Most people will be more familiar with her famous sister Toni, but younger sibling Tamar Braxton is readying herself for solo stardom with the release of new song, Love and War.
Tamar is no stranger to the music world: having enjoyed moderate success as part of The Braxtons, and then less so as a solo star with first album Tamar. But that was over a decade ago and Father time's ceaseless march seems to have finally put some fire under the 35-year-old and got her back into the recording studio. Well that and her colossal ego that is convinced she should be as big a star as Lady Gaga!
Love and War is a risky first song for someone hoping to achieve big, mainstream success. It's unashamedly RnB; a genre that unfortunately isn't selling well in today's musical climate. In some ways I respect Tamar for this brave choice, and perhaps it's time for the genre to have a resurgence- not that Brandy, Monica or Mary J Blige had much luck this year.
The song itself is pretty good. Yes it sounds like Keyshia Cole's Trust and Believe but it proves- to those who didn't know- that Tamar's confidence in her own talent wasn't unfounded.With a lower range that shares tonal qualities to Toni and a clear and contrasting belting range, Tamar manages not only to shine on the vocal front, but she also sells the emotion of the song, too.
Love And War has not only wetted my appetite for more music from the youngest Braxton, but it also seems to have got others excited. It's currently riding high on both the UK (which is really shocking) and American (which is less so) Itune's chart, with little to no publicity. Gaga did tweet her monsters the Itunes link-she's managed by Tamar's husband- but I'm informed it was still charting high before that happened. Let's see how single number two fares!
Rating: B+
Thoughts?
Im glad you posted this as i did'nt think it would be posted. i think it was this is risky as you said RnB just dosnt sale anymore. At points her voice does remind me of Keisha Cole, but Tamar is a far better vocalist, technique wise, her tone and timbre are is much more peircing, as well as 4 octives and 2 notes. Plus she is taking vocal lessons to improve. At points she sounds very close to Mariah who is her idol. Im def interested in hearing what else she brings.
ReplyDeleteShe sounds nothing like Mimi, lol. She sounds like a hybrid of Leona Lewis and Beyonce, IMO.
ReplyDeleteIn comparison to most RnB sappy love songs, the lyrics here are actually refreshing. No wonder it managed to sell.
ReplyDeleteBeyonce couldn't bring r&b back with 4closure, but it looks like tamar might do it. Imo voice is better suited for it
ReplyDeleternb isn't coming back anytime soon rofl. Just cuz there's 1 succesful rnb song doesnt mean rnb's back
ReplyDeleteI like that song. It stands out of all the mediocore dance crap we're feeded everyday.
ReplyDeleteI guess we dont hear the same thing when it comes to her voice. However I do agree with you, I just cant see RnB making a comeback unfortuntly, at least in the US. In the UK and other country seem to enjoy RnB still. Tamar album is supposed to be diverse, with pop included as well.
ReplyDeleteI swear every time I hear her voice until the higher points I keep thinking shes Mariah. I remember when her vide3o of her singing the national anthem was put on Youtube (since the quality was terrible) I kept saying to the screen "Mimi! Why are you singing the national anthem this way? And whats with your whistle! lol" Tamar has a great technique in my opinion until she reaches those super high head notes. They definitely dont sound free or easy. Like shes trying to force her way into the super head extension.
ReplyDeleteShe has great technique, she can mix and lighten her tone just as Mariah does, Its funny how they both have very simular low, raspy, speaking voices. However her head extension particularly the whistle is not near as developed as Mariah's. I saw her perform the National Anthem and footage of her warming up before hand. Which concerns me, I hope she does not use that "opening her voice" technique she used to access her whistle register as her normal excercise. I think if she cut out some of the access loud talking and yelling and excersised her voice regularly, her head register would improve.
ReplyDeleteIMO Mariah's tone has a nasal quality that Tamar doesn't have. And she usually sings at a much higher part of her range lol.
ReplyDeleteI think that nasal quality depends on the placement she uses. At her debut she never sounded naslily I think particularly in 07-08 she was using definetly using that particular placement. Her recent performances she been using different placement that sounds closer to her debut placement.
ReplyDeleteI'm in love with this song. I actually thought she sounded like Jennifer Hudson on "we lose control" and "then we explode" I'm actually excited for Tamar's album
ReplyDeleteI thought she sounded nasal ever since Butterfly, and a little in Daydream. She was definitely nasal by Rainbow, IMO. Yeah, it's probably her placement. And you are right, it was particularly apparent in the EMC2 era.
ReplyDeleteBUT NEVER COMPARE TAMAR TO MIMI @ HER DEBUT LOLOLOL. Mimi @ her debut was waaaaaaaaaaay better than Tamar.
This song is amazing, but her attitued during the vocal coach session was so pointless. She's such a spoiled diva, no wonder she flopped with her first record 20 years ago, who would handle that brat. Now that she has a rich husband-manager he can afford it all, but will it last long with that attitude?
ReplyDeleteI think she sounds more like R&B vet Ms. Deborah Cox the most overall... I don't think she's bratty... I think she's very passionate about her craft and sensitive about it so she fights you on it. Vince shut her down so much about the Album initially that I think she became very defensive about it and pushing it to be a priority. in the shadows of Toni & her mega hit producer husband she's just fighting for her own craft to be recognized & now she's gonna get it. Kudos TAMAR you did it baby girl!
ReplyDeletei agree that its a brave choice to do a shamelessly R&B song but its not a wise choice because the music industry is and has been dominated for the past 5 years - im afraid though that it isnt catchy enough and this definitely wont bring back R&B - however her vocals here are good and the song is far from bad - i just feel as though its nothing special
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