Raven-Symoné's Self Titled Fourth Album Coming April 29

[Superstar]

Raven-Symoné's self-titled fourth album is hitting stores April 29. Instead of the usual Disney fluff, she's worked with some big RnB/hip hop producers such as Eric Hudson, Sean Garrett (Fergie, Beyonce, Britney Spears) The J.A.M. (Leona Lewis) and the Clutch (Keri Hilson/Timbaland, Ciara) and the result is a pretty solid r'n'b album.

Songs include:

Girl Get It:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=IYmVSj5EvNY

That Girl:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=DA_wUbLhESM

Green:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ypKn3cxPkug

[eltonfan80]

cool

[Superstar]

An abolustely fantastic review:

Disney whiz kid, Raven Symoné, shakes off her tenni-bopper image for good on her self titled fourth studio album, scheduled to hit stores April 29th.


The Disney icon worked with some of the best producers in the industry today, such as "The Clutch" (Chris Brown, Britney Spears), "Sean Garrett" (Destiny's Child, Fergie), & "Knightwritaz" (Jennifer Lopez, Mario). In an exclusive interview with "Life Story" magazine in 2006, Ms Symoné told the mag she would be recording her new album late 06 and that many would be surprised by the new sound she was going for this time around. Recording was wrapped in early 07, & despite many pushbacks, the album is finally here. We were one of the first to sneak a listen to the album in full, and let us tell you, Raven will do more than surprise. In fact, we couldn't quite believe this was a Raven Symoné recording while listening. If you're a fan of Britney Spears's "Blackout", Danity Kane's "Welcome To The Dollhouse" or Janet's "Discipline", you will love this album.


Raven faces some heavy competition the day of her release, as 'queen of pop' Madonna's "Hard Candy" also drops. And even though we're rooting for Raven (simply because her album is better), we're not getting our hopes up. After all, she is going up against "MADONNA." You see our point.


It's hard to get across in words how surprisingly great Ravens new disk actually is. Some will not believe us, as most Disney child stars who release albums, well.. let's put it kindly, they're not all that great. Also endearing is the fact that her fourth studio record is self titled. Usually with artists it's their debut, but not with Raven. This tells us (and we presume this is the message she's trying to get across), this is the real her. And she succeeded in her task. Raven's new album is now one of our favorite pop/urban albums in a long while. What makes this one so special? What makes Raven's different from any other tweenie artist out there? The simple fact is - it's a solid, stellar offering that has something for everyone. Well, something for everyone who enjoys pop/urban music. We guarantee you, this is one to pick up.


Raven shows us her inner "flaunt it" side on track "That Girl" (previously titled "Got It Girl"). The beat is as infectious as ever, with a more than confident Ms Symoné delivering lines like "If this is a competition you can't compete, you rockin' it but I rocked it last week." The mastermind behind the production, Kwamé, drops one of his hottest beats yet - resulting into an instant club banger. There will definitely be some repeat action on this one. The track ends with Ravens famous shrieking scream, though some may find inappropriate. It's such a quirky move that finishes the track off with a bang. This girl knows how to leave her mark. On "Anti-Love Song ," we hear Raven talk about a relationship that ended badly, but she's not gonna cry over it. She isn't gonna mope around. She's moving on. We can see the lighters going up for this one. A great slow-jam that a lot of young girls will relate too. "In The Pictures" (the confirmed new single) is one of our favorites. It has 'Stargate' written all over it (Chris Brown "With You", Beyonce' "Irreplaceable") and even though we are sick to death of that same beat, it's not so same-ish on this one. It's subtle. With a great video, this could be Ravens first big hit. One thing that really stood out to us about this new record is, the mood constantly changes. We go from up-beat, to mid-tempo, to up-beat and then ballad. It's a constant surprise after another, something we really enjoyed while listening. "What Are You Gonna Do?" is no different. This one will have you clicking your fingers in a matter of seconds. Raven's swagger here is undeniable. She flows through the club ready beat as fly as ever, giving us the "That Girl" attitude we had earlier. "Green" delivers same results. Raven keeps her 'homegirl' attitude here, bouncing through the 80's vibe track, asking "Ain't this beat ridiculous?" Another standout and a big fan favorite.

"Love Me Or Hate Me" slows things down, with a vulnerable Raven talking about the issues she has with her man. Producer "Oak" did a great job with the production on here. Though not one of our favorites, it's still a worthy track all the same. "In Your Skin" was another standout for us. The track is about catty girls, talking dirrty behind your back. Giving you 'those looks' in the club. Raven sings "You take the energy you use to hate on me to get you further." It's light production and Ravens airy vocals makes for another gem of a track. We then move on to the amazingly fierce "Stupid." We must have played this track back 80 times. Seriously. It's that good. We get 'fighting back' Raven here, telling these "stupid boys" not to mess with her. She's been through it all, she knows what your about. "You just don't know wha-a-a-a-t to do", a screamish Raven declares. Afer being overwhelmed by the greatness that is Stupid, we leap right into another 'repeat 80 times' cut. "Girl Get It." Out of all the tracks on here, this is the most likely to shock (we use the phrase minorly of course) big Raven fans. This is something we would expect from Ciara or Monica. Everything from the beat to Raven's ever so fly lyrics make this one of the best r&b joints we've heard all year. "Keep A Friend" keys the ghettoness down a notch. 'The Cluth' mid-tempo produced track talks about having bad blood with a friend and not discussing the problems or issues brewing the negative feelings. Though it may be slightly forgettable, it's by no means a skipper.


