kanYeWest - Graduation
I gave you a brief teaser last night but yesterday 1Xtra hosted an exclusive 'Audience With Kanye West' at the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s famous Radio Music Theatre where he took an special select audience through his album Graduation. You can hear the whole thing (including many WORLD PREMIERS) with Trevor Nelson from 4pm. Before you hear that though, lemme break down some of the tracks on the album for you.
Before I go into this, let me state for the record that 'Graduation' very possibly could be my album of the year. Common & Klashnekoff's albums are the only 2 other albums I've listened to this year that could compete - but 'Yay just edges it out. Don't get it twisted, (50's current street single) and the freshly leakedare very good singles but listening to the quality of Kanye's album (which is far more cohesive than anything 50 has done since Get Rich Or Die Trying) I think he should contact the retirement village and reserve his place.
Mobile phones/cameras/recording equipment etc... were banned from the venue to make sure there were no leaks (although Yeezy still had his on and even took a call from his A&R Plain Pat who was mastering the album during the playback) and I forgot my pen and pad so I can't break down every track (my memory isn't that good) but I can remember most of them. Kanye came on stage with his Louis Vuitton bag, pulled out his mac laptop, plugged it in and pressed play so...
The first thing he played was a track he'd just finished for Lil Wayne - just to test the sound system and trust me, it was FIRE!! The Carter 3 is gonna be a hot album. Utilising some hardcore jazz break, it was the classic Pete Rock/DJ Premier kind of Hip Hop sound with a 2007 Kanye twist - something many producers have been trying to achieve for years.
He then started to go through the album:
Good Morning - strong start to the album, really aspirational and powerful.
I Wonder - Reminiscent to 'Never Let Me Down' in mood, one for the ladies. Kanye testing out a new kind of flow here - not too sure on one listen, need to hear it again.
Stronger - The version that will appear on the album is much bigger and (pardon the pun) stronger than the version out now because Kanye has strengthened the drums. My main critiscism of the track was that the drums were weak and took away from the track because they weren't punchy enough, well, after hearing 'The Way I Are' compared to 'Stronger' in a club, 'Yay apparently hollered at Timbaland and the pair worked on the drums. Nice!
Champion - this one could be a future #1. Big sample, big hook, big beat. Feels a bit like 'Touch The Sky' in mood, but the beat is much stronger. kanYe says this was Timbaland's favourite track.
Flashing Lights - another one of the tracks he's done in the past 3 weeks. This one is another banger. I can hear it bumping in a club. It's got a sort of slowed down house beat with arpeggiating synths and a 4x4 kinda beat pattern - like how Dre did for Eminem's "Encore" & 50's "Outta Control". Definitely a future single.
Homecoming (Feat. Chris Martin) - On the strength of this, I can safely say that Kanye has got the best Chris Martin from Coldplay performance on a Hip Hop record. Big stadium sounding record - I can picture this one being performed in front of an arena crowd and going down really well. That's one of the things 'Yay said he was aiming for on the record - to make "...stadium status" records that will translate well in front of a huge crowd and be around for over 20 years and still be relevant. Bono from U2 apparently said that kanYe's the only one from his community who has the potential to do that. We'll have to wait and see but with tracks like this, he's going on the right path.
Barry Bonds (Feat Lil Wayne) - If you're someone who hates on Kanye because he doesn't make that "real" Hip Hop, prepare to eat your words. A track so big Kanye had to play it twice and he didn't do that to any other track on the album. Featuring Lil Wayne, this is something that will not be a commercial hit but will be one of any true Hip Hop head's biggest tracks from the album. So boasty and full of swagger, it's "Brooklyn's Finest" but with a dude from the Chi and a dude from Norleans. Big. Kanye asked the audience which record he should leak and we said this one so he promised he would leak it before the end of the week - shouts to
Good Life (Feat. T-Pain) - Kanye claims this is the most obvious straight to radio record he's done yet but I don't see much difference in feel to this and 'Gold Digger'. Sampling Michael Jackson's PYT and featuring Teddy Penderassdown, if this isn't a future #1, I'll be VERY surprised. That said, it's a banging track - one that will work on the radio and in the club. Big hook, accessable lyrics and it's near impossible to sample something from 'Thriller' and not make a banger. He said the video is in the process of being completed and will be directed by the same dude who did Justice's amazing . That one will be very interesting - especially after it was Justice who won the MTV video award over Kanye last year...
