This album is only superior to The Heat. And maybe it's on par with Secrets but Toni Braxton and More Than a Woman are far superior (especially the latter which got slaughtered on the charts and in people's minds; they expected more I suppose). Toni's low contralto has always sent me places. When she first stepped out on the scene she was vulnerable longing had some love issues but wasn't afraid to sing about love - losing it gaining it obsessing over it. Back in the early 90s she made us feel it! Teamed up with Babyface she was a force to be reckoned with.

And since then she's been releasing solid CD after solid CD; some of it with a little bit of filler but enjoyable nonetheless.

But we're here to talk about her latest release Libra so let's do that shall we?

This is a 10 song journey that is over soon after you blink your eyes a couple of times.

The 10 tracks are similar in fashion to her old school hits: Potential hits, slept on tracks and some filler. Libra is no exception:

1. Please -- Good choice of a second single. I applaud her because in her video she wears her hair short and sexy and I've always loved that in her. Contemporary hit that was slept on. 4 stars.

=^_^= Dri =^_^=

2. Trippin' (That's the Way Love Works) -- Nice. Contemporary. Relate-able. 4.25 stars.

=^_^= Dri =^_^=

3. What's Good -- Great mid-tempo. Samples a 2Pac song. I just found out that it's his Dear Momma. 5 stars.

=^_^= Dri =^_^=

4. Take This Ring -- I LOVE this song. Rich Harrison who caters to Amerie mostly produced this. Truly gets a party started!! The drums are mean and back beat; crazy! Another slept on potential hit. 5.25 stars.

=^_^= Dri =^_^=

5. Midnite -- A catchy, mid-tempo ladies' anthem. Low trade-mark contralto. 4.25 stars.

=^_^= Dri =^_^=

6. I Wanna Be (Your Baby) -- Sappy yet better than I thought. 3 stars.

=^_^= Dri =^_^=

7. Sposed to Be -- Features a hip-hop beat. Another mid-tempo. This album is full of them, which in my opinion is good. Don't wanna overdo it with too many slow tracks. Not that memorable but huge compared to I Wanna Be. 3.75 stars.

=^_^= Dri =^_^=

8. Stupid -- Jazzy, and a nice change of pace from Toni. Slept on. Should've been a single! 4.75 stars.

=^_^= Dri =^_^=

9. Finally -- Eh... 3.25 stars.

=^_^= Dri =^_^=

10. Shadowless -- "I'm running down the streets, trying to find the answers..." Yeah, right. Like I believe that one, you silly, silly girl." LOLZ Good song otherwise. 4 stars.

=^_^= Dri =^_^=

41.25/10 = 4.125

4.13 stars.

She is in need of Babyface again to return to the hit-making factory we used to hear her churn them pleasant, radio-friendly songs from. Will she be a smart girl next time? Will she continue to write (or co-write) her tracks? We must wish on our lucky stars, and keep those fingers crossed!

Cover Art: A++
Songwriting: B-
Vocals: B-
Vocal Acrobatics: C+
Production: A
Length: B

4.13 stars.

Overall: B-

Download: Take This Ring, What's Good, Stupid and Trippin'.