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“Fallin’ Down” – Chris Brown
On December 8, 2009, Chris Brown will release his highly anticipated album, “Graffiti”, which I’m sure the “dedicated” fans of his can appreciate. The album has a VERY “tacky but shady apologetic” theme throughout. One can’t blame him for being sorry, but it’s a bit much to be doing song after song. I feel he made the wrong decision when trying to go the Rihanna route about addressing the issues between them two.
One thing he did NOT do that she did was to make a COHESIVE “tell all” album! He is really all over the place with this album. Brown is said to have written about 80% of the songs on “Graffiti”, so these are mostly his words and not those of other producers and songwriters.
In his own defense, he stated that he wants to move past this and go on with his life. Maybe this is his way of doing it, but most of Brown’s songs say otherwise. He’s expressively harsh, conflicting and cynical and shows no signs of apologetic ex lover.
I will admit that “Graffiti” has some songs that from a musical standpoint I like; “I Can Transform Ya (ft Lil Wayne & Swizz Beatz)”, “Pass Out (ft Eva Simons)”, “Fallin’ Down”, “Movie”, and “Chase Our Love”. Most of the songs on his album, besides the ones listed, aren’t worth mentioning as they are filled with overly apologetic clichés and/or shady lyrics.
“I Can Transform Ya (ft Lil Wayne & Swizz Beatz)”
Brown’s lead single, written, and featuring Swizz Beats along with Lil Wayne. The thick beat is contagious and makes you move. The drums are constant for the duration of the song, and don’t slow down during the chorus. This is one of the better songs on the album as it has no relation to half concocted apologies or a hidden underlining of shade.
“Pass Out (ft Eva Simons)”
This song gives a bit of “Disturbia” and “Forever” smashed into one song. It features Eva Simons an up and coming singer from the U.K. and is produced by Brian Kennedy. It’s an up tempo dance track that warrants the body to the dance floor. “Pass Out’s” Pop/Dance feel will be a major hit Europe and clubs alike worldwide.
“Fallin’ Down”
On “Fallin’ Down”, Brown sings about him trying to maintain the real CB, his pride, and ego while living in this cruel world. He sings “….I’ve given up everything in exchange for being alone. I’m Shaking these demons underneath all the pride… Can you imagine the weight of the world, placed on your shoulders? Trapped in this world, no one can reach you, so no one can help you!” This song has the best lyrical content and delivery to me on the whole album. Shoutouts to producer Charlie Bereal for this one.
“Movie”
“Movie” is a part of the deluxe edition bonus disc of “Graffiti”; this song sampled the piano from Janet Jackson’s song “Again”. The Jevon Hill produced track gives the perfect scene; the actors, the wardrobe, the script, and everything in between as Brown gives intimate details of a hot erotic night with a suspecting lover. The slow tempo song has the right mixture of current production beats but keeps it very classic, old school R&B. If you listen closely, you can hear Brown pay homage to New Edition’s song “Can You Stand The Rain”.
“Chase Our Love”
Here is another deluxe edition bonus disc track. Produced and written by Chris Brown, along with Jean Baptiste, Michael McHenry, Nick Marsh & Ryan Buendia, this song is a very fun mid-tempo dance track. It nestled in futuristic beats, heavy snares, and synthesizers. It’s it giving me a summer track vibe. I can picture it now, Brown in a video with his boo on the passenger side of his ride, laughing and having a grand old time. There is nothing like a happy love song; riding high and in love.
Unfortunately, Chris Brown’s album isn’t as cohesive as my playlist of favorite songs. The damaging incident between Rihanna and himself will out rule the work he put into this album. Although I’m not a fan of this album, I do believe it was a great attempt by Brown to put his emotions and feelings into music.
Jake Jacobs VI
Twitter.com/JakeJacobsVI
Nice review. I too think that most of the album is full of apologies and all over the place. Looks really bad on his part. I understand your picks of your favorite songs too. They are more or less the better songs on his album. Too bad he didnt portray most of his album based off of these songs.
Though I would agree on alot of what was said, I’d like to chime in and show a different side of love and break ups. Firstly anyone who have experienced love would know it’s hard to shake the person despite of how much you’re saying you’re over them. I think both of them are hurting and for Chris Brown to express his feeling like that in his music to me it’s normal, everybody going through a break does it… they express what they’re feeling in some way, he’s just under the microscope because he’s a popular artist but let’s not forget that he’s human.
Secondly I totally agree that most his songs seem to be directed to Rihanna and to me that show he’s not over her by a long shot… and wishes he had done things differently, but I rated his album atleast 8 out of 10. Maybe this is really his way of really getting over her, because even though songs like SO COLD, FAMOUS GIRL, I’LL GO and CRAWL are in your words “VERY tacky but shady apologetic”, atleast his expressing how he feels plus remember a song writer, poet or whoever is being crafty by expressing themselves through music or poems… are saying things that most listener have wanted to say in many situations but couldn’t find the words to express themselves. So hearing songs like “SO COLD and CRAWL” I’m sure there’s alot of persons out there who can relate to them and find nothing wrong with it or would even say they’re looking at it as his apology to Rihanna, because all they’re hearing the things they wanted to say to someone they lost.
And lastly, I respect your opinions as it is your right to free speech and alot of readers to this article will agree with you aswell… and that I can respect but I think the song LUCKY ME prolly explains why he may come of as shady, even though he’s hurting inside and would like to get away from all the drama his job is to perform and be “CHRIS BROWN” for his die hard fans. I just want you or your readers to see things from a different perspective.
I’ve done some song writing and pursued a career as an artist who actually perform and had a small fan base in my youthful days, and no matter what I was going through I had to be “DANI G.” for the fans. Lose your swag – Lose your fans.
P.S.: Just wanted to add that I happen to be a HUGE Rihanna fan, and I like them both as artist. Would like to see them move past this and reunite.
Damn, Danny(^^^) went in! Yeah, the album is okay, but I think he needs to find his way back to that R&B sound that’s not so tainted with Electronic sound and apologetic outcries that are somewhat devoid of heart. It’s okay to make an “I’m sorry” R&B album, look at how well Usher did with Confessions. That whole album was about Chilli. But Chris Breezy needs some better arranger and I think he needs to try and grow his sound up some. Maybe he needs to get with some of the industry vets who have been writing those sad love songs that pull on your heart, i.e. Babyface, Brian McKnight, etc. Who knows. But his album didn’t do too bad on the Billboards for its first week sales. He debuted at #7. I’m personally rooting for him just because I feel like one domestic abuse ruling shouldn’t ruin all that he’s given the industry in terms of Entertainment. I was outraged when they wouldn’t let this man perform for the Michael Jackson Funeral, Dedication. Nothing. I couldn’t think of anyone more perfect for such a thing, but I guess that’s the price you have to pay for fame. People build you up so high to tear you down all the way low. You’ll get your mojo back in the end. Keep your head up @MechanicalDummy and don’t let one bad album or one bad court case ruin your career.
Chris Brown makes the best hip-hop and r&b music today. i have a full collection of all the albums of Chris Brown in my home. It is too bad that his relationship with Rihanna did not work out well.
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