♫ ALBUM REVIEW: CHRISETTE MICHELE - EPIPHANY ♫
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
R&B chanteuse Chrisette Michele returns with her second album, Epiphany, hitting stores today.
It wasn’t long after the release of her great debut, I Am, in mid-2007, that she hit the studio to work on her follow-up. Although I Am garnered a couple of Grammy nominations, it was not a commercial success; none of its singles reached the Top 20 of the R&B/Hip-Hop chart, and the album itself barely hit the Top 30 of the Billboard 200.
It should come as no surprise, then, that Chrisette would take things in a new direction on her new album. She co-wrote each song on her debut but only three (”Blame It On Me”, “Fragile”, “Mr. Right”) on her latest. Ne-Yo wrote six and served as executive producer with contributions from Chuck Harmony and Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, among others. None of the writers or producers from her debut had a hand in Epiphany, and it shows.
The album opens with the first single, the Ne-Yo-penned title track which has become Chrisette’s most successful single yet. Chrisette says she had a realization about relationships that led her to name the album Epiphany:
“I heard the song that Ne-Yo had written titled “Epiphany”, and the word just stood out to me. It stood out to me because I’d been through a lot in my last relationship, and the word ‘epiphany’ exemplified exactly what happened in the end when I realized I didn’t have to put myself through it anymore.”
On “Notebook”, Chrisette spills her heart and puts it “on every page” about a crush she can’t find the strength to tell how she feels. The ballad would make a great follow-up single, but another option is “Blame It On Me”, one of her favorite tracks and one of the best vocal performances of the album.
Sultry “All I Ever Think About”, written by CL mentionable Jayms Madison, is another stand out on which Chrisette details the tug-of-war relationships can be. Radio-friendly and hip hop-flavored “Another One” is an ultimatum that either a significant other get their act together or Chrisette is moving on to “another one”.
The self-proclaimed daddy’s girl says the ballad, “On My Own”, reminds her of her father. “I’m very close to my dad, but recently I’ve learned how to handle situations on my own, without having him step in for me, and it took a lot of me to be able to do that.”
The album winds down with the uptempo “Fragile”, followed by the Ella Fitzgerald-esque “Mr. Right”. Chrisette shines on “Porcelain Doll”, stressing female empowerment and says goodbye to the listener and a relationship with “I’m Okay”.
Epiphany is a solid effort and avoids the dreaded sophomore slump. Chrisette sounds superb, naturally and effortlessly, throughout, and anyone going through a breakup can easily relate to the material. Whether one of Def Jam’s most promising talents becomes a commercial success or not remains to be seen, but she’s definitely a treasure to fans of good R&B music.
MY FAVES: “Epiphany”, “Notebook”, “Blame It On Me”, “All I Ever Think About”, “On My Own”, “Mr. Right”, “I’m Okay”
84 Comments
COMMENT PAGES: [1] 2 » Show All
1.
So Sexy
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
Not feelin’ her.
2.
El Canalero
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
Didn’t listen to it yet but those shoes, damn!!!
3.
Nothing But Love
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
Now this is an album to spend your money on!!! not that other garbage posted earlier on.. luv Chrisette her voice gives me everything i need.
4.
Queen_Bee
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
LOVE HER..!! CANT WAIT TIL I GET THE ALBUM..FOR MY MOM LOL
5.
Kris in Dallas
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
Love Chrisette!! Getting the album today.. Only downloading a few songs from Ciara’s album.. No need to purchase that one.
6.
Styleicon
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
I just got the album this morning and listened to it on the way to work. Amazing. There are no bad songs and it well worth PAYING for. We really need to support our trully talented artists like Chrisette.
7.
dumbchicks3
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
this chick looks like EVA THE DIVA FROM ANTM
8.
DEE
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
Her last CD was hottttttttt! And I will be getting this one as well! Too bad the music industry doesn’t know how to promote real music!
If she came out with some bubblegum lyrics and pussy popping antics she would be hot in most of these immature music listeners/execs/buyers/ radio heads ears and eyes!
DAMN SHAME…but much success to Chrisette!
9.
