Customer Reviews

Instigator

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Kaci Brown does what Gwen Stefani does-- she aims to be a crossover artist rather than just mearly a pop or rock artist. She crosses over between dance-pop/R&B/pop/Rock and etc... This makes Kaci Brown a more accessible artist than if she merely just chose to span one of those genres. That also raises her credibility as an artist showing that she doesn't just conform to one style.

On INSTIGATOR, Kaci Brown's debut, she pulls the crossover factor off better than her male counterpart, N*Sync's J.C. Chasez who tried a similar move with his debut album SCHIZOPHRENIC. SCHIZOPHRENIC was by no means a bad album, but it tried to span an overabundance of genres which made it seem way too much unfocused (even if the name of the album is SCHIZOPHRENIC). That problem doesn't happen to Brown; she remains fresh throughout the short, but tight 40 minutes of her debut. Besides Brown's much better than average voice for a 16 year old, the fresh production makes this album sound so 21st century fresh.

Unlike her direct comparison, Gwen Stefani, Brown here takes Stefani's adventurous nature and applies it to a 21st century pop crossover album. Natasha Bedingfield is trying the same techniques; that seems to be the direction of pop music in general in this day in music. Slightly unfortunately for Natasha Bedingfield is the fact that Brown's debut may have a slight edge over UNWRITTEN. Natasha Bedingfield definitely has great production and a stunning voice working for her, but this album itself just feels fresher because there is such a focus on making a 21st century pop album that is different than say a Britney Spears album (IN THE ZONE), Jessica Simpson album (IN THIS SKIN), and etc... Even at its low points (where some of the songs meander on just a bit too long or come over as too repetitive), the freshness of the production saves it.

My personal favorite tracks are "Unbelievable", an incredible opening power ballad, "Instigator", a 21st century Janet Jackson dance tune, "Caddilac Hotel", "Body Language", "The Waltz", which changes meters with incredibly ambitious production,and "My Baby". Honestly, I don't think that there is a truly dull listen on this entire debut. This is really a good pop album overall, especially in a time where no truly fresh pop music is being generated (save for Gwen Stefani and Natasha Bedingfield, who both had very worthy debuts, especially Gwen). Here, you get the best of pop, adult contemporary/soft rock, R&B, and dance pop all in one.

I first got hooked on Kaci Brown when I heard the hot Gomi remix of Instigator in a club. I got super excited about the song and freaked out when I found the single for only $1.99 that includes several remixes. I listened to some samples of the girl's album here on Amazon and wasn't that impressed, but one day I found the CD at wal-mart and got excited so I bought it--thank goodness! This album doesn't have a huge track list but it has a HUGE list of hits. Every song is so good, you won't skip any. "My Baby" is an amaaazing song that shows off Kaci's vocals. "Cadillac Hotel" "Body Language" and "The Waltz" are all impressive fairly up-beat tracks, "You Fool" is a powerful ballad. And of course "Instigator" is the greatest pop song I've ever heard.

Dance fans may be a little disappointed that the album isnt full of up-tempo hits like "Instigator" but being a dance fan myself, I know you won't be disappointed once you actually put this in your cd player. Kaci Brown is the greatest find I've run across in a long long time.

If you're still not certain you'll love the album, go cheap and just by the "Instigator" single. It's only $1.99 and includes incredible remixes and a great song "Cadillac Hotel" from this album.

Not many people know of Kaci Brown...yet. She's about to become a huge rising female star in the music world. Currently on tour with the Backstreet Boys, this young starlet, barely 17 years of age, shows she has incredible talent. She shows off her talents by co-writing 10 of the 11 songs on the album. Her vocal range is incredible and she shows that off on every song on her debut album "Instigator". Scary thing is, she sings even better live. She's a sweet, wholesome, down-to-earth girl from Sulpher Springs, Texas. Probably the best thing about her, is the fact she's stayed true to herself. Her first single titled, "Unbeliveable" is already tearing up airwaves across the United States, moving up fast and being requested thousands of times a day. While its a strong single, it doesn't even begin to show the depth of the record itself. This is a must but album, and being priced at $10 and less around the country its a sure investment you don't want to miss. Kaci Brown scores big with old fans from childhood and new fans shes making along the way to stardom. Kaci-God bless, may all your dreams continue to come true. You deserve it.

5 must hear songs recommended from "Instigator" by me:
Track 3: Cadillac Hotel
Track 4: Body Language
Track 7: Like Em Like That
Track 8: My Baby
Track 9: You Fool

Instigator from Kaci Brown is a pure pop vocal album, and introduces a few elements pop fans will know, but she adds them with a slight R and B-ish twist that give pop a whole new sound. However, nothing of dynamic proportions do we see from Miss Brown except for her first single, "Unbelievable", which is quite a foot-tapper. "Cadillac Hotel" is also a great song, but "Like 'em Like That" numbs the brain into forgetting that she actually has talent. "The Waltz" has a nice ring to it, as does "SOS", but "My Baby" seems a bit childish for her.

Kaci Brown has talent, but gets caught up in mainstream culture of today that dismisses her as a nobody in the music world. She can make it, as songs such as "Unbelievable", "Cadillac Hotel", and "SOS" prove, but she needs to find her own way, and not try to imitate others. A good start, however, and her songwriting abilities should blossom in the next few years, as well as her voice and her overall skills. I look foward to what she will produce in the coming years, and I hope she will find her own way.

