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« Pharrell on Jay-Z Project: ‘I’m Sworn to Secrecy’Drake Works His Charm in ‘Ice Age 4’ [Sneak Peek] »Review Roundup: Chris Brown – ‘Fortune’![]() First he gave you F.A.M.E. and now Chris Brown is sharing his Fortune on his fifth album, in stores today. The R&B superstar follows up his Grammy-winning effort with a collection of electro-pop, dance, and R&B tracks featuring Nas, Big Sean, Wiz Khalifa, Kevin McCall, and Sevyn, plus the hit singles “Turn Up the Music” and “Till I Die.” Was Breezy able to win over his critics with his latest body of work? Find out below.
USA Today: Driving electronic grooves and hip-hop-fueled club jams will keep Brown on the radio all summer. Like him or not, he appeals to your urge to get up and move. 3.5/4 New York Daily News: While he originally conceived Fortune as an extension of F.A.M.E., the new album turns out to be a more exciting and varied work. The harder cuts have more force than anything in Brown’s past, the softer ones, more sweetness. 3/5 Los Angeles Times: In the search for great pop music that catches a glimpse of the future, Chris Brown’s new album, Fortune, is planted firmly in the here and now. A defiant, brash, glistening recording filled with state-of-the-art sounds and of-the-moment producers and songwriters, the album, while fresh in July 2012, feels stamped with a “use by” date. 2/4 Entertainment Weekly: Fortune‘s lyrics largely focus on his favored themes: clubbing, getting women to take off their clothes, and swagginess. Plenty of accomplished R&B lotharios tread that territory, but Brown lacks R. Kelly’s commitment to fantasy or Usher’s raw-nerve honesty. C- The Washington Post: Fortune is no F.A.M.E.—it sounds like it, sure, but doesn’t move Brown to any new ground musically. The guy’s not afraid to take musical risks, but Fortune is a familiar mix of electro-pop, dance and R&B. Chicago Tribune: Chris Brown’s fifth studio album, Fortune, is a pure-pop candy cane, meant to be enjoyed, consumed and forgotten. Thinking would ruin everything. At its best, it does its job very well—a mix of bangers and ballads as instant and insistent as anything on commercial radio. 2/4 The Boston Globe: Fortune is full of some of the most boilerplate R&B and urban pop to have been released this year. Strip away the million-dollar beats and the star cameos (including rappers Nas and Wiz Khalifa) and the album, his fifth in seven years, rings jarringly hollow. Newsday: Fortune shows so much of the musical growth that his fans had long been expecting. Brown’s range has widened significantly, able to vocally tackle a straight-up R&B ballad like “Sweet Love” as well as the club anthems like “Turn Up the Music” that have been filling the charts. B Rap-Up’s Favorite Tracks: “Bassline,” “Till I Die,” “Mirage,” “Don’t Wake Me Up” TweetYou can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. 90 CommentsLeave a Reply
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July 3rd, 2012 at 7:36 am
these reviews are so mixed lol. fuck all that shit. listen, enjoy, or fuck all the way off.
i love it.
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Kalin Reply:
July 3rd, 2012 at 10:46 am
@Ethan, Reviews for most artists’ albums generally are mixed.
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July 3rd, 2012 at 7:37 am
VERY DECENT ALBUM!
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July 3rd, 2012 at 7:39 am
well damn..the one album i like from him, the critics hate!
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ayyeee Reply:
July 3rd, 2012 at 10:11 am
@poe, THE IRONY!
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July 3rd, 2012 at 7:40 am
i bought the deluxe and as much as i like it, it seems to be full of fillers. 21 songs were abit too much for my liking.
Anywayy… Mirage is my FAVOURITE! i can’t even get past it.
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StarsAreBlind Reply:
July 3rd, 2012 at 7:51 am
@p, Maybe it’s because you bought the deluxe…lol There’s originally on 14. The rest were songs that didn’t even make the cut.