Can’t Tell Me Nothing - Nothing more to add to this track - you know it! It's the anthem for anyone wanting to quit their sh*tty 9-5 job that features the lead singer from Australia's Sneaky Sound System. I actually prefer the remix with Jeezy but the original is the one that features on the album. BTW - have you seen the
Drunk And Hot Girls (Feat. Mos Def) - weakest link on the album sees a 3/4 beat and Kanye and Mos Def sing rapping about messing with drunk and hot girls. Think I need a couple of listens to be able to get it.
Everything I Am (Scratches by DJ Premier) - Another big "real" Hip Hop feeling track. Banging beat, Primo sounding better than ever (you forget what level of actual DJ skills the other Chris Martin has)
Big Brother - Kanye says this one will be the album closer contrary to all the online tracklistings and if it is, there is no stronger way to close the album. Kanye said that he feels that this track is his strongest ever lyrically, career defining record and I have to agree. He asked those of us who have heard it to not spoil it for others by revealing what the concept of the record is but lets just say he's done something no other rapper has ever done on this record. When I get the album, this will probably be the first track I play.
So overall, it's a VERY strong album full of moments for everyone - from the hardcore underground backpacker Hip Hop fan to the pop music fan who only knows Kanye from Gold Digger. 9 out of 10 from me.
Make sure you check Trevor Nelson's show this weekend to hear Kanye talking about the album - and once it's out, let me know what you think when you've heard it.
Comments
Post your commentCommon as an album of the year contender? Come on now sir... I maintain that's a good 4-track EP padded out to 12 tracks with fluff and filler... some of those beats are better suited for John Legend to sing over...
ugh...
this is a breakdown that I would agree with. although I am not a big Kanye fan the album was solid from start to finish and he stepped up his lyrical game with alot of the tracks. His production techniques on this album are firing on all cylinders as well. Contender for album of the year but theres still a couple to go before he gets that title.....
the chris martin tune COULD be massive, but its missing so much to make it a stadium hit. its practically bare, piano riffs and a snare. there's no kicks or bottom end, for the lp, let alone a stadium. with a few additions this does have the potential to be a smash
Totally feeling Barry Bonds - Lil Wayne, Ye, and the beat are all perfectly complimentary. Looking forward to this album more than I thought physically possible.
I just heard that Barry Bonds track and honestly i think it's straight hot garbege!
FIRST OFF GREAT READ, you make me want to hear it now. Second. Jam thanks for checking out my blogs. I still can't believe that you were actually typing on there. I also created an entire post on this entry of yours.
Great read man. Is there any how I can hear a sample of the CD on your station. I have to! PLEASE INFORM ME! You know how to reach me! Thanks again!
Sounds like another solid Kanye album..I'd have to agree that Common is an album of the year contender, compared to the rest of what's come out, there's not much you can put against it and say its a better rap album right now. Can't wait to hear the Kanye..
i seriously cant wait for this album, ive been waiting all year.
no doubt in my mind that the album wouldnt be anything less than amazing but im constantly suprised and excited by ye's new ideas and experiments.
agree witht he common statement, finding forever is the best album ive heard this year, but for me half of the beats on there make the album, most of them done by kanye.
sounds dope. kanye is king.
Where is "Good Night" and "The Glory"?
You missed "The Glory" which is one of Kanye's best sampling work to date.
Barry Bonds is probably the weakest cut on the album
wassup mistajam,
look like kanye did it again...i heard some snippets yesterday and your right...tha album really good...by the way check out this funny new myspace sitcom:"The Way We Live"
Leandro & Chocolate Rain:
"Mobile phones/cameras/recording equipment etc... were banned from the venue to make sure there were no leaks (although Yeezy still had his on and even took a call from his A&R Plain Pat who was mastering the album during the playback) and I forgot my pen and pad so I can't break down every track (my memory isn't that good) but I can remember most of them."
Check Kanye day on 1Xtra this friday to hear every track on the album broken down & dissected!