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Post by Live Your Life on Jun 9, 2018 12:41:34 GMT -5
This album was released 20 years ago today. It's such a slick set of songs. What a breakthrough for Rodney Jerkins. Brandy cites this album as her favorite. AllMusic gave the album 3.5/5 stars:
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2018 13:20:19 GMT -5
One of my faves front to back, by anyone. All the stars aligned for this one.
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Ling-Ling
Diamond Member
Kill Kill Kill Kill! Die Die Die!
Joined: September 2003
Posts: 13,432
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Post by Ling-Ling on Jun 9, 2018 14:22:27 GMT -5
Sweet Jesus, this is 20 years old? I feel so goddamn old.
Anyway, she's had stronger albums, but this is undeniable. Such a step forward and it was so cool and self-assured. It's not my favorite album of hers vocally, I like her when she's more emotive, but the chill, laidback vocals really work here. "Angel In Disguise" is a killer album opener, I wish it had been given a full-on single push. It's one of those Brandy cuts that everyone seems to love. "The Boy Is Mine" remains classic, I've always loved how dramatic the subject matter is, but how cool and collected the production and the vocals are. That instrumental still sounds like a million bucks. "Almost Doesn't Count" is a masterpiece, so classic sounding and should have been way bigger. I think it's one of those songs that's going to have a super long shelf-life. "Top Of The World" remains a jam, that groove is so deep and having Mase on it gives it that little wink of nostalgia. "Have You Ever," YES, Bran Bran gets her huge 90's ballad moment, still love that song. "Put That On Everything" is my favorite album cut ballad. Just smooth. "Happy" is too cute, JAM. And I think "Tomorrow" is so pretty, would have made the perfect album closer.
I do have a few quibbles with it, the cover of "Everthing I Do" is so unnecessary and she could have dropped one or two of the other ballads (I usually skip "Truthfully" and "One Voice"). The production on "Never Say Never" and "Learn The Hard Way" is waaaaay too similar. Although I like both songs a lot, it's always kind of bugged me. And while I do like the album version of "U Don't Know Me," the single remix absolutely annihilates it, I prefer that version.
But all in all, great album. She remains one of my favorite R&B artists of the past 30 years.
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2018 14:35:51 GMT -5
And while I do like the album version of "U Don't Know Me," the single remix absolutely annihilates it, I prefer that version. I had the hardest time deciding which version to include in my 90s singles playlist awhile back. The remix is massive, for sure, but I was already so attached to the album version by the time it came out. I ended up going with the album version. I prefer the traditional structure of it over the rap intro into the chorus into the verse. But that remix instrumental tho...
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Post by π―π² lucy88 π―π² on Jun 10, 2018 12:40:23 GMT -5
My ABSOLUTE fave, quintessential album from Brandy!!! And one of my fave albums from the 90s ever!!!
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Zinc.
5x Platinum Member
Joined: January 2007
Posts: 5,418
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Post by Zinc. on Oct 6, 2018 16:57:44 GMT -5
Great sophomore album from Ms. Norwood.
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Post by π―π² lucy88 π―π² on Sept 1, 2020 23:20:22 GMT -5
Apple Music's "Top 40 R&B & Soul Albums" #4 (re-entry)
This whole album was a whole vibe in itself. Love it!
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Post by π―π² lucy88 π―π² on Jun 9, 2023 8:31:39 GMT -5
Damn...can we just go back to 1998, already!??! This anniversary is making me feel SUPER nostalgic right now. I'm in tears π’π’π’ I was 10 when this came out. I really miss life and the way things were back then. πͺ When things were just so simple.
I remember seeing The Boy Is Mine, Have You Ever, and Top of The World videos on Vh-1.
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Zinc.
5x Platinum Member
Joined: January 2007
Posts: 5,418
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Post by Zinc. on Jun 9, 2023 12:45:29 GMT -5
Happy Anniversary!
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Post by π―π² lucy88 π―π² on Jun 13, 2023 6:59:47 GMT -5
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Post by ogletree8701 on Dec 10, 2023 22:03:19 GMT -5
I love this album! This album created so many memories of my youth. This album influenced an entire generation.
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