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Holtz Reply:
July 3rd, 2012 at 8:27 am
@p, Mirage is the best song on the Album, that’s true
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poe Reply:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:20 pm
@p, mirage is the best!
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July 3rd, 2012 at 7:46 am
These Reviews Are Kinda Not Good.. Tbh..Alot of Critics Gave Him 2 out of 5 stars.. Some Gave 0 Outta 5.. i wonder how first week sales are going to look like.
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July 3rd, 2012 at 7:47 am
I can’t believe critics are still giving him low scores over something that happened in 2008 that doesn’t even involve them. What he does in his person life does not change if his music is good. They put the most insulting things in their reviews. What do they mean it’s meant to be enjoyed and forgotten? Most of the songs on there are R&B not pop, and and isn’t that a generic insult that they can say that about anybody. How is it hollow? Katy Perry and Lady Gaga aren’t out there making music about saving the world. What the hell do they want? The production on a lot of the songs sound amazing, not to mention that he branched out and co-produced a track this time, and the album art is looks crazy, but…I guess they didn’t notice that.
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Who Gonna Check Me Boo Reply:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:38 am
@StarsAreBlind, they are giving him low scores
not b/c 2008 but b/c they really didn’t care much.
Everybody not team breezy you stan.
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Pharren Reply:
July 17th, 2012 at 9:55 pm
@StarsAreBlind, “Fortune’s lyrics largely focus on his favored themes: clubbing, getting women to take off their clothes, and swagginess” – entertainment weekly. I think that’s why he got the bad reviews, those aren’t really shocking ground breaking topics, they really show alot of depth just makes him seem very shallow as a person and as an artist… but his teeny boppers who thinks hes cute his back.
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Pharren Reply:
July 17th, 2012 at 9:56 pm
@Pharren, *i meant they “dont” show alot of depth
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July 3rd, 2012 at 7:50 am
It happened in 09.
The problem is, Chris put himself in this situation.
He did two remixes with rihanna this years, so of course, they focus will be on that.
Chris needs to move on from rihanna and not work with her.
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Grant Reply:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:07 am
@Rap*LovesJesus, Agreed.
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mark Reply:
July 4th, 2012 at 6:52 am
@Rap*LovesJesus, birthday cake fucked up there career
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July 3rd, 2012 at 7:58 am
let me just say this, i am a rihanna fan. and i really think that the reviews they gave chris was really unfair. if you read some of the reviews they say nothing on the flow of the album, how many songs are on the album, what songs you should download or avoid. the reviews were on chris brown as a person instead of his body of work which i think is unfair. It’s called an album review and not a personal one, do that sh*t on your own time.
Recommend tracks
1. don’t judge me
2. mirage
3. 2012
4. stuck on stupid
5. bassline
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RihannaFAME Reply:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:13 pm
@kerron, I know right, kinda sad to see how people hold grudges and can’t even do their jobs properly because they’re full of hate, envy and disguise.
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kazzy Reply:
July 4th, 2012 at 2:33 am
@kerron, hi well said there should be more people saying it like u am both rihanna n chris fans love both there music so sick of the media bringing him down on abso everythg he does yeh in it is personal its not taking into account tht he is one of the most tallent artist out there just now n they words kindly came from rihanna herself they need to let him live now make music do what he does best theres no doubt he can perform hes really an amazing person in so is rihanna just now they both going through shit it aint gona stop as its just sad people who got nothing better to do but well said thx
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July 3rd, 2012 at 8:00 am
Not a fan of it, I got bored with the R&B tracks, which is strange. I usually love them. I kept the singles though, and Bassline. I’d give it a 2.5/5.
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July 3rd, 2012 at 8:03 am
Fuck critics, I go by numbers bought my album today I hope TB does the rest, we number 1 in the US,UK Itunes, 7 in Canada last time I checked and Australia in the top30 only on pre – orders.
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July 3rd, 2012 at 8:04 am
Love the album, I wanna see the haters comment when they see those numbers…true fans like RnB from CB, fuck this techno shit!
