As a day-one West fan and avowed Christian, the prospect of a committed gospel album made me giddy.
My faith is gone. Jesus Is King is a disaster. Religion has always played an integral role in West’s art, but the tension between God and Satan is supplanted by imperious moral superiority and self-centered pettiness on Jesus Is King. To top it off, the production is uninspired. Only “Use This Gospel” and “God Is” contain glimmers of West’s genius. I would have vastly preferred a live recording of one of his occasionally inspiring Sunday Services.
As a zealous West fan since the release of “Through the Wire” in 2003, I’ve tolerated mountains of nonsense. I draw the line at mediocre music. West’s peace of mind is obviously more important than my selfish needs as a fan, but at least I’ll no longer run the risk of horrifying strangers with an extremely controversial take on music. West’s three-year artistic rut- and all the baggage that comes along with it- makes him the man who used to be my favorite artist.
---
I make weekly concert recommendations for The Kansas City Star.
---
I reviewed a concert by Stefon Harris and Blackout at Plastic Sax.
(Original image by There Stands the Glass.)
