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VH1 Storytellers
by
VH1 Storytellers Image
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 130 Ratings

  • Summary: The CD/DVD set features a performance from the VH1 Storytellers TV series after the release of "808's & Heartbreak."

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    100
    Whether singing or speaking, he does it all with a sort of messy, testifying fervor: There are many congregants in the Church of Kanye, but none so devout as the man himself.
  2. PopMatters
    80
    He may be the lead in the story he’s telling, but he’s always in the story; his VH1 Storytellers album powerfully reminds us that that is where he’s at his best.
  3. AllMusic
    60
    Like all the other installments in the series, this one makes a nice addition to a hardcore supporter’s collection.
  4. The A.V. Club
    50
    West’s performance, which focuses heavily on Heartbreak, seems to violate the entire spirit of Storytellers. He’s one of music’s great shit-talkers, but the rambling semi-stories here are disappointingly dull.
  5. Pitchfork
    49
    Those at this taping presumably got their money's worth, but other than the few excised morsels that leaked after the show (a long anti-Radiohead screed and a defense of Chris Brown's attack on Rihanna), we don't know what was cut. Alas, those who pick up this record get an abbreviated, neutered version.
  6. cokemachineglow
    40
    “Robocop” works on Storytellers too, proving that there are fleeting moments of emotional honesty beneath this steaming heap of artifice, a reason, for some puzzling reason and perhaps beyond all better judgment, to still find oneself interested in what this guy will do next.

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 6 out of 8
  1. Kyle_Peake
    Apr 18, 2020
    10
    It's great how Kanye not only sounds true to himself live but also has the backing set switching and delivers speech relevant to the songs...It's great how Kanye not only sounds true to himself live but also has the backing set switching and delivers speech relevant to the songs... any Kanye fan must have this for the collection!… Expand
  2. Rime
    Aug 14, 2011
    9
    I personally loved this album. It has a polished-yet-live feel. Kanye's chatting with the crowd is honest, albeit sometimes a little tooI personally loved this album. It has a polished-yet-live feel. Kanye's chatting with the crowd is honest, albeit sometimes a little too lengthy. The music flows from track to track. Personal favourite is the version of Touch The Sky. It's packed with energy and gives me chills, whereas the original version no longer can.… Expand
  4. MikeMulaney
    Nov 19, 2020
    1
    Generic music, nothing special, typical Kanye egomania top to bottom, not worth the time.
  5. DEWER
    Nov 28, 2010
    0
    When are we going to get rid of posers like KW? His sound was ok at first, but when you find out that its all written for him to pretend heWhen are we going to get rid of posers like KW? His sound was ok at first, but when you find out that its all written for him to pretend he feels it-then you also find out its the same old junky voice and junky acting that isnt real just someone who has almost no talent looking to ride on other artists coattails. He needs to go get a reasl job and stop trying to sing.… Expand
  6. mrghostyy
    Jan 23, 2020
    0
    horrible horriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorrible
  7. bushyforest
    Oct 23, 2020
    0
    The album brings nothing special, just another attempt to say something original without the power to follow through with it.
  8. JohnSnow41188
    Oct 2, 2020
    0
    Unoriginal work, it feels like Kanye was trying to hard but the results did not pay out.

See all 8 User Reviews