Avant Albums (5)
What The Critics Say
Director was Avant's first number one R&B album -- though it has to be noted that his three previous albums went Top Ten -- yet the singer's fifth album bears the Capitol logo, the first time he has not fallen under Universal's distribution network. On Avant, he goes both harder and softer. The uptick in salaciousness could be detected in the album's lead single, slow jam "Break Ya Back" -- a long way from "Read Your Mind," what with its winking hook of "Baby it's a fact, when we get up in the sack, I'm gonna break your back...in a good way." It can also be heard in album lowlight "Out of Character," where he tells his woman she "needs to go both ways." Those two songs are offset by a faithful and charming cover of the biggest yacht rock song of all time, Christopher Cross' "Sailing." In between those two poles is a typical Avant album, no bad thing. The album, in fact, contains the best opening three-song sequence of his career. On "Sensuality," he doesn't allow thick synthesizer colorings to get in the way of a good song; "Perfect Gentleman" strikes a balance between elegant lift and rhythmic punch; and "Involve Yourself," with its chunky and melodic bassline, could easily switch into a cover of Groove Theory's mid-'90s classic "Tell Me." ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
On his fourth album, Avant doggedly continues to do his smooth and relaxed thing and delivers his fourth consecutive decent album. Only a lark hit with maximum rotation on urban radio will propel him to superstar status, but it's not likely at this point. Avant is not a major star -- yet he's a considerable talent who knows exactly what he's best at, where he fits, and how to please his fans. Although a number of collaborators (the Underdogs, Jermaine Dupri) and guests (Lil Wayne, Lloyd Banks) are rolled in to add some edge, the material isn't much more flashy than it is on Avant's past albums. More importantly, Avant's new and somewhat surprising help looks a little desperate on paper but is hardly that on record. Those who loved Avant in the past for his slick, romantic, slow-to-midtempo songs (with the occasional dash of raunch) will find plenty to enjoy here. Veteran rapper turned producer Def Jef cooks up the best beat of all with "Exclusive," a tough yet sweet modern-day equivalent of a Reggie Lucas/James Mtume production. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The same issues that weighed down Avant's previous two albums, rendering them good if uneven releases, continue to run unchecked for Private Room. The sheer wealth of material -- 16 tracks in all -- couldn't possibly work to anyone's advantage, especially someone who thrives on singles. So, once again, there's a handful of excellent contemporary R&B songs surrounded by too much material that's either decent or middling. This being Avant's third album, it's now more than apparent that he will never outshine his primary inspiration, R. Kelly. But who could really hold that against him? Those are lofty standards to judge anyone's career to, and Private Room's success ("Read Your Mind" maintained a lasting presence on urban radio, and it crossed into the Top 25 of the Billboard pop chart) shows that Avant has hardly been another case of "one or two hits and out." ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Creatively, Avant's sophomore album, Ecstasy, is a step forward for the Cleveland-based urban contemporary singer. This 2002 release isn't perfect -- some of the tracks are routine and pedestrian. But Ecstasy contains more gems than My Thoughts, Avant's competent, if uneven, debut album of 2000. Some things haven't changed; Ecstasy, like My Thoughts, was produced by Steve "Stone" Huff and Avant still brings a strong R. Kelly influence to the table, which means that listeners are also hearing a strong Ronald Isley influence. (Ronald Isley, lead singer of the Isley Brothers, is among Kelly's primary influences.) Ecstasy is hardly a radical departure from My Thoughts; the main difference between the two albums is that this time Avant usually has stronger material to work with. The Midwesterner really soars on the bluesy "You Ain't Right" and he is equally impressive on the moody "One Way Street (a duet with the Gap Band's Charlie Wilson). Also quite memorable is "Six in da Morning," which should not be confused with Ice-T's 1986 gangsta rap classic but is a funky, hip-hop-minded jam along the lines of Kelly's "Fiesta." Showing his flexibility, Avant demonstrates that he is as comfortable with hip-hop-friendly funk as he is with romantic ballads and slow jams. Again, Ecstasy (which lists basketball icon Magic Johnson as one of its executive producers) isn't without its share of generic filler, but the CD doesn't have as much of it as My Thoughts -- and for every minus that you can find on this release, there are three or four pluses. If you had to choose between Ecstasy and My Thoughts, this album would be a better investment. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
R. Kelly proved to be one of the most influential male R&B vocalists of the '90s, and Avant certainly doesn't escape his influence on My Thoughts -- the singer's debut album and the first album to come out on basketball icon Magic Johnson's MCA-distributed Magic Johnson Music. Like Chicago native Kelly, Avant is from the Midwest; his home town is Cleveland, and his connection to the Windy City includes his Chicago-based producer Steve "Stone" Huff and his Chicago-based manager Eric Payton, who is among this CD's executive producers. Kelly's influence, in fact, is impossible to miss on My Thoughts, a competent, if uneven, effort that Huff produced. Much of the material is routine urban contemporary fare, but on the album's best tracks, you can hear Avant's potential. Arguably the CD's best offering, "My First Love" is a remake of a Rene & Angela ballad that features female vocalist Ketara Wyatt and boasts a delicious '70s-like string arrangement by Tom-Tom 2000. Also likable is the melancholy hit "Separated," the moody "This Time," and the candid "Let's Make a Deal," an Avant/Huff composition that finds the singer declaring that a relationship cannot be one-sided. If Avant's phrasing sometimes brings to mind Ronald Isley, it's no coincidence -- the Isley Brothers are a major influence on Kelly, who is Avant's primary influence. This isn't to say that My Thoughts is in a class with the Isley Brothers' work, or even Kelly's albums. My Thoughts isn't mind-blowing, but it's decent more often than not and lets us know that Avant has potential. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