Another One
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
[...] highly suggest you listen to Chrisette Michele’s Epiphany if you’re a fan of good [...]
10.
Elvis
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
J.Dakar the first album did go gold….not many artist do that today without much promotion and no singles charting in the top 20. but I bought the album today from target..cant stop playing it… I ride with Chrisette real artist real music.
11.
nick
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
Good
12.
slim
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
I loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee notebook as well….even though thats all Ive heard from this album im 10000% sure thaa album will be dope! Its sad that shes underrated because she truly is AMAZING!
13.
Queen_Bee
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
I KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT THE TOPIC, OR DOESNT CONCERN THIS PERSON. BUT I BOUGHT BOTH THE CIARA CD AND ALSO CHRISETTE MICHELLE. I REALLY WANTED TO SUPPORT BOTH ARTISTS, AND THEIR HARD WORK. I DIDNT KNOW THAT HER ALBUM CAME OUT 2DAY, BUT I STILL SHOWED MY SUPPORTED EVEN TOU I DNT LISTEN TO HER MUSIC.
GO COP THAT ALBUM “FANTASY RIDE” 5/5/09
LOVEEEE IT.!!
14.
CHERYL
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
GOT IT! IN LOVE WITH, “BLAME IT ON ME”, “PORCELAIN DOLL”, “I’M OKAY”, AND “ALL EVER DO IS THINK ABOUT YOU”, FOR NOW. GREAT MUSIC.
15.
I AM JUST SAYING
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
Get into her!
16.
S. Dot ANN
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
I was about to disown Concreteloop if I didn’t see a review for my girl! lol REALLY! Can’t wait to go cop that album after work!!!! True vocalist!!!
17.
Dude-N-H-Town
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
……..Not a big fan of her ever since I heard how bad her attitude is. Her voice is
……..unique, but not that great to me, Good luck to her tho
18.
H-Town Chic***
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
love this girl I’ll be picking this up today..sorry ciara. I need some real music right about now.
19.
La Reina
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
yeah whole album is solid but I’m really feeling notebook as well… reminds me of Mariah a little…in a good way!
20.
H-Town Chic***
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
What about her attitude?
21.
H-Town Chic***
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
Hey what about Letoya Luckett? Her album is out today right?
22.
Merril The Space Cadet
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
pretty good music..i like her;
23.
Beyonce Fan!!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
I LOVE THIS ALBUM GOT IT TODAY IT’S REALLY GOOD!!!! I LOVE IT!!!
24.
POLORL
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
Can’t decide in this or Ciara…
25.
Octavia
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
I heard a little of her CD on Tom Joyner Morning show, check it out at blackamericaweb.com/instudiojams
26.
Jessica Greene
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
She not only won a grammy for the first album but she is a GREAT
27.
yawnn
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
Leave Ciara choose Chrissette
28.
Jessica Greene
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
She not only WON a grammy for the first album by which I thought was great!!!! but she really is a great vocalist. She is to be appreciated and I def bought it today. As soon as I get in the car I will blast it with the roof-top down…….STAY SAVED CHRISETTE
29.
T.Renae
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
just caught her on vh1 soulstage and i’m really loving her new material. “epiphany” is a great song along with “blame it on me” and “all i ever think about.” i liked some of the material on her last cd but didn’t love it overall…but i really think this one is a winner. she sounded great on vh1 by the way.
30.
nonforminghabit
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
i gotta check this one out, I loved her last one, I heard about her on CL first
31.
ASH
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
Who is she? anyways cop that fantasy ride its great
32.
Bey and Rih Rih Rule the world
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
I will be buying this today!
33.
destin
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
This is a great cd. I just got it and its already blasting in the car, the house, and the ipod. Im definatly going to get tix to see her on tour.
34.
crunkpoet
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
damn can yall stop talkin about ciara for one minute
this album is nice!!1
better than the first one
check it out yall!!
\
my fav is “blame it on me” and “notebook” as well as “all i ever think about”
35.
Tifani
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
I can’t wait to hear this album of her’s! Chrissete Michele is very underated and unfortunally overlooked by many………… so sad. I wish her the best on her sophermore cd, I hope it goes platnium because that’s what real music and true artist deserve and she’s most def a true artist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
36.
