Customer Reviews

Libra

5 star:		(130)
4 star:		(55)
3 star:		(25)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Toni Braxton returns to the music scene with her impossibly deep and smoky contralto tones intact and firing on all cylinders. This is obviously not a woman who raises her voice a lot, even when handling her boys Denim and Diezel, who probably stop acting up as soon as Mom purrs at them.

With six Grammy's under her belt, the Maryland-born clergyman's daughter doesn't disappoint, except for the length of the album. However, hunt for a copy with the bonus tracks "Suddenly" and "Long Way Home" and you're home free. (The UK version has the bonus tracks)

This is a strong return, following 2002's "More Than a Woman", not counting the two "collection" albums in between. First single "Please" is an upbeat R&B pleaser, but my pick is single number two "Trippin' (That's The Way Love Works)", the best track by a long shot.

A solid album, and a must for all Braxton and R&B music fans everywhere.


Amanda Richards, October 3, 2005

R&B mainstay Toni Braxton returned to the musical scene in Fall 2005 with her first release, Libra, since 2002's More Than a Woman. When Toni burst onto the scene in 1993 with her mega-success debut CD which spawned numerous hit singles, people raved over her as the next best thing. Three years later, she returned with Secrets which experienced the same mega-success as her first CD. However, in the four years between 1996's Secrets and 2000's Heat, Toni experienced bankruptcy. While sales-wise, she lost some footing, her Heat has been certified Double Platinum for sales of 2 million. However, two years later, 2002's More Than a Woman flopped selling only 500,000 copies and Toni left Arista Records for Blackground Records (home of the late Aaliyah and young R&B/pop star Jojo). While this release contains some good music, its sales have been extremely low especially for a singer of Toni's caliber.

Please-Produced by Scott Storch (Floetry's Supastar; Mario's Let Me Love you; Terror Squad's Lean Back), this mid-tempo was released as the first single. It has a very catchy beat; Toni's smoky vocals gives the right slant to this edgy song. There was a nice accompanying video, but radio never warmed to this song. A-

Trippin' (That's The Way Love Works)-Produced by Bryan Michael Cox (Faith Evans' Tru Love, Mary J. Blige's Be Without you; Usher's Burn; Fantasia's you Got Me Waiting; Destiny's Child's Bad Habit; Frankie J's How to Deal) and Keri Lewis, this smoldering ballad with tinges of a dark sound is the trademark song for Bryan Michael Cox. He's one of my favorite producers because while his songs are similar, they all have a unique vibe to them that distinguishes them from other songs out there. This song fits Toni's vocals well, and the background vocals fit the song well as does the musical arrangement. This was Toni's second single, but moreso than Please, it made little noise except on Urban AC radio formats. That doesn't take away from it being a great song. A+

What's Good-Produced by Bryan Michael Cox, Keri Lewis and containing elements of "In My Wildest Dreams" performed by The Crusaders, this sultry mid-tempo has Toni written all over it. It's hard to imagine any other singer trying to tackle a song like this because it has that "late nite" Toni signature to it. While the original sample is derived from The Crusaders, Tupac Shakur sampled this song, and it's interesting that Toni would include another Tupac sample. Her 2002's More Than a Woman contained Me and My Boyfriend (a Tupac sample). The background vocals are tight. The only complaint is that the spoken "what's good" do get annoying after a while. I could see this working on late night radio stations. A

Take This Ring-Produced by Rich Harrison (Amerie's One Thing, Beyonce's Crazy in Love & Jennifer Lopez's Get Right), it's hard to shake the fact that this sounds like Amerie's One Thing so much. The song is definitely catchy, and it is probably one of the most commercial songs on the CD able to cross-over to various formats. However, because Rich Harrison's go-go songs sound SO alike, it's hard for an artist to really garner a hit from him because the chances of radio or the public accepting a song so, so similar are slim. Bryan Michael Cox's productions do sound similar, but each of them have their distinct mark. Unfortunately, the same doesn't really happen with Rich. It's a great song, but it's difficult to separate it from other cuts. A
Midnite-Produced by Soulshock and Karlin (Whitney Houston's It's Not Right, But It's Okay), here's another Toni "midnite" mid-tempo that has that "late nite" feel to it. The song speaks about knowing where one's man is at midnite when he was supposed to be home a long time ago. The arrangement of the song all blends together to make it a very listenable song and allows it to sound like good album filler. A

