| Album: Exposed Artist(Band): Chante Moore Date: 11/14/2000 Review The Album (1)
Reviews about Exposed Takes a lot Moore to take my finger off the skip button... | Reviewer: Lunafish | 1/30/2006 Who is Chante Moore? Chante Moore is one of many overlooked R&B singers of the 90's who've managed to keep a record deal post Y2K. Like many others, she was raised in the church, which would imply that she has one of those "TKO with the holy spirit" voices. I can't fault her; she has very polished pipes. However, it's not enough to grab your attention. Surprisingly, she has released four solo albums and a duet album with her husband, Kenny Lattimore. Ironically, they are equivalent in the music industry; they never crossover to the mainstream for a prolonged period of time. "Exposed" is her fourth album/attempt and she highlights why she will never achieve and attain, gross commercial success and/or critical acclaim. Firstly, she is yet to define who she is. She employs Atlanta hit maker Jermaine Dupri to give her modern, catchy sound. This proves to be effective on "Straight up" which has a bubble gum feel that is radio-friendly. However, the subject matter does not inspire the listener to take her seriously. How impressed are you by a grown woman who has to list her compulsory credentials to get a guy? Yes you have a cell, yes you drive a whip, yes you have a crib, but who the hell cares? This sounds like something out of Ashanti's back catalogue, come on Chante, you're better than that. Besides, that title is reminiscent of Paula Abdul, and there's no need for that. 3/5 "Take Care of Me" is a Funktwons production with a well-needed appearance by Da Brat (However, she cant save it.) The vocal arrangement is pathetic as she limits her range and downplays her talent. The production picks up the track about her warning her man not to do something stupid when he goes out with his friends. Yet, another skipable waste of time as poor subject matter and fourth-grade lyrics takes their toll. The B-section is highly grating on the ear. "Every thing that you do Could come back on you I'm not saying that you're playing I'm not saying you're gaming me But all your boys don't have a lady Looking for someone just like me Be careful." 2.5/5 Skip Me "I'm keeping you" is a slow-tempo balled which she co-wrote about how she's going to sex her cheating man back into the relationship. The production and vocal arrangement are amongst the best on the album but the subject matter doesn’t make a lasting effect. "Forget about your mistress for tonight Cause I'm the only lady in your life I know you didn't know I knew This is what I'm gonna do" "I'm gonna love you so completely You'll remember why you chose me There's so much, so much between us And I compromise you have my forgiveness" This is where people go WRONG in life. Sex can't bring someone back to a monogamous relationship or out of infidelity. I turn to my skip button for relief. 3.5/5 And again, Mariah's new best friend writes and produces another track. "Go ahead with all that" featured on the "Two can play that game" soundtrack, has Chante singing about a man she had, who treated her bad, it made her sad, blah, blah, blah. The redundant lyrics are infantile. She is now telling him that the relationship is over and she doesn't want any. Chante tries her hand at the fast paced singing that Destiny's Child do (Cross reference Bills, bills, bills and Bugaboo) but they do it better. I strongly dislike grown women trying to imitate the fly-by-night young artists. Take a leaf out of Mary J Blige's book: Be a teacher, not a student. 3/5 Skip Me Just when you thought Chante had found her sense and was singing a soft, subtle ballad showing off those polished vocals, she laces the chorus with the N-Word. My God, it's a grown Teairra Mari before her time. "Don't follow me home n*gga Stop ringing my phone n*gga Just leave me alone n*gga I wish you well but Right now I'm just bitter." If Steve Harvey doesn't use it, why should you N-bomb your song Chante? I see the Man's ploy to get us to use his plantation rhetoric has trapped you. However it awakes the sleeping listener. The production is akin to “I’m keeping you” although the lyrics drag it down and the chorus massacres the song. 2.5/5 Skip Me As one disappoint takes place, another ensues. “When it comes to me” is a bragging record about how she made her man fall in love with her and therefore, she gets what she wants and he doesn’t have control. The sophomoric lyrics are comical. “You were a pimp, playboy You’re not a pimp now I’m in your life, I’m exempt ‘cause I’ve got your heart, And now you belong to me.” “When it comes to me, I get what I want, ‘cause I made you fall in love When it comes to me you don’t have control, ‘cause I beat you at your game, I beat you at your own game.” She again employs Tim and Bob of Funktwons productions but the instrumental is reminiscent of 㥨. It’s hardly an effective throwback because the vocal arrangement is awful. The vocals and the backing track are mismatched which make for a song that can only be referred to as “filler.” Maybe that’s because she co-wrote it. 2/5 Skip Me The three preceding tracks all have dodgy lyrics and arrangements that give the illusion that she can’t sing. She wastes her range on three arduous filler tracks entitled, “Train of thought,” “Better than making love,” and “M-A-N.” 2/5 Skip Me 2/5 Skip Me 2/5 Skip Me Jermaine Dupri picks the album out of its slump with “You can’t leave me.” The song is self-explanatory but the high-quality production redeems the album from a one-way ticket to the bargain bin. She tries that Songrapping style akin to Destiny’s Child and it is quite embarrassing. However by this time, she’s proven too well that you’re not obliged to listen to the lyrics anymore. 2.5/5 Skip Me “Everything we want” is everything we don’t want: Another shoddy lyric having, no good voice using, time wasting, childish phrasing and poorly produced track. 2/5 Skip Me I’d rather stop the pain and skip forward to my favourite track on the album. It is the only song that is 3-star worthy. “Love’s still alright” is a mid-tempo song written and produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis of Janet Jackson fame. The intro shows her sultry vocals (cross reference “Wey U” from the “Waiting to Exhale” Soundtrack) and its arrangement is stellar. For the first time in the album, she is honest and is being true to herself. No pretence, no bubblegum, just Chante. 3.5/5 I return to highlighting why she will never achieve and attain, commercial success and critical acclaim. In short, Chante thrives when she is being herself, but the fact is she does not have a sense of individuality, which equates in high quality material and does not use her accomplished range to its full capability. Over the years she has spent in the industry, she has failed to acquire a faithful fan base due to the inconsistency of her music. As for this album, it does not provoke any emotion from the listener besides tedium. It is laden with filler tracks, which lack conviction and don’t go beneath the surface. Chante Moore exposes her complacency in the studio. Recommended No Great Music to Play While: Going to Sleep http://www.epinions.com/content_218631081604 Use link to find other reviews I have written. Peace. Is this review helpful to you? Yes No Review The Album Exposed | |
Copyright © 2000-2007 sing365.com