Chris Brown serves up a fine album which bodes well despite the lack of similar tracks to his hit single "Run It!".
Chris seems aware of his audience and never strays far from what a teenage girl would like to hear - which is probably its worst quality. From listening to it just once through you get the impression that Chris is around purely to make money. All the right moves are quickly put in place with the inlay design geared heavily to love-sick teens with Chris smiling, Chris pouting, Chris looking sexy etc.
I personally quite like the album. Over the past few years R&B has seen a decline and Chris is one of many artists gaining ground and coming back strong. Although overshadowed by better singers and better production Chris gets it right more often than not. With the classic mix of smooth, slow and mid-tempo R&B gold you can hardly say it's not good. Yet good it may well be but excellent it certainly is not.
The album has problems. First of all the lyrics are bland at best. Yes we all know you like girls but have you got anything else to sing about? No? The lack of variety within the words are its selling point but from a creative perspective - its worst point.
The production comes from all over the country (no doubt bribed with plenty of cash). Chris from his production team alone lets us know he's big and he's here to stay. A clear indication of the massive amounts of money pumped into this 16 year olds career - a shame when great new artists with great first albums sell barely anything i.e. Keisha White, Gemma Fox.
I grew to like this album over a period of time. Very disappointed initially but you (sort of) fall for that adolescent charm and end up embracing this young one's ambition.
You have the massive hit single "Run It!" storming the beginning of the album and followed by the second single "Yo' Excuse me Miss!" which slides th album into its general direction. Take this song as the album's feel and you won't be disappointed. I bought it straight after hearing "Run It!" and got a shock.
Recommended but I would check out the scene before investing.
I give it a 3.5 but I've rounded it up (genorously).
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Advantages: Good variety of tracks, Reminds me of Usher in the early days! Disadvantages: I love this album although near the end it gets a bit boring!
Advantages: Good variety of tracks, Reminds me of Usher in the early days! Disadvantages: I love this album although near the end it gets a bit boring!
May 22nd, 2006
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