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Product details
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Track Listings
| 1. Yesterday |
| 2. Make My Heart |
| 3. Hands Tied |
| 4. Woman |
| 5. If I Have To Wait |
| 6. Lookin' At Me |
| 7. Wardrobe |
| 8. Hero |
| 9. No Way |
| 10. Pulse |
| 11. Why Won't You Love Me |
Product Description
Review
Toni Braxton's career looked set for superdiva stature at the point of her biggest hit Un-Break My Heart, but since that flagship moment back in 1996 her career and personal life have experienced extreme highs and lows. The singer-songwriter re-peaked on Grammy Award-winning single He Wasn't Man Enough, but plummeted with a well-publicised bankruptcy and the cancellation of her residency at the Flamingo Las Vegas owing to continuing ill health. Braxton's sixth album Pulse–some five years in the making–is certainly a release shrouded with anticipation, but instead of sticking to her strength in ballads it feels more a trend-chasing American Idol semi-finalist's debut offering.
Pulse is at its strongest when Braxton's powerhouse vocal is given space to settle which, inevitably, is on the ballads. Opening track Yesterday is borne of the strength expected given the backdrop, soaring with each note of Braxton's resolute delivery. Woman is another standout track, the vocals unfussy and devoid of histrionics; "I'm not some girl who don't know what she wants," she sings, leading up to a colossal key change perfectly placed in the song's unassuming arrangement. This is a familiar template, sure, but Braxton's vocals are distinctive enough to stand tall, above the song at hand.
But in spite of this, this release fails to focus on Braxton's sultry, simmering contralto.The album misfires when its slower numbers are interspersed with uptempo tracks ready-made for the younger market. The brass-infused Make My Heart sees Braxton singing higher than her comfortable range, and Lookin' At Me draws too obviously on Beyoncé's Halo, feeling similarly redundant for its too-high vocal and artifically-placed focus on young lust. These poppier tracks feel gratuitous, thrown in for measure to attract the younger crowd.
It's foolish to stray from a comfort zone into territory so overpopulated, especially when the upbeat numbers lack the shiny gloss and production tricks of 2010's younger RnB stars. Even during Braxton's standout ballads, the switch between octave-spanning chanteuse and pop-soul diva just feels wrong. In Pulse, Toni Braxton has thrown away the long-time-coming chance to cement her status as a true pop-soul superstar. --Natalie Shaw
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have waited so long for this album, knowing how bumpy the road has been for Toni over the last few albums, despite everything she sings being perfection. This album is no less perfect than the others, and returns to a slightly more mainstream style, which is no less dynamic or relevant. Toni is in perfect voice, and the songs are so well written and arranged that she shows how versatile she is as a singer. While promotion never seems to be the any of her record labels strong points, this album is brilliant. "Yesterday" is such a strong ballad, and equally as impacting are "Hands tied" and "Pulse" - all full of skill and conviction. "Make my heart" is a great uptempo track, demonstrating Toni can still produce contemporary and relevant tracks in this arena. I personally feel there are no weak tracks, and while some of the leaked tracks could still have been put on the album, it doesnt take away from what is there. I hope the public get behind Toni and realise the quality of her music, which would bring her back into the consciousness of the music public. Love it.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
After a lengthy hiatus, (last album was 2005's Libra) a new record label, a divorce, health scares and numerous leaks pushing the album back, 'Pulse' is finally here.
Lead single, 'Yesterday' is a perfect start to the album, showcasing Toni's gorgeous vocals. Sultry ballad 'Hands Tied' makes best use of Toni's rich, lower register and is reminiscent of her her 2000's album, 'The Heat'. A remake of Delta Goodrem's 'Woman' and the title track are also gorgeous ballads which will appeal to Ms. Braxton's loyal fanbase.
I am also impressed with the fact that 'Pulse' manages to stay current and Toni is able to mix her classic ballads with more contempory songs and compete with the likes of Beyoncé (even if her promotion doesn't). 'Make My Heart' contains an instantly recognisable Evelyn "Champagne" King sample and Single Ladies-esque 'Lookin' At Me' should hopefully appeal to a wider audience.
