Fantasy", "Power", "Monster", "Hell of a Life" 4/5
Art before artist in this case but I can rationalise it by saying, at this point he wasn't as insane as he currently is This is his last great album, probably his last good album The only reason it doesn't get a five is it feels like it outstays it's welcome after runaway (maybe one of my top five kanye songs). The bit with Chris rock is boring and pointless. Feels like it was a time when he was a far more giving artist than he currently is, he wanted to bring people up, now he seems selfish jealous and petty. The highest of 4s
I really didn't want to like this but I have to admit it was good. I hate Kanye as a person but this is a good album. The 1st half is better than the second
This one was harder for me to separate the artist from art for obvious reasons but it's not a bad album. Kanye's messages in a lot of the tracks are full of bravado, yes, but are surprisingly self-aware, both of his own ego and how the world perceives him. The music itself is easy to digest and satisfying with good collabs and samples. I think it's a feat that one of this album's most popular songs "Power" successfully samples a King Crimson riff. Prog rock and rap?! Love it. It's a noteworthy album for our time and place in history, unsure of how it will hold up in generations to come.
Is Kanye West a genius? His recent descent into madness is probably the best argument in favour, such is the fine line between the two (or so they say). It’s that or convincing people to pay $120 for a plain white t-shirt, anyway. Musically I’m not sure, but I would say he’s very competent at what he does. The production is nearly always slick and interesting and varied. His wordplay and cocksure attitude - tempered with just enough self-awareness to keep the listener onside - makes for compelling listening. In the first half of the album he’s operating at the top of his game, but the second half is weaker (Runaway aside) and drags a bit. I’ll still give it 4.5 stars because it’s probably one of this century’s more ambitious and important records.
Unfortunately Kanye has never been the same after his mum died, mental issues have held him back from being the same creative he was. This is maybe the only one that does turn it into a pretty great album though, as i'm not a big fan of 808s or anything that came after this one. It does commit the huge sin of ending miserably though, once you hit the peak of 'Runaway' it sticks the landing by breaking both of it's legs instead. 'Hell of a Life' has the clunky sabbath sample, the chris rock skit is funny once and then just time consuming, then for some reason ending on a bon iver cover is such a bizarre and weak way to close off what was a very creative album earlier.
WOOOOOOO
Surprisingly enjoyed this one! Had never really heard anything from Kanye outside of hit singles. Might actually replay this one
Kanye is a great producer. The beats of these songs are so unique and catchy. Kayne features a lot of legends in this album with a ton of top hits. He really is one of the greats. Listening to Kanye’s lyrics though you can tell just how out there he is. Crazy and genius are so closely related. In the realm of art, they are one and the same. The best songs are in the first half. Would have been a 10 if the album ended half way through. 8/10
Never placed the King Crimson sample in POWER before; this must be my wake-up call to listen to more Kanye. Key tracks for me are POWER, All Of The Lights, So Appalled, Devil In A New Dress. Hard to believe this album is 14 years old.
Disclaimer- I know this man is a horrible human being. I am separating art from artist I suppose. Unfortunately I do not hate Kanye’s music. This album is incredibly influential and just good. I’m taking a point away because the lyrics sometimes were just so vile and unnecessary that I hated listening but genuinely the good songs are so good that it’s not detrimental. Horrible person with some gooood music.
Not a big fan of Kanye but he does have some serious song writing skills
Almost a masterpiece.
+instrumentaalit +featit -osa kappaleista hit or miss -runaway olisi pitänyt olla vikakappale
"My Dark Twisted Fantasy" by Kanye West is a groundbreaking album that seamlessly blends various genres, showcasing Kanye's musical prowess. The production is lush and intricate, featuring a star-studded cast of collaborators. The album explores themes of fame, love, and self-reflection, with Kanye's introspective lyrics adding depth. From the grandiosity of "Power" to the vulnerability of "Runaway," it's a captivating journey through Kanye's artistic vision, making it a timeless and influential piece in the hip-hop landscape.
A diverse and idiosyncratic album. Enough bangers to make it good, but too uneven to be truly great.
En fait je crois que sans connaître le contexte autour de l'album c'est plus dur à apprécier. C'est le début de la fin pour lui et ça se sent même sur la fin de l'album. Par contre ça a bien vieilli le début de l'album!
This is a really great album, soured a little by the unhinged mess Kanye has become since.
Met tegenzin vanwege zijn persoonlijkheid, maar album viel me positief op.
я возможно задену людей, но не лучший альбом Канье для меня лично Алкоальбом: коктейль ерш
I'm not going to listen to this because I really don't want to support Kanye but this is objectively a really good album.
Surprisingly competent. Was this before he went all odd?
This album makes me feel POWERFUL. No wonder Kanye has an ego.
YOU AINT GOT THE ANSWERS SWAY
Wow. I am not at all a Kanye fan but this was a good album. Anything is better than JayZ though!
overrated as fuck but still rlly enjoyable
Some of Kanye's best. Some tracks (So Appalled, Blame Game) overstay their welcome, but this would go on to shape hiphop for the decade to come
Banger, nicki Minaj with the best verse on monster
Like college dropout, an amazing album that is just hard to listen to given who Kanye is as a person
Lots of great music here, I haven't ever specifically listened to Kanye, but I knew many of these. I think the strongest part of this album for me is the music backing the tracks. It's all pretty inventive and cool sounding. The raps are mostly mid to me, Kanye is kind of an edgelord.
