daPrettyman said:

I'd agree Maxwell is not a music machine. I don't think there is anything wrong with that.
His first album actually sat on the shelf for a couple of years before the release and got a lukewarm public reception. It had to grow on folks too. "Now" was the only project that debuted high, at number one actually...
[Edited 7/8/09 16:57pm]

musicman said:

DITTO on what you said. He has 2 more disc coming out....GEESH!!!!!

daPrettyman said:

Aww C'mon man, you knew what I meant..Classic=typical and also we'll agree to disagree. thats what these forums are for..I cant make u like the album and nor will I or anyone else try to..

SavonOsco said:

I knew what you meant. The "classic" got me.

I love it! such a great album....brings back memories...I gave my Good N Plentys many times to his other 3 albums...

daPrettyman said:

U are being KIND.

Graycap23 said:

I love this CD but are the next 2 really gonna come out.
I hope this aint no New Amerykah shit.

I don't think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread, but it's a very well put together album.

It's a grower, for sure.

I love how visual his music is.

Billboard.biz:

Maxwell Headed For Big Billboard Chart Debut
July 09, 2009 - Retail | RB Hip-Hop

By Keith Caulfield, L.A.

Maxwell's first album in nearly eight years, "BLACKsummers'night," is headed for a big debut next week on the Billboard 200 chart. Industry insiders suggest the Columbia set could move anything between 275,000 to 325,000 in its first week. The R&B singer's last offering, 2001's "Now," opened at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with a career-high 296,000 copies sold according to Nielsen SoundScan.

"BLACKsummers'night" may not end up being the top selling album of the week, however. Interest in all things Michael Jackson continues and the big question mark is whether the King of Pop's hits compilation "Number Ones" will continue to do boffo business. It would be surprising if the Epic effort sold near the 339,000 that it moved last week. However, sales were reportedly very brisk on Tuesday (July 7) -- the day of Jackson's memorial service.

The week's other big new release, the "Hannah Montana 3" TV soundtrack, looks like it may rake in between 100,000-125,000 in sales by week's end on Sunday (July 12). Earlier this year, the "Hannah Montana: The Movie" film soundtrack started at No. 2 with 139,000. The first two "Hannah" TV soundtracks both reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 back in 2006 and 2007, respectively.

One more new album looks like it could make a top 10 entrance on the Billboard 200 next week: All Time Low's third studio set "Nothing Personal." The album may start with sales between 60,000 to 75,000. The Hopeless Records' band took its last album, "So Wrong, It's Right," to No. 62 back in 2007.

Nielsen SoundScan's sales tracking week, as reflected in the Billboard 200 chart, runs from Monday through Sunday. Next week's Billboard 200 chart will be released in the morning of Wednesday, July 15, and will reflect data through the week ending Sunday, July 12.

Thibaut said:

That's the same thing I was saying!

My initial thoughts about the album were that it was rather weak as well, but it's grown on me with more listens. It doesn't stack up to Urban Hang Suite or Embrya, but it's still an enjoyable album. I hope the next two installations of the trilogy are better records.

Before the release of this album, I actually listened to the leak and it took me awhile to get accustomed to some of the songs because it's not an easy listen really. Some of these songs have a little bit of that alternative rock edge that distracted me, but it grew on me with more listens and patience. I think that 'Bad Habits' has to be one of Maxwell's best album openers ever because it puts the listener in the mood of the album and 'Cold' just really gets someone up and moving. Even though it never reachs the heights of Embrya and Urban Hang Suite, it's still an excellent work because it has that conceptual magic, the engrossing production, grooves and musicianship, and the silky smooth voice of Maxwell. It's not perfect, but it's one admirable effort that shows that his spirit, heart, and mind is in the right place. I'm just happy that it's finally here!
[Edited 7/9/09 23:24pm]

Nick715 said:

In this day and age,those would be impressive first-week sales.

Graycap23 said:

Gotta say I'm with U both on this.

I think folks were just starving 4 his voice alone, because this doesn't come nowhere near what Urban Hang Suite and Embrya were.

This is more like Now, which was a drop from his previous two works, mentioned above.

Giovanni777 said:

I've noticed that most women are really loving it and most guys can take it or leave it.

Giovanni777 said:

Starving...desperate....delusional.....

daPrettyman said:

Could be, but whatever it is, it doesn't have any of the musical vibe or beauty of the 1st 2 albums.

Maybe he should get back with Mike "Funky" Neal, Federico Pena, Wah-Wah Watson, and Gene Lake... Also, not sure if Stewart Mattheman was involved with this or not.



.
[Edited 7/10/09 11:16am]

Graycap23 said:

Yeah, and I was thinking even his voice had lost something as well.

Giovanni777 said:

It has.

Giovanni777 said:

Yeah, his voice is cracking on certain songs (like Bad Habit).

Maxwell has always had a rasp when he belts. Listen to the last track of his debut album, "Suitelady". He cracks his voice just like that.

(Just like Mariah has been doing the whispering type singing since the "Emotions" album).

