Customer Reviews

Hurricane

5 star:		(64)
4 star:		(31)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

Eric Benet has named his new album "Hurricane," and who would be surprised at his choice of a title? The artist formerly known as Mr. Halle Berry has indeed weathered a storm of his own, surviving a very public and possibly even humiliating divorce from the Hollywood beauty. The pain of that breakup can be heard and felt on a few tracks on the album, while a few upbeat love jams surface. Like his last 2 records, "Hurricane" is grown up soul for grown up folks. The biggest surprise is that quite a few of the successful tracks are produced by Walter Afanaseiff, who produced some of the sappiest ballads of Mariah Carey's early career. Looks like Afanaseiff was able to finally put some spice in his production, which is needed when dealing with a singer as gifted as Benet. "My Prayer" and "Still With You" (both helmed by said producer) are soaring big ballads that stand out well, while "Man Enough to Cry" and "Cracks of My Broken Heart" are Benet as his most expressive and emotional. For a while, it became unclear if Benet would ever return with a new album, but he's come back strong with "Hurricane." But to date, sales can best be described as anemic. After peaking at No. 133 on Billboard, it completelty fell off the album chart. What a shame. It's a solid CD that should get a second chance.

A lot of you may be shocked by the rating this album is receiving. There are a couple of reasons why you might be feeling this way. One of the main reasons might be the notion that you are judging this man by what has happened outside of his musical career. But like a lot of artists of the past, some of the best music ever created was when they were in a time of desperation, heartbreak, or even self-reflection (i.e. Mary J. Blige's My Life or Gerald Levert's Love and Consequences) Eric Benet embodies these emotions and more on his latest disc Hurricane.
The first track "Be Myself Again" is more of an extended intro rather than a song, but it sets the tone for the rest of the album and basically points out the faults and true emotions all of us possess. "Hurricane" gives the raw emotion of begging for the perfect storm to come sweep through and rid yourself of all your problems and heartache. "My Prayer" is exactly what it sounds like: a plea to take him back and a promise to be a better person and companion. "Man Enough To Cry," "Where Does The Love Go," and "Cracks of My Broken Heart" are all along those same lines of pouring out the sadness and pain Eric has encountered.

Thankfully, the albums isn't all about misfortune and sorrow. "India" is his personal tribute to his daughter of the same name, and "I Know" is his way of confirming that people can change and become a better person in the face of adversity. "Pretty Baby" talks about the women who are have the looks but not the self-respect for themselves or the knowledge of why she can't find the right man. "In The End" is a personal favorite because it is a song about letting you know that everything is gonna be alright with the encouragement of friends and faith in God.

There are times where Eric falls flat (the cabaret-sounding "The Last Time" doesn't fit with the rest of the album and "I Wanna Be Loved" sounds too dejected). But if you like Eric's first two albums True To Myself and A Day In The Life, Hurricane will not be a disappointment. So buy this album if you're not caught up in the thought that artists are people with real emotions and shortcomings too.

Eric Benét is back y'all. His much publicized problems and divorce from ex-wife, The Halle Berry, hasn't hurt his talent at all. Benét is known for songs such as "Femininity", produced by St. Louis's own Osunlade, as well as "Georgy Porgy", "Spend My Life With You" and others, but Hurricane could be Benét's best work yet apart from his album A Day In The Life. Hurricane is so beautifully written and produced that it would be a travesty if it were not nominated for a granddaddy of all music awards - a Grammy.

Producers include David Foster (Whitney Houston ("I Will Always Love You"), Natalie Cole ("Unforgettable"), Toni Braxton's ("Unbreak My Heart"); and Humberto Gatica, who is a hit maker in the Latino music community. They (co)produced five songs on the fourteen song album. Foster and Gatica co-produced Benét's song, "The Last Time", which is co-written by Benét.

Sounding like R&B singer/songwriter Babyface on the piano-driven song "The Last Time", he is very pleasant. It speaks of a man falling in love for the last time. In it he says, "I'm wise enough to know when a miracle unfolds, this is the last time I'll fall in love". You can literally close your eyes and imagine yourself sitting in Harlem's Cotton Club in the 1920's. Elegantly produced.

Benét's "Cracks of My Broken Heart", produced by Walter Afanasieff, seems to have been written as an apology and/or plea to The Halle Berry. The song is beautiful. In it he says, "We need time to mend from the mistakes I've made, only God knows what the heart can survive, so many tears from all the pain in your life". "We can find what was lost before it slips away" and "If you want to be free, I'll never stand in your way. But with all that I am, I'm asking you to stay". "I still believe my life is here with you, so hold on and it won't take long, I hope you can love me when the pain is gone, don't want us to fall through the cracks of your (my) broken heart". Benét sings the song with much passion. You can feel his sincerity.

