Graffiti
by Chris Brown
  • Record Label: Jive
  • Release Date: Dec 8, 2009
Metascore
39

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 12
  3. Negative: 6 out of 12
  1. Billboard.com
    80
    While listeners can't help but be reminded of his fall from grace, Brown also shows us on Graffiti that he's still a formidable talent.-
  2. Spin
    70
    The album's most striking moment is "Fallin' Down." Over a ominous guitar riff, the 20-year-old sings, "It's getting heavy / I think I'm getting ready to break down." It's the most honest moment of his short career. The kid sure needs a vacation.
  3. Dot Music
    70
    Despite being five tracks too long--specifically the five tracks which have him falling back to his syrupy ways of old Graffiti is hands down the highest point of Chris Brown's career.
  5. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    With his actions this year, Chris Brown strapped cement boots on the zero-gravity pleasures pop music is meant to provide. Graffiti won't magically fix that, but at its best moments, it still floats.
  6. Rolling Stone
    50
    Chris Brown has made a bland, occasionally obnoxious, pro forma R&B album.
  7. The New York Times
    50
    A curiously faceless album that largely thumbs its nose at close reading.
  8. Los Angeles Times
    37
    A handful of lovingly arranged power ballads were evidently designed to illuminate the singer's remorse over the Rihanna incident. Yet Brown doesn't seem up to the task of contrition.
  9. Slant Magazine
    30
    Sadly, the only compelling thing about the incoherent Graffiti is the material (both external and internal) that makes it even less palatable than a simply below-average collection of paint-by-numbers R&B beats.
  10. Chicago Tribune
    25
    'Famous Girl' throws the album off balance, and makes every note feel exploitive and self-serving. In trying to restore his reputation, Brown ends up damaging it even more.
  11. AllMusic
    20
    Brown clumsily emphasizes womanizing and hedonism and balances it out with a couple clean and empty ballads. Out of this portion of the album, only a couple songs leave a lasting impression, and when they do, the silly things that come out of Brown’s mouth tend to be the reason.
  12. Hot Press
    20
    Try-hard, but ultimately mediocre R’n’B comeback from disgraced singer.
  13. The A.V. Club
    0
    Musically, Graffiti is a fairly ingratiating affair: The production is clean and often lively, and Brown sings well enough. The problem is what he’s singing.

Awards & Rankings

22
#22 Most Discussed Album of 2009
48
#48 Most Shared Album of 2009

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 166 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 78 out of 166
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 166
  3. Negative: 82 out of 166
  1. TheMovieFreak
    Nov 18, 2011
    10
    Graffiti is worth the buy. The album expresses the way Chris Brown is changing as a man. Turning to a different genre in music, makingGraffiti is worth the buy. The album expresses the way Chris Brown is changing as a man. Turning to a different genre in music, making something we've never heard before. I love this CD! I think its worth the money and time.

    Individual Ratings:
    1. I Can Transform Ya. (10/10)
    2. Sing Like Me. (10/10)
    3. Crawl. (10/10)
    4. So Cold. (9.5/10)
    5. What I Do. (10/10)
    6. Famous Girl. (9.5/10)
    7. Take My Time. (9/10)
    8. I.Y.A. (10/10)
    9. Pass Out. (10/10)
    10. Wait. (10/10)
    11. Lucky Me. (8.5/10)
    12. Fallin Down. (10/10)
    13. I'll Go. (10/10)
    CD 2:
    1. Gotta Be Ur Man. (9.5/10)
    2. Movie. (8/10)
    3. For Ur Love. (9.5/10)
    4. I Need This. (10/10)
    5. I Love U. (9/10)
    6. Brown Skin Girl. (8.9/10)    … Full Review »
  2. Mcritic19
    Sep 2, 2011
    8
    This album was not his best nor was it his worst. This album was overlooked by his RIhanna incident and people reviewed the album based on it.This album was not his best nor was it his worst. This album was overlooked by his RIhanna incident and people reviewed the album based on it. It was not a good comeback album but he was not making a comeback he was just trying to restore his career. I like the album, it was mature and he expressed his feelings. I would have given it a 7 but I need to help the score so I'll give it an 8… Full Review »
  3. kash
    Jan 26, 2011
    10
    I'm only giving this album a 10 to balance out some of the flack he got for the Rihanna incident. Btw, he was genuine about his feelings whenI'm only giving this album a 10 to balance out some of the flack he got for the Rihanna incident. Btw, he was genuine about his feelings when he did "man in the mirror" on BET. I know this because I saw the movie "Takers" and Chris Brown has no acting ability. That said, this was a mediocre album. Certainly not a "0" album ( like Lil' Wayne's 'Rebirth') but no more than a 7 (and that's being generous). Hopefully, when he puts out FAME, it will be a real comeback from the analytical beating he took (and it was only fitting that he took one; anyone who denies that doesn't know how America works). That's my 2 cents and hopefully this review will find an agreeable reader. Thanks.… Full Review »
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