Where's the love?

Is it any good?

Oh, and yesterday was my 10 year anniversary on this board. Even though I go through long spells when I don't post, I still love Prince and lurk often.

Graycap23 said:

Is it any good?

I actually REALLY like it and I was prepared not too. Do not judge it on "Put It Down" which is the weakest song on the album. I wish I could post snippets or something.

Billboard.com review:

The road to "Two Eleven," Brandy's sixth studio album, hasn't exactly been smooth. In the years since 2008's "Human," the singer parted ways with label Epic Records when the album underperformed, took a break from singing to dabble in rap (under the name Bran'Nu), reality TV ("Dancing With The Stars," VH1's "A Family Business") and acting (recurring roles on The CW's "90210" and BET's "The Game.") When she finally returned to R&B earlier this year it was for the Monica reunion "It All Belongs To Me," a single that underperformed so much it delayed the release of "Two Eleven." It was also ultimately pulled from the album altogether, after initially being conceived as a joint release for Monica and Brandy's first albums for RCA.

So it's comforting, then, to hear Brandy at her most assured on "Two Eleven," a collection of old-school R&B songs with a modern, often futuristic twist with no trend-chasing experiments with EDM and virtually no guest stars (save for a Chris Brown cameo on lead single "Put It Down.") In fact, it's her most focused album since 1998's "Never Say Never," the Rodney Jerkins-helmed LP that made her a global superstar.

While "Two Eleven" won't touch that album's chart impact (truth be told, it may even struggle to match or surpass the disappointing 214,000 copies that "Human" sold), it nevertheless features some of her freshest beats since 2004's experimental, critically adored "Afrodisiac," courtesy of a list of collaborators that includes Bangladesh, Mike WiLL Made It, Major Lazer's Switch, Jim Jonsin and Nate "Danja" Hills. It also has a who's who of contemporary R&B songwriters, from a pair of tracks with Chris Brown to previous collaborator Frank Ocean to Sean Garrett, Rico Love and Mario Winans.

Which tracks are the best on "Two Eleven?" Read on for Billboard's track-by-track review.

1. "Intro"
A throwback to the interludes that populated albums like "Never Say Never" and "Full Moon," this percolating instrumental is really just a one-minute warm-up to what's about to come.



2. "Wildest Dreams"
"Two Eleven"'s second single and arguably its strongest moment, "Wildest Dreams" is a return to the beat-driven ballads upon which Brandy built her name in the 90s, with warm layers of piano and even jazz flute that recall 1995's "Best Friend." It's also destined to be a live favorite at upcoming shows, with producer The Bizness whispering the singer's name and even Brandy name-checking herself on the second verse ("Just wanted someone real to love me for me / Me / Just Brandy").

3. "So Sick"
One of many "Two Eleven" tracks that layer Brandy's distinctive, husky alto on top of a more breathy falsetto, "So Sick" is a bumping, heartfelt ode to anyone who's been stuck in a one-sided relationship. "When he makes you go and compromise everything you said the night before / When you love him more than you love yourself / You can't let go when you just can't help it," are among the symptoms of Brandy's love sickness.

4. "Slower"
The first of two songs co-written with Chris Brown, "Slower" features jittery, beatbox-esque beats that would have been at home on 2005's "Afrodisiac" and mildly uncomfortable sex talk that might have been better suited to Brown's "Fortune" album. Even Brandy herself doesn't seem too comfortable with all the raunch, noting "I know you wanna beat it up up / but I'm sorry / that ain't really my thing" and instead offering "kissing and licking up on me" as an alternative. It's nowhere near the cunnilingus single entendres you'll find on a recent Rihanna record, but Brandy finds a way to add class to what could have otherwise been an icky sex jam.

5. "No Such Thing As Too Late"
This Rico Love, "Turn the lights off!" production is one of Brandy's most straightforward power ballads since "Have You Ever" and finds her treading cautiously towards new love. "So take your time / cause love ain't got nowhere to go / it will be way better if we wait," she sings on the empowering chorus.

6. "Let Me Go"
On "Afrodisiac," Brandy outed herself as a Coldplay fanatic, referencing "Spies" on one track and outright sampling "Clocks" on another. Here she comes clean as a Swedish pop fan, sampling Lykke Li's "Tonight" on the intro to this Bangladesh banger, which finds Brandy much more at home on top of a modern club beat than she is on "Put It Down." It also features a comedic reference to her mother Sonja calling her out on Twitter for indulging her love of a potential suitor's "cocky talk" and exclaiming "damn your denims."