Ironically, "Cracks of My Broken Heart" is followed by Benét's "I Wanna Be Loved". It is classic R&B and is laced with sensations of black gospel. He teamed up with producer Demonte Posey. The harmonies, mixed with his falsetto smoothness, are reminiscent of old-school R&B group DeBarge. Good stuff.

Although Benét's production covers jazz, slow to mid tempo R&B, ballad pop, and folksy music it blends so seamlessly the listener isn't overwhelmed by the different sounds of the album. Total equilibrium. It is evident careful attention was paid to song placement. Don't sleep on this album. Lyrically and musically from beginning to end is great. No matter how you felt about Eric Benét, you'll come to like him all over again - and then some - after hearing this album.

Embracing your demons and casting them off in song, and that's exactly what Mr. Benet does on this project. The pain, sincerity and honesty is evident in the words, the arrangements and chords. If you listen closely enough and open yourself up, the realness will seep into your soul and you will feel the truth of his melodies and the spirit in his lyrics. I really don't like to enjoy the fruits of someone else's pain, , or even want them to experience it, but damn, his life experiences gives me listening pleasure! Horrible thing, I know, but most great touching music (like poetry) is born from painful experiences. The author only need to convey it in such a way, the outisder looking in can also experience it deeply...and that he delivers without fail.

In my humble opinion, Eric has come back on the music scene unlike a "Hurricane" but more a refreshing ray of beaming, bright, brilliant sunlight, after the storm. He shines and warms the soul and delivers poignant performances on songs like: Pretty Baby, Man Enough to Cry, Be Myself Again and My Prayer! Just those four songs can sustain the entire CD, but there are so many other really good songs. For instance the tune: "The Last Time," is so lush and haunting, it will carry your imagination to a place of a soothing waterfalls, surrounded by a field full of beautiful unplucked wildflowers. And there are even some soothing, hip uptempo tunes to relish and enjoy.

But make no mistake, his uninterrupted and smooth flow really stands out and up when he is crooning and belting out tunes of love, sorrow and apology. He is a true singer with an abundance of talent and this project delivers all that it is intended to do, and that is to pull the listener into his world and blanket them with a strong dose of Benet. This is a solid project. A solid 5 stars without question or hesitation, on my part.

i'm not exaggerating when i say the first track on the cd almost made me shout!! it's because i could relate. it is a solid song that will make you realize how important it is to BE YOUR SELF!!! the cd is good and sort of serves as eric's way of defending and explaining himself. given all the attention on his relationship w/ halle i feel like he used the cd as his outlet to get "his side" out....but what i like is that it's NOT mean and vindictive and it could really be about any relationship (including the relationship he sang about on previous albums about his daughter's mother). eric benet does not come off like a goody gum drops kind of guy....he talks of love, admits doing wrong, asks for forgiveness and asks to be loved again....how is that different from any of us?!?! if you're a fan definitely get this cd and if you don't have an eric benet cd at all i suggest the first and this one as my most favorite of the 3 he's put out....

I have been waiting many years for this album to arrive, and believe me it was worth the wait. I have followed Eric's career from the beginning - even the collabs on many jazz artists' work and he is one of the most talented artists this day and age. It is extremely inspiring to hear his music. This album is a great body of work, the production, as always, is simply marvelous and Eric's vocal production is always beautiful and well placed. The lyrics are heartfelt and appreciated.
Please support this artist, he gets better with time.
Peace & Love,
[...]

I have to be honest, I was pissed at Eric Benet, influenced by the media's depiction of him, but I'm glad I was able to sleep on it for a day or so. Even more thankful that I caught KBLX playing one of the cuts from the CD. I went back and took a brief listen to the tracks, and I must say, "Hurricane" won my heart. His voice and the way he delivers the lyrics touched something in me. I separated the personal and embraced him as a musical artist -- one whom I have adored since I first heard "Rainy Days and Mondays" sung by "Benet" the group that consisted of he and his sister. I certainly hope that radio, as whole, gives this musical collection the chance to shine, because it is truly wonderful. Eric, we waited, and thank God you got back in the studio and delivered. Once again love has transended above all else, and it rides upon the soul of a man who fell down, but with courage, got back up. True romantics will be inspired and moved by these songs.