Despite not including all of the most popular leaked songs, including my personal favourite, "I Hate Love" and sounding more like a collection of polished R&B tracks than a complete album, it is a fantastic collection and comeback for Toni. Highly recommended.
Lead single, 'Yesterday' is a perfect start to the album, showcasing Toni's gorgeous vocals. Sultry ballad 'Hands Tied' makes best use of Toni's rich, lower register and is reminiscent of her her 2000's album, 'The Heat'. A remake of Delta Goodrem's 'Woman' and the title track are also gorgeous ballads which will appeal to Ms. Braxton's loyal fanbase.
I am also impressed with the fact that 'Pulse' manages to stay current and Toni is able to mix her classic ballads with more contempory songs and compete with the likes of Beyoncé (even if her promotion doesn't). 'Make My Heart' contains an instantly recognisable Evelyn "Champagne" King sample and Single Ladies-esque 'Lookin' At Me' should hopefully appeal to a wider audience.
Despite not including all of the most popular leaked songs, including my personal favourite, "I Hate Love" and sounding more like a collection of polished R&B tracks than a complete album, it is a fantastic collection and comeback for Toni. Highly recommended.
Format:Audio CD
This album is brilliant,and the more you play it,the better it get's,Toni really is back to her best,and after one or two dodgy earlier albums,ie more than a woman,and libra was not great,but this one is,and if you are a fan of her,then you will love this album,and check out the Toni with love DVD,it is now for sale on Amazon uk,I had to get it from the USA Amazon,as it wasn't available here,and for the price,it is a bargain,I paid around £14.00 for it,now it's half price here,and it has all her best hit videos on it,put it this way,I would have paid five times as much for it,it is that good! It will be the best £7.00 you ever spend.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A good solid follow up to Libra
As most Toni Braxton fans, I have been waiting for 5 years to finally hear her highly anticipated new album. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Amillionmiles
A Stunning Return To Form
"Pulse" sees Toni return to her form. Right up there with "Secret" and "The Heat", this album is filled with excellent tracks - including the outstanding single "Hands Tied". Read more
Published 16 months ago by djessie
Another Great Album from Toni Braxton
The BBC Review (on Amazon.co.uk) is unfair to this album. I bought the album despite the review because I had heard 'Yesterday' on the radio and was captivated by it. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Adebola Egunjobi
Toni Braxton
Fantastic album really pleased i gave it a go after seeing it on here for a good price.
All tracks are at least 'good' with 4 or 5 very good tracks including the single... Read more
All tracks are at least 'good' with 4 or 5 very good tracks including the single... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Mr. A. J. Parsler
Good ol Toni!
Pulse has your typical Toni love ballads with a few surprises! I love Wardrobe!! Really good fun upbeat songs with some lovely love songs!!
Published 22 months ago by Shannon Forrest
Back on top form
As a long time admirer of Toni Braxton, this is a welcome return to her very best form. Recently there have many compilations released over and over and although her material from... Read more
Published 22 months ago by C. Jacques
Another jem of a CD
Another fantastic CD by the wonderful Toni Braxton. The tracks are different to what we are used to from her, however a fntastic CD, which is in keeping with todays r&b/soul sounds... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Lana Wood
made my pulse raise
this is the best album toni has made 4 years a great buy luv it
Published 24 months ago by M. B. Cowell
THE LADY IS BACK
Pulse THE LADY IS BACK WITH A BANG;;; ITS BEEN FAR TO LONG, BUT THIS IS TONI ON TOP FORM AND ITS GREAT TO HAVE THIS LADY BACK WITH A STUNNING ALBUM... Read more
Published on 15 May 2010 by T. Bowles
Music To Make A Heart Beat Faster
It's so very good to have Toni Braxton back in the listening world!
Hang on! Let me be a bit more specific. Read more
Hang on! Let me be a bit more specific. Read more
Published on 15 May 2010 by The Wolf
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