I encourage you to buy the album, but be warned- some lyrics are a tad childish, but the melody is fabulous. 3.5/4 stars.

Well i must say, when i first saw the video for "Unbelievable" Kaci Brown caught my attention. So when i saw her albulm at Target i thought to myself "hey, why not?!" Not to say that i regret that decision, but the truth in matter is that Kaci is not one of the greatest singers. At best she's slighty above Britney Spears and a little bit below Jessica Simpson...but hey thats cool to. Kaci's voice isn't unbearable, actually its quite nice when she uses it right, like in "Unbelieveable." But besides in that song her vocals are pretty breathy, like she's whispering. However sum of the songs are pretty good, like "Instigator", "Like "Em like That", "Thank You", "The Waltz" and "Unbelievabe" of course. Songs like "My Baby" and "You Fool" will possibly grow on you...and the rest i can live without. So i recommend this albulm to people who like Britney Spears' and Jessica Simpson's voices in one. Also people who like pop and r&B.

If you are a fan of pop you will love this cd. I for one am a fan of the likes of Britney, Christina, Jessica Simpson and so on. She reminds me of Britney a little but with more vocal skills. I could see her singing Opps I Did it Again. I really like this CD though I did not know anything about her. I just got the CD randomnly because of the good review she is getting from Amazon. Instigator is one of my favorites. Its a booy shaker. I like the majority of the tracks on this CD except maybe 1 or 2 and they probably will grow on me since I have it on repeat.

I've been anxiously awaiting a sophomore album from this girl for what feels like forever. You wouldn't think I'd be so anxious over yet another pop princess to present us with more of her recycled top 40 material, but that's where Kaci Brown stands out for me. First of all, she isn't a pop princess for the mere fact that hardly anyone really knows who she is. Second, while some of her material (namely the first single `Unbelievable') does sound like a generic pop offering, this girl brings so much more to the table. With island and folk influences that permeate beautiful songs like `Cadillac Hotel' and `You Fool', Brown has a LOT going for her and I personally cannot wait to see what else to give us.

Reportedly she's working on her sophomore album. Please don't make me wait too much longer.

I'll get the bad out of the way first. I'll say this, not a single song on her is bad. Even the three I'm about to list are fun and enjoyable, but the shallowness that engulfs songs like `Instigator', `Body Language' and `Like Em Like That' can be a letdown. She shows so much depth on other tracks that it saddens me almost to hear her go off relentlessly about boys, boys, boys. This is not Lady Gaga (another shallow performer who is so much fun you don't care).

Also, for a rapper to refer to himself as `the fudge' is just, well, wrong.

Those three `fumbles' aside, this album is very solid. `Unbelievable' is a great pop track, one that got good radio play and should have propelled her to the heights of Jessica Simpson or Britney Spears (at least Mandy Moore levels of success, right?) but was quickly forgotten for some unknown reason. `The Waltz' is another one that just perfectly displays her pop appeal, with an edge that sets her apart. Her voice is outstanding here, and the way she plays with her own immaturity at the end ("you make me feel dumb") is just fun, playful and so likable.

I LOVE THE CLUB HEAVY BEAUTY THAT IS `MY BABY'!!!

For me, Brown totally thrives in areas where she can just seduce us with the purity of her voice and the soft, subtleness of a ballad. `Make You Love Me' is the most commercial of the offerings here. It is laced with a pop feel, yet the vulnerability in her voice shines through every word she sings.

But it gets better.

`Cadillac Hotel', `SOS', `You Fool' and the closing track `Thank You' are just gorgeous. The way she strips things down, giving us a raw and beautifully honed ballads. My favorite track here is `Cadillac Hotel', where Kaci strums her guitar and talks of a leisure life that is so appealing and so connected you can't help but want to sit there next to her. `SOS' is a magnificent track of losing and `You Fool' is such a genuinely stunning look at young love I just fall to pieces listen to her croon. `Thank You' is a tender moment between Brown and those who have supported her along the way.

I want her to be a star, but sometimes what you want just doesn't happen. Hopefully her sophomore album will show her at her full potential (since I know she has ample amounts of it) and it will catapult her to the top of the mainstream.

Fingers crossed.

Yes, the lyrics are cheesy. However, in comparison to what most of what's out there in mainstream pop, lyrically wise--this cd is still above average. Aside from sometimes overly simple lyrics, Instigator is an outstanding pop cd with some genuinely amazing songs. I was first attracted to this cd because of the tight dance songs ("Instigator, The Waltz" etc) but my favorite songs are the slower ballad of "Cadillac Hotel" and the strange yet outstanding "My Baby" (it's essentially just her voice over a simple drum with a few trumpets/horns thrown in). Perhaps what I'm most impressed with is Kaci's ability to have almost all of these tracks stand out from each other. This cd is not repetitive or boring in the slightest. Can't believe this didn't go mainstream as this is a very radio friendly cd. By far one of the best pop cd's I own.

This album is something that you can dance to, but the songs have tapered away from Ms. Brown's candy coated pop, to a more mature sounding music. This is a definite hit!

I was in Walmart's electronic area (which is where you can usually find me!) and I saw the album. I heard Unbelieveable and I was sold on that song but couldn't find the single. The album on first listen was not my favorite, but after a while I started liking it. It is a great album and I'm glad I bought it. Talent is a virtue!!