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Jake Reply:
July 3rd, 2012 at 10:57 am
@CBE, So, you hate “Don’t Wake Me Up” and “Turn Up The Music?” Both of those tracks have elements of dance/house/pop/techno.
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Holby Reply:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:00 am
@Jake, yes I dont like dont wake me up, I like TUM though but its also getting boring he performs it alot now.
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July 3rd, 2012 at 8:05 am
This is a SOLID ALBUM…we all know they are not looking at his music but his personal life ….so all of his reviews will be unfair…I would honestly say that this is a good album…from track 1 to 19…this is a real R&B…
Standout Tracks:
Tell Somebody
Trumpet Lights
2012
Sweet Love
Don’t Judge Me
Bassline
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July 3rd, 2012 at 8:06 am
” Touch me” “4 years old” “Mirage”
I like :)
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July 3rd, 2012 at 8:23 am
OF COURSE THE CRITICS WILL GIVE IT A LOW RATINGS. THEY ARE JUDGING HIS PUBLIC IMAGE NOT THE MUSIC.
Let the fans decide.
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July 3rd, 2012 at 8:35 am
You all are crazy fans!! Critics juddge music not his personal life dont make falses excuses his album is not good and that its all. You dont have to defend everything he does. Be realistic
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zania Reply:
July 3rd, 2012 at 10:58 am
@Kay, Actually if go read most of the critics review, they talk about his image and they didn’t hear nothing in his songs about an apology. So they are basing it on his personal life.
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July 3rd, 2012 at 8:44 am
The album is great, more cohesive than last two. I understand some might not like it but a lot of reviews didn’t even go into describing the album. Judge music, not person.
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July 3rd, 2012 at 9:00 am
Justin Bibler>>>>Chris.
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Stre3t Danc@ Reply:
July 4th, 2012 at 3:54 am
@Beyoncé:I Am Your Leader, there’s a reserved place in hell for those like yourself.
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July 3rd, 2012 at 9:21 am
funny #teambreezy blames rihanna for his poor reviews, but criminally overlook his lack of vocals. he might be a great entertainer (dancer), but listening to a whole album of him whining over dance beats feels like a living hell.
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summer Reply:
July 3rd, 2012 at 9:33 am
@yooo, Where do you see teambreezy blaming Rihanna for poor reviews? Stop coming up with excuses to constantly put the dude down! Funny how people like you and others constantly click on Chris Brown, like it or not, funny you took the time to listen!
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Who Gonna Check Me Boo Reply:
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:41 am
@summer, you can see team breezy crying all
thru here blaming 2008 for his whack reviews
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yooo Reply:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:30 pm
@summer, i listen because if im gonna comment on something I’d rather know what I’m talking about rather than blab bullsh*t. What celebs do in their personal life is no concern of mine because i have my own life to live. I’m not a fan of his and probably never will be if he continues in this direction.
PS: there are team breezy members above that are placing blame on rihanna 4 reviews giving cb bad reviews. its stupid. his music is wack and thats the end of it.
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summer Reply:
July 3rd, 2012 at 2:29 pm
@yooo, Yea yea yea, and when you get done, you are concerned about his personal life, the reason you are here, you and others like you are very concerned about him. You and others like you eat, sleep, and shit guy! & no they are not placing blame on Rihanna, she isn’t the only thing personal in his life! Regardless of what the guy does, you people have already formed your opinion, but you don’t care, yea you care, the reason you keep clicking on the mouse!
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yooo Reply:
July 3rd, 2012 at 7:42 pm
@summer, defend his music, not his character u lame ass.
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summer Reply:
July 5th, 2012 at 12:57 pm
@yooo, Bitch ass!
poe Reply:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:22 pm
@yooo, he does whine a lot! lmfao!
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July 3rd, 2012 at 9:23 am
4/10 Album
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July 3rd, 2012 at 9:26 am
I have the album, but the standout tracks are definitely “Mirage” (my favorite), “Don’t Judge Me,” “2012″ and “Bassline.” Some of the others — esp. those featuring Se7en on the deluxe ed. – I could have done without. Still, it’s def better than F.A.M.E.; only a few argue with this notion, I think. And I agree with what everyone is saying — if I had to read one more so-called review of Fortune that mentioned Chris clocking Rihanna, I was going to scream.
