From her television debut (as far as I know, anyway) on Thea to now, I can honestly say that I've been a big fan of Brandy's the whole way. Granted, I've never bought a single album of hers, but I've admired her, her music and her acting abilities. I Still Know What You Did Last Summer aside. Being that we're somewhat close in age, I've also been able to not only observe her mature and transform from a teenager to a woman and mother, but I've been able to grow up with her.
...aaaaaaaand that'll be enough of that sentimental stuff for now.
Okay. Afrodisiac.
All in all, I'm not sure what to really think of this album yet. To have some people tell it, this is Brandy's most honest and personal album yet. Which may sound right, if not for the fact that she wrote NONE of it. I guess if Res can get away with it, so can Brandy. But, if you can get past that (which I can, by not taking ANY of the lyrics seriously), you'll find that there are some really good songs to be found.
There are also a few Aaliyah references. Almost to the point of it being kinda creepy. Creepy because not only is she referenced a few times, and not only is Brandy working with her main producer and songwriters, but she even sounds like the girl in a few spots. Let the poor girl rest.
Who I Am is, I assume, about Brandy's ex-husband, Robert Smith. It draws you in with some thumping bass and the lyrics keep you interested. Warryn Campbell produced the track, and it's one of the most bangin' songs I've heard from him in a while. Almost as good as Angie Stone's My Man. Which reminds me, I need to review "Stone Love" next.
Next is the title track. And the name is indicative of how good a song it is. It is INFECTIOUS. Playful lyrics, and sounds strangely similar to something Rodney Jerkins would have probably contributed had he been included in this project. It's one of the more pop-sounding songs on the album, but it works.
Who Is She 2 U isn't too convincing. For some reason, I just don't buy Brandy getting angry in a song. Blame it on her image, I don't know. But, anywho, the music is NO JOKE on this song. It is crazy hot. It starts off sounding a little too similar to Aaliyah's Try It Again, but once it gets underway, it's pure Soul music, only a little more danceable.
Talk About Our Love is another blend of Soul music (courtesy of a sample from something, I just know it) and Hip-Hop. In the tradition of other producers who happen to be rappers as well, Kanye West makes an appearance. Kanye just hasn't really impressed me as a rapper. He's a great producer and all, don't get me wrong. But, he sucks as a rapper. I like the reference to In Living Color, though. Wonder if anyone else caught that.
I Tried is a little different, to say the least. Originally called "Coldplay", and even featuring some lyrics from a song of theirs, all while an Iron Maiden samples blares in the background. Different, indeed. Brandy discusses being cheated on, the pain it caused, and how she tried to look past her cheatin'-a** man. Now this one seems more believable for some reason.
The next song that caught my attention was Focus. I can't even tell what she's singing. I would assume it would be about sex, seeing as how the music and her vocal delivery scream "Bedroom. NOW!" But, no, it's one of them ol' relationship-gone-wrong songs again. I think someone needs to book an appearance on Oprah to get all this hurt out of her system.
Sadiddy is classic Timbaland. No frills, just a hot beat to dance to. I think I'm one of the few people who has heard the word "sadiddy" used before this song, so I knew exactly what it's about. Basically, she's saying she's not stuck up or arrogant. That's nice. But, it seems like she's saying the same thing over and over. We got it in the first verse. Although the beat is hot, it gets kinda tired about two minutes into the song.
Turn It Up is good if you understand what was trying to be achieved with it. It is supposed to be reminiscent of 90s R&B/Hip-Hop. Personally, I thought Timbaland did a decent job with it. It may sound like something he had in his basement that he dusted off, but I think that's intentional, and I can't hold that against him given that it's SUPPOSED to have that feel. And then there was DJ Clue. This man can take a perfectly good song and holler all over it, totally messing it up. This one is no exception.
Say You Will is one of the few songs on the album that I like because of the vocals moreso than the music accompanying them. It's a shame, because although this song is good, it could be MUCH better. A little more work would have went a long way with this one.The music doesn't really go anywhere. If you listen to the vocal arrangements, it sounds like an 80s Rock/Pop song. A GOOD 80s Rock/Pop song. I'm waiting for a country artist to give this song a remake with some new lyrics. Even with all that, it's still one of the standout moments on the album.
What has to be my hands-down favorite song on this album is Finally. Take out Timbaland shouting in the beginning, and you have an amazing song that is by far the best the album has to offer. This is the most heartfelt, honest, sincere of the songs on the album. Coincidentally, it's the only one Brandy had a hand in writing. It definitely marks Brandy's growth as a person. Yes, it kinda talks about a relationship going wrong again. But, instead it becomes more about her resilience and strength as a person and her ability to look to the past for inspiration, while reveling in the joy that her life contains in the present. I may be getting a little too deep, but that is the kind of song this is. And the music is just as good, with soaring synthesizers and a booming bass that is more triumphant than danceable. I like it. A lot.
The album closes with Should I Go. Yes, it sounds like something you've heard before. She samples Clocks by my favorite British band next to the Brand New Heavies, Coldplay. Wait, a mainstream R&B album with not one, but TWO references to Coldplay? I know.
It would be better if the words Brandy was singing in this song were her own, but they're not. And I can't help but not be as moved by this song as I would be if she actually did write it. It's a moment of self-reflection, and Brandy gives up hints that even though she's still young, things have changed, and making music isn't as fun as it used to be for her.
All in all, Afrodisiac is a good album. I'm sure that Brandy has gone through many of the things that she sings about on this album and that if she didn't write the songs, she at least had some creative input. Even with that said, it would have made the album that much more inviting and personal had she done that. I did enjoy the album, although I can't only take it but so seriously.
Afrodisiac is sensuous, soulful, even a little gritty, an album that showcases Brandy s passionate voice and announces in no uncertain terms that she ...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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