Crash & Burn (album)

Crash & Burn
Studio album by Traci Braxton
Released October 7, 2014
Genre
Length 43:22
Label eOne
Producer
  • David Lindsey (exec.)
  • Cliff Jones (exec.)
  • Bob Terry
Traci Braxton chronology
Crash & Burn
(2014)		 On Earth
(2018)
Singles from Crash & Burn
  1. "Last Call"
    Released: July 15, 2014
  2. "Perfect Time"
    Released: January 19, 2015

Crash & Burn is the debut studio album by American singer Traci Braxton. Released on October 7, 2014 by eOne and Soul World, it is Braxton's first album as a solo artist. She had previously released music with her sisters as part of the group The Braxtons. Cliff Jones and David Lindsey were executive producers for the album. Crash & Burn is a R&B album, which Braxton described as containing influences from adult contemporary. Critics described the songs focused on love. Braxton clarified that the lyrics deal with her attempts to start a solo music career.

Crash & Burn received a mixed response from critics. Its production was sometimes cited as a highlight, though some commentators criticized the amount of Auto-Tune. The album peaked at number 108 on the Billboard Hot 200 chart, and sold 4,000 copies in its first week. It also made appearances on other Billboard charts. Two singles – "Last Call" and "Perfect Time" – were released. The lead single was promoted through a music video, and received a negative response from critics. The recording and promotion of Crash & Burn was included in episodes of Braxton Family Values.

Background and recording

While appearing in the reality television series Braxton Family Values, Traci Braxton received a solo record deal with eOne;[1] she was previously signed to Atlantic in the 1990s as part of the group The Braxtons, along with her sisters.[2] Braxton pursued a solo career after receiving encouragement from her manager to take music more seriously.[3] She recorded Crash & Burn at Soul World Entertainment in Upper Marlboro, Maryland and StarMakers Studios in Beltsville, Maryland.[2] Cliff Jones and David Lindsey are executive producers for the album;[3][4] Braxton said that they "brought out [her] sound and story", and compared their collaborations to that between Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and Janet Jackson.[3] The recording process was shown in a season three episode of Braxton Family Values.[5]

Composition and lyrics

Crash & Burn is a R&B album that consists of eleven tracks.[2] Braxton described the sound as "the soulful adult contemporary from back in the ’90’s, with a little mixture of today’s R&B".[6] Andy Kellman of AllMusic referred to the compositions as containing "considerable Auto-Tune usage".[2] When discussing Braxton's vocals, MadameNoire's Veronica Wells cited her vocal range as higher than Toni Braxton yet lower than Tamar Braxton.[7] Braxton said that she wanted her music to sound like a combination of Mary J. Blige and Jill Scott.[8] Music critics had varying interpretations of the album's lyrics.[2][7][9] Kellman wrote that the songs revolve around "heartbreak, romance, lust, and perseverance",[2] while others felt that that Braxton references problems within her marriage.[7][9] The singer said that Crash & Burn is about her attempts to pursue a music career despite facing obstacles.[6]

In the second track "What About Love?", Braxton sings about being unable to fix a romantic relationship by herself. The following song "Stay Sippin'" revolves around the singer deciding whether or not to love or leave her partner.[9] It includes Raheem DeVaughn, who is the only featured artist on the standard edition of the album.[2][9] During the midtempo ballad "Last Call", Braxton sings about repairing a damaged relationship.[7] On the ninth track "Passion", she flirts with a man, but questions if they have a future as a couple; Charles referred to the song's composition as "upbeat [and] bubbly". Braxton sings about her partner's negative qualities on the tenth track "Reasons", which Charles described as "snappy" and likened to Toni Braxton's 1993 single "Another Sad Love Song". The album's final track "Crash & Burn" focuses on "hav[ing] success in the fullness of time, and with the right intentions".[9] Khayree Ali and Niko are featured on the album's bonus tracks.[10]

Release and promotion

eOne and Soul World released Crash & Burn as an audio CD and digital download on October 7, 2014,[10][11][12] which is Toni Braxton's birthday.[6] An edition of the album, with two bonus tracks, was also made available at Best Buy.[10][11][13] Braxton had posted the album artwork and the track listing in September 2014, which Khayla of SoulBounce.com described as "fierce and edgy".[14] Following the release of Crash & Burn, Braxton received criticism for being "past her prime for being a recording artist", though she responded by encouraging others to follow their dreams.[3]

