Customer Reviews

More Than a Woman

5 star:		(54)
4 star:		(48)
3 star:		(34)
2 star:		(26)
1 star:		(27)

 

 

All it takes is a few minutes of the opening track "Let Me Show You The Way (Out)" to figure out that "More Than a Woman" isn't going to be your ordinary Toni Braxton CD. On her fourth release in a decade, the r&b fixture forsakes Diane Warren-penned tunes in favor of jams produced by collaborators like the Neptunes and Irv Gotti. It's a career move that brings her closer to Mary J. Blige than Celine Dion, and while cynics will complain that "More Than a Woman" may sound too trendy for the 34-year-old singer, it features some of her spiciest work. You're looking for a sequel to "Un-Break My Heart" or "Breathe Again?" It ain't gonna happen. "Give it Back," "Hit the Freeway," and "Me and My Boyfriend" have Braxton in fine form, and her collaborators arm her with street-smart beats that don't bury her robust voice. Not that she's totally forgotten her roots, mind you. She reunites with longtime producer Babyface for the decent, if slightly unspectacular, ballad "And I Love You." "More Than a Woman" is more than another album from Toni Braxton. It's a statement that she's willing to try something a little different. For that, she certainly deserves credit.

Braxton is merely "going through the motions" in this attempt to appeal to a cross-section of the listening audience. Not a single track on this release is worthy of the singer or the attention of the buying public. There are no selections that grab ya.

I hate to be critical of an artist of her caliber, but Braxton needs to go back to the drawing board, i.e., her acclaimed pairings with Babyface and the sultriness that is her forte.

Toni is known for her sulty ballads and sexy upbeat numbers and this cd is no different. The big surprise here is how she incorporates various types of music into one hot album... There is not a single song on the album that I do not like. This is a run down:
1. Let me show u the way ( out) - This is something totally not expected. It is very funky and has a james brown type of feeling to it. Great into, upbeat and great lyrics. She's basically showing a bad lover the way out
2. Give it back- Another upbeat dance tune. Its funky and the lyrics are creative. Telling the guys here that she wishes she never gave them what they wanted, she wants a refund. Funny and good rap also from the big tymers.
3.A Better Man- A wonderful ballad about getting the courage to leave a lover that just hasn't fullfilled your heart. Beautiful lyrics and encouraging to anyone involved in a break up.Strong vocals and great instrumental.
4. Hit the freeway- The first single, very upbeat and great sound for toni. She is once again pushing an ex away that just doesn't seem to get the hint. Catchy and funky.
5.Lies Lies Lies- This is the BIG supprise on the album. Fed up w/ lies from her man, she is telling him off, BUT in a BIG way. This is a rockish ballad far different from anything out there right now... Her vocals are stretched to the max and amazing! The guitars and instruments could have been done live and she really can rock. Probably one of the best tracks on the entire album.
6. Rock me Roll me- This is my favorite track for sure. The instrumental is hypnotic and romantic. Its sexy and it sends out a message about why women are the way they are. This is toni trying to lay it out for all the guys that dont understand. Its midtempo and very lush. Amazing creative work.
7. Selfish - its a romantic song that took a bit to grow on me. She is saying how she loves her man and doesnt want to share him w/ anyone. Its sweet and the vocals are great.
8.Do you remember when? is a jazzy midtempo song that has a great beat. She is recalling the days of love lost. Her vocals are great and the lyrics take you back to that ex that still lingers in your mind.
9.Me and my boyfriend - a latin flavored hip hop ode to her boyfriend. Its beautiful and romantic. way better than the one beyonce and jay z have out. She is singing about how her boyfriend is all she needs in her life.
10.Tell Me - probably one of the sexiest toni songs on the album ! She is promising a lover just want she can do for him. She ask him to tell her his fantasies. The lyrics are a little dirty and kinky but its done in good taste and the background music is taken from anita bakers' sweet love. Excellent choice for toni.
11. And I love you - traditional baby face song but w/ a jazz flavor. Very sad and heartwrenching. First time I heart it my heart sank. She is talking about the trials and tribulations in her relationship. Great song again
12. Always is a beautiful romantic song . Not the best but leaves the album on a high note.

