Unexpected - Dark Publications

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Album Description
Unexpected is the third solo studio album by former Destiny's Child singer Michelle Williams released in 2008. It will be Williams' first full length contemporary R&B album, moving away from the gospel style of her previous efforts. The album's first single, "We Break the Dawn," was released in April 2008, with its second single being "The Greatest", chosen in favor over the Stargate-produced "Stop This Car."

Customer Reviews: Read 21 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars

'Unexpected'-ly Good October 7, 2008
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Don't be fooled by the low price or the unthrilling cover art - Michelle William's 'Unexpected' is an album you'll want in your collection. Deviating from her usual gospel genre as a solo artist, Williams deviates into the realm of pop/dance music. I found many of these tracks to be fun, club/party songs and it seems as if she's really stepping out of her comfort zone and pulled out a hit compared to so many artists these days who are spinning out cds with only one or two tracks that are worth listening to.

The Good: There's a upbeat vibe running throughout the cd. I agree with the other reviewer that the first version of 'We Break the Dawn' is kid of lacking and odd in that it's really a laid back pop song. Then we're treated to a remix that's definitely meant for the clubs. It's the club/dance songs that work the best and pull 'Unexpected' together. 'Lucky Girl Interlude/Lucky Girl' tricks you into thinking she's about to drop the dance beat and go into a ballad-type song until you literally hear the beat drop and the dance vibe is back in charge. Along with this song, 'Private Party', 'Stop This Car' and 'Too Young for Love' also stand out from the crowd as songs that do a good job at showing off her vocal abilities along with backing and instruments that are fun and new for her.

The Bad: Some of the slower-paced songs make for a bit of an uneven CD. Right when you've been hooked by a beat or a really fun song, you're hit with one that's a bit slower and less of a dance/pop song and more of a ballad. While I don't feel any of the songs on this cd are horrible and unlistenable, I would have been interested in hearing her put songs like 'Too Young for Love' and 'Thank U' to a dance/club beat to make the CD more consistent and solid.

In all, a really good CD that did manage to surprise me. Michelle Williams really stepped up on this release. It's just as infectious as her colleague Beyonce Knowles' "B'Day" album while being a better produced and fun album that Kelly Rowland's latest 'Ms. Kelly'. Shame it isn't properly being publicized and promoted but take my word for it, this 'unexpected' CD from Michelle Williams will be on constant replay in my collection and I'm sure it's something that will appeal to those looking to just have fun and dance. Check it out.

4 out of 5 stars

A surprisingly excellent third album from Michelle. October 9, 2008
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Don't get me wrong, I've loved and supported Michelle Williams ever since she joined Destiny's Child. I enjoyed both of her gospel albums, even though the sophomore effort was far better than her debut. But when I heard that she was recording a new album that was going to be pure dance/pop, I was uneasy. She proved me wrong with Unexpected. She got excellent producers to help her execute the songs, great songwriters that provided her with great material, and most importantly, she has a new confidence that shines through and makes you finally believe that she really wants to be a star. The "Unexpected Intro" opens the album well and next is the incredibly catchy "Hello Heartbreak," which will surely fare as well as "We Break the Dawn" has on the club scene. The latter is a grand and energetic part song penned by Solange Knowles; in my opinion, the hip-hop-tinged part two with Flo-Rida is even better. "Lucky Girl" is a sweet midtempo on which she explaines her gratefulness to have a great man. "The Greatest" is an inspirational ballad that will hopefully be the single that pushes this album to the forefront. "Till the End of the World" is a dramtic uptempo with a chorus that stands out. To be honest, "Private Party" is my least favorite track. I always skip it because it's just not that exciting. "Hungover," on the other hand, is the best song on this set. It has funky production and a unique chorus that reminds me of something Nicole Wray would sing. "Stop This Car" is a beautiful midtempo and "Unexpected" is a synth-heavy track where Michelle leaves a lover that never thought she would have the strength to do so. "Thank U" is a letter of gratitude to an ex who taught her she deserves better. I love it, but the background vocals during the chorus are a bit childish-sounding. "Too Young For Love" wasn't a good way to end the album, in my opinion. But overall, this is a surprisingly excellent album from Michelle--probably her best to date--and hopefully she gets the push she deserves.

5 out of 5 stars

Totally unexpected October 11, 2008
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I am so happy Michelle came out with such a great cd. I had previously heard snippets from the album. This album is different from other albums I have heard this year and it is something you can dance to. I am a R&B fan but I also like dance music as well. This cd was worth the money paid for.

5 out of 5 stars

Michelle Is Amazing October 11, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Wow!! Thatz all I can really say about thiz album. Yes, I have been a fan of DC3 since Michelle joined the group and I alwayz knew there was something special about her, but I didnt know that she could possible make me love her more than I already do. I loved both of her gospel albums, they were amazing. What iz even more amazing to me is that she is able to switch genres in her solo career so easily. Every song on this album is hot, especially the greatest, thank u, and hello heartbreak. Wait....and lucky girl lol they r all amazing tracks, and u can really c how her confidence has grown because it is beautifully displayed on this album. If u dnt have it yet, ur missing out on the BEST album of 2008, period. Michelle, best of luck to you in ur future endeavors. O and please, can u and Destiny's Child just do like 5 more albums??? lol

~Swiff~

4 out of 5 stars

Unexpected move October 7, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful

For former Destiny's Child member Michelle Williams' third solo effort, she takes the unexpected move of leaving the Gospel sound of her first two and adopting a largely Dance sound which I feel is better suited to her rather thin vocals.

Opening (after the intro) is the Eurodisco sound of "Hello heartbreak" with her vocals heavily enhanced by vocoders. Continuing the dance theme are the Timbaland sounding "Till the end of the world", the Techno-tinged "Private party", and the funky "Hungover". Most of these songs have a nice European feel.

Lead-off single "We break the dawn" (penned by Solange) appears in 3 versions on some discs; the album version (which is just ok), the more Hip hop inflected Part 2 (with Flo Rida providing a suitable rap unlike what usually obtains), and the Karmatronic Remix Radio Edit (which should have clubs jumping), the last two being very good.

For ballads, we have the lovely Ne-Yo/Stargate "Stop this car", "Unexpected" (utilizing the presently popular Techno string effects), and the piano sprinkled "The greatest" being the standouts.

An unexpected turn with rather pleasant results. 3 and a half stars really.

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