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July 3rd, 2012 at 9:28 am
F
L
O
P
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RihannaFAME Reply:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:19 pm
@#RihannaNAVi, you’re so full of it man..
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#RihannaNAVi Reply:
July 4th, 2012 at 12:19 pm
@RihannaFAME, Lol i’m just trolling. But i do like Bassline & trumpet lights. The rest… Meh
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July 3rd, 2012 at 9:42 am
Ihe critics are always dogging albums, hell the dogged Lil Wayne’s The Carter IV & look how it did! Regardless, some critics are going to dog his music, & yes because of his personal life, same reason why some of you constantly look the dude up just to hate, not realizing you are helping more than you realize! All yea but you continue, to listen & watch, but you hate dude!
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Joey Reply:
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:33 pm
@Aw Man, Rudeboy, you talk TRUTH! Your comment is one of the REALEST comments I read on this site. Thats the absolute truth. Them haters checking for CB is helping him out on the daily. He grabbing their attention whether its good or bad and this is why they get him to perform at every award show cos haters will tune in and check for him. Lol
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MsQtpy Reply:
July 3rd, 2012 at 1:22 pm
@Joey, I’d have to agree with you; @Aw Man has got to have one of the REALEST comment on here. He’s absoultely right, these HATERS are helping CB. I mean for people that hate him so much, they’re quick to click on anything that has his name on it, if for nothing but to hate on the man! To the Haters, I say THANK YOU!! Because the more you hate on this man, the harder you make him work for you to have more to hate on. To the so called critics claiming to be critiquing FORTUNE, lets stick to the MUSIC, not his personal life, do your fuckin JOB and critique the BODY OF WORK, not the PERSONAL LIFE. Lets see how much you would have to say if somebody critiqued your WORK on your PERSONAL life! I bet if somebody did the same shit that ya’ll do to Chris to you, your asses would STFU!!! I personally think that FORTUNE is a really good album. It reminds me of Chris’s debut album CHRIS BROWN, where it was just mainly him, without all the features that the past few albums have had! If these damn critics were doing their damn jobs, they’d be able to tell you that “Don’t Judge Me” is a beautiful and brutally honest ballad; and that “4 Years Old” is an awesome show of how this man has probably been feeling for while now! I’m not just saying that FORTUNE is a good album because I’m a huge CB fan, but because it’s a really good BODY OF WORK! Point Blank!!
By the way critics, all your negative reveiws do is make people want to buy the album just to see if you’re right! So, agian THANKS for being a HATER!!! I’M DONE *Chris Brown voice*
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kokiz 2am to Loe Reply:
July 3rd, 2012 at 8:59 pm
@MsQtpy, TRue thT
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July 3rd, 2012 at 9:44 am
Well, I for one can’t wait for the projected sales because every “TeamBreezy” member I actually come in contact with has been so adamant of how well Fortune will perform.
“Mirage” is hands down the best! Nas slayed, as usual. He deserves a Grammy for that verse alone.
And I think it’s high time people learn how to do the task at hand. Review the ALBUM, not the PERSON. I’m not a fan of Chris Brown, the controversial guy, but I am a fan of Chris Brown, the artist.
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and Reply:
July 3rd, 2012 at 10:39 am
@Morgan, Well said!
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Morgan Reply:
July 5th, 2012 at 5:19 pm
@and, Thank you!
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July 3rd, 2012 at 9:46 am
stand out tracks:
mirage
don’t judge me
stuck on stupid
4 years old
party hard/ cadillac
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July 3rd, 2012 at 9:55 am
Solid album I’m only a fan of Chris dance music I dot like the sad slow songs I feel he talks about the same things a lot I this he should of added more big name features like Nicki Minaj and Rick Ross meek mills kanye west just a few would of made this album perfect!
