This is Kanye's victory lap. There isn't much groundbreaking or particularly insightful about this record, and Kanye himself admits as much. His most influential records remain TCD and 808s. What this record did do is it set the standard for studio quality and recording for a mainstream hip hop album. The mixing and production work is really spot-on and some of the best in his discrography. But overall, it is not one of his more influential or noteworthy records.

imo Kanye is a top 5 producer of all time but not a top 10 rapper.

The Production is Epic, In fact some of the greatest ever witnessed in Hip Hop, but my question is, Is Kanye a good rapper? Does he have bars? He definitely has things to say maybe not on all tracks (look All Of The Lights) but does he articulate those things in the best way possible? While in terms of production, beats and overall direction MBDTF is Kanye at his pinnacle but in terms of lyricism I would go as far as saying it's a step back from albums like The College Dropout and Late Registration. Not saying that the record is completely devoid of masterful writing, it has it's insightful, lyrical gems (read POWER, RUNAWAY, DEVIL IN A NEW DRESS) but at some points in this album Kanye's words are overshadowed by either arbitrary, nonsensical *party* lyrics or the guest features which makes you wonder can Kanye ever create a piece of work as masterful as MBDTF without added lyrical assistance of features. Yes, Ye was a step in that direction but we will be kidding ourselves if we say Ye is comparable to MBDTF in terms of overall greatness.

Fav. Tracks- Hell Of A Life, Power, Monster, Runaway
Least Fav. Tracks- All Of The Lights, Who Will Survive In America

The ultimate maximalist hip-hop statement. A modern classic filled to the brim with gems. Insulting that it isn't #1 for 2010 tbh.

Fav tracks: Dark Fantasy, Gorgeous, POWER, Monster, So Appaled, Devil In A New Dress, Runaway, Blame Game, Lost In The World

Least Fav Track: All Of The Lights

Top 3:
POWER / All Of The Lights / Monster
Other Highlights:
Everything except Blame Game

Lyrics, flow, beats, melodies, everything is so perfect on this album. A bit too perfect. I like to agree with Kanye that while this is a perfect synopsis of his capabilities, the most interesting stuff is on 808s and Yeezus. The album is a bit too safe is what I’m saying; the reason why it receives such widespread love from people inside and outside the hip hop niche. It does have its daring moments too, admittedly: on “Runaway” we are welcomed by (as far as I know) world’s first ‘guitar solo’ done with nothing more than vocals and literally all vocal processors known to mankind today. Certainly the best part of the album.

Timeless, epic, harrowing album. When listening to this album i feel bad for kanye yet jealous of him at the same time.

Kanye's KID A.

10/10

Top Tracks: "POWER", "Monster", "Runaway"