You Are Only as Good as Your Current Negative Complaint

I once saw an interview with John Legend where he stated quite matter of factly that, "You are only as good as your current album." It doesn't take a genius to understand that he has pretty much hit the nail right on the head. This was surrounding the release of his second album "Once Again," which I assume garnered criticism for being a fraction as enjoyable as his first one (although still quite enjoyable). It should go without saying that he, as a musician was then equally as good, if not better than he was on his first major recording. The point being, in the eyes of the general public, your standing as a musician and artist is solidified by your most recent work.

For some reason people will not accept a similar album from an artist, as that would make them bland, recycling their own material. But the "music fans" also don't want anything vastly different, because...well, I don't know the because.

The most appropriate current example would be the new release of Kanye West's album "808s and Heartbreaks." Although I'm sure this will become a great success, there is substantial negative buzz about his use of Autotune, and his non willingness to rap.

I'm just going to say this for Mr. West; if there was ever a time for him to make a wacky Autotune-non-rap-pop-art album, it is now. Besides, in my humble and irrelevant opinion, Kanye's rapping is not his strong point. Not to mention that I personally have always been a subscriber to the world of synthesized voice; be it Zapp & Roger, Peter Frampton, ELO, Chromeo, T Pain, Lil Wayne. Less is more. It's true, admit it. And anyone who pretends to not enjoy robot voices is either lying or crazy.

Truth be told, I got the idea for this post after I started listening to the new Killers album, "Day & Age". I'm not gonna review it, cause I'm not done listening to it. But so far it's surprised me with its' new waveish, discoish sound.

It's times like these that I must remind myself that this album is not part 4 of a Killers rock opera, it is an entity on its own. For whatever reason they made it, and now it's available for us to enjoy. Not to slam it on the internet or dis it to our friends. It's necessary to give it more than one chance, and to listen to it for what it is, not for what it isn't.



Now, for your enjoyment. Here is Kanye on Conan O' Brian on Tuesday, Nov 25/2008. Towards the end of this video you will be rewarded with the gift of seeing Conan sing through autotune. You're welcome.