Most of the songs on Unexpected feel a bit on the forced side. "We Break The Dawn," "Hello Heartbreak," and "Stop This Car" especially stand out for me as being tracks that nearly mute the wispy voice of the former Destiny's Child member. I'm not saying every song has to be like "Heard A Word" neccessarily, but I would think people would want to hear her voice and not a New York Subway station in the middle of rush hour.
A bit of a throwback to the style of "Heard A Word" is "The Greatest," which is the best track she has to offer on this album and is the second greatest song of her whole catalog. It's also more of a reflection of who she is. To me, Michelle Williams is a voice of encouragement. That was the person I paid attention to with "Heard A Word." The person I'm hearing on the other tracks sounds like another R&B singer stuck in the club.
Beyonce fans are good for their spite towards the other members of Destiny's Child. According to them the other singers just don't have what it takes to reach Beyonce's level. I see it another way. Perhaps Michelle Williams and all the other former members don't think it's all that important to be featured on every media outlet every damn week and day.
Given the bloodthirsty nature of music listeners these days, I wouldn't be surprised if more albums from the former members of the group are tinted with this same "keep the party going" atmosphere. After all, it's not about what you want as an artist; the public, the record labels, and the industry people are your pimps and you, as an artist are the whore. That's a bit blunt and perhaps harsh, but that's what ultimately makes a lot of people in the music industry bitter and willing to go along to get along.
I believe Michelle Williams can sing and the same goes for Kelly Rowland, but their recent output seems to suggest they don't know what to sing. I suggest they go for what they like. I know Kelly liked "Stole" because she sang the hell out of it, and I know Michelle liked singing "Heard A Word" because that's a reflection of who she is inside.
Unexpected really isn't the appropriate title for this album; it’s more like Yet Another Party Album. Let's hope the next album comes from the real Michelle Williams, not a party-hopping impostor.
Article comments
1 - Jaren Tucker
Michelle Williams Third Solo Effor titled "Unexpected" is awesome, while I was reading the above article it failed to mention the successes of Her Career...Her 1st solo album "Heart To Yous" Billboard Top Gospel Number 1 album...It was 2002 Best Selling Gospel Album shifting over 220,000 Units...She was also recognized with 2 Stellar Award Nominations while Co-Hosting the show with R&B singer Musiq Soulchild. Her Broadwaydebut Stinit as Aida, lead to her receiving a Tony Award Nomination for "Best Replacment Actress" Her 2004 offering "Do You Know" showed personal growth for Michelle, though the album sold a dismal 78,000 copies it was Critically Acliamed...Now Her Thirs Solo Venture Finds Michelle With Two Number 1 Singles In "We Break The Dawn, and "The Greatest" Not only has Michelle Charted in new Terrioty she is gaining steam Overseas with a Number 1 album in Japan, and Austrilia...Unexpected Is an awesome CD, and Its definitley a Breakthrough album for Williams...I am rooting for Her all the way, If she continues to believe in this album she will reap the benefits, and trust she aint worried about eating...Her DC money is way long!!!!!!!
2 - tonya
You can tell the authur didn't even LISTEN to kellys album .Kelly only had 4 ,FOUR! party songs on her album .The rest of the album was deep and reflective and soulful as her first album.The wasn't anything wrong at all with her album.I loved it best r&b album of that year.
3 - QD
LeToya Luckett's 2nd Album will be released on April 7th, her 1st single hits Urban Radio NEXT WEEK (Jan 15th) and Pop Radio Feb 3rd....
4 - Me
Um, Letoya Luckett's first album went platinum and was successful.