I Wanna Be your Baby-Produced by The Underdogs and Babyface, this acoustic slow jam with a prominent bass line is the kind of music that Toni needs to explore. It has life. It makes a statement. It's like an updated version of some of the ballads from her early career, and it has appeal to many formats (Rock, R&B, Country, AC, Pop). This is the best song on the CD because it's not the typical Toni song. She also lets loose exhibiting that at 38 years old, she still can sang. This should be released as a single, but these days, all that people wanna hear is "lean wit it, rock wit it." A++

Sposed to be-Produced by Antonio Dixon, this sultry mid-tempo once again has that trademark Toni sound. It is a very sensual song, and one has to listen to the vocals to really get what Toni is saying. The background vocals are on-point and very catchy. All of the elements of this cut work together to make a great sound. The hook is, well hooky. A

Stupid-Produced by Cory Rooney (Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson), this is probably the weakest song on the CD. It sounds so much like what Toni has put out before. It's nothing new. Didn't I hear this on one of her other CDs? This cut appeared on Tyler Perry's 2005 Diary of a Mad Black Woman Soundtrack. I guess it takes a certain, acquired taste to get into this languid piano-centered, jazz club song. C

Finally-Produced by Antonio Dixon, this is another song that has Toni written all over it. After the disappointing Stupid, it's good to hear this cut, but it too sounds like it's a hybrid of many of the other songs. It's a mid-tempo with some good background vocals, but it's not commercial, and it comes off as listenable album filler. It takes a Toni fan to notice all of the references to her past hits where she intersperses the song titles into this song. B+

Shadowless-Produced by Keri Lewis, here is an acoustic ballad that doesn't work as well as I Wanna Be your Baby because it doesn't have the same fire/energy, but it's better than the boring Stupid. This song makes a statement, and it's good to hear Toni's interpretive abilities on this song. A

Overall, I am perplexed as to why this CD has struggled to sell 400,000 copies. Radio has not responded well to this CD. Add to that that Toni is not even 40 years old yet, and it's like she is being relegated to faded, 90s R&B star status. Her More Than a Woman was listenable and contained some strong songs including Lies, Lies, Lies, but it didn't have any promotion because she was pregnant. This one has seen some promotion, but if radio is not responding, how much can the record label really do? It's true that there are album fillers, many of which come off as hybrids of each other (What's Good, Midnite, S'posed to be and Finally), but they all sound good. There are songs with a different sound to them which gives the CD an edge like Please, Trippin', I Wanna be your Baby, Take This Ring and Shadowless. Only one song does not work for me. But I'm still confounded as to the lack of success this CD has experienced. It's hard to blame it age because Madonna, Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige have all released CDs that have made noise on the sales charts. Maybe it's Toni's status and appeal, but it's a great CD to pick up and to witness that Toni still has it.

Besides being a sign, "Libra" is also balance and that name is perfect to describe Toni's career at this time. After "More than a woman" which from my point of view was a great album but the critics were negative, Toni comes back with this production which has what I call the two faces of Toni Braxton (her earliest generes Pop, R&B with a slide touch of Hip-Hop and her newest which was mainly Hip-Hop on her previous release). The result is very impressive and with Toni's voice any kind of music is going to sound flawless. What I have to admit is that her record company is not making any effort about promoting this album. The first single "PLEASE" went nowhere and I also have to say that the production is not the best because the album has only 10 tracks and the booklet doesn't include lyrics. From all this you can notice how big is Toni's background and credibility because the album debuted at #4 on Billboard's 200 and #2 on Billboard's Top R&B and Hip-Hop albums.
Anyway that's just my opinion but to focus on the music. I would recommend the songs "PLEASE", "FINALLY", "TRIPPIN'", "WHAT'S GOOD", "I WANNA BE" and "TAKE THIS RING" which has an incredible rhythm and Toni's perfromance is great. The album was produced by Toni, Keri Lewis (Toni's husband), Vincent Herbert, Jomo Hankerson and Barry Hankerson. I really miss here L.A Reid, Babyface and Diane Warren. They should always be on Toni's productions.
You should give a shot to this album, it's not Toni's best but it's pretty good and let's hope that Toni gets back to the big success that she used to have.

