Kanye West "Yeezus" [ADVANCE]

Speaking about the album's minimal promotion, West stated: "With this album, we ain't drop no single to radio. We ain't got no NBA campaign, nothing like that. Shit, we ain't even got no cover. We just made some real music." He spoke of radio play and said "But honestly, at this point, when I listen to radio, that ain't what I wanna be no more."

I was looking for a quote like that [source: Wiki] which would really sum up the feeling of just how quiet it's been on the Kanye front... even though he was on SNL, is always seen with Kim and has a new album dropping. He's doing things differently this time around and it's never more evident then when you're listening to it.

If you watched Kanye perform on SNL and heard the two new songs he did you might think this is a racially charged album. I certainly went in thinking it would be dark, angry and make a statement. It did that (and more) but race was only one conversation; religion had a place and even some present and past romances formed the crux of this album.

Musically, it's all over the place. Per the wiki quote, you can tell Kanye isn't trying for radio hits. There are a lot of uncommon song structures -- verse, hook, bridge, hook, verse -- and with that comes a myriad of musical changes sometimes happening multiple times per song. The beginning doesn't sound like the middle doesn't sound like the end. At times, it's hard to keep the melody and follow the flow and as a listener it can be disorientating.

You'll also hear any number of influences. One song goes all 808's & Heartbreak with its use of Auto-Tune. A couple songs feature Justin Vernon, who was all over My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. The first half of the record brings to mind Nine Inch Nails and Marilyn Manson. There's even some repeated use of screams throughout.

If I had to make a recommendation, the songs that stuck out to me are Hold My Liquor and Blood on the Leaves. Just know there were at least 6 songs I was considering here.

Concert Weekend

Tomorrow my girlfriend and I are going to see The Airborne Toxic Event play at the Orpheum. Then on Monday we are going to the Garden for Jay-Z and Kanye West. Amazingly, my girlfriend called into Kiss 108 and was the 20th caller, winning tickets to Watch The Throne.

I have only been to a handful of concerts with her but we have made our way around the Boston music scene. Bright Eyes, March 10, House of Blues; Neutral Uke Hotel, April 20, Brighton Music Hall; Death Cab for Cutie, August 1, Bank of America Pavilion. She's not from around here originally so I have to ensconce her into the different styles and vibes of each spot.

Am I the right man for the job? I'm not concert crazy but there was a 2-3 year period when I was going to 6-8 shows a year. And I'm not talking about a cover band at a bar or an acoustic guitar player on the subway platform I'm talking legitimate acts at known venues. Of course, I don't have my girlfriend's magical touch with phoning into radio contests so it was a pretty pricey exposition. I've had to cut back.

But this weekend is a throwback to the good ol' days. Back when music came first and everything else was secondary. That shit cray.