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Chapter II
Ashanti
Retail Price (not our price): $13.98
Release Date: 2003-07-01
Manufacturer: Def Jam
Format: Audio CD
Discs: 1

Track List
Now here, for your listening pleasure, the tracks...

Disc 1

Editorial Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):

1) Amazon.com
This sophomore effort by 2002 hip-pop debutante Ashanti is aimed squarely at the mainstream portion of her audience. Where she made her name with radio-ready duets featuring Ja Rule and Fat Joe, Chapter II goes light on the rap, opting for only a small handful of cameos by co-producer Chink Santana. The mostly mid-tempo tracks are pleasant, but much of the album feels like an unfinished structure that'll only be fully built when the songs are remixed for the airwaves. Still, with the star's assured (and nicely undersold) vocals front and center, it amounts to a breath of fresh air from production company Murder Inc. Note: "Breakup 2 Makeup" once more updates the Chaka Khan/Mary J. Blige classic "Sweet Thing." --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):
Average Customer Rating: 3.0 out of 5

1) Sorry, Shani. This ish is wack. 2.5 stars.   [Rating: 2 out of 5]
And embarrassing. I really don't know what happened between Her decent debut and here. But something TRAGIC occurred.Standouts?The repetitive (Rock Wit U) Aww BabyThe abusive-relationship anthem, Rain On Me (THANK GOD SHE LEAVES HIM!!)The second most meaningful and gritty, undeniable track on the album, Then Ya GoneThe infectious, Island-influence pop track, laced with an OK rapper's rhyme: Sweet BabyVery disappointed in this. Sad that I ever owned it.Won't recommend it to ANYONE anymore.Knows it's rubbish.Knows it's forgettable.Knows it contains some of the most ridiculously-pointless skits ever.2.5 stars.

2) Ashanti wut were u thinkin?!   [Rating: 2 out of 5]
I personally loved most of the songs on Ashanti's debut album but this one took terrible to a whole new level and gave the word disappointing a whole new definition for me. Ashanti has a decent voice and I know she's capable of making better music than this! The only song on here that I can tolerate is Rock Wit U. I bought this album figuring that there are enough tracks on it that I would like at least three or four more in addition to the first single but I was wrong. I won't sell my copy or use it as a coaster because although it won't see the light of day anytime soon I still might one day decide to give it a second listen.

3) ...   [Rating: 4 out of 5]
First thing... no, I did not make a typo. I like Ashanti and I like her music. I have gotten ridiculed for it quite a bit. But come on. She may not be a terrific singer, but by no means is she offensive or terrible. And let me also say this. There is a time an place for every type of music. Sometimes I want me some Erykah Badu or Jill Scott. Other times, I'm just not in the mood and go for the more mainstream stuff like Ashanti.With that said, I absolutely loved this album. I do not know what is up with the terrible reviews, but I love every song on this album. (Excluding the unnecessary intros, outros and interludes. That's why I downgraded the rating to four stars. She really needs to stop with the interludes.) Without all that stuff, there are thirteen catchy, quality tracks. She has matured and it shows. Her vocals on here are an improvement, too. I highly recommend it if you're a fan or if you're considering buying it.

4) Second Really Was Her Best! 3.5 Stars!   [Rating: 4 out of 5]
I suggest that everyone who labelled Ashanti's sophomore album "Chapter II" as her worst album to date (excluding "Ashanti's Christmas" & "Collectables By Ashanti") should be shot in the head! While that may sound harsh (if not stupid), it's not as harsh as downing Ashanti's best album to date (if not by much). Whereas her self-titled debut & most of her third official album outing "Concrete Rose" tripped over generally emotional shallowness & unimpressive song writing, "Chapter II" remains decently consistent throughout its 20 tracks.Ashanti's joyous crooning of sweet, loving lyrics over a smooth, laid-back beat makes lead single, "Rock With U", a fantastic balladic summer jam, and an obvious album highlight. Ashanti continues to croon with equal amounts of happiness on "I Found Lovin'", another balladic summer jam about finding love over some sweet electronic keyboards & synthesizers. While "I Found Lovin'" may be more bouncy and club-ready than "Rock Wit U", it remains to be equally infectious. There is an expectedly huge amount of ballads on this album, but none stand out more than second single "Rain On Me", where Ashanti soulfully (and dramatically) sings about wanting someone (more specifically, God) to take away her endless heartache over some incredible production. Thankfully, Ashanti consistently displays emotional vocals and excellent lyricism over nice production on "Living My Life" (a piano/violin ballad where Ashanti reminisces on the hard times in her past, and how she's happy that she's moved on to better things), "Carry On" & "U Say I Say" (2 piano-heavy ballads about giving up a bad relationship). The hypnotically lusty ballads "I Don't Mind" & "Ohhh Ahhh" should also keep listeners interested.Unfortunately, "Chapter II" has virtually as many hits as it does misses. Firstly, there are WAY too many skits & interludes, which are further worsened when Irv Gotti saturates potentially good songs ("Feel So Good", etc.) with his annoying laughter & incessant bickering. Secondly, the production lacks consistency & originality in some parts. "Then Ya Gone" has incredible, contemplative lyrics which aim to inspire & teach listeners about making the most of your life, but is brought down by boring production, Ashanti's dreary vocals & Chink Santana's unnecessary rap. As for tracks like "Breakup 2 Makeup", "Sweet Baby" & "The Story Of 2", there's nothing remotely original about any of those tracks to keep a listener hooked for longer than 30 seconds.Altogether though, there are enough bright spots (and thankfully, not enough low points) on the album to make this album her best to date (like I said, if not by much). 3.5 STARS!

5) Never 2 Late 2 Fall In Luv Again (Ashanti's Music).   [Rating: 4 out of 5]
I thought this cd was really bad like everybody else, and it had been in my collection for years. I was feeling the need for new music, so that's when I got out the cds I only listened to a couple times. There are a couple really good songs on this cd. The problem is the way the cd was arranged. Ashanti needs to get rid of the intros and skits. It distracts the listener, and it makes you want to skip thru the whole cd. It would help if there were more songs for me to like, but I did discover a couple songs I forgot about, and a new one I now like. You can't give up on something completely. Ashanti has talent and I knew there had to be more to this cd than just getting rid of it. A cd has to breathe anyways. M' fave song by Ashanti is on here, it's called "I Found Lovin'". It has a 80's beat and it's a positive vibe. I like "Aww Baby" and "Rain On Me". A new song I found is "Then Your Gone". It has a good message and good lyrics. I hope Ashanti follows her heart and flips the script so her next album will be better than all of them.