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By Anthony R. Ashley
Arizona Daily Wildcat
August 22, 1996
On her new album "Secrets," Toni Braxton shows the world that she has grown up since her 1993 self-titled debut. On that album the only contributors were Antonio "L.A." Reid and Babyface. On this album, with Babyface, Braxton goes out in search of other songwriters, like Tony Rich, R. Kelly, David Foster, Diane Warren, and even writing a couple of songs herself.
Braxton's jinx-free sophomore CD preaches the gospels of love with a passion, overpowering sappy Top 40 staples with unneeded high pitched vocals (that means you Mariah). The secular hymns crooned by Braxton deal with attraction and affection, betrayal and brokenheartedness, and cooing and cohabitation.
Listeners may not know that Braxton is the daughter of a conservative preacher after listening to her latest number one song, "You're Makin Me High." With such smoldering lyrics as "I can imagine you/Touching my private parts/With just the thought of you/I can't help but touch myself" you know you're in for a ride of lust, passion and the need for earthshaking pleasure.
With the same song, a different testament from her last album, Braxton shows that she can sell more than love ballads.
In the song, "How Could An Angel Break My Heart," a lulling ballad of heartbreak, Braxton makes the agony of breaking up beautiful. She also fills in the dramatic music arrangement with fantastic vocal timing.
No doubt Braxton had to worry whether or not this album would fly, it being her sophomore effort. Yes, it is a cliche, but some artists never make it past their first album. Remember "Spellbound," Paula Abdul's second album, or C + C Music Factory's second album or "Electric Youth," Debbie Gibson's second album? Braxton may have been worried after hearing youngsters du jour Brandy, Monica and their sisters bringing in new flavor of the melding together of R & B and hip hop.
Braxton, instead, skews older by bringing in Foster and Warren who have written song for everyone ranging from Michael Bolton to Barbra Streisand.
In the song "Un-Break My Heart," Braxton brings us a grandiose tearjerker that is sure to be a hit. The song is such a mass-appeal grabber that it has probably sent jealous diva, the Boss, Diana Ross diving for her Cappucino Nut Haagen-Dazs.
Braxton and Babyface have made a diverse, witty and exquisitely modulated album that will surely match the 7 million albums Braxton's debut sold. "Secrets" demonstrates Braxton's range of vocals as well as from a sultry nymphette to a codependent love-stricken woman. The album confirms her ability to deliver with unforgettable eloquence.
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