yeah, it's definitely this for me too. I don't know what it is about the delivery, but it just works, heh.

hmm, this is an interesting argument.. I have always thought Kanye should stick to producing and not rapping his own records, that is the main reason I stayed away from him until this album (and Stronger)

I never enjoyed his voice very much (along with Jay-z, lil Wayne, 50 cent and a few others) but I didn't seem to mind his rhymes so much on this album. I love this album for the producing and because it is one of the most creative and progressive album ever so far. I really think it will encourage more mainstream hip-hop artists to become more alternative which I seriously cannot wait until the game looks like that.

As for the lyrics, I will have to pay attention to them more on the next listen. Lyrics are always second to me behind the actual instruments and tune(singing and rhythm in rap count) so even if some of his rhymes are childish, it wouldn't ruin the album for me.

edit: creative flow is one of the things I look for most in rappers

I still haven't voted on the record. I think ultimately it's a hard call to make.

illuminati puppets make good albums

Worst verse of the entire album goes to Jay-Z:

This has done nothing but perpetuate the horrible interpretation I have of him already.

In general, while good on a musical level, this album says nothing that hasn't been said before. The music is actually stunning at points, I will give you that, and some couplets really hit home, but justifying it on a lyrical level is really not that easy. While it occasionally flourishes, much of its hype and love has to come from the music, and the delivery of the lyrics rather than what they're actually saying. That whole part of it can be great at times (title track, "Gorgeous", "Runaway"), and at other times I wanted to skip ahead ("Blame Game", "Hell of a Life").

Overall, it's good, but in terms of lyrical and emotional innovation it really does not budge. The music is actually quite expansive at times, though.

I'm not sure what's with all this discussion over his lyrics. He has always been weak in that area.

I agree with you on that part. I'm the same way, I'm more into the production and the arrangements then comes lyrics but I don't let the lyrics ruin what I'm hearing going on in the background. This goes for any music I listen to.

Lyrics are a big part of the genre; if he continues to be mediocre in that field it's not as though it's not worth mentioning.

What do you guys think about POWER's lyrics? The lyrics are the main reason why I love that song, even if it's entirely self-promotional. They're just so damn amusing.

I love everything about POWER. Lyrics included.

I think the lines

sum up Kayne exactly. Sure he's an egomaniac but it's impossible to ignore he's good.

yeah, the song in general pretty much defines badass