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July 3rd, 2012 at 10:15 am
I’ve read all these reviews before and The Washington Post encapsulates everything I was intending to express.
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July 3rd, 2012 at 10:23 am
i cant wait tob grab a copy
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July 3rd, 2012 at 10:51 am
damn they gave him a 38 on metacritic
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Hmm Reply:
July 3rd, 2012 at 10:55 am
@staci, Out of 100 smh
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July 3rd, 2012 at 11:00 am
i can’t tell which is better. This or F.a.m.e. It takes like a year for you to deciede which is better since the songs will just become more legendary like what happened to the FAME singles.
POLL: what do you think is better?????
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MsQtpy Reply:
July 3rd, 2012 at 1:30 pm
@., I can’t tell, but I think I like FORTUNE more. It’s been on repeat since I got it in the mail yesterday and it’s worth it! I know MIRAGE, DON’T JUDGE ME, and 4 YEARS OLD are just a few that I can’t get enough of lol
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July 3rd, 2012 at 11:29 am
Tbh i dont think the first week sales are going to be good..
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MsQtpy Reply:
July 3rd, 2012 at 1:27 pm
@^-^, funny because it’s already #1 on iTunes in 3-4 countries! Guess we’ll just have to see *shrugs*
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^-^ Reply:
July 3rd, 2012 at 3:05 pm
@MsQtpy, #1 Doesnt Mean shit.. Mac Miller Was #1 in 3-4 Countries and Opened with 70k..
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July 3rd, 2012 at 12:42 pm
I’m not a Breezy fan at all… I keep saying this however I was very pleased with the album and think he has definitely broadened his horizon in catering to each audience. I definitely would rate this album 3.5/5 and this assesment is unbiased due to the fact I don’t praise celebrity, I praise lyrical content and music. This album was no F.A.ME which I consider to be a 4.5/5 and Chris classic album 5/5 Exclusive which I thought he really defined his lane with. I find Fortune to be great and consistent with what is expected of Chris. MIrage is going to be a Chris Brown classic off of this album for sure. Baseline is an uptempo which every male artist will try to imitate. Good job Chris and I see greatness ahead for you if you continue to be consistent.
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July 3rd, 2012 at 12:46 pm
pretty disappointing album, expected more of the R&B sound not a hip-hop/dance sound.
C’mon Breezy
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July 3rd, 2012 at 12:53 pm
they had good things to say i love the album and i will be getting it for sure
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July 3rd, 2012 at 1:25 pm
THANK YOU HATERS for all the HATE, because you just make CB work harder and make TEAMBREEZY go even harder!! Job well done!!!
FORTUNE is the shit, just so you know!! GO GET IT!! Eff what the critics say, they wouldn’t know GOOD music if it ran them over. Hell, they probably can’t even play a not on ANY instrutment, and are talentless f*cks!!! I’M DONE *Chris Brown voice*
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July 3rd, 2012 at 1:28 pm
I was surprised i didnt like any of the Deluxe Album tracks but the rest of the album is very solid. Bassline, Mirage, Dont Judge Me, Biggest fan, Stuck On Stupid, Party hard and Trumpet Lights are all really good
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July 3rd, 2012 at 1:42 pm
Unless something revolutionary happens, his debut album will always be my favorite. Fortune is ok, though.
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Kyle Reply:
July 3rd, 2012 at 3:03 pm
@Frankie, same here. I enjoyed his debut album but I kind of stopped following him after that. I streamed the new album for free on Itunes this week and wasn’t too thrilled. I think I’ve come to the conclusion that I just don’t really like his voice. Not saying he’s bad, just not my cup of tea.
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July 3rd, 2012 at 1:45 pm
Bassline, tell somebody, till i die, sweet love. these tracks are rocking the album to be FORTUNE, well done. team breezy 4 lyf.
