Album review: Chris Brown's 'Graffiti'

It's unlikely that there's anything Chris Brown could have said on his new album -- his first since pleading guilty to assaulting his ex-girlfriend Rihanna -- to convince listeners that he's still the sweetheart that early hits such as "With You" and "Yo (Excuse Me Miss)" presented him as.

But if Brown's goal with "Graffiti" was to begin the rehabilitation of his damaged image, you have to wonder how he and his handlers convinced themselves that including the song "Famous Girl," in which Brown insists that his cheating on a pop-star girlfriend came after her own infidelity, was a good idea. "Should've known that you would break my heart," he sings at one point, prompting a presumably unintended question: Has pop ever produced a less sympathetic victim?

Brown spends most of the rest of "Graffiti" in upbeat party mode, which given the clumsy audacity of "Famous Girl" was probably a wise decision. In "What I Do" he's "throwing up [his] cash, acting like money ain't a thing," while opener "I Can Transform Ya" stresses spending power of an even more exclusive kind: "Whatcha need? You can have that," Brown promises over Swizz Beatz's robo-crunk groove, "My black card, they don't decline that."

A handful of lovingly arranged power ballads were evidently designed to illuminate the singer's remorse over the Rihanna incident. Yet Brown doesn't seem up to the task of contrition; in "Lucky Me," for instance, he's really sorry only about how hard it is to "pick [himself] up and perform for the crowd" after the year he's had.

-- Mikael Wood

Chris Brown
"Graffiti"
Jive
One and a half stars (Out of four)

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Comments

[haley]

this album is amazing and a huge step from his previous albums,its so different and fun,i love it!no one like chris brown:D

[nope]

You really should have passed this assignment to another staff member if you didn't want to review the album. Crawl? I'll Go? Pass Out? Fallin' Down? Great records. The album shows his growth from his previous efforts and this well surpasses anything his peers have put out this year. These two were in a relationship for 2 years. Is he not allowed to express anything about their time together other than pleads about 2/8 that you won't accept and his fans really don't want to hear? What's wrong with Famous Girl if it's true?

[jamie]

whoever wrote this article needs to be seriously rewired. 1 and a half stars out of 4? have u lost ur mind? this album is excellent and i bet you would say it was a 4 out of 4 if he hadn't done what he did to rihanna. but no u gotta go back to his dumb mistake that happened almost a year ago and jus cuz he ruined his "good boy" image that means his music sucks now? wake up and smell the folgers.

[Cecilia]

This is a great "come back"album with a lil fun and a lot of depth. For those that want a beat.... you've got that. But those that want to see Breezy's heart shimmer thru all the media frenzy.... it's here too.  I had a leaked version but I just got my preordered version and it was worth every penny!!!!

I think the irony of it all with the recent celebrity major foul ups, Chris has seem to be one of the only ones to eat his humble pie straight up and the public wants to serve him an extra helpin' still.

He clearly has talent in his singing/entertaining field.... that-no one can deny no matter what you may think of him as a person. Great album! Be sure to get it!!!

[Rob]

All those who have their heads up Chris Brown's butt have been flogging every review of this album on every single site, because it has received nearly unanimously scathing reviews. These are the same people who have twistedly bashed Rihanna for tarnishing HIS image - when he is the one who beat her. Go buy the woman-beater's album if you want, but that doesn't make this pity-me-party of an album good. Sorry folks.

[Nana J]

despite what went on with him and Rhianna his cd is good. I don't agree with domestic disputes or anythin of that nature, but the c.d is good. We are all human and can't judge everyone off of a wrong doing in life. I'm pretty sure people who bash him have done something in their life they would like to take back. I like both artist and I like his album. To the person that wrote the article don't review it based on your opinion of him do it based on the music. your review was whack. now look at tiger woods you never heard of im doing anything wrong now watch everyone jump on the wagon and hate him also. i laugh at peopl ewho are so quick to judge someone without knowing full facts anyways YOU GO CHRIS BROWN THIS CD WAS GOOD.

[Sarah]

I bought his first CD, the 2nd, and today I went out and purchased Graffiti. The transformation from the younger Chris Brown heard on previous albums, to what he has brought us this time…is eminent. While I hope that this album will prove to be a success, and I believe it may, I do think he spent a bit too much time defending, re-hashing, and so on.

