Album review: Toni Braxton's 'Pulse'

One of the '90s' biggest soul music stars, Toni Braxton hasn't released a new studio album since 2005. But that doesn't mean she's been laying low: In 2008 she ended a nearly two-year run at the Flamingo in Las Vegas, then appeared as a competitor on TV's "Dancing with the Stars." Still, with its sleek digital beats and in-your-face lyrics, Braxton's new "Pulse" has the something-to-prove quality of a comeback record; much of it sounds like her attempt to keep up with the Rihannas and the Beyoncés currently ruling the R&B roost.

Occasionally that inspiration leads Braxton into outright mimicry: Opener "Yesterday" cribs its twinkly emo-soul texture (and some of its airy vocal melody) from Beyoncé's "Broken-Hearted Girl," while the bubbly, synth-soaked "Lookin' at Me" plays like an unintentional ode to "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)." The singer has no trouble making herself at home in these cuts, but the flimsy material can't quite conceal her hit-hungry desperation.

Braxton fares better in the album's slower, more sensual songs, such as "Hero," a stutter-stepped ballad cowritten by Kara DioGuardi, and the Chuck Harmony-produced title track. And she's most impressive in "Woman," where she reminds a lover, "I'm not some girl who don't know what she wants." More of "Pulse" could've used that conviction.

— Mikael Wood

Toni Braxton
"Pulse"
(Atlantic)
Two stars (Out of four)

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Comments

[DENISE513]

AFTER SEEING HER ON A COUPLE OF TV SHOWS I AM GLAD TO HAVE HER BACK AND WILL BUY THE CD IT'S GOOD TO KNOW THAT IN THIS DAY AND AGE SHE WAS TRULY UNIQUE BACK THEN AND EVEN NOW LOVE THE SONG HANDS TIED

[Tibby]

I love this CD. I do agree the ballads are the strongest part of this CD, which, thankfully, is the majority of the CD.

[switmie]

love the album
much too good to be ignored
as for the resemblance to rihanna and beyonce
well,i hear of none in her tracks
I HEAR TRUE TONI BRAXTON MATERIAL
THE INDUSTRY IS SO BLINDED BY THESE TWO IMITATIONS OF TRUE LEGENDS LIKE TONI AND WHITNEY
THIS IS TRUE BEAUTY
LOVE THE ALBUM

[Antonio]

Nothing to do to Beyonce's!!!!!!!!!!!1

It's a great album, thats the main truth!

[Lisa]

Comparing Ms. Braxton to Beyonce or Rihannas is gross. This "Woman" stands head and shoulders above them. Always will. Ms. Braxton makes good music make that great music. Her instrument is so pure and strong it leaves you speechless. To say "the flimsy material can't quite conceal her hit-hungry desperation." is so foul. Proves the reviewer did not listen to this complication and does not know how to review music. Toni Braxton continues to express range, depth, and growth on each and every complication that she releases. We are all the better for being able to witness such an artist.