Neon Reviews: Chris Brown – Graffiti
Chris Brown - Graffiti
Two years ago, Chris Brown released his sophomore album, Exclusive, at a very peculiar time in his life. He was an 18-year-old boy becoming a man with the task of trying to convey this in his music. He did a pretty good job. The album, though flawed, was well-received, it spawned several successful singles and gave the clean-cut Virginia-born singer/dancer access to a new audience of adoring fans.
Fast-forward to now. Chris Brown reemerges a new person. He’s now 20. He’s had his first serious relationship with fellow pop star Rihanna. He’s had a very public break-up. And, oh yeah, a very public conviction for felony assault on his ex.
On his third album, Graffiti, he’s forced to take on an all new set of tasks like how to continue to crossover musically from adolescent to adult, addressing his tumultuous year, and making amends to the public all while keeping his album listenable for those who aren’t embroiled in his personal life. The result is an album pulled in many directions, but with just enough gusto to sustain his die-hard fans, and possibly win some back.
Without making any clear-cut apology songs (it’s for the best — it would probably be misconstrued as a shameful attempt at selling the record), or going into detail, he touches on his situation by admitting he has to start from scratch in the beautiful ballad “Crawl,” and lamenting how hard it is to deal with life and missteps under such a brutal microscope in the dark stunner “Fallin’ Down” and the African drum and finger snap outfitted “Lucky Me.” “Why is it so easy for you to blame? I’m only human, we’re all the same…I’m shaking these demons underneath all the pride,” he sings on “Fallin’ Down” with piercing aggression in his normally sweet voice.
He’s best when he trades the immature fodder of brag-fest songs like “What I Do” and “Wait,” which are both fun, radio-ready hip-hop-kissed tunes, but painfully beneath him, or the accusatory albeit clever “Famous Girl” which skirts the brink of impropriety so severely it might have been better left off of the set for synthy dance-pop masterpieces like “I.Y.A.” and “Pass Out,” and the electronic-rock-meets-hip-hop “I Can Transform Ya.” These standout tracks show his progression and willingness to experiment as he expands his sound.
His vocal growth is showcased most in the longing ballad “I’ll Go,” where Brown sings about ending up heartbroken in a relationship, but not regretting a thing. “If you don’t come back, this love was worth it/That’s the one thing I know/If you don’t make it back/Girl, remember that I said I’ll go for you.” It’s a moment of genuine emotion that even the coldest critic can feel.
It’s hard not to associate many of the songs on Graffiti with Brown’s personal life, but for those who judge it based solely on the music, it’s harder to deny that Brown is a multi-dimensional star who’s fallen, but has the talent to rise again — if afforded the opportunity.
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Shamelessly and unapologetically reporting on all things pop music with a celebrity blog twist. Got tips or new music we should check out? Email us at 
hell yeah!! team Breezy LETS GO!!!!!!!! i got my copy already and is simply amazing im in love with him again!!!!!
As an older fan (30) I have to say that I have grown to love this young man more and more as I witness his struggles to apologize and redeem himself all under the public spotlight. I purchased several copies this morning of the album and aside from, honestly, 1-2 songs the whole album is great and will be in rotation for me. I don’t get these other websites who blast him for ” if he was trying to make an apology album he failed, he’s not remorseful with this song or that, how dare he try and blame her in Famous Girl….” This album was not meant to be a apology nor was it meant to be entirely about her, it is a self-expression of what he has gone through this past year. I personally after hearing all songs feel he gave a perfect balance at how much he touched on “the incident”, overall he showed that he is ready to move on and get back to having fun. Lesson learned and growing to be a better man- “APPLAUSE”. Definetly recommend the album for the music and leave his personal life, just that PERSONAL.
I agree whole heartedly with what you said. I seriously need to stop reading all the blogs and comments about Chris because usually they just manage to make me angry, but your comments were the best that I have read in a long while. I have bought a few copies of the CD myself and I enjoy it. I feel that he is still talented and has grown up. Afterall, the “incident” made that necessary. I just pray that he will remain strong and continue to be sucessful because EVERYONE makes mistakes and should be given that second chance to prove himself. In the end I feel that he will be just fine. God just had to allow him to go through that mess so that he can be reminded that nothing in life is free and that not all good things last forever. Again well said. By the way, I’m one of his older fans too. :-) Maybe he needs more of us so he can stay on track. LOL
He is so contrite and full of himself…I hope he flops
We will just ignore Jeanne because she is obviously perfect and has never made a mistake, but I hope Chris continues to be successful. Rihanna wants him to be okay so I see nothing wrong with him making it. All these feminist need to chill because they are going to make people stop supporting them. I am a real woman who knows how real women cause issues for themselves. I am not weak and don’t play it. Weak women piss me off especially those who claim they are strong, get all up in your face, talk mess, and then get knocked out and want sympathy. Not saying that is how Rihanna is because I have no clue, but saying as a woman we know how we do.
Enjoyed your review and I agree with you for the most part. It’s sad that people can’t be objective with his review and judge this album on it’s merit alone, or at least on Chris Brown’s stance as an artist alone. My fave tracks – Lucky Me, I’ll Go, Wait, Pass Out.
Mane decent album.Its sad its not gonna get its due because of everything dat has happened.Cuz its a great album.
Love this album, Sing like me, crawl, track #10 has a whole new grown sound to Chris Brown. Buy it, you will keep it in rotation for a long time. The words are thoughtful and the beats make you move!