MICHELLE
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
love the entire cd and my personal fave is NOTEBOOK. You rock!!!
37.
Philly
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
If you’re in doubt of this chicks vocal ability or how GREAT this album is check this out when you have time.: http://tinyurl.com/d2rmfo
She is a true artist, picking up the cd for me & my mom.. Oh and her 1st album was good too.
38.
Cold as Fire Baby Hott as Ice
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
Why did J. Dakar write like her first album was dreadful? In actual fact it was a fantastic album.. That album went Gold eventhough defjam didn’t promote it at all!! I think Chrisette should stick to writing her own material- there’s nothing wrong with working with others but the fact that she only wrote 3 songs on this album indicates that she or her label felt that the last album didn’t do well because of the quality of material which is soo untrue because she has amazing songwriting skills. The reason the first album did badly was purely because of lack of promotion! DefJam need to step they’re game up! How the heck are Rihanna and Neyo getting promoted left right and centre but Chrisette is pretty much unknown to the general public? hmmm.
39.
wordtobigbird
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
*yawn* I just can’t get into her music. She’s too granola for my liking. Her and Jazmine Sullivan do nothing for me.
40.
alex
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
they wrong for photoshopping her pics. nothing wrong with being chunky.
41.
Natural Beauty
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
This album is the best. “Blame it on me” is my jam. It’s a must have.
42.
mj
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
THOSE SHOES R SMOKIN HOT
43.
EbonyB
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
She is soo underated! Love Chrisette. What a talented, beautiful girl! Definitely getting the album.
44.
TheMan
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
Im not liking this review. Chrisette had one of the best R&B cd’s to come out in awhile with her debut. “If i had my way” was a top 5 Adult Contemporary R&B hit and Hit #24 on the R&B charts and was nominated for a grammy and she won one for “Be OK” She had anthems on that first cd that will be appreciated 20 years from now like, Love is you, Golden and If i had my way. This new cd is lacking what made the first cd special and thats her connection to her songs. i like Ne-Yo as a writer and he did his thing on the title track, but this cd is not as good as the first. Outside of “blame it on me” and maybe “notebook”, its just ok.
45.
Cantgetwrite
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
Ok. Just got the album off of itunes. I like it, but I must say I am feeling the first one WAY better. Her style was so raw and so pure. You can tell with this one she is trying to get a little more commercial success and win over a younger crowd, but I think she compromised her style just a tad. And Ne-yo wrote most of her songs? Ne-yo’s style works well with Beyonce, Rihanna, and Usher, but it comes off a little awkward with Chrisette. Her style is on a different level than that. But anywho, the album’s not bad and I support her till the end.
***Sidebar: The album gets better towards the end***
46.
BAD BAD BITCH
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
“epiphany” is a wonderful album. very different from her debut (which i also love). kudos to chrissy for delivering another beautiful effort!
47.
semeek
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
love love love this album. Such talent, such beautiful music to FINALLY listen to!
48.
DublAAJay
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
Although I bought the CD (digital download) from Amazon.com yesterday for $2.99 I will be venturing out this weekend to add the actual CD to my collection! This is a must have!!! Not 1 bad song on the entire CD!
Hopefully Chrisette gets the play she deserves!
49.
PrettyCrissy
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
Beautiful album, cop it!!!
50.
Houston Hottie
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
I like Chrisette but I doubt I’ll buy the album. I’m glad she worked with NeYo on it. I do wish her luck tho.
51.
KSH
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
Just listened to the entire album on imeem.com and “Blame It On Me” & “Fragile” are my favs right now. I think I only skipped over 2 tracks - she did a masterful job on this - her voice is AMAZING!!! Love it.
I will def be picking it up tomorrow.
52.
Sallyone
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
When she did the tracks for Jay-z and Nas, I was anticipating her 1st album and was disappointed, she didn’t really pull off the jazz type vibe. BUT when I heard the song EPIPHANY on the radio I was really excited because I have not heard good R&B since Jill Scott’s last album…no that’s not true, Anthony Hamilton’s lastest album is Fire!!! The album EPIPHANY is really good, definitely worth getting.
