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Revision as of 22:22, 6 June 2010

Untitled

Pulse is the sixth studio album by American R&B singer–songwriter Toni Braxton, released May 4, 2010, on Atlantic Records. It is her first album in five years and serves as her debut for the Atlantic label after signing a new record deal. Production for the album took place during September 2008 to March 2010 and was handled by several record producers, including David Foster, Harvey Mason, Jr., Frank E, Oak, Lucas Secon, and Dapo Torimiro. Pulse features up-tempo songs and R&B ballads with production varying from smooth to dance-based styles.

The album debuted at number nine on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 54,000 copies in its first week. It became Braxton's fifth US top-ten album and produced three singles that achieved moderate chart success. Upon its release, Pulse received generally positive reviews from most music critics.

Background

In October 2009 Atlantic Records chairman Craig Kallaman revealed that the label had signed Braxton and had the following to say "Last year [2008], we had the rare opportunity to bring another R&B icon into the Atlantic family, and for me it was an opportunity of a lifetime. Toni Braxton is not only one of the greatest voices of all time, but she is a charismatic superstar with an incredible list of achievements."[4]

Production for the album took place during September 2008 to March 2010 and was handled by several record producers, including David Foster, Harvey Mason, Jr., Frank E, Oak, Lucas Secon, and Dapo Torimiro.[5][1] The entertainment outlet Rap-Up revealed that Braxton's album would feature collaborations with Lucas Secon; Harvey Mason, Jr.; Warren "Oak" Felder; and Troy Taylor[4] as well as collaborations with Robin Thicke, Trey Songz, Usher[6] and other reported collaborations included Claude Kelly, Frank E, Steve Mac, Dapo Torimiro and David Foster.[4] R&B songwriter and singer Ne-Yo also worked on songs for the album.[7]

Speaking of the thinking behind titling the album 'Pulse', Braxton explained to noted UK R&B writer Pete Lewis - Deputy Editor of Blues & Soul - in May 2010: "It comes from when I got ill. I went into cardic rehab, and there was this older lady there. She was like 'What are you doing here so young? It must have been your heart. You know what? This is my fourth heart-attack and you're so young, you can't be AFRAID! You can't stop LIVING!'... Then she told me how she'd just got back from holiday with her 40-year-old boyfriend! And because I'd lost hope - the doctors had told me I'd never be able to record again - her conversation was like that heartbeat, that pulse that gave me back the love of life."[8]

Music

She explained in an interview with Digital Spy that she had recorded around 30 songs and would like to collaborate with Alicia Keys.[5] Braxton also explained the delay of the album: "The album was supposed to come out in February, but we held it back because seven of the ten songs we picked were leaked. We decided to go back to the studio, record four or five more songs and then pick. Now we send everything via Federal Express - nothing's going through the internet - and that's why none of the new songs have leaked so far."[5] The song "Woman" is a cover version of the original song by Delta Goodrem from her 2007 album Delta.[9]

Of the many planned collaborations none made the final album pressings. However the deluxe edition of the album on the iTunes store[10] contains several of them as bonus tracks including the remix of "Yesterday" featuring Trey Songz, "The Wave" written by Jesse McCartney and Makeba Riddick.[11], "Stay", "Rewind" and "Yesterday (Cutmore Radio Remix)". It also features the high publicised "Caught (Don't Take Your Hat Off)" featuring Academy Award winning actress Mo'Nique[12] who appears in the middle of the song with a dramatic monologue.[13]

A collaboration with R&B singer Robin Thicke called "Don't Leave" would have featured on Braxton's vocals with Thicke providing production.[14] Whilst the high profile collaboration with fellow R&B singer Usher also failed to materialize.[6] Amongst reports that Braxton was working with Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, a song tipped to be produced by Darkchild called "Get Loose" was also omitted from the album.[15] Additionally reggae singer Sean Paul recorded some vocals for a remix of "Lookin' At Me" but it is currently unknown what will become of the remix since it is not featured on the album.[16]

