Search - Chrisette Michele :: Epiphany

To the left...of her first album.

Yasmine Mohamed | UK | 05/05/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought the first album having heard her sing the hook on both Jay-Z and Nas records. I was very impressed with that album in the sense of it provided something different to what I was used to with R&B/Soul music. I really love this chick's jazzy feel and her voice is incredible. Songs like "Let's Rock", "Best Of Me" and "Mr Radio" were amongst my favorites.



Epiphany is an album whereby she has completely switched it up, still having that funk and jazz vibe from her previous album but with a more contemporary feel. I actually think this will appeal to a wider range of listeners as its very young, hip and fresh.



Unlike the previous album, I adore every single song on this album, and in my opinion each song has single potential. First and foremost, "On My Own" is sure to give you chills, because of the lyrical content (so many people feel this way) or because of the way she expresses how she feels with her voice. "Mr Right" will have you bopping like your listening to some funk or 80s rap music. I love the vocal harmonies on this song. "Playing Our Song" is a really fun song,for some reason it reminds me very much of the song "WOW" by Brandy...don't ask why it just does. I love this song and I am aware that Claude Kelly had input with this song. Very impressive. "Notebook" gives the old school vibe soul music, very relaxing and her voice really shines here. I can see the video for this being set in the 1920s. "Blame It On Me" is absolutely heart warming, the fact she's singing about wanting a relationship to be over regardless of the reason is touching; the same goes for "I'm Okay". Hands down "Epiphany" will be the reason people buy this album, if it wasn't for this single, I would not be aware of the album's existance (the truth). Working with Ne-Yo was a great decision on Chrisette's behalf. He is a great writer and sometimes his songs go to waste with 'certain' artists. For some reason "Another One" has a type of country vibe going on, I like the hook, but the first verse had my face twisted up because I really do not like country music. I think its just in the way she sings the song. "Porcelain Doll" is a fiesty song, and a lot of women will be singing this gauranteed. "All I Ever Think About" is a good slow jam and the vocals yet again are of a high standard. Finally, a bangin' song on the album has to be "Fragile". The hook on this song is crazy and will definately stick in your head afterwards.



Generally, her voice brings out the emotions of this album extremely well. The songs are very real, her voice is raw which makes the songs believable. I am officially claiming this as the best R&B/Soul album of this year (Hello Grammy's 2010!!). Very consistent throughout, great voice, great songs and great melodies. What more could you ask for.



MY TOP 5:



1. On My Own (I have this on repeat)

2. Epiphany

3. Mr Right

4. Playing Our Song

5. Notebook"

Sophomore Success

J. Giles | 05/04/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great sophomore project. A different side but still great vocals and lyrics. I am so pleased with this. I saw her in concert and her vocals were better than the cd. You hear more of her range on this cd than you did on "I Am." I enjoy cd's that I don't have to skip songs. Another hit record in my opinion."

If You Think You've Figured Chrisette Michele Out, Think Aga

UrbanSophistic | Washington, DC | 05/13/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you think you've got Chrisette Michele figured out her new sophomore album Epiphany may prove that you don't have a clue. Die-hard fans will be surprised to hear a deviation from what her debut promised.



With a chic new look and fresh perspective following a disastrous relationship with her former manager, the Grammy-award winning singer-songwriter is back to issue overdue ultimatums on one hand and dote on budding love on the other.



For her second go-round the 26-year-old New York native enlists the help of consistent hit-maker Ne-Yo, who pens six of the 12 tracks, including the first single also titled "Epiphany." Together they strike gold, crafting a bevy of radio-friendly mid-tempo grooves like "Another One", "On My Own," and "What You Do," the latter of which features prominent background vocals from Ne-Yo.



The results are pleasing as Chrisette turns out to be quite a muse for his "fed-up-female" lyrics and catchy melodies. It just so happens that these songs reflect some of her personal experiences during the two years since her emergence.



Producer Chuck "Major" Harmony, in-house member of Ne-Yo's Compound Entertainment, creates a musical landscape that infuses the edginess of hip-hop with the tenderness of R&B. The sound is purely 2009, invoking little nostalgia to decades past. No Nina Simone samples here, but Chrisette still croons with the jazzy-ness of Ella Fitzgerald, at times relying on the delicate rasp of her soprano-contralto.



Though writing far less than with the first project, her skills are put to good use nonetheless, especially on the haunting "Blame It on Me." "You can say whatever you like/As long as we just say good bye/Blame it on me," she pleads.



Midway through the set it's a team of unknowns who pen and produce the album's showstopper, first-rate R&B slow jam "All I Ever Think About." Chrisette wholeheartdly ditches her jazz-tinged chops for a soulful delivery that is sure to explode on urban radio if the executives at DefJam have any plans of transitioning their classically-trained artist from an underrated talent.



Near the end of the record, the tempo remains steady, but the charm of the first half has to stretch a bit farther. With Ms. Michele's craft in top form from beginning to end, however, every track served up is far from mediocre.



As sophomore albums go, changing up the formula is a win-or-lose affair; very few artists transition without alienating some sector of their audience. The same is true with Epiphany. Given the urban adult contemporary base her debut album established, Chrisette's youthful second outing is a change of pace for a host of traditional fans.



Fortunately this new project has already caught on with a new, wider group of listeners and is packed full of enough winners to make them sure fans. Epiphany, thus far, is the best female R&B record of the year, and certainly more satisfying than the much-maligned Fantasy Ride Ciara releases on the same day.



So with her personal life in the healing process, Chrisette is poised to translate her therapy into critical and commercial success."