Edd’s MANtra: Kanye’s Komback

October 5, 2010Edward BowserEdd's MANtra, music0

Kanye West is certainly doing his best to remind us that he’s still alive.

He had to lay low for a few months after pissing off America’s sweetheart Taylor Swift but now he’s back in our faces 24/7, like the good old days.

And as long as he’s creating good music, I don’t mind.

Speaking of G.O.O.D. Music (Kanye’s management company, that is), along with his recent SNL and VMA appearances, every Friday Ye has leaked a new track to the Internet to promote his new album, which drops next month. Let’s look at a few of his G.O.O.D. Friday leaks:

“See Me Now,” featuring Beyonce and Charlie Wilson

– This might be a little too R&B-ish for some folks’ tastes, but it’s a nice feel-good track. Most notable contribution: Beyonce dropping the N-bomb.

Rating: Thumbs up

“Monster,” featuring Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Bon Iver and Nicki Minaj

– Not bad, but there is too much dead weight. No pun intended, Rawse. I would have preferred just Jay and Kanye here. Much ado has been made about Nicki Minaj’s verse and surprise, surprise, like everything she does it’s way overrated. I can’t even make out half of her verse.

Rating: Thumbs in the middle

“Power Remix,” featuring Jay-Z and Swizz Beatz

– Kanye has really improved as a rapper – he has no problem keeping up with Jay here. That says a lot since Jay is really feeling himself on this one.

Rating: Thumbs up

“Devil In A New Dress”

– My favorite of the series thus far. Kanye’s at his best when he’s soulful.

Rating: Thumbs up

“Runaway,” featuring Pusha T

– Ugh, the abomination from the VMAs. The finished version is a bit better than the live one but it’s still way too whiny, in that 808s & Heartbreaks way. Pusha couldn’t even save it.

Rating: Thumbs down

“Christian Dior Denim Flow,” featuring Kid Cudi, Pusha T, Lloyd Banks, Ryan Leslie and John Legend

– Not very remarkable, with the notable exception of Lloyd Banks’ verse. Cudi is another vastly overrated rapper.

Rating: Thumbs in the middle

“Lord, Lord, Lord,” featuring Mos Def, Swizz Beatz, Raekwon and Charlie Wilson

– Gotta love Charlie’s soulful old-man hook here. Perfect for a grouchy, grizzled rap fan like myself. But Swizz, as in all his contributions on these leaks, is totally useless. At least he’s consistent. Everyone else does just fine.

Rating: Thumbs up

“So Appalled,” featuring Jay-Z, Pusha T, Swizz Beatz, RZA and CyHi Da Prince

– Probably the most popular of the releases, and for good reason. It seems to lack cohesion (a common problem when you have a million guys on one track) but it’s easy to overlook that when everyone bring their A-game.

Rating: Thumbs up

“Lost In The World”

– This was an unauthorized leak, which of course sent ‘Ye into a tizzy. And despite the auto-tune I rather like it. Since it’s just in the chorus, it’s not very overpowering.

Rating: Thumbs up

“G.O.O.D. Friday” featuring Common, Kid Cudi, Pusha T, Charlie Wilson and Big Sean

– Reminds me of one of those Kanye/Common collaborations from ’05 or so. But it’s another example of too many cooks in the kitchen.

Thumbs in the middle

Most of the leaks have been pretty good. If Ye keeps this up, maybe his new album will be worth all the trouble.

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