7. "Without You"
If Keyshia Cole has built her career on being the missing link between Brandy and Mary J. Blige, this is Brandy's attempt to reclaim some of that territory. Featuring co-writing credits from Harmony Samuels (who also penned Cole's current single "Enough of No Love") and twinkling piano reminiscent of Blige's "No More Drama," "Without You" is the kind of ballad you'd hear all over R&B radio in the late 90s. It may lack the sheer vocal heft of her peers, but Brandy delivers a confident, restrained performance here worthy of its own kind of praise.



8. "Put It Down"
The result of what happens when a label asks to hear a current single, "Put It Down" is noteworthy mostly for its semi-tribute to the dearly departed Bran'Nu, Brandy's rapper alter ego last seen on Timbaland's "Shock Value II." As the only song on "Two Eleven" that has to ride 2012's coattails (i.e. Chris Brown's), it's also the weakest.

9. "Hardly Breathing"
Another Rico Love slow jam, "Hardly Breathing" again finds Brandy taking a reluctant chance on love ("been hurt to many times / and I can't take it / not again.") She consults her mother and curses her weary heart for her suspicions, but Brandy sounds like she just might take the plunge by the time the synths are done swelling on this dense, headphones-friendly cut.

10. "Do You Know What You Have?"
Fresh off "Bandz A Make Her Dance," Mike WiLL Made It gives Brandy some of her dopest beats on this blippy, futuristic track that finds Brandy asking her man to choose between her and another woman. (Sound familiar, Monica?)

11. "Scared Of Beautiful"
This is a reunion of sorts between Brandy and Frank Ocean, who wrote a pair of tracks for 2008's underappreciated "Human" as well as her John Legend duet "Quickly." "Scared Of Beautiful" features some of the album's most cliched lyrics ("scared of the dark / more than the light," a "mirror, mirror" interlude on the bridge) but turns them into an emotional breakthrough that references the singer's battle with eating disorders over the years ("no wonder why there's no mirrors on these walls no more"). It all culminates in a wrenching conclusion that finds Brandy confessing, "I'm scared of me," with an honest vocal that recalls Ocean's own "Bad Religion" from this summer's breakthrough "Channel Orange."

12. "Wish Your Love Away"
A finger-snapping kiss-off to an ex, this Mario Winans-assisted ballad also features brief plucks of a harp straight out of "The Boy Is Mine" and other late-90s R&B production tropes that make this another sure-to-be throwback favorite for longtime fans.

13. "Paint This House"
Though ending the album with another uncomfortable sex jam is a questionable choice, "Paint This House" is nevertheless another impeccable production from Rico Love that finds Brandy searching for the soul in a song that's otherwise about christening a new residence with some baby-making fun.

14. "Outro"
Picking up where the album began, "Outro" bookends the album with some slow-burning drums and strings to comfort the listener. But it's not over -- go to iTunes and seek out three bonus tracks on the deluxe edition, particularly the Bangladesh-produced "What You Need," arguably the most successful of "Two Eleven"'s sex tracks in terms of its playing to Brandy's strengths as a vocalist.

http://www.billboard.com/...1462.story

[Edited 10/17/12 8:35am]

[Edited 10/17/12 8:53am]

Album preview (snippets)

lameless said:

Graycap23 said:

Is it any good?

I actually REALLY like it and I was prepared not too. Do not judge it on "Put It Down" which is the weakest song on the album. I wish I could post snippets or something.

There is also a deluxe edition.

Interesting review. I may get it. Put It Down is catchy in spite of you-know-who on it. I always dug Brandy's vocals (lead and background).

Graycap23 said:

lameless said:

I actually REALLY like it and I was prepared not too. Do not judge it on "Put It Down" which is the weakest song on the album. I wish I could post snippets or something.

There is also a deluxe edition.

Yes, that's the one I purchased. I think it's very solid and R&B has really been dragging. Hopefully, people will pick this up.

Timmy84 said:

Interesting review. I may get it. Put It Down is catchy in spite of you-know-who on it. I always dug Brandy's vocals (lead and background).

You won't be disappointed. Brandy's vocals are pristine on this album. Raspy, but beautiful. She really shines when using her lower register, but she throws some nice high notes in as well.

Timmy84 said:

Interesting review. I may get it. Put It Down is catchy in spite of you-know-who on it. I always dug Brandy's vocals (lead and background).

When I FIRST heard the song.... I REALLY did not like it but after a while it is pretty catchy however Brandy can do WAY better than that and I still feel like it was unnessary to have CB on it but obviously we know why he was.

I have to listen to a couple more songs but one of the songs I heard sounds pretty good... I might check for this. I have been listening to alot of Brandy lately and never thought I would say this but she is becoming to be one of my favorite artists I dont have any of her albums though and really want to pick up those classics first before getting this. If it be my way Id get all her albums...

