Just when I was wishing hip-hop would get T-Pain’s annoying signature sound off of the air waves, Kanye West released an album with 12 songs based on use of the cliché vocoder.

A year after his mother’s death, a bad break-up with his fiancée and becoming subject of media scrutiny, West had plenty of inspiration behind “808s & Heartbreak.” West boldly decided to completely reinvent his sound into electro-pop.

Rapping over his typical brand of brilliant sampling and hip-hop beats couldn’t convey this emotional time in his life. Using the Roland TR-808 drum machine and simple instrumentation, West accomplishes his intention to pour out his heart and show his troubles.

No wonder he uses the African tribal dancers in his video for the first single, “Love Lockdown” – that’s exactly what the drum beats imitate in most of the tracks.

Some of the songs grab listeners’ attention immediately, like the throbbing “Amazing” assisted by Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy. Even through his sentimental journey, West reminds you that he is still the arrogant celebrity that knows he’s on top.

Lyrically, his second single, “Heartless,” and the sobering “Street Lights” are the best written songs on the album. The gloomy tracks are placed over dinky keyboard cords and pulsating drum patterns.

They give you insight into West’s fragile state of mind and don’t fall flat compared to “Bad News” or the poorly freestyled “Pinocchio Story.”

The album’s most upbeat track, “Paranoid” is probably my favorite. The 1980s throwback has a catchy chorus and is the only obvious bit of fun on the album. He tries to convey that same concept for “Robocop,” but the over-possessive woman concept is so cynical, I can’t enjoy it as much.

Even Lil’ Wayne couldn’t save the lackluster in “See You in My Nightmares.”

Overall, I missed West’s rapping and his ability to move you in his oldies like, “All Falls Down,” “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” or “Two Words.” “808s & Heartbreak” displays some of his best work, and maybe some of his worst.