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===Commercial performance===
===Commercial performance===
One week after its release, ''Human'' debuted at number five on the U.S. ''[[Billboard]]'''s [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] chart, and at number fifteen on the official [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], with moderately successful first week sales of 73,000 copies (about half as much as her previous effort album ''[[Afrodisiac]]''), making it Brandy's second-lowest charting effort behind her debut album fourteen years prior which reached the 20 position.<ref name="bb7"/> In it's second week "Human" fell to number sixty-six.<ref>http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/chart_display.jsp?f=The+Billboard+200&pageNumber=Top+51-100&g=Albums</ref>
One week after its release, ''Human'' debuted at number five on the U.S. ''[[Billboard]]'''s [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] chart, and at number fifteen on the official [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], with moderately successful first week sales of 73,000 copies (about half as much as her previous effort album ''[[Afrodisiac]]''), making it Brandy's second-lowest charting effort behind her debut album fourteen years prior which reached the 20 position.<ref name="bb7"/> In it's second week "Human" fell to number sixty-six, <ref>http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/chart_display.jsp?f=The+Billboard+200&pageNumber=Top+51-100&g=Albums</ref> ,<ref>http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/chart_display.jsp?f=The+Billboard+200&pageNumber=Top+51-100&g=Albums</ref> and another three spots in it's third week to number sixty-nine.<ref>http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/chart_display.jsp?f=The+Billboard+200&pageNumber=Top+51-100&g=Albums</ref>


==Track listing==
==Track listing==

Revision as of 10:49, 4 January 2009

Untitled

Human is the fifth studio album by American R&B singer Brandy, released in France on December 5, 2008 and by December 9 in Australia, North America and the United Kingdom.[3] Distributed by Koch Records, the album marked Brandy's debut on the Epic Records label, following her split with Atlantic Records in 2005.[4]

Chiefly written and produced by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, featuring additional production by Toby Gad, Midi Mafia, RedOne and Soundz among others, it debuted at number 15 on the U.S. Billboard 200 with opening week sales of 73,000 copies, making it the singer's second lowest-charting debut in fourteen years.[5]

Conception and production

Although much of the album was not recorded until late into its production, Brandy has worked on Human on and off since 2005, following her departure with Atlantic Records the same year. Being newly signed to Knockout, she entered the studio with several songwriters and producers to create a follow-up to 2004's Afrodisiac, including Scandinavian production team Maximum Risk,[6] Tim & Bob,[7] and Rockwilder,[8] as well as Atlanta-based Bryan Michael Cox and partner WyldCard, with whom she recorded at least three tracks, among others.[9] In addition, Cox was entlisted as the album's executive producer at one time or another, as he confirmed in an interview with AllHiphop in 2007.[10]

It was not until spring 2008, the singer started to record new songs with Midi Mafia, and Toby Gad, and reunited with former mentor Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, following his absence on the Afrodisiac album due to a disagreement on Brandy's decision to work with Timbaland in 2003.[11] Having "put aside egos," Jerkins went on to produce the bulk of Human, and as a result, joined her to executive produce the album, replacing producer Brian Kennedy.[10] While they considered the project complete by September 2008 and Epic Records announced the U.S. release of the album for November 11, a call by Timbaland, who requested Brandy to record additional music with him and protegé J-Roc, caused a month-long delay of Human.[12] His tracks did however not make the final cut on the album track listing as he was unable to contribute trademark backing vocals to his songs.[13]

In addition, Brandy worked with producers Danja, The Clutch, Rico Love, and Elvis "BlacElvis" Williams, and songwriters Chasity Nwagbara, Atozzio Townes,[14] Rob Knox,[15] Kara DioGuardi,[16] and Greg Curtis on Human,[17] although their songs remain yet unreleased. Further studio collaborations with Kerry "Krucial" Brothers, Missy Elliott, Yung Berg, Tonex, and Taio Cruz, by contrast, failed to materialize due to scheduling conflicts.[18][19][20][21][22]

Reception

Critical response

Human received a generally positive reception from most professional music critics, even though the album was partly considered too serious and not party suitable[23], but in total music critics agreed on the album's content and lyrics as being very reflective, vulnerable, useful, mature, intimate, deep, serious, emotional and also joyous. [24] [25][26][27] Besides that her voice is praised for being smoky, raspy, whispery, soulful but also velvety, celestial or sirupy. [28][29][30][31][32] Allmusic says it's "clearly in a comfort zone that enables her to open up more than ever", however said that the album is "the least enjoyable release in Brandy's catalog. But it could very well be her most useful one".[33] and Entertainment Weekly declared "The huskiness that defined Brandy's prior work has been replaced by wispier and higher tones. The result is pleasant but far less ambitious than her last CD, 2004's Afrodisiac."[34][34]

