Ashanti - Chapter II

This sophomore effort by 2002 hip-pop debutante Ashanti is aimed squarely at the mainstream portion of her audience. Where she made her name with radio-ready duets featuring Ja Rule and Fat Joe, Chapter II goes light on the rap, opting for only a small handful of cameos by co-producer Chink Santana. The mostly mid-tempo tracks are pleasant, but much of the album feels like an unfinished structure that’ll only be fully built when the songs are remixed for the airwaves. Still, with the star’s assured (and nicely undersold) vocals front and center, it amounts to a breath of fresh air from production company Murder Inc. Note: "Breakup 2 Makeup" once more updates the Chaka Khan/Mary J. Blige classic "Sweet Thing." --Rickey Wright Amazon.com

the album is ok

the album is ok its really nice my favorite song on her album is
rain on me
living my life
other then that the album is ok its not that bad it could of been better the album is not that bad July 20, 2008

Feel Good Album

Ashanti's sophomore album is full of sweet melodies, catchy hooks, and feel good music. "I Don't Mind" and "Ohhh Ahhh" are sultry songs that captivate you with their incredibly seductive lyrics. "Rock Wit U", "Breakup 2 Makeup", "Feels So Good" and "Living My Life" are feel good songs with sweet melodies. "Carry On" and "U Say, I Say" have more of a hip-hop vibe to them and have great beats behind their catchy lyrics. Finally, the album's stand-out track "Rain On Me" has a great beat, honest lyrics, and fantastic vocals. Ashanti definitely impressed me with this album. The mixture of songs all offer something different and bring something new and refreshing to the table. Unlike most albums in the same genre, each track has it's own unique sound. Ashanti's vocals are soft, seductive, and sweet to listen to. She may not have a powerhouse voice like some of her peers (Beyonce), but her soft vocals are incredibly seductive and it's refreshing to hear an r&b artist that doesn't try to overdo it with runs and high notes. This was a nice follow-up to her first album, which I was also a big fan of. I knocked off a star for too many skits and interludes. They take away from the album a bit. Other than that, this album is a smooth, enjoyable ride from start to finish. Recommended June 7, 2008

Good, but Could Have Been Better

The songs are pretty good. I like them. Well, most of them. The only thing that holds this album back is all those darn interludes. I'm the kind of music fan who likes to pop in a CD and start hearing the music. With this album though, you have to listen to two LONG interludes before you even get to the first song! And then, after that one song, you get ANOTHER skit. And using Ashanti's album to promote another Murder Inc. artist? For shame, Irv Gotti. April 14, 2008

Sorry, Shani. This ish is wack. 2.5 stars.

And embarrassing. I really don't know what happened between Her decent debut and here. But something TRAGIC occurred.

Standouts?

The repetitive (Rock Wit U) Aww Baby
The abusive-relationship anthem, Rain On Me (THANK GOD SHE LEAVES HIM!!)
The second most meaningful and gritty, undeniable track on the album, Then Ya Gone
The infectious, Island-influence pop track, laced with an OK rapper's rhyme: Sweet Baby

Very disappointed in this.
Sad that I ever owned it.
Won't recommend it to ANYONE anymore.
Knows it's rubbish.
Knows it's forgettable.
Knows it contains some of the most ridiculously-pointless skits ever.

2.5 stars.

October 25, 2007

Ashanti wut were u thinkin?!

I personally loved most of the songs on Ashanti's debut album but this one took terrible to a whole new level and gave the word disappointing a whole new definition for me. Ashanti has a decent voice and I know she's capable of making better music than this! The only song on here that I can tolerate is Rock Wit U. I bought this album figuring that there are enough tracks on it that I would like at least three or four more in addition to the first single but I was wrong. I won't sell my copy or use it as a coaster because although it won't see the light of day anytime soon I still might one day decide to give it a second listen. July 12, 2007

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