A truly brilliant hurricane (Hurricane - Eric Benet)

Member Name: Lakerfanster

Product:	Hurricane - Eric Benet
Date:	01/07/09 (43 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Vocals, music, lyrics

Disadvantages: None

**Introduction**

On this lovely summers day I am sat here with a nice cold coke and the window open listening to some relaxing music. I thought I might do a review of what I am listening to so here we are. Having reviewed Eric Benet's previous album I was really looking forward to sitting down and listening to this the follow up to A day in the life. Every so often an Artist produces an album that is their masterpiece. In my opinion Eric Benet's masterpiece Hurricane is one of those albums.

**Hurricane**

This album was released six years after his previous album and is one of the most personal R&B albums of the last decade. It deals with the breakup of Benet's marriage to Halle Berry and his battle with sex addiction, (yes you read that right.) This album was released on 4th July 2005 and is the third studio album from Eric Benet.

1.) Be Myself Again

This is a lovely acoustic guitar based opening track which has a catchy beat. It has the sort of chorus that would be a great crowd pleaser at his concerts. This is a very good start that only hints at the quality of some of the upcoming tracks. Very good start indeed.

2.) Pretty Baby

If you remember my review a while back of Neo Soul/Jazz singer Kem, this track has a feel which is similar to a few songs from Kem. This is a very flowing track with some smooth backing vocals and a great backing beat with Benet's fine falsetto shining again. This hints at what's to come later on in the album.

3.) Hurricane

This title track was the track which first introduced me to this album, It has a superb flow and a very very emotive feel. To me this is about having to go through the worst of the divorce to get through to the point where you are over it. This is one of the best tracks on the album and a real gem.

4.) Where Does The Love Go (with Yvonne Catterfeld)

This is the most uptempo track on the album and features a firm beat and some great catchy hooks. Newcomer Yvonne Catterfield does a good job providing vocals on this duet.

5.) My Prayer

This is a truly awesome track which features some of the best vocals on the album, This really is Eric Benet at his absolute best and when he is at his best he is a very very good singer indeed. A truly superb track that is surrounded with other fine tracks too. Just brilliant.

6.) Man Enough To Cry"

This is a really beautiful stripped down ballad about how it really felt when his marriage broke down. His vocals are mellow and really emotive with some great falsetto moments. I love the way he moves through the lyrics superbly well and his voice sounds so at ease. One of the best tracks on a very very good album indeed.

7.) I Know

This has a funky stop start melody and some fine backing vocals that are very smooth and soulful. This has great instrumentation and is one of the best tracks on the album. I love the way the song flows throught the 3.43 it lasts for. Brilliant track.

8.) India

This starts with soft percussion which progressively gets louder then Benet's vocals come in. His voice is joined with the gentle strum of an acoustic guitar and the drum beat. This is another great track which showcases his natural vocals to great effect. The guitar reminds me a little of the gentle guitar work on Eric Clapton's Reptile album.

9.) Last Time

This is a lovely piano ballad which has elements which remind me a little of Stevie Wonder and interestingly Sam Cooke. This is an absolutely brilliant track which has a very sombre feel which makes for an outstanding track that is very sincere and believable. Brilliant stuff.

10.) In The End

I really like the guitar on this track, it's laid back but has a very nice melody and adds a nice touch to the overall feel of the song. It's not quite as brilliant as the best on the album but is a real grower and one that is a very good track indeed in a subtle way.

11.) Making Love

This track reminds me of Brian McKnight both in Eric Benet's vocal style and also the musical feel of the track. This is a very good track indeed and one that makes you wish the album was not nearly over. This track sums up the overall quality of the album.

12.) Cracks Of My Broken Heart"

This is a fabulous piano ballad which opens beautifully with a relaxing piano piece then Benet's tender vocals come in. This is a really beautiful ballad about wanting to keep the relationship together. His vocal performance throught this album is just superb and better than on his other albums. Sensational track that is just so beautiful.

13.) I Wanna Be Loved"

I would describe This track as a neo soul track as it has a similar vibe to D'Angelo and Musiq Soulchild etc. Benet's vocals are again very good indeed and the backing vocals are a great addition to this track. This track is about realising the love has gone in the marriage and wanting to still be loved. Another great track.

14.) Still With You

This is an awesome track to end on, This piano ballad really tops of the album well as it has all the ingredients that have made this album so special. Great vocals, beautiful music and heartfelt lyrics. You really would be hard pressed to find a better more apt track to end this album with than Still With You. Just brilliant.

**Overall**

This album is a revelation. When listening to his previous two albums there were a few tracks that I did not really like so used to skip them quite often but this is almost flawless. The album features his best vocals of his career. The most emotive music of his career and the most heartfelt lyrics of his career. Roll these three into one and you come up with a remarkable album full of classic tracks which he will never get close to again. Not in the same way. This album is really something special.

Summary: Great