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==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/407/brandy_still_intoxicating/ Brandy interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' May 2009]
* ''[http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/brandy/human Human]'' at [[Metacritic]]
* ''[http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/brandy/human Human]'' at [[Metacritic]]
* [http://www.foreverbrandy.com/ ForeverBrandy.com] — official site
* [http://www.foreverbrandy.com/ ForeverBrandy.com] — official site

Revision as of 17:04, 14 July 2009

Untitled

Human is the fifth studio album by American R&B singer Brandy, first released in France in December 2008 and by March 2009 on most international music markets.[3] Distributed by Koch Records and Sony Music, the album marked Brandy's debut on the Epic Records label, following her split with Atlantic Records in 2005,[4] and her reunion with long-time contributor and mentor Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, who wrote and executive produced most of the album with his songwriting collective.[5]

Generally well-received by critics, Human debuted at number fifteen on the U.S. Billboard 200 with opening week sales of 73,000 copies, becoming the singer's lowest-charting debut since her first album fourteen years prior.[6] While leading single "Right Here (Departed)" scored Brandy her biggest chart success since 2002's "What About Us?," the album failed to impact elsewhere, resulting into lackluster sales in general and the release of just one other single, "Long Distance."[7]

Production

Although much of the album was not recorded until late into its production, Brandy has worked on Human on and off since 2005, following her departure with Atlantic Records the same year. Yet unsigned, she entered the studio with several songwriters and producers to create a follow-up to 2004's Afrodisiac, including Scandinavian production team Maximum Risk,[8] Tim & Bob,[9] and Rockwilder,[10] as well as Atlanta-based Bryan Michael Cox and partner WyldCard, with whom she recorded at least three tracks, among others.[11] In addition, Cox was entlisted as the album's executive producer at one time or another, as he confirmed in an interview with AllHiphop in 2007.[5]

It was not until spring 2008, the singer started to record new songs with Midi Mafia, RedOne, and Toby Gad, and reunited with former mentor Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, following his absence on the Afrodisiac album due to a disagreement on Brandy's decision to work with Timbaland in 2003.[12] Having "put aside egos," Jerkins went on to produce the bulk of Human, and as a result, joined her to executive produce the album, replacing producer Brian Kennedy, whose tracks — except "Fall" — were not included on the album.[5] On her decision to revamp the album with Jerkins, Brandy commented: "With Rodney being the person who produced [the first single], I, of course, wanted to go from there because of our history and all the music we have made in the past. It felt like the right thing to do. It felt like home for me, because we work so well together and we have a great chemistry," she said. "So, I wanted to see where that chemistry would take us creatively this time round."[5] While they considered the project complete by September 2008 and Epic Records announced the U.S. release of the album for November 11, a call by Timbaland, who requested Brandy to record additional music with him and protegés J-Roc and James Fauntleroy, caused a month-long delay of Human.[13] His tracks did however also not make the final cut on the album track listing as he was unable to contribute trademark backing vocals to his songs.[14]

In addition, Brandy worked with producers Danja, The Clutch, Rico Love, Elvis "BlacElvis" Williams, Rob Knox,[15] and songwriters Chasity Nwagbara, Atozzio Townes,[16] Kara DioGuardi,[17] and Greg Curtis on Human,[18] although their songs remain yet unreleased on any format. Further studio collaborations with Kerry "Krucial" Brothers, Missy Elliott, Yung Berg, Tonex, and Taio Cruz, by contrast, failed to materialize due to scheduling conflicts.[19][20][21][22]

Musical content

Introduced by the words of Brandy's description of a human being, Human opens with Jerkins-crafted "The Definition." One of the few uptempo recordings on the album,[23] the lyrics of the track were penned by Atlanta writer Crystal Johnson, whose demo version was leaked onto the internet four month prior to the album's official release.[24] The song received generally mixed reviews, with The Boston Globe emphasizing it the most essential track on Human, and reached number sixteen on the Billboard Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart based on downloads only.[25][23] "Warm It Up (With Love)," another Darkchild production, was created around a piano sample and released to strong positive reactions.[26] Highlighted by AllMusic and Slant Magazine,[26] Newsday writer Glenn Gamboa noted it as "guiding principle" on the album.[27] Lead single "Right Here (Departed)" was not recorded until late into the production of Human and the first song Brandy recorded with Jerkins following their musical reunification in early June 2008.[28] Written by The Writing Camp and recorded with therapeutical background, the track chronicles a woman's talks about mutual support with loved ones.[2][29] It reached number-one on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, number 34 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 22 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and the top ten of the French Singles Chart, becoming the singer's biggest chart success in years.[30] Fourth track "Piano Man" was recorded as an ode to the kind of creative relationship cultivated by a vocalist and his or her producer or DJ.[31][2]

"Right Here (Departed)" (2008)
Brandy's musical reunification with Rodney Jerkins on the album's leading single garnered the singer her biggest chart success in years.
"Long Distance" (2008)
The album's second and final single received limited release and failed to chart or sell noticeably anywhere.
Problems playing these files? See media help.

