I have beef with Kanye West. He didn't steal my microphone, it's all about auto-tune. You see while I adored his generally unloved foray into synth pop 808s and Heartbreak, I am pretty sure it was partially responsible for taking auto-tune out of the hands of Cher's producers and alternative talents who knew what to do with it – and opening it to the pop populous. Auto-tune has now reached the unbearable stage where it's so mainstream you can't turn on the radio without your ears being assaulted by whiny artists with horrifically altered levels. So it was with a little disappointment that I launched into listening to the latest offering from Mr West, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, and noted a wee bit of auto-tune rearing its head. But it's not dominant. It actually kind of kills me to admit it but Mr West makes auto-tune sound good. I guess that's the mark of a truly talented musician and a lesson to the masses trying to make it work for their latest top 40 hit – give it up and leave it to the pros. In My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Kanye West proves that no matter how polarising he may be, he is a pure music genius. The sample and guest filled long player is fulsome and satisfying and fans who fell for him in the early days will be relieved at the depth of it, unless they are rap purists who don't like his brand of sing-rap, cause although there is some pure rap, it's also full of that sing-rap. The album features guests ranging from Kid Cudi and Jay Z to Bon Iver. In All Of The Lights he actually manages to cram in 11 artists, including Elton John, Alicia Keys and John Legend, with Rihanna belting out the chorus. For those who love the slow beats from West's early days, Devil in A New Dress feels like a throwback. Three of what are likely to be the most popular tracks come in a triple hit late in the album: the anthem-to-be lead single Runaway which features Pusha T, the ridiculously catchy Hell of a Life, and then the gorgeous Blame Game which borrows the honey-dripping voice of John Legend. The latter is a little ruined by Chris Rock doing some kinda stupid skit on the end of it. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is a mix of the many facets of Kanye West we have heard so far in his career which should have him nabbing some awards … and if not, well he can always steal the mic and claim one for himself anyway right? Jacqui Stanford - 28th November 2010