by germinal » Fri Oct 09, 2015 11:07 am
thank you everyone for your advice. as suggested, i have decided to approach this musical odyssey (The Kanyead) chronologically. At merge lobbies's recommendation, i have decided to keep everyone updated with what i think, consulting with rapgenius when need be, starting with
The College Dropout (2004)
1. Intro (skit)
Gives the listener (me) a little background about how Kanye first got into making music. Neat idea.
2. We Don't Care
This song is about Kanye's struggles growing up in inner-city America, building his drug empire. There's a children's choir, which is funny, because I wouldn't want my kids listening to this!
3. Graduation Day (skit)
I was brushing my teeth and missed this one.
4. All Falls Down
From Rap Genius: "Purchasing luxury items can be very effective in temporarily increasing happiness and self-esteem though it’s just a quick fix that helps one to forget their real problems and deep rooted unhappiness"
5. I'll Fly Away
I've heard this one before. I like the choir.
6. Spaceman
A bit of a change of pace, and a change of instrumentation, a track where Kanye tries his hand at singing. He has pretty good voice. "And the public don't dwell my transmission / Cause it wasn't televised / But, it was the turning point, / Oh what a lonely night," he sings. The struggles on the road to fame, knowing you have talent but no one is giving you the time of day, isolation -- these themes are all emerging as important ones on this record.
7. Jesus Walks
At this point i got a call from Tim from Morrisons, he's on his way with my groceries, but he's having a little trouble finding my house. No problem mate, google maps doesnt show my address very accurately, you want to park next to the offy and go up the sidestreet round the corner. See you in five.
9. Get them High
From rapgenius: "This song is about the time Jay Z bet Kanye he couldn't convince Eminem, formerly of Minor Threat, to smoke weed."
10. Workinonit
It's cool that Kanye feels confident enough in his production skills to let them take centre stage here.
11. The New Workout Plan
Tim made it. He's really nice and offers to take my groceries into the kitchen for me. That won't be necessary, Tim.
12. Slow Jamz
Aww they give you a free gingerbread Morrisons worker with your first online order. Unfortunately it isn't vegan.
13. Breathe In
Another chance for Kanye to flex his production skills. This is much more electronic. I want to dance but the vocals are harshing my jizz. I can't understand a word. Quit harshing my jizz, man!
Here I should say that I think my download was missing a few tracks, because it goes straight from 13 to 18. And now i see i don't have a track 8 either. Can anyone confirm if this is the case?
18. Two Words
This track is considerably more than two words. Ended up skipping it.
19. Through The Knowledge Of Those Who Observe Us
This track is similar to track 13, sort of disco-y. It's super uplifting. The choir is back. "Can you climb the highest mountain?" they sing to Kanye. This is the emotional denouement of the album. He can achieve anything.
20. Family Business
from Rafgenius: "You have read that Muad'Dib had no playmates his own age on Caladan. The dangers were too great. But Muad'Dib did have wonderful companion-teachers. There was Gurney Halleck, the troubadour-warrior. You will sing some of Gurney's songs as you read along in this book. There was Thufir Hawat, the old Mentat Master of Assassins, who struck fear even into the heart of the Padishah emperor. There were Duncan Idaho, the Swordmaster of the Ginaz; Dr Wellington Yueh, a name black in treachery but bright in knowledge; the Lady Jessica, who guided her son in the Bene Gesserit way, and -- of course -- the Duke Leto, whose qualities as a father have long been overlooked."
21. Closing Time
"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end / I know who I want to take me home" Clearly about meeting Kim Kardashian for the first time. What a lovely way to close the record.