Customer Reviews

Unexpected

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Don't be fooled by the low price or the unthrilling cover art - Michelle William's 'Unexpected' is an album you'll want in your collection. Deviating from her usual gospel genre as a solo artist, Williams deviates into the realm of pop/dance music. I found many of these tracks to be fun, club/party songs and it seems as if she's really stepping out of her comfort zone and pulled out a hit compared to so many artists these days who are spinning out cds with only one or two tracks that are worth listening to.

The Good: There's a upbeat vibe running throughout the cd. I agree with the other reviewer that the first version of 'We Break the Dawn' is kid of lacking and odd in that it's really a laid back pop song. Then we're treated to a remix that's definitely meant for the clubs. It's the club/dance songs that work the best and pull 'Unexpected' together. 'Lucky Girl Interlude/Lucky Girl' tricks you into thinking she's about to drop the dance beat and go into a ballad-type song until you literally hear the beat drop and the dance vibe is back in charge. Along with this song, 'Private Party', 'Stop This Car' and 'Too Young for Love' also stand out from the crowd as songs that do a good job at showing off her vocal abilities along with backing and instruments that are fun and new for her.

The Bad: Some of the slower-paced songs make for a bit of an uneven CD. Right when you've been hooked by a beat or a really fun song, you're hit with one that's a bit slower and less of a dance/pop song and more of a ballad. While I don't feel any of the songs on this cd are horrible and unlistenable, I would have been interested in hearing her put songs like 'Too Young for Love' and 'Thank U' to a dance/club beat to make the CD more consistent and solid.

In all, a really good CD that did manage to surprise me. Michelle Williams really stepped up on this release. It's just as infectious as her colleague Beyonce Knowles' "B'Day" album while being a better produced and fun album that Kelly Rowland's latest 'Ms. Kelly'. Shame it isn't properly being publicized and promoted but take my word for it, this 'unexpected' CD from Michelle Williams will be on constant replay in my collection and I'm sure it's something that will appeal to those looking to just have fun and dance. Check it out.

Don't get me wrong, I've loved and supported Michelle Williams ever since she joined Destiny's Child. I enjoyed both of her gospel albums, even though the sophomore effort was far better than her debut. But when I heard that she was recording a new album that was going to be pure dance/pop, I was uneasy. She proved me wrong with Unexpected. She got excellent producers to help her execute the songs, great songwriters that provided her with great material, and most importantly, she has a new confidence that shines through and makes you finally believe that she really wants to be a star. The "Unexpected Intro" opens the album well and next is the incredibly catchy "Hello Heartbreak," which will surely fare as well as "We Break the Dawn" has on the club scene. The latter is a grand and energetic part song penned by Solange Knowles; in my opinion, the hip-hop-tinged part two with Flo-Rida is even better. "Lucky Girl" is a sweet midtempo on which she explaines her gratefulness to have a great man. "The Greatest" is an inspirational ballad that will hopefully be the single that pushes this album to the forefront. "Till the End of the World" is a dramtic uptempo with a chorus that stands out. To be honest, "Private Party" is my least favorite track. I always skip it because it's just not that exciting. "Hungover," on the other hand, is the best song on this set. It has funky production and a unique chorus that reminds me of something Nicole Wray would sing. "Stop This Car" is a beautiful midtempo and "Unexpected" is a synth-heavy track where Michelle leaves a lover that never thought she would have the strength to do so. "Thank U" is a letter of gratitude to an ex who taught her she deserves better. I love it, but the background vocals during the chorus are a bit childish-sounding. "Too Young For Love" wasn't a good way to end the album, in my opinion. But overall, this is a surprisingly excellent album from Michelle--probably her best to date--and hopefully she gets the push she deserves.

I am so happy Michelle came out with such a great cd. I had previously heard snippets from the album. This album is different from other albums I have heard this year and it is something you can dance to. I am a R&B fan but I also like dance music as well. This cd was worth the money paid for.

