Toni Braxton
"more than a woman"
5/5

pros
Youthful sound blended with some classic Toni moments. She basically dumped the whole adult-contemporary thing.

cons:
The lack of soaring vocals we remember from songs like "Un-break My Heart".

the bottom line:
Youthful. Not much like Toni's past albums, except "The Heat". Die hard adult-contemporary fans may despise some songs on this album, but should still buy it as a guilty pleasure.

the full review:
Ever since her last album, 2000's "The Heat" you could notice Toni's longing to break free from her adult-contemporary, good girl image, wonderfully sculpted by producers LA Reid and Babyface. Songs like the hit "He Wasn't Man Enough", "The Heat", "Just Be A Man About It" featuring Dr. Dre, "Gimme Some", "The Art Of Love", "Maybe", and "You've Been Wrong" give hints of Toni's upcoming metamorphosis from adult-contemporary sweetheart into the sophisticated, classy, yet bubbling R&B sex-pot we all knew she really was. I mean have you heard that sexy alto voice.
The pot has really boiled over into her newest and best album "More Than A Woman". She really ditched the old formula here, I definitely see some of her uptight older fans not liking this one as much as her previous efforts ["She's working with those rappers now"].
I could honestly say though that this is the first Braxton album in which I like every song. I'm also thankful that I won't have to grin and bear another single like "Spanish Guitar".

Now to the album...


-let me show you the way [out]

This is a very uptempo, kind of abrupt way to start the album, but it describes the new Toni. She will no longer wait "Seven Whole Days" or not "Breathe Again" for you. If you do her wrong she will simply "Show You The Way [Out]".

-give it back
featuring the Big Tymers

I have to admit, I cringed in disgust when I first heard of Toni's upcoming collaboration with the southern rap duo, The Big Tymers and the first time I heard the song I didn't like it. But on the second listen I opened my mind and realized what Braxton was doing here. This is a really hot song. While at first listen you may prematurely label this song as R&B filler, listen to it again and you will start to feel it. Some parts of the rap are actually kinda clever.

-a better man

I absolutely love this song. It's the old Braxton perfectly mixed with the new. A great midtempo beat, great lyrics, perfect Toni.

-hit the freeway
featuring Loon

Continuing in the tradition of "He Wasn't Man Enough", Toni has created another 'club banger' with more of a harder R&B feel than it's borderline pop predecessor. It features P. Diddy protege Loon, whose rap vocals are perfect for this Neptunes track. It also features the Neptunes' Pharrell Williams falsetto singing the song's title in the chorus. Definitely the best Neptune-produced song this year.

-lies, lies, lies

In a word: WOW. Toni literally rocks on this song. Screeching guitars behind Toni's story of a woman scorn makes this one of the best songs on this album and all of Toni's others. This one surprised me at first, it's very experimental for Toni, but unlike most artistic experiments, this one pays off.

-rock me, roll me

The only thing wrong with this song is the title. A song this deep definitely deserves a better title.
The minimalistic beat to this song makes room for the powerful lyrics that let the listener know that the key to all of your love problems with a woman is to simply spend time with her. A beautiful song.

-selfish

An airy midtempo ballad about loving a partner who has cheated before. Another great song.

-do you remember when

Another midtempo ballad produced by Rodney Jerkins. This one is really a step away from the electronica-R&B he is now known for from Michael Jackson and Brandy's last albums. It's also a step away from his last production for Braxton, "He Wasn't Man Enough". For some reason this song gives me an almost neo-soul-ish vibe. Basically it's a laid back love song.

-me and my boyfriend

This is the song that Ms. Braxton almost battled rapper Jay-Z in court over. This song samples a song by late west coast rapper, Tupac Shakur. Both Jay-Z and Braxton sampled this song for new albums that were releasing within seven days of each other. Ms. Braxton claims that she sampled the song first. Jay-Z used the song for his current single, it is rumored that Braxton was to use it for a single. I guess she won't now, even though I really like the song and I think it is different enough from Jay-Z's version to stand on it's own. But Toni needs not to worry "Hit The Freeway" is a better first single and her version of "Me And My Boyfriend" [to Jay-Z it's 'Girlfriend'] is better anyway. The cool latin vibe and the actual use of the late Shakur's vocals make this song a gem.