Release and promotion

The album was originally scheduled for release in 2009, but then pushed back to February 2, 2010 before ultimately being released May 4, 2010 on Atlantic Records.[17] Braxton told Rap-Up that the album had been pushed back because seven of the album's ten songs had leaked and so she had decided to go back into the studio to record new songs.[18] The official cover art of the album was released on March 9, 2010.[19] Amazon.com streamed a different song from Pulse each week up until the album's release day.[20] Braxton performed "Make My Heart" on The Ellen Show on 27 April 2010, The Wendy Williams Show and gave an interview on Good Day L.A..[21] On 3 May 2010 she performed "Hands Tied" and "Breathe Again" on The Mo'Nique Show.[22] "Hands Tied" was also performed on 4 May 2010 on The Today Show along with her most successful single "Un-Break My Heart".[23]

Singles

The first single "Yesterday" was released digitally November 20, 2009. A version featuring Trey Songz was also released with the latter serving as the US single whilst the former was serviced internationally. It peaked at number 12 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It was then confirmed that she would film videos for two new singles: "Make My Heart" and "Hands Tied" in March 2010 with director Bille Woodruff who worked with Braxton previously including on the video for "Unbreak My Heart and He Wasn't Man Enough".[24] The video for "Make My Heart" premiered on April 13[25] whilst the video for "Hands Tied" was released on April 14, 2010.[26] The latter has so far peaked at #31 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[27][28]

Reception

Commercial performance

The album debuted at number nine on the US Billboard 200 chart with first-week sales of 54,000 copies, making it Braxton's fifth US top-ten album.[29] It also entered at number one on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[30] In its second week Pulse drop to number #22 and sold 16,588 in the US. On the third week, the album drop to #41.[31] In Canada, Pulse debuted at number 72 on the Top 100 Albums chart,[32] and in the United Kingdom, it debuted at number 28 on the Top 40 Albums and at number seven on the R&B Albums chart.[33][34] It entered at number 18 on the German Album Chart, while the song Yesterday entered at number 20 on German Single Charts. In Switzerland, the album entered the official album chart's top 10 at number 9.

Critical response

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[35]
Billboard(favorable)[36]
BBC Online(mixed)[37]
The Boston Globe(favorable)[38]
Los Angeles Times[39]
USA Today[40]
The Washington Post(favorable)[41]

Upon its release, the album received generally positive reviews from most music critics, based on an aggregate score of 71/100 from Metacritic.[42] Allmusic writer Andy Kellman gave it 4 out of 5 stars and commended its material's themes, noting "a high level of conviction that does not waver, and it’s particularly impressive given that the album covers so many stages of a romantic relationship".[35] USA Today's Steve Jones gave the album 3 out of 4 stars and viewed it as "a return to form" for Braxton.[40] Ken Capobianco of The Boston Globe gave Pulse a positive review and wrote favorably of its execution, stating "Braxton and her star producers and songwriters mix old-school R&B balladry and modern dance pop while always keeping that luxurious voice as the focus".[38]

