Quote
GMM
After your big words checka, I listened to about 1/3 of the album and it sounded pretty good. The word Epic didn't come to mind, but I might just pick it up...
You should pick it up GMM, you won't be sorry.
This is what I mean by "Epic".
Everything is epic about this 4LP album. (the album in general, regardless of format.)
Check the over-the-top packaging...
Tri-Fold Gatefold Cover with replaceable front cover artwork by George Condo.
...here's 2 of the 4 LPs (180 Gram Bass Friendly Wax)
...24"x24" poster of artwork on one side, Kanye and his lyrics for all the songs on the other side.
the 12" picture disc of his dope track "Power" (sold separately) which by the way samples the previously unsampleable art rock band King Crimson.
(one of my favorite bands btw)
Tracklist
A1 Dark Fantasy
Vocals [Additional] – Amber Rose (3), Teyana Taylor
Producer [Additional] – Jeff Bhasker, Mike Dean (2)
Backing Vocals – Justin Vernon, Nicki Minaj
Producer – No I.D., RZA, The*
4:40
A2 Gorgeous
Featuring – Kid CuDi, Raekwon
Backing Vocals – Tony Williams (3)
Producer – Mike Dean (2), No I.D.
5:57
B1 Power
Vocals [Additional] – Dwele
Vocals [Chant] – Alvin Fields, Ken Lewis
Producer [Additional] – Jeff Bhasker, Mike Dean (2)
Other [Handclaps] – Chris Soper, Ian Allan, Uri Djemal, Wilson Christopher
Producer – S1*
4:52
B2 All Of The Lights (Interlude) 1:02
B3 All Of The Lights
Piano – Elton John
Vocals [Additional] – Alicia Keys, Alvin Fields, Charlie Wilson, Drake, Elly Jackson, Elton John, Fergie (2), John Legend, Ken Lewis, Kid CuDi, Rihanna, Ryan Leslie, Tony Williams (3)
Co-producer – Jeff Bhasker
4:59
C1 Monster
Featuring – Bon Iver, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross
Producer [Additional] – Mike Dean (2), Plain Pat
6:18
D1 So Appalled
Featuring – Prince Cy Hi*, Jay-Z, Pusha T, RZA, The*, Swizz Beatz
Producer – No I.D.
Co-producer – Mike Dean (2)
6:38
D2 Devil In A New Dress
Featuring – Rick Ross
Producer [Additional] – Mike Dean (2)
Producer – Bink!
5:52
E1 Runaway
Featuring – Pusha T
Vocals [Additional] – The-Dream*
Backing Vocals – Tony Williams (3)
Co-producer – Emile (2), Jeff Bhasker, Mike Dean (2)
9:08
E2 Hell Of A Life
Vocals [Additional] – The-Dream*, Teyana Taylor
Co-producer – Mike Caren, Mike Dean (2), No I.D.
5:27
F1 Blame Game
Featuring – John Legend
Vocals [Additional] – Chris Rock, Salma Kenas
Producer [Additional] – Mike Dean (2)
Producer – DJ Frank E*
7:49
F2 Lost In The World
Featuring – Bon Iver
Vocals [Additional] – Alicia Keys, Charlie Wilson, Elly Jackson, Kay Fox, Tony Williams (3)
Vocals [Chant] – Alvin Fields, Ken Lewis
Co-producer – Jeff Bhasker, Mike Dean (2)
4:16
F3 Who Will Survive In America
Vocals [Chant] – Alvin Fields, Ken Lewis
Vocals [Additional] – Alicia Keys, Charlie Wilson, Elly Jackson, Justin Vernon, Kay Fox, Tony Williams (3)
Co-producer – Jeff Bhasker, Mike Dean (2)
1:38
^I mean look at that. You can't help but notice the plethora of guest artists. Even my home town's own Bon Iver collaborates on this epic-ass excursion from the Hip Hop albums being dropped nowadays. The production is thick as molasses but it's top quality from track to track.
...Now I don't like Nicki Minaj for the most part, but she absolutely kills it on this bass heavy bouncy track featuring herself, Jay-Z, and Rick Ross...
Listen to her surprisingly sharp verse on "Monster", I recorded it last night...
The last thing I'll add about this album is that it's maybe a little too over the top. The packaging is hard to deal with, I like the idea, but it's not practical to pull out the records and listen to them without pulling out tons of artwork first. The gatefold and LPs are so heavy that it's already getting wear and tear just from a few listens. I'm going to put each disc in a plain white cover so I can easily get to them without scratching them because I plan on enjoying this one for a long time.
Did I mention I'm not really a Kanye West kind of guy? This one might change my mind though.
“Lesser artists borrow... great artists steal.” - Igor Stravinsky
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