-tell me

Some of the melody of this song is reminiscent to Anita Baker's "Sweet Love", but that's all Toni has in common with Baker's work. Remember that sex-pot thing I said before? Well here it is in all it's glory with lyrics like "Tell me what you need, I got lingerie and toys and things" but the Severn, Maryland born pastor's daughter shows a little restraint in this lyric "You want a little 'menage a trois', well maybe that's too far". We've got a real steamy one here.

-and i love you

Another midtempo ballad, just simply about love in it's purest form. Straight forward and genuine with a chorus that says simply "And I love you, as in more than anything. And I love you, even when my hearts in pain. And I love you, is there any other way. I'm gonna love you 'til my dying day". The hint of strings in the background add to the beauty of this short midtempo ballad.

-always

With background vocals by Brandy and production by her husband Big Bert, Toni echoes back to her adult-contemporary past, on this the only truly good old fashioned circa '92 Toni Braxton song. A really nice way to end the album.

Altogether, a hot album. It's a little different from what you may be used to, but if you liked "The Heat", this one will do you fine. You can even tell throughout her interviews and appearances promoting "More Than A Woman" that Toni is happier with her musical direction this time around, so naysayers give the album a chance for Toni's sake. Even if you still play your "Toni Braxton" tape daily, still give this one a chance, it'll grow on you. And if you're a real stickler for that adult-contemporary thing, make "More Than A Woman" your guilty pleasure. Your Luther Vandross, Michael Bolton, and Celine Dion CD's promise not to get jealous.

Halrepolis aka Aisha

When I hear the title of the cd, I think of Aaliyah for some reason.

Rhondab said:

LOL I understand that since everbody said the same thang but "More Than A Woman" is actually a Bee Gee's song since she's a huge fanatic she decided 2 choose that title.

Harlepolis said:

When I first saw the title of the thread I thought of both Aaliyah AND the Bee Gees.

I was kinda dissapointed with her last CD 'The Heat' so I will definitely have to think before I buy the new one.But I still play her first CD all the time.

the Album is more Industry Pimping.with La Reid as a President He plays the Monopoly Game here Hooking TOni up with Irv Gotti&the Other "IN" Folks of the Moment.truth be told Toni's Husband Kerri Lewis formerly of Mint Condition is a Badd Ass Multi-Instrumentalist.TOni Plays Piano&Can Sing&Babyface does His thing so one would think that all three of them would be enough right? wrong.She looks Hot on the Cover but you can tell it's all part of Pimping the Image.She is a Reflection of a SuperStar Today Being Forced into Area's She isn't fully down with.Her Vibe Story reflected on this&more.

People, lets look at the bright side 4 a change now. Miss Braxton is someone you couldn't live without comparing 2 whats out there, neva mind the pimping shit hell its ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMENS but there're type o' benjamens that you couldn't wrong with.

Personaly, I don't care if she flaunt that ass, as long as I can hear that velvet deep sexy singing voice then its ALL GOOD.

LOL Turn on the Tv ppl you'll def see my point.

Supernova said:

More Than A Woman-Angie Stone & Calvin

The song tell em sounds like Anita's Sweet Love becaue it samples the song.

My favorite cuts are "Rock Me, Roll Me," "Give It Back," "A Better Man," "Lies, Lies Lies."

And I agree Rock Me Roll Me should have a different tilte, great lyrics.

Toni remains a class act...I do enjoy MORE THAN A WOMAN...not as much as THE HEAT...That album to me is very special..cuz I was goin thru some tough times...All in all...I love HIT THE FREEWAY the most...though it may not be her greatest...I still love Toni Braxton and anticipate everything she offers to us!