All of these songs are above average to say the least. Toni never disappoints and continues to innovate. If i could i'd give this cd 4.5 stars because its just fresh and sexy- very diverse and original.

Having turned into a glamor girl from her second album onwards, Toni has since not looked back. While her husky and sensual voice did captivate, she has traded quality for quantity.

From Secrets onwards, Toni Braxton took too much time out seeking the advice from the Queen of Soapy ballads Diane Warren that eventually bored everyone else.

It's sad to say that although this featured great sass and beats, it has become much of a pedestrian one. Everyone's employing a few rappers, throw in some beats and make a slick video. Look at jlo. Although Braxton's voice has not changed in any way, the songs here are tired rehash of what you would hear on radio these days. First single Hit The Freeway features Loon on the rapping table and with some cool beats, really mask the talent of our soul lady. Plus the material here isn't very tempting. Much of it is again on the age-old issues of he's-done-me-wrong-and-i-aint-taking-it-no-more. And please Braxton, stop doing those Spanish-tinged songs such as Me and My Boyfriend on this album and put on more clothes. Your voice is smothering enough you dun have to show skin!

Toni bounced back in 2000 with her THE HEAT album, after many legal battles, bankrupcy and more. Now she is back with her newest offering MORE THAN A WOMAN. While I enjoyed THE HEAT, it was a slight disapointment in terms of material. It was weighed down by ballads, and there was the rare appearance of an uptempo song. However on WOMAN, she is in a more upbeat mood judging by the vibe of the CD. The album's first single is the hip hop friendly "Hit The Freeway" which features Loon, not a bad track at all to introduce the CD with. There are a lot of producers here too, Rodney Jerkins (Do You Remember When), Keri Lewis (Tell Me, Rock Me Roll Me, Lies Lies Lies), The Neptunes (Hit The Freeway), Irv Gotti (Me & My Boyfriend), Robert Smith (Selfish, Always), Babyface (And I Love You), and more. The material is mostly uptempo, on R&B uptempos like "Let Me Show You The way (Out)", "Give It Back" (Featuring The Big Tymers), "Do You Remember When", "Tell Me", and more. She is tender on ballads like "Always", "Selfish", "Rock Me, Roll me" and more. Overall this is a strong collection from Toni, she has found her stride I believe with this CD. Worth picking up.

......unfortunately this cd is just that---AVERAGE. As a 'here from the beginning, there til' the end' genuine and true fan of Toni Braxton, I was more than disappointed with the quality of the songs and the overall feel of this album. This is nothing more than a few sampled beats, some rap appearances, meaningless lyrics, and some mumbled words put together. These are typical songs one has heard before on Ashanti's (of all artist to try an emulate) debut--"Me and My Boyfriend"-- , or soft trynna be ballads from Brandy's last album-- "Always" or "Selfish". Also the beat to the Rodney Jerkins produced track "Do You Remember When" is too similar to Michael Jackson's "Butterflies" and "You Rock My World". No songs from this album, in my opinion, will be considered a classic in years to come. None of them are comparable to "Breathe Again" or "Just Be A Man About". I realized that she was trying to present something new and up to date, but what happened to giving us that which were are use to and expect from her--strong selections that allow her full vocal ability to shine through. None of which are present here. After "The Heat" which was supposed to be the "band-aid" album, according to Toni, I was expecting something much better than this. I wasn't even going to write a review because I was truly not impressed or moved by the album, but I felt so let down that I had to express how I felt. Truthfully, this is an album that only a diehard fan (in denial) or someone who doesn't own any of her previous cd's can appreciate. Sadly, the title of the album is very much a contradiction to what the content of the album is about.

Unfortunately Ms. Braxton has reached an all time low. Catering to people with absolutely no taste in music whatsoever. This CD is completely uninspired. Full of tasteless, uninspired lyrics and music. Her beautiful voice is wasted on this CD.