In contrast, Los Angeles Times writer Mikael Wood gave it 2 out of 4 stars and expressed a mixed response to "her attempt to keep up with" contemporary R&B artists, writing that "the flimsy material can't quite conceal her hit-hungry desperation".[39] BBC Online's Natalie Shaw shared a similar sentiment, writing that the album "misfires when its slower numbers are interspersed with uptempo tracks ready-made for the younger market".[37] Mark Edward Nero of About.com gave the album 3 out of 5 stars and wrote that "no new ground is broken, no significant risks are taken and the album as a whole is doesn't really have any must-hear tracks", but recommended it to listeners of Braxton's previous work and noted that she "can still sing strongly and passionately".[43] The Washington Post's Sarah Godfrey commended the album's "club tracks" and wrote favorably of Braxton's "trusty album architecture of scorching dance songs, soft-focused up-tempo ballads and "Un-Break My Heart"-style tear-jerkers without going too over-the-top".[41]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Yesterday"Justin Franks, Jerome Armstrong, Michael White, Terrance Battle, Toni BraxtonDJ Frank E3:48
2."Make My Heart"Lucas Secon, Makeba Riddick, Joseph Wayne Freeman, Aubreya Gravatt, Theodore Life Jr.Lucas Secon3:27
3."Hands Tied"Harvey Mason Jr., Warren Felder, Heather BrightOak3:53
4."Woman" (Cover of original song by Delta Goodrem)Steve Mac, Wayne HectorSteve Mac, David Foster3:51
5."If I Have to Wait"Jud Friedman, Allan Rich, busbeebusbee3:56
6."Lookin' At Me"Secon, RiddickLucas Secon3:20
7."Wardrobe"Dernst Emile, Taurian Shropshire, MasonD'Mile3:31
8."Hero"Mason, Kara DioGuardi, Kasia Livingston, James Fauntleroy II, Steve RussellHarvey Mason Jr.4:32
9."No Way"Michael WarrenMichael Warren3:31
10."Pulse"Charles Harmon, Christopher JacksonChuck Harmony3:47
11."Why Won't You Love Me"Braxton, MasonHarvey Mason, Jr.4:42
Total length:42:18
US CD bonus track[44]
  1. "FanBase" A unique standalone desktop application which connects to the internet and gives access to exclusive bonuscontent.
US Target bonus tracks[45]
  1. "The Wave"
  2. "Yesterday" (Cutmore Remix Radio Edit)
  3. "FanBase" A unique standalone desktop application which connects to the internet and gives access to exclusive bonuscontent.
  4. DVD Track 1 "Pulse Interview & Behind The Scenes"
US WalMart bonus tracks[45]
  1. "FanBase" A unique standalone desktop application which connects to the internet and gives access to exclusive bonuscontent.
  2. DVD Track 1 "Pulse Walmart Soundcheck Interview"
  3. DVD Track 2 "Yesterday" (Live At Walmart Souncheck)
  4. DVD Track 3 "Breathe Again" (Live At Walmart Souncheck)
  5. DVD Track 4 "If I Had To Wait" (Live At Walmart Souncheck)
  6. DVD Track 5 "Make My Heart" (Live At Walmart Souncheck)
  7. DVD Track 6 "Un-Break My Heart" (Live At Walmart Souncheck)
US iTunes Deluxe Edition
  1. "Yesterday" featuring Trey Songz
  2. "Stay"
  3. "Rewind"
  4. "The Wave"
  5. "Caught (Don't Take Your Hat Off)" featuring Mo'Nique
Japan bonus tracks[45]
  1. "Yesterday" featuring Trey Songz
  2. "Rewind"

Personnel

Credits for Pulse adapted from liner notes.[46]

Charts

Chart positions

Chart (2010) Peak
Position
Australian Urban Albums Chart[47] 22
Austrian Albums Chart[48] 32
Canadian Albums Chart[32] 72
Dutch Albums Chart[49] 83
European Top 100 Albums[50] 31
German Albums Chart[51] 18
Greek Albums Chart[49] 14
Swiss Albums Chart[48] 9
UK Albums Chart[33] 28
UK R&B Chart[34] 7
US Billboard 200[29] 9
US R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[30] 1

Chart procession and succession

Preceded by US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums number-one album
May 22, 2010 		Succeeded by

Release history

Region Date Label Catalog
United States May 4, 2010[19] Atlantic Records 075678959301
Canada[52]
Germany[52] May 7, 2010 Warner Music
Poland[53] 7567893027
Australia May 8, 2010[52]
The Netherlands[52]
United Kingdom[54][55] May 10, 2010 Atlantic Records (UK) 756789302
Worldwide[52] Warner Music
South Korea[56] WKPD-0155
Mexico[57] May 18, 2010 75678930270
Japan[45] May 26, 2010 WPCR-13837
Brazil[58] May 27, 2010 75678930270