Commercial performance

One week after its release, Human debuted at number five on the U.S. Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and at number fifteen on the official Billboard 200, with moderately successful first week sales of 73,000 copies (about half as much as her previous effort album Afrodisiac), making it Brandy's second-lowest charting effort behind her debut album fourteen years prior which reached the 20 position.[5] In it's second week "Human" fell to number sixty-six, [35] ,[36] and another three spots in it's third week to number sixty-nine.[37]

Track listing

  1. "Human Intro" — 0:19
  2. "The Definition" (Cristyle Johnson, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins) — 3:43
  3. "Warm It Up (with Love)" (Marvin "Tony" Hemmings, Rodney Jerkins, Jordan Omley) — 4:03
  4. "Right Here (Departed)" (Evan "Kidd" Bogart, Victoria Horn, Rodney Jerkins, Erika Nuri, David "DQ" Quiñones) — 3:39
  5. "Piano Man" (Marvin Hemmings, Rodney Jerkins, Jordan Omley)  — 3:59
  6. "Long Distance Interlude" — 0:59
  7. "Long Distance" (Jeff Bhasker, Rodney Jerkins, Philip Lawrence, Bruno Mars) — 3:51
  8. "Camouflage" (Rodney Jerkins, Claude Kelly) — 4:04
  9. "Torn Down" (James Fauntleroy, Kevin Risto, Dapo Torimiro, Waynne Nugent) — 3:32
  10. "Human" (Brandy Norwood, Toby Gad, Jenny-Bea Englishman, Lindy Robbins) — 3:53
  11. "Shattered Heart" (Rodney Jerkins, Crystal Johnson, LaShawn Daniels)  — 3:53
  12. "True" (Nadir Khayat, Claude Kelly) — 3:47
  13. "A Capella (Something's Missing)" (Kenneth C. Coby, Tiyon "TC" Mack, Chad C. Roper, LeChe Martin) — 3:34
  14. "1st & Love" (Christopher "Lonny" Breaux, Rich "TK" King, Chauncey Hollis, Jesse Woodard) — 3:20
  15. "Fall" (Natasha Bedingfield, LaShawn Daniels, Brandy Norwood, Brian Seals) — 4:21[38][39]
U.S. iTunes bonus track[40]
  1. "Gonna Find My Love" (Brandy Norwood, Toby Gad, Lindy Robbins) — 3:27[41]
U.S. iTunes Deluxe Edition bonus track[42]
  1. "Gonna Find My Love" — 3:30
  2. "Locket (Locked in Love)" (Christopher "Lonny" Breaux, Rich "TK" King) — 3:46
  3. "Right Here (Departed)" (Mad Decent Right Mad Mix) — 4:34
  4. "Long Distance" (a cappella) — 3:48
  5. "Right Here (Departed)" (Seamus Haji & Paul Emanuel Club Mix) (pre-order only)
  6. "Right Here (Departed)" (music video) — 3:43
Walmart bonus track[43]
  1. "Long Distance" (Mad Decent Right Mad Remix) — 4:56
  2. "Right Here (Departed)" (Moto Blanco Radio Edit) — 4:32

Credits and personnel

  • Jim Sitterly — violin
  • Daniel Groover, Toby Gad — guitar
  • Toby Gad — bass
  • Brandy Norwood — vocals
  • Jens Gad — drums
  • Alice Lord — viola
  • Adam Messinger — piano, keyboards
  • Tania Maxwell Clements, Kee, Red One — vocals (background)

Production

  • Album Producers: Chase N. Cashe, Rodney Jerkins, Bruno Mars
  • Executive producers: Brandon Creed, Rodney Jerkins, Brandy Norwood
  • Vocal producer: LaShawn Daniels, James Fauntleroy, Bruno Mars, Brandy, Greg Ogan, Soundz, Dapo Torimiro, Bruce Waynne
  • Engineers: Mike Donaldson, Paul Foley, Andy Gwynn, John D. Norten, Greg Ogan, Red One
  • Mastering: Brian Gardner
  • Design: Fusako Chubachi
  • Art Direction: Fusako Chubachi
  • Photography: Michael Brandt

Charts and certification

Chart (2008) Provider Peak
position
Canadian Top 50 R&B Albums Chart[44] CRIA 13
French Albums Chart[45] SNEP/IFOP 129
U.S. Billboard 200[46] Billboard 15
U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[46] 5

Release history

Region Date Label
France[4] December 5, 2008 Epic
Australia[4] December 6, 2008
United Kingdom[47] December 8, 2008
United States[4] December 9, 2008
Japan[4] February 18, 2009