She works with artists (should they even be given that title?) like Cash Money, Loon, Irv Gotti? Even her own husband and sister! These people are not renowned producers and song writers in the industry. How in the hell do you go from working with grammy award winning song writer/producers such as Babyface and Diane Warren to working with Murder Inc.???? Irv Gotti is not even worthy of her presence!!

Ms. Braxton should be ashamed of herself. As of this writing her CD is at #86 at the Billboard charts!!!! And only after 9 weeks. Good for her .... She puts out garbage like this and she should get exactly what she deserves.

This is simply an excellent CD. I actually had the fortune of listening to this for the first time after Libra was released earlier this month. I'm re-auditioning Libra right now. But let me be very straight forward with a real opinion from someone who knows R&B and soul. This is a must have for any Toni fan. Take a close listen to the track "selfish" for a sample of the engineering that went into this disc. Amazing indeed. More than a Woman isn't her best CD, but its a solid four star album and I'd personally like to hear more of this type of sound out of Toni. I'm not suggesting an entire album of this hip-hopish flow, but absolutely at least three or four songs. The weakest track "lies, lies, lies" is still a audio/sensory authority over 90% of the other mainstream R&B artists best tracks. What a sultry voice. Please take the less experienced reviewers opinions lightly and listen to this CD. The proof is in the puddin!

On More Than a Woman, a title that conjures images of the talented Aaliyah and Toni's tribute appearance in the memorable 'Miss You' video, Braxton proves comparisons to the most beloved singers more than justified. She reveals her most sonically upbeat work to date, a pleasure to those of us who had been waiting for Toni to test those waters since the successes of 'You're Makin' Me High' and 'He Wasn't Man Enough' - yet her lyrical exploration of relationship complexities remains relevant and emotionally stimulating.

The haunting 'Rock Me, Roll Me' slips into the heart of obsessive relationships, setting the scene for the telling 'Selfish' where Toni nonchalantly coos "You can call me selfish." The touching 'And I Love You' and 'Always' find the then newlywed Braxton revealing to her husband an undying love as true as the love her fans share for her music. Soft strings bring in the seductive 'Do You Remember When' tamed by the sultry 'Tell Me' where Toni teases "If you want a little ménage à trios...well maybe that's too far."

And Toni does have her limits, as the man who finds his bags packed on the independent anthem 'A Better Man' finds out; and husband Keri Lewis is unlikely to forget, given his collaboration with his wife on definite favorite 'Lies, Lies, Lies'. Loon and Pharrell learn that Toni isn't one for second chances on 'Hit the Freeway', while Curtis Mayfield gets the door on 'Let Me Show U The Way (Out)' as a fed up Braxton spits "Let me break it down. Let me show you how, I'm `a put you out!" And Baby (of Cash Money) scores on the comical highlight 'Give it Back', his second pairing with Toni Braxton, as he opines:

"You know I love you right? For real.
Okay...
All right, it's close to love...
I like you -
I ain't gon' lie - I like you in a big way."

Even including 'Me and My Boyfriend' the controversy rousing track that sits as the only scarring element of this record, Toni Braxton brings forth a sensual, sly, superior album that deserves nothing less than five stars.

Toni Braxton's albums are always a bit uneven. This time out, the filler tends to sink more than usual, namely in the form of hip-hop numbers that don't differentiate themselves from each other. That doesn't mean there aren't any terrific songs; in fact, the best songs on this record are some of the best she's done. The album opener, "Let Me Show You The Way (Out)" is Toni's "It's Not Right But It's Okay," only with a decidedly tribal influence. "Lies Lies Lies" saves itself from being another hyperballad with it's fantastic guitar work and rich instrumentation. "Rock Me, Roll Me" can be considered an artistic peak for Toni; it's a rich, dreamy mid-tempo masterpiece with a poigniant edge on par with "Another Sad Love Song" and "Let It Flow." "A Better Man" also makes an impression with it's jazzy, philly-soul vibe. Most of the rest of the record is pleasant enough, but not all that memorable. The only genuine "turkey" is the first single, "Hit The Freeway," which simply doesn't stick. Nonetheless, 'More Than A Woman' is a worthy effort that satisfies.