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July 3rd, 2012 at 4:01 pm
I feel like this album lacked conceptually. This very well could’ve been a mixtape. Chris didn’t offer anything new or different with this album. And everyone’s mad at the reviews?! For what? They’re legit. No one’s hating. I swear too many of his fans keep moaning like “Everybody hates Chris”. No one cares! All we wanna hear is the music – so deliver! Chris’s music is okay. It’s just this album is far from ground breaking. It’s more like… cold leftovers.
**lol, I’m expecting replies after that last remark**
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Heather Reply:
July 3rd, 2012 at 5:54 pm
@Anonymous, Well, I’ll just go ahead and say this before the Team Breezy helicopters land:
I AGREE 100% and I occasionally enjoy Chris’ music.
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Trace Reply:
July 3rd, 2012 at 5:56 pm
@Anonymous, And in their claims “everybody is hating Chris,” profanity reigns supreme in their comments. Sad. I know their report cards are abysmal.
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July 3rd, 2012 at 8:53 pm
damn what the hell. People have many different favorite song that their Like from Chris Brown album
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July 3rd, 2012 at 9:17 pm
The reviews were a bit unfair and some were definitely based on Chris’s background. I thought the album was pretty good. Mirage, Don’t Judge Me, Stuck On Stupid and 4 Years Old are standouts. I give the album a 7/10.
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July 4th, 2012 at 3:20 am
I can’t even pick my favorite song! There are so many I like, actually ALL of them!
This album >>>>>>>
#1 in US, UK & Japan, baby! #teambreezydoesit
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July 4th, 2012 at 4:36 am
the problem of this album itself it the album cover! not appealing…. just blunt. he should have gone red or black. just saying.
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July 4th, 2012 at 5:14 am
He’s best album, by far! So so proud. This album is flawless and stunning!
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July 4th, 2012 at 7:23 am
Chris Brown is one of the best in the game — was real excited to hear this album. Not going to lie, a little bored at times. He does, however, have some great tracks on the album. Stuck On Stupid has to be my top fav. Wish he incorporated a little more uptempo tracks on the album as well as other lyrical themes.
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July 4th, 2012 at 10:29 am
I got it, played it a few times, and I can’t get into it. it’s not a bad album. But fame was much better.
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July 4th, 2012 at 9:17 pm
Good album !!! I like it and I appreciate that most of the songs are r&b
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July 4th, 2012 at 10:09 pm
Damn The view seem like it Mix up Guess people Don’t like CHris Brown NO more. Chris Brown song isn’t that Bad as some of yall think and If yall don’t like it then Don’t listen to it. the hater can keep on Moving
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July 4th, 2012 at 11:07 pm
Mirage sounds like a song that could have easily been on Chris Browns debut album as the second single after Run It. The beat just has that chris brown sound. It doesnt fit with the rest of the fortune album but if it had been on his debut album would have fit right in since it was more r&b.
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July 5th, 2012 at 5:52 am
This
Is by far his best album,somebody said meek mil had #1album when he realese it,hater
Get a fuckin life
U can lie but number don’t with no promo he got #single and
Album in uk and top
5 in many others country
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July 5th, 2012 at 8:19 am
Fortune is a really beautiful album.Ignore the reviews because they’re reviewing his life more then his music,listen for urself.
MY faves are (not in this particular order)
4 years old
Dont judge me
free run
tell somebody
biggest fan
and mirage
I honestly can say I dont hate 1 song on this album its very smooth and lowkey.
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July 5th, 2012 at 5:18 pm
Y’all can arguing all you want. The facts of the matter are Fortune is currently on track to sell 120-140K units. F.A.M.E., by contrast, moved 270K units its opening week.
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July 7th, 2012 at 1:49 am
Some of the reports are just crap chris brown makes good music period and #Fortune is amazing no doubt about that,haters keep on hating cause we going to the top #TeamBreezy
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July 7th, 2012 at 2:03 am
Why in all the reviews they keep mentioning Rihanna ‘s name like seriously this is about #Fortune not the damn past,he has worked so hard and people still can’t find forgiveness in their hearts wow,but foryune is going to #1
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