The bangers fuckin' slap, the production was game changing but Kanye still Kanye. He's an okay rapper, clever at times, lazy at most. The production is obviously the standout and always has been. Too bad he turned into such an awful person.
4.5
I'm not one that's into the whole "Kanye is a genius" crowd. I think he's a very talented artist, and a particularly gifted producer. Some of the drawback is in his lyrics. His delivery is sometimes very lazy. I will say, this record is pretty consistent. I prefer when Kanye addresses social issues such as the disparity in treatment between black americans and white americans. It's a shame he's gone off the deep end pretty much continually since this album came out.
Now why is Bon Iver here, may I ask.
This is a challenge to rate. The album has some really high highs and the lows aren’t too bad either. At the same time it’s Kanye who’s a massive a-hole all around. It’s probably his best work though. I’ll opt for trying to distance the art from the artist one this one for now.
If you are able to overlook the lyrics (Yes Kanye i forgot about your black balls) it is a really good produced rap albums with unique beats. But at the end this is still an album from Kanye and Kanye is not the best person out there. So if you look beneath all the narcessistic kanye-bullshit his musical genius really shines through.
I miss that old Kanye
4.7
Ugh. Kanye is such a dirt bag but this is so good.
Proof that Kanye could still write music after losing grip with reality.
Probably my favourite Kanye album, it's close to a 5 but there are a few misses.
I like the slower more emotional tracks on this album
Great songs but bloated
Oh my, 3rd song in and I almost feel like dancing. This never happens and it isn't going to, but the feeling is there - amazingly, so far so good. After seeing the accolades chucked at this LP on Wikipedia, as usual I was highly skeptical due to its genre and writer/performer, it is actually really good. Maybe a bit overlong, but it is a part of the CD generation, so can be forgiven for that. Due to my preconceptions of the genre, it is let down by Mr West's vocal performances,.that is the nature of the genre unfortunately, but musically and it's production is, as far as my limited knowledge goes, it seems visionary in the rap/ hip hop genre. I'm actually surprised at myself as I'd written this man off as I complete moron who is out of touch with reality. Turns out it could be media twisting and spinning, the bloke has talent after all. Maybe there is something laced in my tea which unbeknown to me, some mouldy mushroom fell into it and I'll wake up and it was just a bad dream. A low 4.
If you can sperate the art from the artist and forget about the walking turd of human that Kanye has become, then this is a banger across the board. A step up from the more mainstream college trilogy, but not so up its own arse like later stuff. I've stopped listening to him in the last decade but this deserves its place on the list.
Fucker med en del sanger, men ikke alt. Noe duf
Prime Kanye, soo damn good. Before the antisemitism. "I miss the old Kanye"
Weird to think this guy loves Hitler. Great album though
Runaway!
4. When I saw Kanye I had low expectations and they were quickly succeeded. This is pretty good. Can't believe he sampled from King Crimson in power tho. I was shocked
Kanye's best. The sound is so lush and layered on this album. Mixing and mastering is impeccable. Kayne's ear for samples is second to none. The lyrics are mostly surface level, but sonically is where this album really shines.
Almost perfect
As my first real introduction to Kanye (other than his radio hits), this was really unexpected. The album takes you on a journey through Kanye’s world, it feels raw, honest, and personal. I was impressed with the diversity of sounds throughout the album, he really knows how to combine bits of different genres (and all that orchestra!) to create a unique sound. The songs are super catchy…. Damn, this whole album demands your attention, whether you’re a hip-hop fan or not. I give it a 4, only because I’m biased and not actually a fan of hip-hop.
iconic, too bad he's batshit insane
This is a beautifully produced album. This is THE album about a hedonistic lifestyle. Everything about this album adds to that story: the loud, bombastic, lavishly produced production, the braggy sexual living the high life lyrics, and the energy in general. The only thing I didn't care for on this album were the songs: "So Appalled" and "The Blame Game". I don't like the stand up feature in the latter at all. However, other than that the album is amazing and near perfect!!
Very good album with a few stinkers. Production that has aged very well especially for a Kanye album. Strong lyracism. Fav song: All Of the Lights- all time classic.
A familiar listen. This was the era that I started paying attention to Kanye. I remember watching the music video for Power on Much Music. Saw the debut of Runaway live on TV. So much nostalgia for me.
Very memorable, but some lyrics in several songs are just too lame.
Escuche el álbum hay varias canciones buenas y una en especial que tiene una estrofa de Black Sabbath "Iron Man"
8.75 Favorite: Devil in a new dress Least favorite: Monster Sleeper: lost in the world
4.5 stars. High quality production, creative writing. Pulls in lots of different genres. Grandiose, though second half does tail off a bit. Probably won't be back much to re-listen.
Great album, of course. Not quite as amazing as people like to say and as I’ve thought previously, but still an exceptional piece of work. Stronggg 4