53.
RAYNE
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
I will be picking this up in 2 hours when I leave my JOB. I still have the first album in the car and on my ipod. A few of my friends are mad the slept on Chrissette
54.
Tate®
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
This girl is SERIOUSLY slept on…voice is outta this world…and she makes real music…I cannot wait to get this album! I am stays in heavy rotation already…Love her!
55.
mayne
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
I see she hiding them toes…LOL!
‘ol girl is talented tho
56.
Carey
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
Her album are nice neyo-soul at its best. I wish her success but I hope Ciara Fantasy Ride comes out on top! LOL no shade but Ciara needs this!
57.
Ms Stacy
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
BOUGHT THIS CD , THIS MORNING AND IT HAS BEEN ON REPEAT ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL DAY. CHRISETTE IS DEF UNDERRATED
LOVE HER 
58.
Ashleesunshine
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
Aw I love this girl, she makes me happy. Shes extremely talented and beautiful get em girl
59.
malcolm
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
I think Def Jam should release “playing my song” to top 40 Radio she would get a lot of buzz
60.
pathfinda
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
been lovin CM since day one. Don’t sleep on true talent. Loved epiphany since i first heard it.
61.
NO ID
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
http://www.amazon.com/Epi...qid=1241562633&sr=8-1
$2.99 to download the whole CD on Amazon.com
Can’t really go wrong with that!
62.
Diabolical
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
Buy this album! Buy it!
63.
Nicole
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
that pic must be photoshopped, she looks a lot thinner, cute lady though
64.
Teeyah23
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
I already copied the Chrisette Michele LP and it !!! loving it all the way @ #2 her shoes are baggin lol.
65.
Lisa
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
Love this girl. Not crazy about these singles. Her first album was GREAT! This CD doesn’t really sound like her. Love the title track and “All I Ever think About.”
66.
Tammy
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
Chrisette is the TRUTH for real the girl has a awesome voice first album all that and more will be picking this album up also. Could not wait. LOVE her new look loving that hair!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO CHRISETTE
67.
LoveMuffin
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
Love her! I liked all the songs you posted, especiallly “What You Do”! I’m totally getting this album this weekend.
68.
alwayz
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
i luv her…..i think she’s sumthin new & fresh….i got tha cd yesterday(amazon.com exclusive) and i love it….epiphany & porcelain doll are my faves so far….
69.
Jay
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
Epiphany is a great album!
70.
TR3NDSETTER101
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
yo the little tracks that im hearing now is FIRE i was gonna get the cd today so i can be a TRUE chrisette stan and support da 1st day but i dont get paid til thursday and aint got enough in my lil’ piggy bank 4 it lol so THURSDAY i will be supporting!!!
BUT until then i’m gonna download a few tracks to pass me by until then haha but yea this right here is REAL music and i ENCOURAGE all to go and get it and her first CD “I AM” as well because if you aint kno by now..chrisette be’s da SHIZNIT!!!! 
71.
leslie arnelle
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 /
The Wardrobe Stylist for this shoot did their thang!
72.
TEE
Wednesday, May 6, 2009 /
I’m loving the new direction of the album…I have I Am and didn’t listen to it much but it was ok…I’m getting this album tomorrow….I SOOO love her vocals on All I Ever Think About…I listen to Epiphany all the time….Get em Ms. Chrisette!
73.
celestial_me
Wednesday, May 6, 2009 /
I just brought 3 cds. 2 of her new cd for me an my mom and her first cd for my mom as well. She has become a instant fan since she heard the single ephiphany! Finally some real music to listen too!
74.
Tee
Wednesday, May 6, 2009 /
Okay I couldn’t wait…I downloaded it…BUT I am STILL gonna buy it tomorrow…This album is the bizness…I LOVE IT…TO ALL who were not a fan…then this album will make you one…IT’S SO DAMN HOT!!!!
Ne-yo helped produce this album that’s ALL I’m gonna say LOL….GOOD JOB Ne-yo and Chrisette
75.
L-L
Wednesday, May 6, 2009 /
Mr. Right should be her next single!!!
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