>>>>>>I HAD STOP LISTENING 2 ERIC AFTER "A DAY IN THE LIFE" BECAUSE I LOST TOUCH W/ HIM & FOR WHAT HE DID 2 MY GIRL HALLE...>>>(I THINK HE FELL HARD ON HIS' HEAD 2 BE HONEST)!!!! BUT AFTER HEARING "PRETTY BABY" BROUGHT ME BACK 2 THE ESSENCE OF WHY I SUPPORTED HIM IN THE 1ST PLACE!!!! *I KNOW & ACCEPT THE FACT THAT WE ARE ~ALL~ HUMAN... SO 4 THAT PRECISE REASON I REFUSE 2 JUDGE HIS' MUSIC BASED ON A GIGANTIC MISTAKE THAT HE MADE... I CAN ONLY JUDGE HIS' MUSIC BASED ON HOW IT SOUNDS & HIS' DELIVERY, NOTHIN ELSE! ERIC COULD HAVE PUT "PRETTY BABY" STRAIGHT-THROUGH & I WOULD'VE BEEN PLEASED THAT'S HOW MUCH I ADORE THAT LOVELY-RENDITION!!!! I HAVE MY FAVORITES, BUT THERE IS NO SONG ON THIS ALBUM THAT I DISLIKE... WHICH MEANS ERIC JOB WELL DONE BABY!!%%%%%
U CAN HEAR A PREVIEW OF THIS ALBUM, I SUGGEST U BUY IT!!%S-O-U-L-F-U-L-L%
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1...BE MYSELF AGAIN 7/10
2..."PRETTY BABY" 10+/10
3...HURRICANE 6/10
4...WHERE DOES THE LUV GO? 9/10
5...MY PRAYER 6.5/10
6...MAN ENOUGH 2 CRY 8/10
7..."I KNOW" 9/10
8...INDIA 8/10
9...THE LAST TIME 10/10
10..IN THE END 5/10
11.."MAKING LUV" 10+/10
12..CRACKS OF MY BROKEN HEART 8/10
13..I WANNA BE LUVED 8/10
14..*"STILL W/ YOU" 10+/10
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++E-N-J-O-Y+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I have always been a fan of Eric Benet even with all the bad publicity surrounding him lately. Eric Benet has one of the best R&B voices of all time.
Although I still think "A Day In The Life" was his absolute best work to date, "Hurricane" is still a great album. I was expecting a little more since he has been gone for so long, but I am still happy that he is back. If you are into ballads with a great voice to go along with it, you will love this CD.
My favorite tracks on the album are "Hurricane" and "Cracks Of My Broken Heart." If you are a fan of great R&B, get this album.

This is a beautiful mature album, his record company needs to PROMOTE his work more b/c artist like him are rare & needs to be more in the mainstream. Despite is failed relationship with Halle, this albums emphasizes that she is a love that will always be an imprint in his heart and mind. An amazing album is a album that the words stands out more than the beat and this is the album. BUY THIS ALBUM I GUARANTEE you, YOU will not be dissappointed. GO out and Collect his two previous album and you will continue to see the growth of this amazing and TALENTED artist.

Favorite Songs: From Start to Finish you will be amazed
1)Be Myself Again: Amazing start to the album (Just the Stringing of the Guitar and his voice-ooooohhhhhh)
2)Pretty Baby: A Song for all the young ladies, don't sell yourself short (10/10)--This is My Jam ("you're brillant & beautiful...")
3)Hurricane: U'R going to love this ballad (10/10) Smooth
4) Where Does the Love Go: Definitely a ode to Halle ("the love we share did it fade into nothing...")
5)My Prayer: One my favorite song on the album..listen to the open ("Asking for a second chance..sweet love i feel your power")Powerful--listen to the words
6) Man Enough to Cry: Ladies you're going to forgive him on this track
7) I Know: STart your day with this (Positive "dreams leads to bigger things")
**8) INDIA: A dad that writes a song about his daughter melts my heart
***11) MakIng Love: I speak for the ladies WOW--oooohhh ("All this time I have been learning the ways to make love right... I'll be inside of you with the strength of my devotion") I see why Halle fall for him A SMOOTH gentleman
***12) Cracks of My Broken Heart: Love It

THE ENTIRE ALBUM IS GREAT (Reads likes a classic book with each chapter interwine flowing to the end) PERIOD>>>>>>>>> Support real artist GUYS so that they continue making GREAT MUSIC