References

  1. ^ Venable, Malcolm (2008-10-09). "Brandy, Human". Hampton Roads. Retrieved 2008-10-09.
  2. ^ Reid, Shaheem & Elias, Matt (2008-08-15). "Brandy Readies Human After Four-Year Hiatus". MTV News. Retrieved 2008-08-23. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |pulisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ "FIRST LISTEN: Brandy's New Single, 'Right Here (Departed)'". People. 2008-08-12. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
  4. ^ a b c d e Jones, Steve & Strauss, Gary (2008-08-15). "Coming Attractions: Remember Brandy? She's Coming Back". USA Today. Retrieved 2008-08-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ a b Hasty, Katie (2008-12-17). "Taylor Swift Reclaims Billboard 200 Throne". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-12-20.
  6. ^ "Database Search: "Maximum Risk"". Warner Chappell Music. Retrieved 2008-03-23.
  7. ^ Souleo (2007-09-28). "7th Shot: Tim & Bob". SixShot. Retrieved 2008-04-19.
  8. ^ Bailey, Lee (2008-02-15). ""Producer Shelves Secular Rap in Favor of Christian Hip Hop"". EURweb. Retrieved 2008-02-15.
  9. ^ Dean, Kendrick. "WyldCard discography." Official Brian Kennedy MySpace. Retrieved on 2008-10-03.
  10. ^ a b "Bryan Michael Cox: Best Kept Secret". AllHipHop. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
  11. ^ "Darkchild Vlog #3: Reuniting with Brandy". Rap-Up. 208-09-29. Retrieved 2008-12-20. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ Seacrest, Ryan (2008-10-20). "Brandy is Back!". KissFM. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
  13. ^ "Brandy Wants Darkchild & Timbaland Album". Rap-Up Magazine. 2008-12-11. Retrieved 2008-12-16.
  14. ^ Norwood, Brandy. "Thank You." Human (Booklet). Retrieved on 2008-12-20.
  15. ^ "Introduction". Official Rob Knox MySpace. Retrieved on 2008-10-10.
  16. ^ ""NEWS - MARCH 2008 "". Kara DioGuari. Retrieved 2008-06-01.
  17. ^ Crosley, Hillary (2008-04-02). "Billboard Q&A: Songwriter Greg Curtis". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-05-10.
  18. ^ "Brandy Interview Transcription". DJ Booth. Retrieved 2008-09-10. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |auhor= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ "Video for 'She's Like a Star' from Taio Cruz". Contactmusic. 2008-09-23. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
  20. ^ "John Legend & Keri Hilson Go In For Brandy". Rap-Up Magazine. 2008-09-23. Retrieved 2008-09-23.
  21. ^ "Tonex talks about his recent Breakdown". The Path Megazine. Virginia Preachers. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
  22. ^ "Interview with Brandy - The Morning House Party". 104.7 KDUK. Retrieved 2008-09-10. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |auhor= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:hzfixzrkld0e
  24. ^ http://www.rwdmag.com/articles/7729/Online-Review-Brandy---iHumani.html
  25. ^ http://www.musicomh.com/albums/brandy-2_1208.htm
  26. ^ http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a137759/brandy-human.html
  27. ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/dec/05/urban-brandy-norwood-human
  28. ^ http://www.rwdmag.com/articles/7729/Online-Review-Brandy---iHumani.html
  29. ^ http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a137759/brandy-human.html
  30. ^ http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=5400
  31. ^ http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/music_review.asp?ID=1610
  32. ^ http://www.boston.com/ae/music/cd_reviews/articles/2008/12/08/brandis_human_is_welcome_return/
  33. ^ "Human review". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-12-18.
  34. ^ a b "Human review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2008-12-18.
  35. ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/chart_display.jsp?f=The+Billboard+200&pageNumber=Top+51-100&g=Albums
  36. ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/chart_display.jsp?f=The+Billboard+200&pageNumber=Top+51-100&g=Albums
  37. ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/chart_display.jsp?f=The+Billboard+200&pageNumber=Top+51-100&g=Albums
  38. ^ "Brandy Is Back". BET on Blast. Retrieved 2008-10-03.
  39. ^ "Epic Records Readies the Release of 'Human'". Marketwatch. 2008-08-15. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
  40. ^ "Brandy - Human". iTunes. Retrieved 2008-12-02.
  41. ^ "ACE Title Search: "Find My Love"". ASCAP. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  42. ^ "Brandy - Human". iTunes. Retrieved 2008-12-02.
  43. ^ "Human (with 2 Exclusive Bonus Tracks". Walmart.com).
  44. ^ http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Charts/RANDB.html
  45. ^ "BRANDY - HUMAN (ALBUM)". Disqueenfrance. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
  46. ^ a b Paine, Jake (2008-12-17). "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 12/14/08". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2008-12-17.
  47. ^ "Brandy - Human". hmv.com. Retrieved 2008-08-23.


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