Singles

Traci Braxton performing at Howard University in 2014

"Last Call" was released on July 15, 2014 as the lead single from Crash & Burn.[14][15] While Veronica Wells praised the single,[16] two reviewers from SoulBounce.com criticized the track as unmemorable.[15][17] The single was featured on the fourth season of Braxton Family Values.[18] Braxton performed it at the "Concert for a Cause: A Night to Support Childhood Literacy" at Howard University in September 2014. She did a lap dance with her husband, which Well criticized it as inappropriate for the event.[16] The accompanying music video was released on September 8, 2014 through Braxton's Vevo account.[19] In it, Braxton sees a man jogging in her neighborhood and flirts with him. Her siblings Toni, Tamar, and Trina Braxton help Traci attract the man to the house, where the pair cuddle on the patio and drink Hennessy. D-Money of SoulBounce.com responded negatively to Traci's wardrobe and hair styles. He wrote that it had "a hazy, slightly artificial look to every single frame".[17] "Last Call" peaked at number sixteen on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart.[20]

"Perfect Time" was released as the album's second single.[21] Prior to performing it for radio industry programmers, Braxton had a panic attack.[22]

Reception

Crash & Burn received mixed reviews from music critics. Phinesse Demps of The Baltimore Times responded positively to the album's production, and commended Braxton for creating "a very adult sound".[3] Praising the compositions as "undoubtedly contemporary and sleek", Andy Kellman wrote that the album contains a "decent assortment of adult-oriented R&B songs".[2] Melody Charles referred to Crash & Burn as Braxton's way of building "her own distinct groove", but felt it was not as polished as music released by her sisters Toni and Tamar; Charles was also critical of the amount of Auto-Tune used on the album.[9] On Twitter, Tamar panned the album for its use of Auto-Tune; she wrote: "Do the Grammys have a duet with auto tune category yet?"[23] Traci replied that she was "not bother at all" by her sister's criticism.[6]

On October 25, 2014, "Crash & Burn" debuted at #108 on the Billboard Hot 200 with sales of 4,000 in its first week.[24][25] The album also debuted at number one on the Billboard Heatseekers Album chart, number eleven on the Billboard R&B Albums chart and number eighteen on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.[26][27][28]

Track listing

Writing and production credits for the songs are taken from the booklet of Crash and Burn.[29]

Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Holding On"
  • Bobby D. Terry
  • Chris Lewis
  • Cliff Jones
  • James Reginald Carr
  • Terry
  • Lewis
4:08
2."What About Love?"
  • Terry
  • Lewis
  • Jones
  • Carr
  • Terry
  • Lewis
3:44
3."Stay Sippin'" (featuring Raheem DeVaughn)
  • Jones
  • David Lindsey
  • Harold F. Garvin II
  • Kimberly Udeozor
  • Raheem DeVaughn
Lindsey4:13
4."Last Call"
  • Jones
  • Lindsey
  • Garvin
  • Nicole Sims
Lindsey3:44
5."DWLY"
  • Jones
  • Lindsey
  • Garvin
  • Linda Creed
  • Sims
  • Scott Forbes
  • Thomas Bell
  • Traci Braxton
Lindsey4:34
6."Goodbye"
  • Brandon Best
  • Jones
  • Lindsey
  • Garvin
  • Braxton
Lindsey4:25
7."Perfect Time"
  • Terry
  • Lewis
  • Jones
  • Curtis L. Williams
  • Durrell Babbs
  • Terry
  • Lewis
3:38
8."Need It In My Life"
  • Jones
  • Lindsey
  • Garvin
Lindsey4:35
9."Passion"
  • Terry
  • Lewis
  • Jones
  • Carr
  • Jarmone Davis
  • Kevin Jerome Rutledge
  • Terry
  • Lewis
4:30
10."Reasons"
  • Jones
  • Lindsey
  • Grant William Nicholas
  • Kenneth Epperson Jr.
  • Michael Braxton
  • T. Braxton
Lindsey2:55
11."Crash & Burn"
  • Jones
  • Lindsey
  • Garvin
  • Udeozor
  • T. Braxton
Lindsey3:47
Total length:43:22

Credits and personnel

The following credits were adapted from AllMusic:[4]