References

  1. ^ a b "Pulse: Toni Braxton: Music". Amazon.com. 2009-09-09. Retrieved 2010-04-16.
  2. ^ ""Hands Tied" & "Make My Heart" Are Now Available To Buy Exclusively On ToniBraxton.com! - Blog Detail". ToniBraxton.com. 2010-01-29. Retrieved 2010-03-11.
  3. ^ "Toni's "Make My Heart" Is Now Available Everywhere! - Blog Detail". ToniBraxton.com. 2010-02-09. Retrieved 2010-03-11.
  4. ^ a b c "Toni Braxton Album Due in February". Rap-Up.com. 2009-10-30. Retrieved 2010-03-14.
  5. ^ a b c "Music - Interview - Toni Braxton". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2010-03-23.
  6. ^ a b "Toni Braxton Eyes Usher Collaboration, Explains Album Delay". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 2010-03-11.
  7. ^ "New Music: Shanell, Toni Braxton, & Jesse McCartney". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 2010-03-14.
  8. ^ Toni Braxton interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' May 2010
  9. ^ Woman Enough"www.werarepopslags.co.uk". "retrieved April 14, 2010".
  10. ^ "Pulse (Deluxe) by Toni Braxton - Preorder Pulse (Deluxe) on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2010-04-29.
  11. ^ http://www.ascap.com/ace/search.cfm?requesttimeout=300&mode=results&searchstr=506040457&search_in=i&search_type=exact&search_det=t,s,w,p,b,v&results_pp=30&start=1
  12. ^ "Toni Braxton Casts Mo'Nique for Album". Rap-Up.com. 2010-02-17. Retrieved 2010-03-11.
  13. ^ "New Music: Toni Braxton f/ Mo'Nique – 'Caught (Don't Take Your Hat Off)'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 2010-03-14.
  14. ^ Up for DiscussionPost Comment (2009-09-14). "Toni Braxton "Pulse" Album Preview". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2010-03-23.
  15. ^ "New Music: Toni Braxton – 'Get Loose'". Rap-Up.com. 2008-12-29. Retrieved 2010-03-23.
  16. ^ "Sean Paul: Gimme the Mohawk". Rap-Up.com. 2010-03-27. Retrieved 2010-04-29.
  17. ^ "Toni Braxton | News". ToniBraxton.com. Retrieved 2010-03-11.
  18. ^ "Toni Braxton Eyes Usher Collaboration, Explains Album Delay". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 2010-03-14.
  19. ^ a b "Official "Pulse" Album Cover - Blog Detail". ToniBraxton.com. Retrieved 2010-03-11.
  20. ^ "Listen To A New Track Off Of 'Pulse' Each Week On Amazon.com! - Blog Detail". ToniBraxton.com. Retrieved 2010-03-11.
  21. ^ "Toni Performs On The Ellen Show TODAY (April 27th) + Upcoming TV Appearances! - Blog Detail". ToniBraxton.com. 2010-04-24. Retrieved 2010-04-29.
  22. ^ "Watch Toni Perform On The Mo'Nique Show Tonight! - Blog Detail". ToniBraxton.com. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
  23. ^ Toni Braxton on NBC'S The Today Show ToniBraxton.com Accessed on May 4, 2010
  24. ^ "Twitter / Toni Braxton: Having a wonderful time do". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2010-03-20.
  25. ^ "Toni Braxton - Make My Heart [Official Video] - Blog Detail". ToniBraxton.com. Retrieved 2010-04-16.
  26. ^ "Toni Braxton - "Hands Tied" [Official Video] - Blog Detail". ToniBraxton.com. Retrieved 2010-04-16.
  27. ^ "Top 100 Music Hits, Top 100 Music Charts, Top 100 Songs & The Hot 100". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2010-06-03.
