Chicago Tribune:
Rating: 1 star (out of 4)
Two weeks ago, Rihanna delivered a brilliant album, “Rated R,” that doubled as a thinly veiled, emotionally turbulent reflection on her ill-fated romance with Chris Brown.
Now it’s Brown’s turn.The 20-year-old singer’s third album, “Graffiti” (Jive), arrives only months after he pleaded guilty to assaulting Rihanna and was sentenced to five years probation, one year of counseling and six months of community service.
Like Rihanna, Brown aims to expand his music beyond hip-hop-flavored R&B by embracing Euro-disco, Goth-rock and new wave. And like Rihanna, he addresses their relationship. But whereas his ex-girlfriend used her album to express her hurt and anger, an outpouring of emotional truth rather than a he-said, she-said public-relations manifesto, Brown turns “Graffiti” into a curious mix of self-pity and accusation when he isn’t simply partying as if he’s already moved on.
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On the same night that his much hyped ’20/20′ interview with Robin Roberts aired on ABC, R&B sensation Chris Brown performed to a capacity crowd in Washington, DC.
Despite reports that tickets hadn’t sold well in markets like Houston and Dallas, Brown’s ‘Fan Appreciation Tour’ sold out the historic 1,847 seat Warner Theatre nearly two weeks prior to his show according to the venue’s manager.
Teenage girls and boys (many with their mothers) came to see the trouble-plagued R&B singer, who dazzled the crown with a one hour and five minute show full of hits from his previous CDs and songs from his new release, ‘Graffiti.’
Backed with four backup dancers, a drummer and a DJ, Brown kicked off his show with his new up-tempo dance track ‘I Can Transform Ya.’
Sporting all-black, Brown delighChris Brownted the crowd with smash songs like ‘Run It,’ ‘Yo (Excuse Me Miss),’ ‘With You’ and ‘Wall To Wall.’
The piercing sound screams peaked when Brown removed his shirt for his seductively performed ‘Take You Down.’
Later, the 20-year-old singer looked like a choir director as he guided female fans through Jordin Sparks’ verses on the pop hit, ‘No Air.’
When Brown began to sing his new single ‘Crawl,’ fans crooned along with each word.
The Virginia-bred star, once only known for his innocent smile, closed the show with his hit ‘Forever’ before he took a bow, plugged an after party and said “Goodnight!”
Despite his domestic violence ordeal with Rihanna earlier this year, many fans appear to have remained loyal to Brown – at least in our Nation’s Capital.
His ‘Fan Appreciation Tour’ is a redemption show of sorts, with Brown opting to donate a portion of the proceeds from the tour run to the Jenesee Center, which aids domestic violence victims, and Best Buddies International, which helps children and adults with developmental disabilities.
Music greats like Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, R. Kelly, Elvis Presley and James Brown were all adults when they faced near-career ending controversies. Watching Brown – who was a teenager when his domestic ordeal made headlines in February – execute intricate dance routines and deliver great live vocals leaves one hoping that he will really become a ‘Changed Man’ as he moves into his adult years.
Source:Bv Buzz
We just added the scans from the album booklet in HQ….check them out!
Here is the full 20/20 Chris Brown interview with Robin Roberts.
Had to refer back to the old layout for a couple days. The temp was creating alot of problems with the server….. New layout is still in the works.