Management
  • eOne
  • Soul World
Recording locations
  • Soul World Entertainment (Upper Marlboro, MD)
  • StarMakers Studios (Beltsville, MD)
Credits
  • Traci Braxton – Primary Artist, Producer
  • Danielle Brimm – A&R
  • Ray Cox – Photography
  • Shawnte Crespo – Product Manager
  • Raheem DeVaughn – Featured Artist
  • Isabel Evans – A&R
  • Nate Fields – Guitar (Bass)
  • Paul Grosso – Creative Director
  • Jamil Johnson – Mixing
  • Jamil "Face" Johnson – Mixing
  • Cliff Jones – Executive Producer, Producer
  • Kenneth Epperson, Jr. – Producer, Production Assistant
  • Chris Lewis – Engineer, Mixing
  • Chris "Symfonikz" Lewis – Producer
  • Dave Lindsey – Engineer, Mixing
  • Dave "DaveyBoy" Lindsey – Producer
  • David Lindsey – Executive Producer, Producer
  • Sean Marlowe – Art Direction, Design
  • Joe Moore – Production Assistant
  • Tommie Reed – A&R
  • Kevin Rutledge – Producer
  • Julia Sutowski – Coordinating Producer
  • Big Bob Terry – Producer
  • Bob Terry – Producer

Charts

Chart (2014) Peak
position
US Hot 200 (Billboard)[25] 108
US R&B Albums (Billboard)[30] 11
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[31] 18
US Heatseekers (Billboard)[32] 1

Release history

Region Date Format Label Ref
Worldwide October 7, 2014 Digital download, CD eOne, Soul World [10][11][12]

References

  1. ↑ Kellman, Andy. "Artist Biography by Andy Kellman". AllMusic. Archived from the original on May 11, 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Kellman, Andy. "AllMusic Review by Andy Kellman". AllMusic. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Demps, Phinesse (October 17, 2014). "Indie Soul Review: Crash & Burn by Traci Braxton". The Baltimore Times. Archived from the original on September 29, 2015.
  4. 1 2 "Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on April 9, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Season 3 Episode Guide". TV Guide. Archived from the original on June 6, 2017.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Jay, Just (October 1, 2014). "Traci Braxton: Perfect Time". The Hype Magazine. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Wells, Veronica (July 16, 2014). "Pass Or Play? Listen To Traci Braxton's New Song "Last Call"". MadameNoire. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015.
  8. ↑ Wells, Veronica (July 10, 2014). "Dreams Do Come True: Traci Braxton Lands A Record Deal". MadameNoire. Archived from the original on December 21, 2015.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Charles, Melody. "Traci Braxton - Crash & Burn (2014)". SoulTracks. Archived from the original on January 17, 2017.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 "Crash & Burn". WorldCat. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  11. 1 2 3 "Releases". AllMusic. Archived from the original on April 9, 2016.
  12. 1 2 "Crash & Burn". Apple Music. October 7, 2014. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  13. ↑ Kellman, Andy. "Review by Andy Kellman". AllMusic. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  14. 1 2 Khayla (September 12, 2014). "Traci Braxton Reveals Album Cover & Tracklist For 'Crash & Burn'". SoulBounce.com. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  15. 1 2 Cakes, B. (July 15, 2014). "Traci Braxton Debuts With A 'Last Call'". SoulBounce.com. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  16. 1 2 Wells, Veronica (September 22, 2014). "Traci Braxton Gives Husband Awkward Lap Dance During First Live Performance". MadameNoire. Archived from the original on 2018-06-13.
  17. 1 2 D-Money (September 5, 2014). "Traci Braxton Pours It On Thick For 'Last Call'". SoulBounce.com. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  18. ↑ Butta (July 14, 2014). "Morning Soul: It's Not The Way I Planned It". SoulBounce.com. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Traci Braxton - Last Call". Vevo. September 8, 2014. Archived from the original on April 16, 2016.
  20. ↑ "Adult R&B Songs Chart October 4, 2014". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  21. ↑ Augustine, Afiya (May 27, 2015). "Traci Braxton: My Sisters and I "Love Each Other So Very Much" — Exclusive". Wetpaint. Archived from the original on March 24, 2016.
  22. ↑ "No Time to Panic!". We TV. June 4, 2015. Archived from the original on January 17, 2017.
  23. ↑ Scott, B. "Shots Fired: Tamar Braxton Throws Major Shade at Her Sister Traci's Album on Twitter [Photos]". B. Scott. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  24. ↑ "Billboard 200". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2017-11-06.
  25. 1 2 "Top 200 Albums Billboard 25 October 2014". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016.
  26. ↑ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  27. ↑ "Top R&B Albums". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  28. ↑ "Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  29. ↑ Crash & Burn (Inlay cover). Traci Braxton. eOne, Soul World. October 7, 2014.
  30. ↑ "R&B Albums Chart October 25 2014". Billbard. Archived from the original on September 10, 2016.
  31. ↑ "Top R&B Hip Hop Albums Chart October 25 2014". Billbard. Archived from the original on September 10, 2016.
  32. ↑ "Heatseekers Album Chart October 25 2014". Billbard. Archived from the original on September 10, 2016.
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