This is one of the few cds I've bought where every song I'm able to listen to with pleasure. Although I do have favorites such as "Midnite", the bangin "Please" and "What's Good" (is that a jam or what???) and semi favs "Stupid" (a very jazzy-r&b mix midtempo jam) and "I Wanna Be" I can say truthfully that I don't find myself fast forwarding thru any of the songs. This is one of the best r&b cds of the year and a great comeback effort from one of the best (if not best) r&b divas, Ms Toni Braxton!! I can tell she put a lot of thought and time in selecting these songs. And that voice-with more time it has grown more sultry, smoky and deep, she truly has a rare gift. Well done Toni!

Toni Braxton is back after a 4 year break of becomming a mother of two boys, wife, and broadway actress and now the long awaited album has arrived "LIBRA"...This album has a variety of ballads to dance hits...it is amazing...you have the hits "please" to "trippin'" and "take this ring" ...if you get this album you will not be dissappointed trust me..This album will make you fell good about love and more...

Balancing motherhood and her career can be tough but she mange's to pull it off by this album. I think she did a great job in her part but her promoters were slacking in there's. If she ever chooses to do another album she should consider on hiring a new crew. I have always loved Toni's music and this album reminds me as to why. I was a bit disappointed with `More Than A Woman' but `Libra' puts her back to where she belongs.

The lead off single "Please" is fantastic. It sets the album off in a good way and delivers her back into the game rather nicely. The second single "Trippin (Thats The Way Love Works)" is also strong. The next song "Whats Good " is smooth and enjoyable. On the song "Take This Ring" it's very evident that Amerie's producer wrote this song but holds out very well and adds diversity to this album. The songs "Midnite" and "I Wanna Be (Your Baby)" are really good because it showcases her signature voice beautifully. "Sposed To Be." "Stupid," are great as well. "Finally" and "Shadowless" show you the old Toni and it takes you back to her debut album.

The length of this album shouldn't deter anybody from purchasing this especially when most of the tracks are listen able and beside it avoids using your trigger finger from hitting the skip button. Toni's lyrics are honest and the production isn't overdone. This is a nice piece of art to add to your collection.

Not knowing anything by Toni other than Unbreak My Heart, I bought this album on a whim. And I'm glad I did, it's my favorite of 2005, and it's right up there with the Top 10 of all-time.
Kicking the album off with the lead single Please, which no one has probably heard, this Scott Storch produced bump 'n grind song is a perfect way to being. With breathy vocals, a Toni trademark, and a hot bass line, this track is on fire. Much better than some of the gangsta crap they play on the radio. I wish it had gotten more play. 5/5
Trippin' is the second track on the album, and probably one of my favorites. It's got really heartfelt lyrics "ain't nobody every proved a love when, things are all good, and two people are smiling - love is found way down in the trenches" It's amazingly beautiful. It has a siren effect throughout and a piano that rivals anything I've heard before in an R&B song. 5/5
The third track is What's Good has a bumpin' feel to it and an incredibly sexy bassline. Take that back, the whole song is incredibly sexy. Toni croons about how her man knows he doesn't need anything but her 'cos "good lovin' in the mornin', and late in the mornin', I hold him tight... I got all the lovin' that he needs". Very catchy. 5/5
Take This Ring is my favorite track on the album. This Rich Harrison produced club banger is filled with crazy effects and a catchy beat that beats out Amerie's 1 Thing. The production is the highlight on this track, but the lyrics are fun, as well. "I remember once upon a time when I would never ever do anything to hurt you, oh yeah... but tonight I'm gonna!!!" It's blazing hot. 5/5
The following track Midnite, is a typical "where's my baby" song, about trust in a relationship and wondering where your love is. "It's midnight, tell me, do you know where your man his?". The beats are incredible on this track and the bass plays well against Toni's lyrics. Breathtaking. 5/5
I Wanna Be (Your Baby) is the next song, it begins with an acoustic guitar and some plinking noises. It's about trying everything you can and pulling all the stops to get the person you want to be with. The music is very old-school Toni, as are the lyrics. Amazing and easy to fall in love with, this is yet another standout on an album packed with them. 5/5
S'posed To Be recalls some of the better arrangements done in R&B music lately. It's sort've reminiscent of some of Jennifer Lopez's latest works. But with Toni at the reigns, this song is more than another J-Lo track. "baby that's how it's s'posed to be, I'm right for him and he's down for me, there ain't no other lady gon' be sexin' my baby but me, and baby that's how it's s'posed to be". The lyrics are the highlight here, but the music is good as well. 5/5
The next track, Stupid, is a Cory Rooney produced track that also brings back some of Toni's olden days. It sounds a lot like it could've been on one of her earlier albums, even. It's a beautiful song, with heartbreaking lyrics. 5/5
Finally is another great song on the album, with those water droplet sounds R. Kelly's so fond of. It's got a warm bass line and, as always, Toni's lyrics are beautiful to hear and they really tug at your emotions. "Finally found someone to trust, and finally found someone who listens, took awhile to find my finally". Finding true love is hard, but when you find it, this is the song that'll come to your mind. 5/5
The final track, Shadowless, is mostly acoustic guitar with Toni singing... and oddly enough it works magically. It's a great, slow-paced way to end the album.

