Bobby Brown Albums (4)
What The Critics Say
Bobby Brown's style was still fairly close to that of his comrades in New Edition when he recorded his first solo effort, King of Stage -- an album giving little indication of the hard-edged, aggressive "new jack swing" that was only two years away on Don't Be Cruel. While comparisons to his subsequent work are inevitable, Stage is a generally decent, though not breathtaking, album that stands on its own merit -- and one that proves that there was indeed life outside of New Edition for the singer/rapper. Although Cameo leader Larry Blackmon, who serves as producer on "Girl Next Door," "Spending Time" and "Baby I Wanna Tell You Something," brings an undeniably Cameo-ish element to these high-tech funk smokers, Brown's individuality comes through loud and clear. But as enjoyable as the Blackmon-produced tracks are, top honors must go to "Seventeen" -- a riveting account of a teenage mother who turns to drugs and prostitution -- and the unapologetically sentimental, '70s-like soul ballad "Girlfriend." Brown sounds like he's going through the motions on the Rick James-ish "Your Tender Romance" and the lackluster ballad "Spending Time," but thankfully, Stage has more strengths than weaknesses. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Bobby Brown's follow-up to the groundbreaking Don't Be Cruel isn't as innovative or consistent as his previous album, but that doesn't mean it's without any charms. The singles "Humpin' Around," "Good Enough," and "Get Away" are strong and memorable, which makes any of pleasant filler forgivable, and the seamless production makes it all listenable. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Don't Be Cruel was to Bobby Brown what Control was to Janet Jackson -- a tougher, more aggressive project that shed his "bubblegum" image altogether and brought him to a new artistic and commercial plateau. With "My Prerogative" and the title song, Brown became a leader of new jack swing -- a forceful, high-tech blend of traditional soul singing and rap/hip-hop that's also associated with Guy and Brown's New Edition colleagues, Bell Biv DeVoe. Brown had been a strong advocate of rap since his days with New Edition, and on Cruel, he did even more rapping than before. But for all the tough-mindedness he exhibited on his new jack hits, the charismatic Bostonian hadn't lost his love of sentimental, old-fashioned R&B romanticism -- and he definitely excels in that area on his hits "Every Little Step," "Roni," and "Rock Wit'cha." Much of Cruel was produced by the ubiquitous production/songwriting duo L.A. Reid and Babyface, who've often been accused (and rightly so) of taking a formulaic, cookie-cutter approach to R&B. But here, their work is never less than inspired. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