"Shorts Like Mine." Let's see, do you ever have one of those days were you think you're SO fly. Like there is no other that can do it better than you? Well, you'll be bumping to this in the midst of it. Another great, super-fast up-tempo that will have your "inner attitude" bursting all over. We then move on to our #1 favorite, "Hollywood Life." A touching ballad that reflects on young teenage girls trying to make it in Hollywood, and more importantly what it takes to make it. When listening to this track, the names "Lindsay Lohan", "Nicole Richie" (among others) popped into our heads. Even though Raven will probably never clarify on who it's actually about, It sort of speaks for itself. It's also a reflection on her troubles making it in the business, the do's and don'ts. It's one of those songs, you fall in love with it straight away. We were really impressed with Raven's vocals on here. This is the only track she really gets her "Whitney Houston" on. And she does it pretty darn well. Last but not least, the "College Road-Trip" single "Double Dutch Bus." "The Clutch" produced track has become Ms Symonés most downloaded song to date (via; iTunes) and we can see why. The fun up-tempo is yet another standout. This one also surprised us, it's very Ciara-Destiny'sChild like. Something that wouldn't have felt out of place on DC's "The Writings On The Wall." We couldn't think of a better way to end the album.


You know, we never thought we'd say it. But we are in LOVE with Raven's new disc. It will shock, surprise and most of all, leave a long lasting impression. The pop/r&b market isn't always so giving these days. We see these artists come and go with flop albums that have so many skipped tracks you lose count. Raven Symoné's new record isn't one of them.


That said, we can't help but have a horrible, bittersweet taste in our mouths. As the album will be released the exact same day as Madonna's "Hard Candy", Raven's chances of going to #1 are as good as Khia's chances of ever having a hit single again. If it were up to us, and we had the final say. There would be no question. Raven all the way. And we back up our answer with this. Madonna shouldn't go to #1 simply because she is MADONNA. And If Hard Candy were a better album, we'd be rooting for her, but to be honest, HC ain't all that great. And when it comes down to it - it's all about the music. And in this case, Raven wins by a mile. Let's just hope and pray some miracle rolls around, cause if not, Raven doesn't stand a chance. Which isn't fair, especially with such a solid, stellar offering like this.

4.5/5

[waichingliu81]

i didn't know she could sing. she's got a terrific voice and plus 'some call it magic' is a fab song. here's the vid:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er89d...eature=related

[Superstar]

Originally Posted by waichingliu81

i didn't know she could sing. she's got a terrific voice and plus 'some call it magic' is a fab song. here's the vid:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er89d...eature=related

Yeah, she does have a really good voice. As far as I'm concerned, she's the best singer out of all the other Disney stars.

BTW ALBUM DROPS TODAY

[SBTB Geek]

lol... the songs posted aren't too bad. The usual mainstream, Britney-ripoff, radio fluff. But not bad.

[Race's Girl]

Wow, I can't wait since I prefer Raven-Symoné to Hilary Duff anyway

[SBTB Geek]

^Hilary Duff's music is much more mature, IMO. She's gone beyond that amateur phase that so many other Disney stars are stuck in (with the exception Justin, Britney, and Christina.)

[dlemond]

That review can't really be from a reputable source.

Anyone who writes a review using the collective term of "we" ('we thought', 'we liked', etc) throughout it is not doing a critique- sounds like he/she is speaking for a bunch of people hanging out in his/her basement.

We really dig it!

I'm not saying the album isn't good, but that is not a credible endorsement as far as I'm concerned.

[SBTB Geek]

^Yeah, I just found out that the review actually comes from a regular fan blog.

Not surprised. I didn't even bother to read it.

[Superstar]

Originally Posted by dlemond

That review can't really be from a reputable source.

Anyone who writes a review using the collective term of "we" ('we thought', 'we liked', etc) throughout it is not doing a critique- sounds like he/she is speaking for a bunch of people hanging out in his/her basement.

We really dig it!

I'm not saying the album isn't good, but that is not a credible endorsement as far as I'm concerned.

From a blog: http://tony-thisismusic.blogspot.com...hakes-off.html

It got a decent review from the New York Times, it was chosen as a Critcs Choice. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/28/ar...yt&oref=slogin

Critics’ Choice
New CDs
By THE NEW YORK TIMES
Published: April 28, 2008

RAVEN-SYMONé
(Hollywood Records)

Though she’s a Disney Channel star, Raven-Symoné will probably never release a sexy record to prove she’s not a Mouseketeer — the way Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears did to prove they were all grown up. Instead this 22-year-old from Atlanta seems to age in reverse. Almost two decades have passed since she played sassy Olivia Kendall on “The Cosby Show,” lip-syncing to the bawdy blues anthem “I’m a Woman” on screen. But on her latest, upbeat pop album her voice is higher and more childlike than ever. “I’m a girl,” she insists, “one hundred percent girl.”

Having built her empire on the tween sitcom “That’s So Raven,” Raven-Symoné is wise to work the angle that she’s no different from any of her middle-school fans. One endearing song even finds her staring long-legged glamazons down and realizing “they put their shorts on just like me.” But when the Clutch, Sean Garrett and other urban hit makers try to bring the Dirty South out of her, building beats around distorted synths and repetitive club hooks, Raven-Symoné comes across as stiffly G-rated. On ‘Stupid,” she tells her crush he’s got what most “dames” want.

When she manages to avoid the granny slang, she sounds confident on the R&B tracks. “In My Skin” (she feels comfortable in it) recalls early Janet Jackson. And mid-tempo ballads like “Hollywood Life” and “In the Pictures,” about the loneliness of being a child star, feel heartfelt. They underscore that she still has a real-girl appeal — and the right producers to bring it out of her. MELISSA MAERZ

And a couple more songs:
Shorts Like Me (Produced by Sean Garrett)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=eJwqIh_6Ia8

Stupid (Produced by Sean Garrett)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=TjbPO6U8fxQ