Second single "Long Distance," a ballad about the difficulties of a long-distance relationship,[32] was released to positive reactions by critics, with The New York Times calling it an "hymnlike single that distantly echoes Janet Jackson’s "Again."[33] On the charts however, the track underperformed, although it became the album's second consecutive number-one hit on the Hot Dance Club Play chart.[34] Sixth track "Camouflage," one out of two songs on the album that were penned by songwriter Claude Kelly, garnered strong reviews in general, with Newsday delaring it a "worthy cousin to Beyoncé's 'Irreplaceable' that [is] more about esteem-raising and self-improvement than a search for a sassy put-down."[27] "Torn Down," a joint production by Midi Mafia and Dapo Torimiro, was one of the few prominent Human features on the setlist of Brandy's promotional 2009 concert tour. Incoporating elements of country music, critics noted it a "resolute, crisp mix of static synths, acoustic guitar, and hand claps."[23] Brandy wrote the album's title track with help from producer Toby Gad and Canadian singer Esthero. A "silky R&B anthem" as described by Newsday,[27] the adult contemporary ballad deals with forgiveness.[2] The album's twelfth track, a ballad entitled "True," was produced by RedOne. Garnering good reviews by critics, who noted it one of the stronger tracks on Human,[23] the song also managed to enter Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart, reaching number eighteen.[35]

Reception

Critical response

Human received "generally favorable reviews" from critics, averaging a 67 out of a 100 among averaged reviews on Metacritic.[36] Sarah Rodman of The Boston Globe complimented the album as "appropriately rich and varied [...] It's better than good enough. It's a light, breezy listen that shows off Brandy's resilience, humility, joy, and vibrancy."[23] She especially highlighted Jerkins' input on the album: "Jerkins manages to bring out the expressive best in her pleasantly raspy vocalizing."[23] The Guardian writer Alex Macpherson noted Human "a thoughtful, intimate work on which Norwood sings movingly about fragility and fear," giving it four and a half stars out of five,[37] while Andy Kellman of AllMusic called the album Brandy's "most platitudinal" and "least enjoyable release in her catalog," adding: "Brandy is clearly in a comfort zone that enables her to open up more than ever [...] Human is nothing if not a serious album. But it could very well be her most useful one."[26] He gave the album three and half stars out of five.[26] In his review for Entertainment Weekly, Henry Goldblatt noted "the huskiness that defined Brandy's prior work has been replaced by wispier and higher tones. The result is pleasant but far less ambitious than her last CD, 2004's Afrodisiac.[38] Billboard said that "While Human is missing the sassy Brandy we know and love from such tracks like "I Wanna Be Down" and "Talk About Our Love," we can still appreciate the much-needed solace of setting personal turmoil to memorable music."[39]

Commercial performance

One week after its domestic release, Human debuted at number five on the U.S. Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and at number fifteen on the official Billboard 200 chart, with moderately successful first week sales of 73,000 copies (about half as much as her previous effort album Afrodisiac), making it Brandy's second-lowest charting effort in the U.S. behind her debut album fourteen years prior which reached the number 20 position.[6] In addition, the album reached number six on the Billboard Top Digital Albums chart.[40] While leading single "Right Here (Departed)" became Brandy's best-charting single success in years throughout Europe, Human widely underperformed overseas, failing to enter most national charts.[41] It however, reached the top fifty of the Belgian Albums Chart, and made it to the top 200 of French Albums Chart.[41]

