GRABBINGSAND

Try as I might, I couldn’t see my way clear to including Kanye West’s 808s and Heartbreaks on my list of 2008’s best. Too much Auto Tune, too little mischief, not enough of the entertaining ego-tripping that characterized his previous albums. That characteristic braggadocio was replaced by whinging regret, an angry longing and a conceit that Auto Tune alone can turn someone into a bonified crooner. (It can’t.)

But at the same time, I couldn’t dismiss it entirely. I left it on my iPod, letting shuffle find tracks on occasion and usually letting them play out. I started to think of it as a friend going through a rough patch. Even with the misplaced emotions, the production values were still incredibly high, so 808s could put on a brave sonic face. Basically, I couldn’t abandon it, but I knew it needed time to itself. Maybe 808s needed therapy?

Then I thought, maybe what poor little 808s needs isn’t therapy, but some good company. 808s needs musical friends. And maybe a new voice to vent some frustrations. So here it is. Borne from my concern about Kanye’s 808s‘ emotional well-being, I give you Wrath of Khanye. (more…)