Kanye West - Runaway

I'm sure you've all heard this song or part of it by now, but if you haven't listened to the 9min album version you're missing out. Basically, the second half of the song is Kanye singing along with the melody but with a distorted, autotuned voice. That may sound stupid, but it sounds like someone jamming out on an electric guitar (with massive overdrive distortion) over strings and piano. It's mesmerizing. It's awesome.

Kanye West - Runaway (ft. Pusha T) by theearlynerd

On top of that, the album really is something spectacular. There are a few songs I don't care for simply because I'm more of a music than words guy and those one or two songs aren't my cup of tea. But overall... he's really outdone any previous effort.

Commenting back and forth with a friend on Facebook about how it sucks that West always has to come across as such a d-bag. And another friend won't even listen to the album because of how much he personally dislikes Kanye. I understand that, but to me it's like people complaining that a particular athlete is a bad role model for kids... well, that may be true, but no part of what that athlete does outside of his sport adds to or takes away from what he does on the field/court. Who says he has to be a good role model? What does that have to do with how great of an athlete he is or isn't? Now, that athlete won't have my utmost respect in life in general, but how can I not appreciate his abilities and skills? Wouldn't that just be being selectively ignorant? I guess I see Kanye West the same way. I don't respect most things he does in his personal/public life, but that can't take away from his talent as a artist. I see his album as a work of art independent of the person, Kanye West. I think that's the only way to judge a work.

One reviewer wrote, "West may be obnoxious, but at least he's interested in confronting those aspects of his identity through his music." I think that really says it. Give the album a listen (below) on headphones and see what you think. If you can stop thinking about the person Kanye West for 68min I think you'll really dig it. Pitchfork did.

Album V (MBDTF)