Wow!! Thatz all I can really say about thiz album. Yes, I have been a fan of DC3 since Michelle joined the group and I alwayz knew there was something special about her, but I didnt know that she could possible make me love her more than I already do. I loved both of her gospel albums, they were amazing. What iz even more amazing to me is that she is able to switch genres in her solo career so easily. Every song on this album is hot, especially the greatest, thank u, and hello heartbreak. Wait....and lucky girl lol they r all amazing tracks, and u can really c how her confidence has grown because it is beautifully displayed on this album. If u dnt have it yet, ur missing out on the BEST album of 2008, period. Michelle, best of luck to you in ur future endeavors. O and please, can u and Destiny's Child just do like 5 more albums??? lol

~Swiff~

I have never been a fan of Michelle in Destiny's Child or as a solo artist. However, after listening to a few of her tracks online I decided to purchase her album and was pleasantly surprised. She is not the best singer but her style is unique and the type of songs she has assembled on Unexpected are suitable for her voice. The only thing I don't understand is why her album was not heavily promoted. She has a quality album and deserves to be marketed if she has any realistic chances of being successful.

Unfortunately for Michelle and Kelly, as long as they are with Matthew Knowles they will NEVER receive adequate marketing, budgeting, promotion or branding to be successful as a solo artist. Hopefully they realize this before consumers give up on them as artists.

Stand out tracks:
Hello Heartbreak-funky dance track
The Greatest-beautiful ballad without over the top vocals
Stop this Car-nice melancholy sound
We Break the Dawn remix-fly dance track
Hungover-funky groove
Private Party-nice and unique sound

Support Michelle. You will be thoroughly surprised and its refreshing that she stepped out of the traditional R & B niche.

MICHELLE - Unexpected-


IS GREAT!
her single the greatest!!!!!
is very nice.



IF U WANNA hear some good music pick it up!

1. Unexpected Intro
2. Hello Heartbreak
3. We Break The Dawn
4. Lucky Girl Interlude/Lucky Girl
5. The Greatest
6. Till The End Of The World
7. Private Party
8. Hungover
9. We Break The Dawn (Part 2 featuring Flo Rida)
10. Stop This Car
11. Unexpected
12. Thank U
13. Too Young For Love



ALL Are very good!!


if u are tired of the same old r and b routine then def pick up this!
and ff to the greatest! then look up the song on youtube video or her website!
it is def a greaaaaaaaaat start and gift for the HOLIDAY SEASoN!!!


STOCKING STUFFER

STOCKING
STUffer!!!



BUY IT BUY IT

This is a good clubbin CD! It has a lot of dance songs!! Michelle has an awesome voice!

Dear Sony Music Label, If this project "Unexpected" is not properly pushed/promoted this will be such a missed opportunity for Michelle Williams as an artist. This CD is H O T !!! There is nothing on R & B radio that is as new, creative, clean and danceable in my opinion. The tracks are well written, well sung (without overbearring runs and riffs)and musically progessive. * The remixes alone on Michelles myspace and on Amazon.com alone deserve a purchase in itself.If I must pick 3 songs as my personal favorites... 1)Hungover, the most unexpected track is FIERCE and a video with dramatics must follow a definate club banger 2)The Greatest...now this is the one to take Michelle over the top with commercial appeal,message and a beautiful hook...A Winner !!! And last but not least on the CD...3) song # 4... all I can say is U Better Sing Tenetria wow !!! One listen and you will realize after you purchse this Cd how I became the "Luckiest Boy" !!! Destiny Child Fans,music listeners who crave the "Unexpected" unite and support hands down One of the Best CD's of the Year...***Michelle keep your head UP !!! Well Done

YOU HAVE TO GET THIS ALBUM. YOU CAN REALLY TELL MICHELLE PUT HER HEART AND SOUL INTO. I LOVE ALL THE TRACKS YEAH SOME MORE THAN OTHERS BUT OVERALL "UNEXPECTED" IS HOT. MICHELLE GAVE US SOMETHING GREAT. TAKE MY ADVICE BUY THIS ALBUM. I BOUGHT IT OFF HERE AND ITUNES. GET THIS ALBUM YO WON'T REGRET IT NOW I GOTTA GET BACK TO LISTENING TO "HUNGOVER" LOL

This album is GREAT!!! Even considering the fact that I had already heard snippets of most of the songs back in July of this year, she still came with more intriguing songs on this album!

I am NOT bored listening to this album AT ALL!!! This is one album that I am going to KEEP and PROMOTE! She did NOT get the Promotion that she really deserved!!! Sony did not do her justice! Maybe they didn't think she'd turn it out! This album is the BOMB guys!

If you're looking for an upbeat album for dancing, singing, relationship advice, POP tracks, R&B tracks, and just pure FUN, this is it!

MICHELLE DEFINITELY HAS MY VOTE! THIS ALBUM MAKES HER SSSSSHHHHHIIIIIINNNNNNEEEEEE!!!!