  28. ^ 49 Peak. "Hands Tied - Toni Braxton". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2010-05-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  29. ^ a b Caulfield, Keith. Godsmack Grabs Third No. 1 Album; Eminem Wows Digitally. Billboard. Retrieved on 2010-05-12.
  30. ^ a b Grein, Paul. Week Ending May 9, 2010: Starting The "Recovery" Process. Yahoo! Music. Retrieved on 2010-05-12.
  31. ^ http://www.webcitation.org/5ptknGwf5
  32. ^ a b Nielsen SoundScan Charts: Top 100 - For the Week Ending 6 May, 2010. Jam!. Retrieved on 2010-05-17.
  33. ^ a b Top 40 Official UK Albums Archive - 22nd May 2010. The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved on 2010-05-17.
  34. ^ a b Top 40 R&B Albums Archive - 22nd May 2010. The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved on 2010-05-17.
  35. ^ a b Kellman, Andy. Review: Pulse. Allmusic. Retrieved on 2010-05-04.
  36. ^ "Pulse". Billboard.biz. Retrieved 2010-06-03.
  37. ^ a b Shaw, Natalie. Review: Pulse. BBC Online. Retrieved on 2010-05-07.
  38. ^ a b Capobianco, Ken. Review: Pulse. The Boston Globe. Retrieved on 2010-05-04.
  39. ^ a b Wood, Mikael. Review: Pulse. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on 2010-05-04.
  40. ^ a b Jones, Steve. Review: Pulse. USA Today. Retrieved on 2010-05-04.
  41. ^ a b Godfrey, Sarah. Review: Pulse. The Washington Post. Retrieved on 2010-05-04.
  42. ^ Pulse (2010): Reviews. Metacritic. Retrieved on 2010-05-06.
  43. ^ Nero, Mark Edward. Review: Pulse. About.com. Retrieved on 2010-05-04.
  44. ^ "Pulse, Toni Braxton, Music CD - Barnes & Noble". Music.barnesandnoble.com. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
  45. ^ a b c d "Pulse【CD】-Toni Braxton｜Dance｜Dance & Soul｜Music｜HMV ONLINE Online Shopping & Information Site". Hmv.co.jp. Retrieved 2010-04-16. Cite error: The named reference "hmvjp" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  46. ^ Track listing and credits as per liner notes for Pulse album
  47. ^ "Top 40 Urban Albums & Singles Chart - Australian Record Industry Assocation". Ariacharts.com.au. Retrieved 2010-06-03.
  48. ^ a b "Toni Braxton – Pulse – Music Charts". αCharts.us. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  49. ^ a b Steffen Hung. "Toni Braxton - Pulse". swisscharts.com. Retrieved 2010-06-03.
  50. ^ http://www.billboard.com/#/charts/european-albums?begin=31&order=position
  51. ^ ":: MTV | Rock am Ring 2010". Mtv.de. Retrieved 2010-06-03.
  52. ^ a b c d e "Toni Braxton | Official Website: Photos, Blog, Videos, Interactive and more". ToniBraxton.com. Retrieved 2010-03-20.
  53. ^ "Toni Braxton - Pulse - muzyka - płyty CD i DVD - sklep muzyczny Merlin.pl". Merlin.pl. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
  54. ^ "(UK) : Toni Braxton - Pulse : CD - Free Delivery". Play.com. Retrieved 2010-03-14.
  55. ^ "Music CDs, DVDs, Games & More". hmv.com. 2005-12-15. Retrieved 2010-03-14.
  56. ^ "(KOR) : Toni Braxton - Pulse". Hyangmusic.com. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
  57. ^ "(MEX) : Toni Braxton - Pulse : CD - Free Delivery". mixup.com. Retrieved 2010-05-15.
  58. ^ "(Bra) : Toni Braxton - Pulse : Brazilian release date". livrariacultura.com.br. Retrieved 2010-05-16.
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