Track listing

  1. "Human Intro" (Brandy Norwood) — 0:19
  2. "The Definition" (Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Crystal Johnson) — 3:43
  3. "Warm It Up (with Love)" (R. Jerkins, Marvin "Tony" Hemmings, Jordan Omley) — 4:03
  4. "Right Here (Departed)" (R. Jerkins, E. Kidd Bogart, David Quiñones, Erika Nuri, Victoria Horn) — 3:39
  5. "Piano Man" (R. Jerkins, Marvin Hemmings, J. Omley)  — 3:59
  6. "Long Distance Interlude" (B. Norwood) — 0:59
  7. "Long Distance" (Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, R. Jerkins, Jeff Bhasker) — 3:51
  8. "Camouflage" (R. Jerkins, Claude Kelly) — 4:04
  9. "Torn Down" (Kevin Risto, Waynne Nugent, Dapo Torimiro, James Fauntleroy) — 3:32
  10. "Human" (B. Norwood, Toby Gad, Lindy Robbins, Jenny-Bea Englishman) — 3:53
  11. "Shattered Heart" (R. Jerkins, C. Johnson, LaShawn Daniels)  — 3:53
  12. "True" (Nadir Khayat, C. Kelly) — 3:47
  13. "A Capella (Something's Missing)" (Kenneth Charles Coby, Chad C. Roper, LeChe D. Martin, Tiyon Mack) — 3:34
  14. "1st & Love" (Chauncey Hollis, Rich King, Christopher Breaux, Jesse Woodard) — 3:20
  15. "Fall" (Brian Seals, B. Norwood, Natasha Bedingfield, L. Daniels) — 4:21[42][43]
U.S. iTunes bonus track[44]
  1. "Gonna Find My Love" (B. Norwood, T. Gad, L. Robbins) — 3:27[45]
U.S. iTunes Deluxe Edition bonus tracks[46]
  1. "Gonna Find My Love" — 3:30
  2. "Locket (Locked in Love)" (C. Breaux, King, B. Seals) — 3:46
  3. "Right Here (Departed)" (Mad Decent Right Mad Mix) — 4:34
  4. "Long Distance" (a cappella) — 3:48
  5. "Right Here (Departed)" (Seamus Haji & Paul Emanuel Club Mix) — 10:53 (pre-order only)
  6. "Right Here (Departed)" (music video) — 3:43
Walmart bonus track[47]
  1. "Long Distance" (Mad Decent Right Mad Remix) — 4:56
  2. "Right Here (Departed)" (Moto Blanco Radio Edit) — 3:32
Japan Limited Edition Bonus Tracks
  1. "Gonna Find My Love" — 3:30
  2. "Locket (Locked in Love)" — 3:46
  3. "Right Here (Departed)" (Remix) (featuring Sean Kingston) — 3:43
  4. "Right Here (Departed)" (Moto Blanco Radio Edit) — 3:32
  5. "Right Here (Departed)" (Seamus Haji & Paul Emanuel Club Mix) — 10:53

Credits and personnel

Musicians

Production

Charts

Chart (2008) Provider Peak
position
Canadian Top 50 R&B Albums Chart Nielson SoundScan 13
French Albums Chart[41] SNEP/IFOP 129
U.S. Billboard 200[48] Billboard 15
U.S. Billboard Top Digital Albums[40] 6
U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[48] 5
Chart (2009) Provider Peak
position
Belgian (Flanders) Albums Chart[41] Ultratop 81
Belgian (Wallonia) Albums Chart[41] 50

Release history

Region Date Label
France[4] December 5, 2008 Epic
Australia[4] December 8, 2008
United Kingdom[49] December 8, 2008
Canada[4] December 9, 2008 Epic, Knockout, Koch
United States[4] December 9, 2008
Japan[4] February 18, 2009 Epic, Sony Music Japan
Belgium[4] February 23, 2009 Epic, Sony Music
Japan (limited CD/DVD edition) March 22, 2009 Epic, Sony Music Japan
Germany March 27, 2009 Sony Music
Austria
Switzerland