I cant believe Billboard trashed the Monica duet... Billboard doesnt know what the hell their talking about. That was a really nice song.

I had it in my hands 2 buy yesterday but I decided I'd better listen 1st. Those first 2 singles are WACK.

Bore me, the same tired meandering beats with vocals laid on top.

"Slower" written by the super gifted Chris Brown. Should be the next single...It fits her sound that she carved out with Rodney Jerkins years ago. The vocal arrangements fit her better.

I skimmed through it and nothing really grabbed me so far, which is kind of disappointing as I loved Afrodisiac and Human. Maybe it'll grow on me.

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

by the super gifted Chris Brown.

The new Brandy & Monica duet is actually pretty good. And i heard it in the clubs a couple times!, it's to bad it didn't get a lot of airplay on billboard though.

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

"Slower" written by the super gifted Chris Brown.

Please tell me u are joking.

No i'm not joking. Chris is gifted .Just because his misfortune with RiRi happened (whom she forgave him & is now back with him & if U believe rumor may be pregnant by him).doesn't mean he has to be thrown under the bus on here all the time.Everybody makes mistakes.YES I SAID IT HE IS GIFTED & TALENTED YOUNG MAN ....

[Edited 10/17/12 14:12pm]

TD3 said:

Bore me, the same tired meandering beats with vocals laid on top.

But but but but,,,,,,she was trying to bring "R&B back"

The album is a sad affair, considering that she - unlike many of her peers - could actually sing(See bathroom performance of "Change is gonna come") but instead of bringing that out, those producers decided it will sound more "relevant" if she kept her singing abilities into the lowest minimum.

No worries, I'm still content with her first album

Not interested.

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

No i'm not joking. Chris is gifted .Just because his misfortune with RiRi happened (whom she forgave him & is now back with him & if U believe rumor may be pregnant by him).doesn't mean he has to be thrown under the bus on here all the time.Everybody makes mistakes.YES I SAID IT HE IS GIFTED & TALENTED YOUNG MAN ....

[Edited 10/17/12 14:12pm]

Man get off your soap box. Most people here didn't consider Chris Brown gifted(maybe

for dancing definitely not music) before the whole Rihanna incident. And somehow u

managed to slip in a perceived rumor than she may be pregnant by him which i am

quite sure the majority of orgers here doesn't give 2/5ths of a shit.

As for Brandy man has she fallen off. I can maybe get into 2 of the songs posted

but the rest is just weak and i like Brandy. Sorry but these producers just aren't

happening.

[Edited 10/17/12 16:14pm]

smoothcriminal12 said:

Not interested.

This.

Harlepolis said:

TD3 said:

Bore me, the same tired meandering beats with vocals laid on top.

But but but but,,,,,,she was trying to bring "R&B back"

The album is a sad affair, considering that she - unlike many of her peers - could actually sing(See bathroom performance of "Change is gonna come") but instead of bringing that out, those producers decided it will sound more "relevant" if she kept her singing abilities into the lowest minimum.

No worries, I'm still content with her first album

Oh, is that what Brandy's claiming.

I'm sorry she decided to chase the charts instead having the confidence to making quality music. I like Brandy, I think she can sing, but this is horrible.

I had the album pre-ordered for a while. Listened to it yesterday and wasn't really into it until I played it on my way to school and work today. The stronger songs are on the second half of the deluxe edition. I would actually have preferred if the album started with Put It Down despite it being one of the weaker songs. Great album though I just hope she milks it this go round.

lameless said:

Timmy84 said:

Interesting review. I may get it. Put It Down is catchy in spite of you-know-who on it. I always dug Brandy's vocals (lead and background).

You won't be disappointed. Brandy's vocals are pristine on this album. Raspy, but beautiful. She really shines when using her lower register, but she throws some nice high notes in as well.

I agree with u about the vocals.

I have listened to the album twice all of the way through and I have my picks of what I like, but overall I think it's her best effort in years. I like it so far.

daPrettyman said:

lameless said:

You won't be disappointed. Brandy's vocals are pristine on this album. Raspy, but beautiful. She really shines when using her lower register, but she throws some nice high notes in as well.

I agree with u about the vocals.

I have listened to the album twice all of the way through and I have my picks of what I like, but overall I think it's her best effort in years. I like it so far.

I really like this album as well. I think this is her best since Full Moon...though I did enjoy Afrodisiac as well. Her vocals on this is album is very strong.

I'm working on some stuff I would LOVE to give to Brandy! I really really really like Brandy, and I want her to break out of the circle of producers that people are in.