Best Ever Albums

Re: Secrets by Toni Braxton

Johnnyo — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 05:36:30 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 08/14/2026 09:36

Would I have picked this album to kick off a new group dedicated to Soul and Funk, absolutely not because it really isn’t Soul or funk, it’s in that world of vanilla music that tried to pass itself off as soul but sells in huge quantities for whatever reason. It’s none threatening and safe and I suppose comforting (in a way)

As I said at the start of this tread, I’m a huge Norman Whitfield fan, bands like The Temptations and Undisputed Truth, so the bar is set very high and this album really doesn’t come close to that sort of quality. It really shouldn’t be talked about in the same breath as albums like 1990 or Masterpiece.

I don’t mind smooth and this is a well-produced album but there is really nothing here to hang onto. It’s just all so bland and instantly forgettable.
Having said that, Toni is a talented vocalist with a great range

It’s going to be interesting to see what the listening group make of this, and hopefully the next pick will be a soul or funk album. Some Funkadelic wouldn’t go a miss.

Re: Secrets by Toni Braxton

Johnnyo — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 02:19:19 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 08/13/2026 06:19

So, that's it for Secrets. One last write up of overall thoughts and it's a wrap on this one

Re: Secrets by Toni Braxton

Johnnyo — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 02:17:12 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 08/13/2026 06:17

In the Late of Night" (includes hidden track "Toni's Secrets)

Lots of artists place their best tracks as the first and last tracks on their album, Toni may well have done that on Secrets, the only problem is that all of the songs are much of a muchness. Another MOR track with nothing really to redeem it apart from it’s OK

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Re: Secrets by Toni Braxton

Johnnyo — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 03:42:37 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 08/10/2026 07:42

I Love Me Some Him

Apart from having a grammatically incorrect title, this track doesn’t deviate from the tried and tested formula here. So, you’ve guessed it, it’s so-so.

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Re: Secrets by Toni Braxton

Johnnyo — Sun, 9 Aug 2026 03:14:47 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 08/09/2026 07:14

I Don't Want To

This has become a very boring album to review and quite honestly, a bit of a chore. First time that this has happened with an album chose for a listening group.

Another so-so track from Secrets. It’s all just so blah

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Re: Secrets by Toni Braxton

Johnnyo — Thu, 6 Aug 2026 03:04:07 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 08/06/2026 07:04

Why Should I Care

This pretty much sums up my feeling about Secrets. This track epitomises the album. It’s OK, and pretty much instantly forgettable.

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Re: Secrets by Toni Braxton

Johnnyo — Wed, 5 Aug 2026 04:39:00 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 08/05/2026 08:39

Let It Flow

I’m sourly tempted to stop reviewing these tracks a. because they all sound the same, b. because I’m finding nothing of interest, but I intend to carry on just in case there’s a diamond in the rough somewhere.

This is not that diamond.

Another so so track from Secrets. With such a great voice, who thought that doing such bland tracks was a good idea. It’s not awful, it’s actually OK but I’ve forgot what it sounds like already

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Re: Secrets by Toni Braxton

Johnnyo — Tue, 4 Aug 2026 03:44:49 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 08/04/2026 07:44

Find Me a Man

A contender for my least favourite track on Secrets. When the music is this blah, it’s hard to quantify why I find this more vanilla than the rest of the album. Maybe it’s the lyrics. Just so bland.

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Re: Secrets by Toni Braxton

Johnnyo — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 03:36:31 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/31/2026 07:36

How Could an Angel Break My Heart

I’m feeling a sense of déjà vu when writing about tracks on Secrets.

Nothing offensive or awful here but also nothing to get you excited.

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Re: Secrets by Toni Braxton

Johnnyo — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 02:07:35 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/28/2026 06:07

Talking in His Sleep

Another so so ballad. Again, not unpleasant but instantly forgettable

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Re: Secrets by Toni Braxton

Johnnyo — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 03:27:21 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/24/2026 07:27

Link

Un-Break My Heart

Another OK but not particularly memorable track. I find all of the ballads on Secrets all rather underwhelming and very Samey.

No doubting that she has a great voice but she could go for more “adventurous” tracks.

I’m sure that this has been played at quite a few funerals over the years! It’s that sort of track

Re: Secrets by Toni Braxton

Johnnyo — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 01:45:36 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/22/2026 05:45

There's No Me Without You

I’m feeling a pattern forming here. Another OK track but nothing that really grabs you. Probably more memorable than the first two tracks TBH.

A nice ballad performed well.

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Re: Secrets by Toni Braxton

Johnnyo — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 08:00:08 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/21/2026 12:00

You're Makin' Me High

Again, a decent track but nothing that makes you go wow! Got to say though, Toni has a very good voice.

Like, I suspect most track on this album will be, it feels over produced. It’s very slick and upbeat. It’s OK but pretty forgettable.

This is marginally better than the opening track so hopeful that I might get a few decent tracks later

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Re: Secrets by Toni Braxton

Johnnyo — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 13:25:21 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/20/2026 17:25

Come On Over Here

Yes, it’s soul but not particularly convinced that it’s my type of soul. I'm a huge Norman Whitfield fan, The Temptations / The Undisputed Truth and this isn't that

Very well done and performed but feels a little lacking for me. I think bland is too harsh but quite forgettable but it’s not a bad listen.

On hearing it you think, that’s not bad but five minutes later your struggling to remember what it sounded like

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Secrets by Toni Braxton

Johnnyo — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:58:40 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/20/2026 16:58

So this is a new one on me from a new listening group that I've joined called Soul Train, as you will probably have guess, specialising in Soul / Funk music

The first album is

Secrets (1996) by Toni Braxton

I don't know much about Toni Braxton and nothing about this album so interested to explore

As usual, any thoughts or comments gratefully received