Chris Brown - Exclusive

It's not because of the irresistible banger that is "Kiss Kiss," and it's not because he's rounded up a guest roster that reaches across the hip-hop universe and pulls T-Pain, Big Boi, and Kanye into orbit: Exclusive solidifies Chris Brown's rise in modern R&B circles because it's a tight, stylish album that reeks of major-career potential. Yes, he's straddling the grown and sexy thing even though he's not yet out of his teens (see "With You," "You," and "I Wanna Be"), and yes, he's pulled in a lot of different directions by a lot of top-tier producers, Scott Storch, the Underdogs, and Will.i.am among them. But the thing that'll grab longtime R&B listeners about Exclusive is the way it hangs together--Brown can belt or go breezy with the best of them, and he doesn't strain for credulity even when faced with lyrics more suited to R. Kelly's wised-up vocal caliber (see "Take You Down"). Last go-round, on his debut, Brown was a hotshot. This time he's just hot. --Tammy La Gorce Amazon.com

Chris Brown-Exclusive

I bought the cd for the kids and my daughters just love him. My son may listen to it sometimes. June 18, 2008

3-1/2 stars -- Almost venturing into three-star territory...

I didn't get a chance to hear Chris Brown's self-titled debut album, but it produced a number of hits that proved that he was far from being another young one-hit wonder. He announced his second album Exclusive last year courtesy of lead single "Wall to Wall", but I guess since that song didn't become a hit after a month, the album was put on hold (maybe it had something to do with the corny Teen Wolf-like video?). But after "Kiss Kiss" gave him another #1 hit (although I hate it when T-Pain RAPS), Exclusive was finally released.

Since Chris is now eighteen (well, when the album was released, anyway), you'd naturally expect to see more adult-oriented material. And the best example of this is the sensual "Take You Down". Other than that, though, the songs really don't sound like a big departure from his earlier stuff, but hey, sometimes you have to go with what works (although I can do without the various MySpace references). And what works are tracks like "Damage", the aforementioned "Wall to Wall", and possibly "I Wanna Be". "With You" is also pretty decent, but I didn't notice the similarity between its music and the music to Beyoncé's "Irreplaceable" until other reviewers mentioned it (to me, the song AND the video feel like a commercial jingle).

However, sometimes things can get a little corny, like "Lottery" and "Help Me", but especially when guest rappers come around, particularly the two-in-a-row of "Picture Perfect" and "Hold Up" (featuring will.i.am and Big Boi, respectively). And the Lil' Wayne-assisted "Gimme Watcha Got" is okay, but it's no "Gimme That". The two bonus tracks ("Nice" and "Down") are also an issue: the former is a disposable track made worse by the Game's all-too-familiar Tupac comparisons, and the latter would be fine if it weren't for Kanye West's nonsensical verse.

To be honest, Exclusive is really another one of those at-least-he-released-the-right-songs kind of albums. It's not a total waste of time, but if you're not a big Chris Brown fan (of if you're over the age of eighteen), B.I.F.

Anthony Rupert June 8, 2008

not pleased

The CD itself was perfect however the case was completely shattered when i recieved it....this is unusual for amazon. Lately i have been having problems with amazon products so i hope they can get all these "issues" fixed. June 4, 2008

Exclusive

If you like Exclusice then you will LOVE.. Smoke Sessions by Devin the Dude. This is one of the best of 2008. May 19, 2008

UGH!

I'm mad at Chris for this one. More garbage right along w/ Danity Kane!! man...I swear...the only songs that sound like anything are the ones that have been overplayed on the radio--and I don't even like those!! See...he was spending too much dang on time making duets w/ Rhianna and Jordin...this CD really isn't good, no depth, no cute little tracks---back to the recording studio he goes. March 29, 2008

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