As I've shown through this review, if you buy this album you won't be dissapointed at all. It's an album with nothing but standouts. Every song is perfect and a winner. When you put that all together in a way that it's arranged pleasingly, you get one of the best album's of 2005.
After buying this album and hearing how amazing a Toni album could be, I bought all her other ones. They're just as amazing, but I find myself most oftenly popping this one in the player. It's just so amazing and emotional, and Toni's vocals are just so amazing. Wonderful songwriting and production, this is one of the greatest albums, most definetely, of all time.

I love all the songs on this CD. My 10yr old daughter came home and told me that we HAD to get a copy, so we did and I'm happy that we did. Now, I have to get my own copy and stop borrowing hers.

I like the flow of the CD. I like the uptempo "Please" and "Take This Ring" and I love the ballads. If you like Toni Braxton you will appreciate this CD and the time that she put into it. Don't take my word for it, go get your own copy......as I have to do now.

Please 9/10
Trippin 10/10
What's Good 10/10
Take This Ring 10/10
Midnite 10/10
I Wanna Be (Your Baby) 9/10
Sposed to Be 10/10
Stupid 10/10 - I loved this in Diary of a Mad Black Woman
Finally 9/10
Shadowless 10/10

There are two things that bother me about this CD:

1. There are only 10 songs (I'd love to hear more!)
2. The lack of promotion - This is a GREAT CD that can be bigger if it was promoted better. I hear about how good it is on my local radio, but that's about all the buzz I hear, outside of word of mouth. I do think that this CD will have a spurt and it will blow up, once everyone continues to hear how good it is. When I was in line purchasing my copy a woman was going on about how good it was that the man in front of me said that he was going to get a copy for himself.

She deserves ANOTHER Grammy for this one.

There are no words to describe what this album is and what it's done for me...and it jus came out today! Mariah's "Emancipation" CD wuz tha last CD for me that could be played from front to back, but clearly that's a false statement now! I can't believe someone could jus comeback like that. Unlike most artist, Toni never lost her voice....jus tha chemistry that she once had with Arista Records. Well let me be tha first to say HAAA!, Y'all some fools for letting such a jewel go....like her song says STUPID! Blackground records is and always will be my favorie label so I'm a very big fan of this new move in her life. The services offered there were obviously utilized as shown on tha CD. Everybody's favorite obviously shall be TRIPPIN', so I had to find another one so I could be different. Clearly I WANNA BE (YOUR BABY) is a classic Toni that would make a great single and video.....do I see tha next single???? But this CD shows that she is no longer compromising her old self to compete with tha new like Aris.......they wanted her to do. Instead she fused them to evolve to tha next level. I LOVE HER! I did not give her permission to come back like this! Tha "HEAT" is back!!!!!!!!!!

With her new album Libra, Toni finds her balance and then adds a little something extra to the scales. This album is a true return to form for Miss Braxton. Braxton adds no rappers, no in your face hip hop tracks, nothing too experimental, she sticks to the formula that has made her successful and then some. Libra finds Toni in form with an updated sound of pure classic R&B, which decribes Libra. With that said, this puts Libra up there with Secrets and her debut album. Stand out tracks on this album include the ballads Stupid, Shadowless, and I Wanna Be, Which finds Toni using her fullest signature vocal power. Other sexy stand out tracks include Finally, Supposed To Be & Please. Toni goes deep, defining the meaning of love on her latest single a track called Trippin. Toni goes in a perfect direction on the beautiful soft Sade sounding ballad called Suddenly, which is simply a beautiful track. However Braxton does step on a few toes with What's Good, Long Way Home & Take This Ring, although not bad tracks just average with Take This Ring sounded a little too familiar to another Rich Harrison track. Another good track worth noting is Midnight, nothing special, but it still has that classic R&B feel which we all have come to love from Toni.
Libra is a great album, that fans of Toni and many others will come to appreciate, as a classic Toni album.