It's impossible for me to experience these fresh, given I know lyrics to so many entire songs. But there was some freshness ("Homecoming" is about Chicago the whole time!!). I hadn't listened deeply to these albums since middle school or high school, just a few tracks on and off. They remind me how down-to-earth Kanye once was. Still, even in the few years between these two, I feel like I can hear the fame softening and corrupting his verses. But his mother's death is probably the turning point, seen in 808s. As far as I recall, Graduation were his last consistently solid verses. Well, what about MBDTF? It's really hard for me to compare all these albums, since I grew up with them, and haven't marathoned them all. People love MBDTF. I don't think I did. I'm not sure I have the stamina to marathon them all. Nor do I need to be a Kanye scholar. But it is tempting...
Indeed I'm mostly in this to connect with my past selves. I grew up with him. Listening back, I can see why I liked it. Unfortunately he went a little off-the-rails and his quality foundered, so I haven't kept up with him closely, and his current output doesn't match my current taste very well. But I'll always be interested in him, I think, and I'll always have that first handful of albums.
I've only heard Late Registration thoroughly once since high school, but hearing College Dropout and Graduation now, it aligns in theory that it would be a peak for me. College Dropout seems gritty and honest but a little unpolished; Graduation seems a little too polished and privileged; Late Registration, I think, splits the difference. Graduation is a little too glossy, but I love it. I'd love to see it live, perhaps as much as any album from anybody. It's still grounded Kanye, but thoroughly famous.
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