I listen and watch Chris Brown because I like what he sings and I enjoy what he does. (Even in movies) I would rather disconnect from how he handles his personal life, as it is not a reflection on me…and lets face it what I do on a day to day is not a concern for Chris Brown. To be fair, talent and fame do not indicate that one will lack human emotion…right or wrong as the emotion may be. He has to answer to himself at the end of the day, his own reflection.

I had a chance to see him in Providence, RI this previous weekend. The show proved to be more incredible than I could have anticipated. Chris Brown had me mesmerized by his off the wall dance moves, smooth style, and captivating voice. Brown has mega talent…and that is why he sells, and will continue to sell, great albums.

Whether he can correct himself within, and gain forgiveness from those closest to him and the ones he hurt (especially physically) remains to be seen…but in reality, it is not “mine” to live with. When he is just Chris Brown, alone in a room…not on stage, amongst a crowd, or in an interview on 20/20 with the world watching…he has to deal with it. I hope he is able to come to terms with where his emotions can bring him, and work within to repair himself.

And so I encourage those who love hip hop, ballads, and unstoppable beats…Go out and grab the CD…its all in there. I hope it proves to be a new beginning for him. (Just please Chris, no more airing your laundry…save that for Larry King…the world will still love you.)

[ERic]

i dont know why the he is trying he obviously doesnt have the same charm he did at one time. as for famous girl, it doesnt matter if she did cheat the riri didnt deserve the beating. chris brown should get his ass kicked. he has no future and for the people buying his album yeah its music but i think you should wait a week after its release he doesnt deserve to be at the top. i dont think i would want someone who beat me to be at the top. Luckily we have andrea bocceli to impede that from happening oh and susan boyle:)

[Andy]

That new album of his could be the next Thriller for all I care, but I'll never listen to it until he gives a shed load of cash to domestic violence charities and visits other victims that have been abused by cowards like him just to show Mr Brown the anguish it causes even when the bruises and cuts have healed. Sometimes saying 'I'm Sorry' doesn't heal mental scars Mr Brown.

Those who say to forget what he did and just listen to the music are deluded. The man and his music are one and the same. He beats up women which means his so called fans support the bad things he does.

[Brittnie]

Quit hatin on Chris hes gon do big things. He's human he's growing he's learning and still has all the potential in the world to do BIG AND GREAT THINGS!!! Good job Chris for mannin up! Most men dont

[BREEZY]

I really like this album specially songs like "crawl" which he sings with such emotion and really makes you feel what the song is about. now on the note of what he did almost a year ago whoever agrees with the fact that his actions were correct is an idiot. but just cuz he made a huge mistake doesn't mean his music should be outcasted. if people clearly remember the most beloved artist and most talented MJ died alone cuz of the ignorance of the socalled fans who tore his life apart let's not turn the life of a ypung man who can bring something close to MJ to our homes be destroyed by one wrong action that he has clearly taken responsibility for.

i rate this album far better than anything else out in the R&B genre at the moment.

[rigel]

Fans love it. Critics hate it. It is probably a good album. ;-)

[Sonja DeJesus]

I’m wondering where the actual review of the MUSIC is, rather than yet another diatribe on what a horrible person Chris Brown is? This is a 20 year old BOY, should his music sound like he’s on a ledge or about to slit his wrists? His niche is dance music. That’s what he made. Are you lambasting Rihanna’s CD as well, now that she’s running around with backwards tattoos and telling the press she likes “high-risk” guys? That’s not only poor judgment; it makes her whole role in this saga as the alleged victim look quite suspect. I’d appreciate it if Mr. Wood made a mental note of all the people who could write “reviews” of his character, rather than on his body of work. I’d be willing to bet the result would be less than flattering. Mr. Wood, PLEASE be an adult. Be a professional. If you cannot write a review of this young man’s music without drawing on his personal life, perhaps you aren’t much of a writer. Just a thought.

[dorsa]

okay, im sorry but this album is AMAZING and hes the best R&B singer in this world!! don't let one mistake ruin his whole career, he a phenomenon and he's phenomenally gorgeous, give him a chance people!
i love you chris brown<3 -dorsa

[epiphany6]

Love this album! Sing like me, crawl, track #10 -
I have never bought a Chris Brown album before, I purchased it because of Transform Ya, - love it! 4 stars

[Lydia]

WHattttt one and half stars out of four !!
it deffff shud be four or more starsss! <333

[Murphy]

i think people should buy his music because its not about his personal life its about his music and its very good and i love his album the best one hes done so far