It's funny how these guys on here who don't seem to like BSN are in this thread every fucking day. Down Low brothers? Maybe your damn expectations were too high. Everyone I talked to seems to like most of it or all of it. Let's not get started on the last several Prince albums.....

This album is great. My 2 complaints are that it's too short, and that there's an instrumental track. I'd rather have had 10 or more vocal tracks.

Looking forward to the next chapter.

^
Funnny Nick I'm really glad there is an instrumental on the album. I love instrumentals.
I've heard some "leaked" tracks already and I really like what I've heard. It is different and it is NOT the first two albums so whatever. I like it for what it is. I will say I miss the longer songs with long intros. But this is a different vibe.
Anywhoo, bought the deluxe edition today and will enjoy properly tonight after some "chilling out".

Bfunkthe1 said:

Well, I'd rather have had another song or 2 in place of the instrumental. It's not a bad cut at all, I just prefer vocals. Duran Duran has always done that as well, thrown an instrumental on their albums.

I get so annoyed with people wanting to hear the same album again. UHS was 1996, Embrya was 1998. This is 2009. Maxwell is a grown ass man, he's allowed to mature.

Also, I happen to love "Now", not sure why people here put it down all the time.

Billboard review:


BLACKsummers'night MAXWELL Release Date: July 7, 2009

Producer(s): Hod David, Maxwell
Label/Catalog Number: Columbia Records


July 18, 2009 ET

BLACKsummers'night


The adage goes: Time gone, time lost. But for R&B singer Maxwell, who has been on a hiatus from music since 2002, it's as if he never left. Full of heart-pounding melodies and true-to-life love stories, "BLACKsummer'snight" is the first installment of a trilogy by Maxwell. Over xylophone and guitar riffs, the lullaby-like lead single, "Pretty Wings," finds the Brooklyn native belting, "I had to set you free, to see clearly/The way that love can be when you are not with me." On the humanitarian "Fist Full of Tears," he pleads atop marching band drums, "Help me be the helping hand/And make a dream come true." Other tracks include "Cold," about a cold-hearted lover; "Love You," on which Maxwell pleads for his lady to let him love her over an organ-like groove; the inspirational "Help Somebody"; the jazz-tinged "Stop the World"; and the second single, "Bad Habits," a midtempo track with big horns and layered voice-over. "BLACKsummer'snight" is a testament that Maxwell hasn't lost a beat.

Nick715 said:

How does someone's opinion of an album form their sexuality and/or preference? You must not know myself, Timmy, Graycap23 and others very well. We have opinions about everything and participate in the forums.

Anyway, we didn't say we didn't LIKE it, we just said it was ok (at least I did). Ok doesn't mean bad...nor does it mean "great".

I, too, am looking forward to the next chapter. Maybe it will build on the story and make for a better set.

^ No, I don't know you guys, but I see the annoying responses. How about going to a different thread if you don't like BSN? How many times do we have to hear you guys say it's "average" or "dull" or whatever. This thread is for the Maxwell fans.

Just like I wouldn't go into a Van Hunt or Bilal thread, they don't do anything for me.

It's called trolling when the same person comes into a thread each day to post negative comments.

Anyway, Maxwell will have the #1 album next week.

In your faces motherf#ckers!

Nick715 said:

Well, at least I see we have something in common....I can't stand Van or Bilal either.

I consider myself a Maxwell fan. I think he is an extremely talented individual and is one hell of a performer. I love his first album, liked his 2nd and tolerated most of Now. I think this album has some good songs on it. I'm not going to say it's bad, but I don't hear many songs on this album that will get much ipod play.

I find it crazy that the record company has issued 3 singles for this album (all 3 prior to the album's release). This not done too often. Most of the time it's done to "save" the album OR to garner attention. For some reason, I feel this was done this time to try to "save" the project. Outside of "Pretty Wings", radio won't be running to spin this album (at least not until the public tires of "Wings").

BTW, it's not hard to get a number one album this day and time. Ask Chrisette Michelle or Prince. You just have to move a few thousand copies. The true test is when your sales sustain for a period of time, not for 2 or 3 weeks.
[Edited 7/10/09 17:19pm]

^ Yeah, we'll see how this does. With the 2nd part of the trilogy planned for 2010, I wouldn't expect them to push more than 3 or 4 singles. Sorry to be harsh, but I am loving this album and I am a male. This album was a long time coming.

By the way, "Bad Habits" would not have been my choice for 2nd single, but it's already #19 on Mediabase while "Pretty Wings" is holding at #1. I'm loving tracks 4 through 7 the most.

"Stop The World" and "Fistful of Tears" are the best songs Prince never did.
[Edited 7/10/09 17:40pm]

Nick715 said:

Actually, he said on Tavis that this is a 3 year project.

http://www.pbs.org/kcet/t...well.html#
Tavis: So this first record comes out now, and then you're going to do one for the next two years.

Maxwell: Indeed.

Tavis: So one this year, one in '10.

Maxwell: 2010, and -

Tavis: And then '11.

Maxwell: Exactly.