References

  1. ^ Venable, Malcolm (2008-10-09). "Brandy, Human". Hampton Roads. Retrieved 2008-10-09.
  2. ^ a b c d Reid, Shaheem & Elias, Matt (2008-08-15). "Brandy Readies Human After Four-Year Hiatus". MTV News. VH1.com. Retrieved 2008-08-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ "FIRST LISTEN: Brandy's New Single, 'Right Here (Departed)'". People. 2008-08-12. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Jones, Steve & Strauss, Gary (2008-08-15). "Coming Attractions: Remember Brandy? She's Coming Back". USA Today. Retrieved 2008-08-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ a b c d "Bryan Michael Cox: Best Kept Secret". AllHipHop. Retrieved 2007-04-08. Cite error: The named reference "ru2" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b Hasty, Katie (2008-12-17). "Taylor Swift Reclaims Billboard 200 Throne". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-12-20.
  7. ^ Marie, Brianna (2008-05-20). "The Latest on Brandy amidst Her European Tour". Urban Bridgez. Retrieved 2009-05-31.
  8. ^ "Database Search: "Maximum Risk"". Warner Chappell Music. Retrieved 2008-03-23.
  9. ^ Souleo (2007-09-28). "7th Shot: Tim & Bob". SixShot. Retrieved 2008-04-19.
  10. ^ Bailey, Lee (2008-02-15). "Producer Shelves Secular Rap in Favor of Christian Hip Hop". EURweb. Retrieved 2008-02-15.
  11. ^ Dean, Kendrick. "WyldCard discography." Official Brian Kennedy MySpace. Retrieved on 2008-10-03.
  12. ^ "Darkchild Vlog #3: Reuniting with Brandy". Rap-Up. 208-09-29. Retrieved 2008-12-20. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ Seacrest, Ryan (2008-10-20). "Brandy is Back!". KissFM. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
  14. ^ "Brandy Wants Darkchild & Timbaland Album". Rap-Up Magazine. 2008-12-11. Retrieved 2008-12-16.
  15. ^ "Introduction". Official Rob Knox MySpace. Retrieved on 2008-10-10.
  16. ^ Norwood, Brandy. "Thank You." Human (Booklet). Retrieved on 2008-12-20.
  17. ^ "NEWS - MARCH 2008". Kara DioGuari. Retrieved 2008-06-01.
  18. ^ Crosley, Hillary (2008-04-02). "Billboard Q&A: Songwriter Greg Curtis". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-05-10.
  19. ^ "Brandy Interview Transcription". DJ Booth. Retrieved 2008-09-10. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |auhor= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ "Video for 'She's Like a Star' from Taio Cruz". Contactmusic. 2008-09-23. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
  21. ^ "John Legend & Keri Hilson Go In For Brandy". Rap-Up Magazine. 2008-09-23. Retrieved 2008-09-23.
  22. ^ "Tonex talks about his recent Breakdown". The Path Megazine. Virginia Preachers. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
  23. ^ a b c d e f Rodman, Sarah (2008-12-08). "Brandy: Human". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2009-02-02.
  24. ^ "Cristyle - 'The Definition of Love'". YouTube. 2008-08-19. Retrieved 2009-03-06.
  25. ^ "Recent Chart Listings". Billboard. 2008-12-20. Retrieved 2009-05-31.
  26. ^ a b c d Kellman, Andy (2008-12-15). "Human review". AllMusic. Retrieved 2009-02-07.
  27. ^ a b c Gamboa, Glenn (2008-12-09). "Review: Brandy's new CD Human". Newsday. Retrieved 2009-03-07.
  28. ^ "Rodney Jerkins on Britney Spears and Brandy's New Albums". Rap-Up Magazine. 2008-06-30. Retrieved 2008-08-23.
  29. ^ Seacrest, Ryan (2008-10-20). "Brandy is Back!". KissFM. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
  30. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - Issue Date: 2008-08-30". Billboard. 2008-08-20. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
  31. ^ Cinquemani, Sal (2008-12-08). "Brandy - Human review". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 2009-03-07.
  32. ^ Brandy @ 106 & Park on September 4, 2008. BET. Youtube. Retrieved on 2008-09-06.
  33. ^ Pareles, Jon (2008-12-28). "Crirtic's Choice". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-05-31.
  34. ^ "Artist Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
  35. ^ "Recent Chart Listings". Billboard. 2008-12-20. Retrieved 2009-05-31.
  36. ^ "Human by Brandy". Metacritic. Retrieved 2009-02-02.
  37. ^ Macpherson, Alex (2008-12-05). "Brandy: Human". The Guardian. Retrieved 2009-02-02.
  38. ^ Goldblatt, Henry. "Human review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2008-12-18.
  39. ^ Concepcion, Mariel (2000-01-10). "Human review". Billboard. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
  40. ^ a b "Top Digital Albums". Billboard. 2008-12-27. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
  41. ^ a b c d e "Human (In the Country)". Swisscharts. Retrieved 2009-05-08.
  42. ^ "Brandy Is Back". BET on Blast. Retrieved 2008-10-03.
  43. ^ "Epic Records Readies the Release of 'Human'". Marketwatch. 2008-08-15. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
  44. ^ "Brandy - Human". iTunes. Retrieved 2008-12-02.
  45. ^ "ACE Title Search: "Find My Love"". ASCAP. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  46. ^ "Brandy - Human". iTunes. Retrieved 2008-12-02.
  47. ^ "Human (with 2 Exclusive Bonus Tracks". Walmart.com).
  48. ^ a b Paine, Jake (2008-12-17). "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 12/14/08". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2008-12-17.
  49. ^ "Brandy - Human". hmv.com. Retrieved 2008-08-23.
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