The bloated thing also pisses me off. Not because it isn't true (maybe the album would be better if it were tighter, I don't know), but because not a single review is distinguishing the album proper (the first 23 tracks) from the bonus tracks. That's ridiculous and quite frankly never how it worked in criticism in the 90s or 2000s. When a classic album re-releases and has bonus tracks attached, are those suddenly part of the album? No! Bonus tracks are bonus tracks. These critics are acting as though Kanye is forcing them to listen to a 108 minute album when it's really only 85 minutes. They're weirdly upset that there's a few extra songs to listen to when in fact it's just a generous offering to the fans (and another behind the scenes reflection of the abundance of material he was working with) that should not affect how you review the actual album.

I hope so, but Allmusic has such a rocky track record with Kanye.

What Slant gets about Kanye is what few other publications are willing to: you have to put yourself in his shoes, inside his dichotomy and examine the ongoing struggle. Few are willing to do this for reasons ranging from his wealth to his ego to his embrace of religion (which most are cynical about), but in my opinion it's the only way to grasp what he's going for over the last several albums. And it's certainly not a black and white thing, and many can't handle the messy contradictions that are the cornerstone of life. And especially right now, everyone wants to see growth, justice, etc.

I also wonder how much the indirect path that Donda takes has influenced the negative reviews. It's not like the thing is often directly about his mother. It's more oblique and complex than that.

Exposed yourself saying Scorpion has plenty of duds.

You misread

Agreed

No cap if they didn't do any part 2s and dropped it as it was it would be an 8/10 or higher to all critics

TLOP was 20 tracks ffs

Rolling Stone magazine’s review means nothing. They’re not a music magazine anymore; they’re a political propaganda rag.

Donda could have had a guest verse from Jesus Christ, himself, and critics would have used some cringe quote like “Jesus’ verse not not so heavenly”. 🙄 They just hate that Kanye refuses to fall in line with their societal views and bullshit.

I don't get what your prob is tbh. People are loving the album what's wrong with that?

I think it's a similar album to TLOP in terms of its strengths and flaws and so far I'm liking it more. There's a lot of tracks on Pablo I don't f*** with. There are some demo type sounding verses from Ye on here that's def a big negative. But I just enjoy a lot of the songs a lot man.

In terms of reviews like sales they are a weapon that stans like to utilise when it suits them. But at the end of the day for the most part it's white reviewers reviewing something that isn't for them. Say for example, Drake and Future's metacritic scores are obviously completely irrelevant to their place in the culture.

I feel like Yeezus was the last album Kanye cared about critical reception. Donda is Kanye making the s*** he wants to make with no f***s

Surprisingly Joe Budden praised the hell out of this album and said it was a “masterpiece”

seems they’re at least taking their time

Easily the most surprising thing

Reviews don’t matter and the sales don’t matter. I like the music that’s all that matters. Grow up kids no need to cling to this meaningless s***.

Also we get a Drake album friday? Hip Hop eating nigga

The fact that this album is getting these reviews when TLOP got nothing but praise. Shows it's all about agendas.

I remember I said at the time aint no way TLOP is a 9.5. And now I'm like aint no way Donda is a 6. They're both 7-8 range projects. But now it's cool to hate on Ye when it wasn't then.

This proves perfectly how music critics have no credibility in 2021. Like anything else in today's world/culture you gotta judge the person and their politics and where they align with falling in line above all else and above their actual art that you are supposed to be reviewing.

Nothing but a bunch of clowns running around like they got taste when really they are misplaced and should be making balloon animals at some kid's birthday party.

Yeah like an 8 imo. 9 is like yeezus. 10 like mbdtf

I’m so glad I stopped giving a s*** what these dweebs rate hip hop albums

Don't a mental health check. Ya'll good?

This motherfucker really cited Charlamagne the Lesser Charge as a credible source. Go wash your vag out with dish detergent. Get your monkey ass outta here.

I actually agree with you on critics not mattering. However Kanye stans were always the ones talking about critics and using that s*** to bash others music like with Drake. So now it’s funny to see the U turn,

They’re also just being plain delusional with this “every single critic is giving it a bad score because the controversial names associated” nonsense. This album is nearly 2 hours and a good 1 hour is filler. There’s no way in any reality this s*** deserved nice acclaim. Especially once you factor in the massive hype — the same ones saying Views/Scorpion were just barely decent but disappointing because the massive hype are now hush with this. We sat through weeks of concerts and teasing for this s*** that isn’t even a top 7 Kanye album.

Welp, Kanye was hella poppin and ppl liked him during the TLOP era lol only difference

But bro it's all just fan behaviour it's pretty meaningless. I've seen Drake fans react the same to bad reviews on here. Like in this case I'm sure not all of those reviews were completely off base but if you like the album obviously you just value the positives a lot more than any negative

Would you not admit though that it will be more difficult for Kanye to get a good review now than it would be him coming off the very well received MBDTF/Yeezus?

If Ye released TLOP at this period of his career, it would get worse reviews than it did in 2016. Do you not agree? I think negative aspects of Yeezus would be focused on a lot more too and it wouldn't be hyped the same way. And yeah this is partly because these writers dislike him now compared to then.

Fantano

I think he gave my favorite album of all time (and a perfect album) “22, A Million” a 5 so I’m not mad about it.

review is ok (much better than many others) but Donda worse than Ye and KSG? Not on my list.

Ye's consistency is mediocrity and one giant great track (Ghost Town) imo.